What is the difference between a current and a voltage balun?
The voltage balun forces equal voltage across the two sides of a balanced load and the current balun forces equal current through the two sides of a balanced load.
What does a current balun do?
Current baluns allow each output terminal’s voltage, with respect to “ground” or chassis, to float to any value required to provide equal currents to each feedline conductor. Current baluns are universal devices that work with balanced or unbalanced loads equally well.
How do I make an antenna balun?
The most obvious method of creating a balun is to create a transformer with two windings – one side is grounded, and the other side has differential outputs. It is possible to ground a centre tap on the balun if needed, but for antenna systems this is not normally done.
Is a balun needed for a dipole antenna?
The use of a balun will prevent the coax radiating any power or picking up any noise. In many practical situations it is possible to operate the dipole satisfactorily without one, but there may be a slight increased risk of interference if one is not used. Simple baluns can be bought from antenna suppliers, or made.
Does my antenna need a balun?
If you’re installing a dipole antenna or one with a wire, you’ll need a balun to balance the transmission line. When you’re not using it, the connection between a balanced antenna, such as a dipole antenna, and other coaxial feeders is wrought with issues.
Why do I need a balun?
Why Do I Need A Balun? A balun is used to help set up antennas in your home or place of business. If you’re installing a dipole antenna or one with a wire, you’ll need a balun to balance the transmission line.
What is a choke balun?
Essentially, a choke balun is designed to “divorce” your antenna from the feed line. If your feed line is coaxial cable then you don’t want it to be part of your antenna. You want to be able to deliver all your power to the radiator itself, i.e. “the antenna”. A choke balun does this admirably.