By G. E. "Buck" Rogers Sr;  K4ABT

In September of 1949, I was exhausted from climbing poles and trees to move, remove, add, or change my single-band HF antenna's.  In those younger years of my HAM radio hobby, I had used single band dipoles and doublets for almost every HF Amateur band.    I had tried long-wires, doublets, dipoles, and Zepps, but again, operation was restricted to single band operation, maybe two bands at most.  The trick of it all, was to remember and change the plug-in "tank-coil" to match the antenna band.  My ole 807 rig was a home-brew, that I had built on an Atwater-Kent chassi, and I had wound the tank-coils on phenolic, plug-in coil forms (No, it was NOT a pi-section, tank-circuit, it was link coupled, no less). 

Antenna tuners were few and far between.  This being the case, it's a good thing most transmitter's used Pi-Section output tuning.  Yes, I wrote, "transmitter's;"  Transceivers were unheard of in those days..... Later the "Benton Harbor Lunchbox" came along, and shortly the "gooney-box" made the scene.  For the newbies to HAM Radio, a  "Benton Harbor Lunchbox"  was a super-regenerative receiver in a small metal enclosure with a two meter (AM) transmitter that doubled in the final, thus giving us about one watt to the antenna.  In the beginning, Heath Company made only two types, one for six (6) meters, and one for two (2) meters.  They picked up the name(s) SIX'er & Two'er.

As for the Gooney Box, Gonset built a more expensive two-meter AM rig (transceiver), and employed a super-het receiver to provide more selectivity.  During band-openings, however rare, it was difficult to tell the difference between the lunch-box receiver and the gooney-box receiver.

ENTER; THE WINDOM:
I had heard of the "Windom" and read a few articles about the Windom, but most of my thoughts were ... ho-hum.. just another dipole fed a bit off-center.  Then one evening at a meeting of the GARC in the old "Sea Scouts" club house near the Coosa River in Gadsden, Alabama; I heard some of my "elmers" Gilbert Watson (SK) W4PAC,  Gale Caudle (then W4CFB), Jack Kennamer (SK) W4YPC, Bob Bynum W4USM, Austin (Vic) Vickery, Walter Damkohler (SK) W4EBO,  W4CWF, Ed Elkins (SK) W4CDI, Homer Dupree (SK) W4OZK, Jim Runyan, Homer O'Dell, Robert Martin, .... and others discussing the Windom all-band HF antenna.  It was when Jack (W4YPC), mentioned using one (Windom) antenna, on the all HF bands  that my ears went directional!

That last phrase caught my undivided attention.  "most all HF bands, ....etc"     What !  A multi-band HF antenna ?   Surely I had been blessed. 

To think that I could hang a Windom, and no longer have to climb the poles and trees to hang another (single band) HF antenna was great news to me.  To be able to use it without an antenna tuner was icing-on-the-cake.  For a kid without extra funds, an antenna tuner was a luxury that I could not afford.  Even my transmitter was a single 807 rig I homebrewed on an old Atwater-Kent radio chassis, my grand-father had given me.

In those days, a BALUN was unheard of.  My Elmer's described, a means of connecting the coax to the off-center fed antenna using a nine (9) turn coil of the coax feed-line at the feed point.  This coil of feedline coax formed a "de-coupling" loop.  The de-coupling loop provided a crude means of matching the feed coax to the antenna, and at the same time, it would reduce the "re-radiation" (RF currents) along the outside (shield) of the feeder coax.

Today we have toroid cores and BALUN devices that provide a more efficient means of coupling RF energy to the antenna (reducing the VSWR, "standing-waves"), while performing better impedance matching.  In the drawing shown above, I've drawn the exact dimensions of the Windom I built in 1949.  The only differences in my Windom of 1949 and today are:

1) the material the insulators are made of, and
2) I've substituted a 4 to 1 BALUN for the 9 turn, 8 inch diameter, decoupling loop.

AN UPDATE:

Since writing this article a few decades ago for a major HAM radio magazine, I've received tons of mail (and eMail) asking for more information, especially with regards to a 160 meter version;  Here then is "the rest of the story."

 

First of all, we'll address the formula, and how to determine the length(s) of each section,  using the same old formula that I used in 1949.

Long side....  = 468, divided by the frequency, then multiply by  .64    (= Feet)  

 

Short side.... = 468, divided by the frequency, then multiply by  .36    (= Feet)
 

THUS; for 160 thru 10 Mtrs.........   

Long  Section;         468/1.8 MHz = 260  x  .64 =       166.4 feet.

Short Section;         468/1.8 MHz = 260  x  .36 =        93.6  feet.

 

For 75 thru 10 meters do similar math to arrive at/near the dimensions shown in the drawing below, but for best results, use the formula.

The Windom can be installed as an inverted VEE, or as a sloper, but in no case, should the angle be less than 90 degrees against itself.  To use an angle that folds against the pattern of the opposite end of the Windom, would change the impedance of the feed-point, change the multi-band features, and most important, destroy the radiation characteristics of the antenna. 

 

In other words, install the Windom as you would any other dipole, while using a common sense approach.  The fact that we are feeding

this Windom using coax, and a single balun, gives us the ability to construct it as an inverted VEE or at a "real estate saving (angle)" without destroying the features and performance of the Windom.

 

This is not true with those antennas fed with ladder-lines and those that have several impedance transitions built into the feeders of the "basic" Windom....... There's more to come, so read on!

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A Method to hang the BALUN for your WINDOM, G5RV, and Dipole.
 

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This 80 thru 6 meter WINDOM is completely assembled BUX Model 806136, includes three (3) insulators, PVC covered, Power-Flex, 41 strand, tinned, copper wire, connectors, and BALUN.  This WINDOM is completely assembled, ready to connect your coax, and erect.  See coaxial cable and related items on this page (below).  You can be on the air in no time, with our model 806136,  $59.95                   $59.95  Order ↑WINDOM ↑ "without coax" Model 806136  Above Windom with Fifty ft. (50') RG8X coax and connectors, $ 79.95 806136W50    Above Windom with One Hundred ft. (100') RG8X coax and connectors, $ 95.95 806136W100

From: GeoRuple Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2005 9:00 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Windom Buck, recently decided to give my tri bander a rest and use the windom I bought from you.  I just want to say it works great, you have made a good antenna in the (BUXcomm) windom. I have used it on 2, 15, 20, 40, and 80 meters and I am really impressed with it's performance. with the tuner it almost out performs my beam at times and makes it so much easier than always having to turn the beam. Thanks Buck 73, George

This 160 thru 6 meter WINDOM is completely assembled BUX Model 166260 includes three (3) insulators, PVC covered, Power-Flex, 41 strand, tinned, copper wire, connectors, and "BUX Black Hawk BALUN".  This 160 thru 6 meter WINDOM is completely assembled, ready to connect your coax, and erect.    You can be on the air in no time, with our model 166260,  $79.95                   $79.95  Order ↑WINDOM ↑ "without coax" Model 166260  166260 Windom with One Hundred ft. (100') RG8X coax and connectors, $ 129.95 166260W100

40 thru 6 meter WINDOM completely assembled Total length; 70 ft overall, comes complete with BALUN, center insulator with eye-bolt (as shown), end insulators, and end ty-tails, attached.    Without coax feedline    Complete and ready for you to connect your coax.       order number “40670”  For $49.95           With 50 ft of RG8X coax with Gold PL259 already installed at each end, it is our  order number 40670X50 for $ 68.95        With 100 ft of RG8X coax with Gold PL259 already installed at each end, it is our order number 40670X100 for $ 87.95

LOOP ANTENNAS   $99.95 Order ↑BUXLOOP ↑"without coax" SEE COAX OPTIONS BELOW. The "LOOP Sky-Wire" is completely assembled, with all wire, "float" insulators, "fixed" insulators, BALUN (UnUn), ready to hang and attach your coax.   RG8X Coax 50 and 100 feet options are shown below .*  LOOP Antennas have less electrostatic noise in your receiver. *  LOOP Antennas provide additional gain over conventional wire type antennas *  LOOP Antennas perform especially well over poor conducting earth like sand and lossy soils. Many HAMs will tell you about a great antenna that was designed by Dave Fischer W0MHS.  For now though, let's say that the best overall performing wire antenna is one of the best kept secrets in HAM Radio.  I first learned about it in 1985 when Dave W0MHS wrote an article in the November issue of QST.  Dave called his design, "the   ''Loop Skywire.''  Today, we call it, the Full Wave LOOP Antenna. There are several factors to consider when choosing your wire gauge and type. BUX COMM uses number 14 AWG, silver-flashed-copper, made up of 41 strands, covered with Sky-Blue PVC. The (41) multi-strands provide an added (tensile) strength.  Because the wire size, most often referenced by HAM radio articles, is: #14 AWG, we have chosen it as the preferred size for our Full Wave, 80 thru 10 meters, LOOP antenna wire size.  In the construction of our antennas here at BUX COMM, we use a special, high grade wire, with 41 strands of silver flashed, copper with an esthetically blended sky-blue IR resistant PVC covering.  Our sky-blue covering will not affect the RF transmission in any way. The formula we use to calculate the length of the Full Wave Loop Antenna is; L = 1005/f   "F" being the frequency of the lowest band to be used.   This formula is as accurate as you will need or want for the "loop antenna" on the HF bands.  HF loop antennas can be constructed to be supported in one of two ways, "fixed and floating."  We choose to use both methods of support.  For insulators to the right and left of the feed point, we "float" the support insulator(s).  When using one of the corners as the feed point, we employ "fixed" insulator's. Across from, or directly opposite the feedpoint (fixed) insulator, we also use a "fixed" insulator. By using "fixed" insulators at these two places, we ensure that the wire will not move back and forth through the insulator.  We use a tye-wire across the insulator of the loop wire, as a "clasp" to prevent any movement.  Away from the feedpoint and at the two non-fed corners, we employ the "floating" insulator method. This enables the wire to move freely through the insulator, thus providing the best support when the horizontal loop is supported by tall poles or swaying trees. The BUX COMM 80 thru 10 meter Full Wave LOOP Antenna is complete, including: all insulators installed, the BALUN (UnUn) installed, and all connections silver-soldered and weather-proofed.  All that is left is hanging it and connecting the coax feedline to the BALUN/UnUn.   See the *50 and **100 ft coax options for the Full wave LOOP antenna below.    $99.95 Order ↑BUXLOOP ↑ "without coax"   Full Wave Loop Antenna Coax options  *Above FullWave LOOP complete, with Fifty ft. RG8X coax with gold PL259s attached                119.95  BUXLOOP50   **Above FullWave LOOP complete, with One Hundred ft. RG8X coax with gold PL259s attached  144.95 BUXLOOP100

BLACK CABLE TIES .99¢  Pak of 100 Colour: BLACK (UV Resistant) Dimensions (A x B): 98 x 2.5mm Quantity: 100 pcs per/Pak Material: polyamide (nylon 6.6) as specified in MIL-SPEC-23190 Temperature: -40°F to 230°F Tensile strength = 18 pounds A = 4 inches Ultra Violet Resistant, (UVR)These cable ties are long-lasting, even when exposed to cold Wx.

.99¢ Pak of 100 Order KTFB3

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The G5RV, flat-top, when used with an antenna tuner, makes an ideal, space-saving, multi-band antenna

Figure 1;  The G5RV is often used with an antenna tuner to operate as a Multi-Band HF antenna The complete G5RV antenna as shown in figure 1.  All connections are made and insulators installed.  Includes "BUX 1:1 BALUN" from BUX COMM:  Just as it appears here,  just hang it and connect the coax.    BUX 1:1 BALUN IS INCLUDED and ALL for only $39.95.    Order Model (without coax) G5RVPNP PREMIUM BONUS !!! G5RV (complete) with seventy feet (70') of RG8X coax, $ 66.95 G5RVB70

SPECIAL  BONUS Buy any of our Master-Match™ BALUN and receive FREE, 3 TyNite Insulators

CARDINAL ←BUX  Master-Match™  Balun 1:1    $24.95   MM11  BUX  Master-Match™1:1 Baluns are ideal for Dipoles, Slopers, Inverted-Vees and center feed-point, RV antennas. They are also employed at the driven element of of many HF beams and Quads, and where feedpoint impedance is at, or near 50 ohms.  By equalizing the currents in the antenna feeders, the Dipole pattern improves and prevents feedline (re)-radiation by preventing antenna currents flowing along the outer braid of the coax transmission line.   Includes three FREE antenna insulators (shown elsewhere, this page). BLACK HAWK ←BUX  Master-Match™ Balun 4:1   $24.95    MM41    Our BUX  Master-Match™4:1 Balun is ideal for matching windoms, web'd or folded dipoles, and antennas fed at a 250 ohm to 500 ohm impedance feedpoint with normal 50 or 75 ohm coax cable.  In contrast to ordinary Baluns the BUX Master-Match™4:1 Balun support balanced currents in each leg of the antenna and prevents feedline (re)-radiation.   As mentioned in our windom articles, feedlines and 450-ohm, brown, poly-covered ladder-line are easy to handle, and more-over they present another efficient means to feed multi-band antennas.  We strongly suggest the use of our PolyCoat-Ladder-Line as it is made of strong, copper-clad, steel conductors.  This light but durable, PolyCoat-Ladder-Line will far outlast the normal open copper with plastic spacers.  (Includes three FREE antenna insulators, shown elsewhere, this page). The Got’cha is;  These open type feedlines can bring high RF voltages into the shack.  By using BUX  Master-Match™4:1 Balun near the point where the transmission line enters the HAM shack, we impede that lip-bitting voltage and prevent excessive RF from getting into the PC, the transceiver, the telephone, the television (the XYL is watching) and heaven-forbid, the computer on her automatic washer.

AMERICAN EAGLE 2500 WATT BALUN This is our BUX COMM High-Performance "Big Talker" We designed it to cope with a "couple" kilowatts... or  three.   We decided that was NOT good enough, so we built it to endure harsh treatment. STATS: Current Balun, Wt. 1.5 LBs, 4:1 Hi-Power, 1.8  thru 30 MHz HEAVY DUTY TOROID MADE OF TYPE 43 FERRITE, FOR LOW PERMEABILITY 2500 WATT 4:1 current High Performance, Heavy Duty, *CW/SSB duty-cycles only.  SSB/CW Power @ 3.5 MHz* >2.5kW * SWR is less than 3:1, Not rated for RTTY & AM Will not saturate at Amateur Radio Power Levels  Regular $64.97    Order AE41 $ 44.95   1:1 version High Performance, Heavy Duty, 2500 WATT (Current BALUN), Order AE11  $ 44.95

MOBILE KING, Antenna UNUN For bottom fed, and Screw-Driver antennas. 1.8 MHz to 50 MHz  Master Match MOBILE KING "Big Talker"  UNUN   o  FREE  3ft RG8X coax jumper with PL259's. o 1.8 to 50 MHz o Ferrite (current) Broadband Toroid design o Heavy Duty, Lightweight construction o SO-239 UNbalanced input. o SO-239 UNbalanced output, o Sealed against moisture    Order SDAB  UNUN  $19.95

	ANT202 is a Base Station, (dipole) antenna for (HF) 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters.  We've also used it on 2 meters and 220 MHz with amazing success. INCLUDES 2 end insulators. A202 $27.95 ← For improved HF performance, we recommend our 101 BALUN (reg $ 19.95) A202 & BALUN B101 SAVE $8.00, Order AB102 Both for $ 39.95 AB102
This 450 Ohm ladder line comprises poly-coated open wire. It is much easier to handle than open wire feeder yet retains its ultra low loss feature.  This copper-clad steel feed-line will handle a kilowatt with ease and is far superior to the 300 Ohm ribbon type.	100 feet   $ 19.95 Cat #  450LADR   50 feet    $ 11.95 Cat #  450LADR50
Number 14 TW/AWG with 41 strands of tinned copper wire, Poly-Vinyl insulation covered flexible, but strong.  The most preferred wire type when building Dipole's, Windom's, and other flat-top HF antennas.  The PVC insulation gives added strength to the 41 strands of tinned, copper wire.  Specification:  Finely stranded tinned copper conductor (Type III),  105ºC   600 volt copper. 1.5lb/100 Color coded PVC insulation, Temperature range  -20°C to 105ºC, Voltage rating 600 volts, Reistant to Acid, Alkilis, Abrasion, Flame, Gasoline, Oil, Ozone, Moisture, Fungus.   100 ft, $19.95 10014 ;   200 ft, $38.95,  20014 300 ft, $57.95 30014 ;   400 ft,  $76.95  40014

	RG-8U  Low-Loss, Base-Station Coaxial Cable.   It's low loss design and 97% or better shield makes it ideal for this application. GOLD PL-259 coax connectors are installed on each end	50 feet of RG-8U with 97% shielding, Low-Loss, Base-Station Coaxial Cable. ORDER:  RG8PL1L $39.97     Both ends are fitted with "GOLD" plated PL259/7506 connectors !    100 feet of RG-8U, with 97% shielding, Low-Loss Base-Station Coaxial Cable. ORDER:  RG8PL1C $59.97
RG8X  (MINI 8) 50 Ohm impedance, 3ft, 6ft, 9ft, 12ft,18ft, 50ft & 100 feet. These jumpers are made from high quality, low-loss, coax cable with PL-259 connectors installed. Three ft. (3')    ORDER No.      8X3-PLPL  $3.99     Six ft. (6')         ORDER No.      8X6-PLPL  $4.99      Nine ft. (9')      ORDER No.      8X9-PLPL  $5.99      Twelve ft. (12')   ORDER No.  8X12-PLPL  $7.99   Eighteen ft. (18')ORDER No.  8X18-PLPL  $8.99   Fifty ft. (50')   ORDER No.                       RG8X50PLPL  $22.95   One Hundred ft. (100') ORDER No. RG8X100PLPL  $34.95

ANTENNA  INSULATORS

Center Insulator with Suspend Eyebolt

Stainless eyebolt is inserted into Tenyte "Center Insulator"  The "Center Insulator" is used to suspend the center of a Dipole,  Windom, or other wire type antenna from tower, tree, or other support structure.

  1.99 Order CIA       Center Insulator and two end insulators > 3.99  Order CIAX3

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Weatherproof, (TENYTE) insulators.  Perfect for your DIPOLE or Windom antenna.
For the apartment dweller, you can now hang the 20 meter doublet
in the attic.   I've QSO'd with stations all over the world with the
33 ft dipole in my garage attic.   One insulator at the center, and one each end.  

It's great for other HF WINDOM and single-band dipole antennas.  Dielectric strength is comparable to the old ceramic insulators, without susceptibility to cracking or breakage under impact or extreme temperature changes.
Package of  3,  $2.99   ANTINSL3  

Package of 10, TeNyte Insulators $8.99, ANTINSLX10

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Now it's time for me to P O the wire and cable vendors, and the proponents of Windom's with too many feed-line transitions.   Twin Lead, Ladder-line, Window Line..... etc..  is an over-kill with the Windom. If you must use Ladder-Line, then use the 450 Ohm ladder-line product that comprises poly-coated open wire substitute with "copper-clad steel conductors."  It is much easier to handle than open wire feeder yet retains its ultra low loss feature.

 

And trust me... It is NOT a problem of the ladder-line insulation quality or properties that I'm speaking of.   I speak from experience;  Wind will destroy the open type ladder-line.  Again, "If you must use Ladder-Line, then use the 450 Ohm ladder-line product that comprises poly-coated wire with "copper-clad steel conductors." (see photo below)  It is much easier to handle than open wire feeder yet retains its ultra low loss feature."

IF; you decide to use ladder line, make one turn (twist) to each 20 to 24 inches of line to decrease the wind resistance presented by the "flat" line......... even if it is "window-slotted" type ladder-line.  By adding the one twist per 20 inches,  it may last longer than three years.

 

 

Having been there, done that, and heard similar stories from others;  another question  arises regarding parallel line currents that come with the use of so-called balanced (twin-lead) feed-lines when used with the Windom antenna;  The balanced line may also assume the properties of a single wire feeder (yuk).  

 

Some purveyors of the Windom that use ladder-line transitions, must use two impedance matchers (or BALUNS) with their (knock-off) Windom.  One is to transition the coax outside the HAM shack (heaven forbid, we use ladder-line inside the shack... RF "feedback" in everything), to the ladder line, then another at the Windom (antenna) feed-point to choke off parallel current from the ladder-line.

 

Since the (balanced) feed point of this antenna is found to be near 220 to 235 ohms, the use of a 4:1 BALUN to join our coax to the antenna, emerges as a compromising solution. 

 

Let's not lose sight of the most important advantage of using this antenna; and that is: It provides us with a powerful, multi-band antenna, and a minimum of feedline components.  An antenna tuner is not out of the question, as it will provide an even better match between the transceiver and Windom, with less coupling loss and thus, greater transfer of energy (RF) to the antenna.

 

I'm going to repeat this for the "perfectionists" among us:  If you want to smooth out the hills and valleys on some of the bands then add your antenna tuner to the system, and the Windom becomes very flat across the bands.  When I say "flat," we are talking about reducing the VSWR to a minimum, to produce a good forward power, transfer of RF energy to the Windom.

 

We're having fun already... with the Real WINDOM antenna
 

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The "Windom Antenna" was described by Loren G. Windom in QST magazine, September 1929.  Pages 19 through 22.  It is named after its inventor/designer.

 

Loren Windom, W8GZ, was first to reveal the antenna to the radio amateur community by describing the antenna in the September 1929 issue of QST.  It was by Windom's name that the antenna became known.  The Windom antenna is an off-center fed dipole with an unbalanced coax feedline.

In 1937, the Windom was first described as a compromise multiband antenna.  The antenna can be employed on 80, 40, 20 and 10m with considerable, though acceptable levels of VSWR.  What became perhaps the most popular multiband Windom design of all, was the German-made Fritzel FD4 antenna, described by the late Dr. Fritz Spillner1, DJ2KY, in 1971.  It had the same dimensions as the multiband Windom antenna, but fitted with a 200Ω (4:1) balun in its feedpoint and fed with coax.

Today, many radio amateurs are using multiband Windom antennas with more than satisfactory results. It would not be without reason that Windom antennas are being employed during IARU HF World Championships! and most of all, by "high-stake-contests."   Perhaps many young hams ignore the multiband Windom antenna because of its sheer simplicity and may be thinking it is too good to be true. The complexity of feeding other dipoles and doublets, the losses in dipoles with traps and the esoteric marketing of some other antennas seem to appeal to them more.

CLICK HERE:  and  read more about the evolution of the WINDOM, to ZEPP, to VHF J-POLE.

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BUX BALUNs should be installed at the antenna feed point, or where the coax or feed-line attaches to the above ground antenna.  BUX BALUNs are used to connect balanced antennas to unbalanced transmission lines, such as coax cable.  Their primary purpose is to prevent antenna (RF) currents from flowing down the outside of the cable.  Another function of the BUX BALUN41 is to match the impedance of an unbalanced coax to the balanced feed point of a balanced input antenna(s). BUX BALUNS may also be used as “line isolators” anywhere along the cable to prevent the destructive influence of induced RF currents (VSWR).

BUX 1:1 BALUNs are current BALUNs. They consist of several large, number 73, ferrite type 44 cores.  BUX BALUN11 operate from 160 to 6mtr MHz and allow use of RF power to the rated capacity of the BALUN.
 

BUX 4:1 BALUNs are voltage BALUNs. They consist of a large, number 43, ferrite dough-nut bobbin.  BUX BALUN41 operate from 1.8 to 50 MHz and allow use of RF power to the rated capacity of the BALUN.

BUX  BOSS  BALUN This is our BUX COMM High-Performance "HAMMER." We designed it to cope with a "wholesome" kilowatt... or two, or  three.  We decited that was NOT good enough, so we built it to endure harsh treatment. STATS/type:  Current Wt. 1.5 LBs 4:1 Hi-Power, 160 thru 6 Meters MEDIUM DUTY TOROID MADE OF TYPE 43 FERRITE, FOR LOW PERMEABILITY 4:1 High Performance, Heavy Duty, *3 KW Balun (if SWR is less than 2:1)   *CW/SSB duty-cycles only.  SSB/CW Power @ 3.5 MHz* >2 kW if SWR is less than 3:1, Not rated for RTTY & AM   Will not saturate at Amateur Radio Power Levels  Regular $64.97    Now at BUX COMM $ 39.95  Order 3KBBB41  ____________________ 1:1 version High Performance, Heavy Duty,  (Current BALUN),  stock number 3KBBB11	With an increase in local noise sources and the increasing attractiveness of long wire and dipole antennas, coax cable has become the antenna feed line of choice for most radio users and operators.    Given that the impedance of most commonly available coax is either 50 or 72 ohms and since many wire antennas present an impedance of 200 to 600 ohms or more at the feed point, direct connection of the coax to wire antennas hits us with a significant signal loss due to the antenna impedance mismatch.  Having realized this set of circumstances in the receiver and SWL arena, we're introducing a new approach to defeat the noise and impedance mismatch problems in our receive antennas by designing this new RxBALUN™.   Our RxBALUN™ bridges the impedance gap, and enables an unbalance to balanced match between the antenna and our receivers.  These features provide more signal transfer from the antenna to your receiver.     Our RxBALUN will accommodate the SWL and QRP Operator.  In addition, this RxBALUN may be employed as an antenna balun for both transmit and receive between the antenna and low powered transceivers running up to 200 watts.  For input and output connectors, we use only the best Silver plated, Teflon®™ insulated, SO239 connectors. Max Power 250 watts.$14.97 RxBALUN     Teflon ®™ E I DuPont corp.
Double-co-efficient coupled design. Low-loss and High output. Large toroid ferrite cores. High winding reactance Compensation for wide bandwidth Rated above the legal power limit. Stainless-steel suspension eyebolt. Silver flashed, Teflon insulated, high temperature, wire. Silver plated, Input Connector (SO-239) Silver plated connector mounting hardware Output Connectors, tempered Brass Binding Posts. Bandwidth 160 - 10 m. Insertion Loss, less than 1 dB.
SCRWDRVR Mobile BALUN 50 ohm input & 12.5 ohm output; 3 MHz to 50 MHz Order SCRWDRVR BALUN $24.95   SO239 connectors. 1:1 or 4:1 BUX BALUN SO11 or SO41 with SO239 Input & Output connections. o 50 ohm, SO-239 unbalanced input. o 50 ohm, SO-239 balanced output, but uses SO-239 connector. o 1.8 to 50 MHz o Toroid (Current) design o Heavy Duty, Lightweight construction o Shipped with FREE  3PLPL RG8X coax jumper with PL259's attached. o Sealed against moisture SO11  $19.95  1:1 BALUN    SO41  $19.95  4:1 BALUN

    

At BUX COMM, *We don't cut corners!

The components used in the manufacture of our BALUNs are of top quality components, beginning with the Silver Plate SO239 connectors and center insulator is made of teflon™(E.I Dupont). The wire we use to wind the ferrite donut is heavy-duty, silver flashed wire, with teflon™ insulation that will handle RF voltages above 5000 volts, and temperatures above 2000 degrees. The binding posts are heavy-duty, tempered brass, with end holes and side-thru holes to accommodate either type loop-thru connection. A double-shoulder brass capture nut is used to add a secure bite and improve antenna wire electrical connections.  With our BUX UN UN (ONION), the coax is Belden™ and the PL259 connectors are Amphenol™. 
BUX ONION  $19.95   ↓

 

BUX ONION  "Decoupling (isolation)Transformer"
BUX UN UN De-Coupling transformer, has SO-239 (female)input connector and output connector is 1 ft Mini 8 cable with PL-259 (male).
BUX ONION is and UNbalanced to UNbalance (UN-UN) decoupling transformer designed to be used specifically with the DBLSPCL antenna.   High RF currents traveling along the coax feed-line shield can cause high VSWR.  This decoupling transformer prevents RF currents from traveling down the outer shield of the coax. The input connector is an SO239 (female) and the output connector is a PL259 (male), which mates the connector of the "DBLSPCL" RV/Apartment dweller antenna shown above.

BUX ONION  $17.95 

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Important Notice;  WHY USE A  4:1 BALUN

Krusty Olde Kurt is now going to repeat himself.  Why? Because the same question keeps coming up over and over. And he wants everyone to get it right. 

 "I'm feeding my dipole with 600-ohm line.  At the station end I need a balun to convert to 50-ohm coax. I need a 12:1 balun, right?"   Wrong!  A 4:1 balun would be better.

Why is that?  If your dipole is up, let's say, 35 feet then on 80 meters it will probably have a resistance at resonance of about 40 ohms. The actual resistance depends on the height above ground in wavelengths. 

If the dipole is 40 Ohms then what do you see at the transmitter end of your 600 ohm line? If the line is a half-wave long (120 ft on 80 Meters) you'll see 40 ohms.   Remember, a half-wave line repeats what it sees at the other end.  But if it is a quarter-wave long you'll see 8500 Ohms!  At other line lengths you'll see impedances somewhere between these two extremes.

So you are not going to see 450 ohms at the end of your 450-ohm line. That only happens if you have a 500-ohm antenna hooked onto it. With such a variation in impedance at the trans­mitter end of the line there is no one balun transformer that will match it. Most of the time the impedance will be above the 50 Ohms of your coax so a high impedance balun would be desirable.  Unfortunately high imped­ance baluns don't work well when not matched.   

Experience has shown that 4:1 baluns work best in this service.  They are more rugged and will take bad mismatches especially if they are wound on an iron powder core.  So stop searching for that 12:1 balun. Use a 4:l BALUN and your system will work great.  

You can read Kurt N. Sterba “AERIALS” column in World Radio Magazine.

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ANTENNA  INSULATORS

Weatherproof, (TENYTE) insulators.  Perfect for your DIPOLE or Windom antenna.
For the apartment dweller, you can now hang the 20 meter doublet
in the attic.   I've QSO'd with stations all over the world with the
33 ft dipole in my garage attic.   One insulator at the center, and one each end.  

It's great for other HF WINDOM and single-band dipole antennas.  Dielectric strength is comparable to the old ceramic insulators, without susceptibility to cracking or breakage under impact or extreme temperature changes.
 Package of  3,  $2.99   ANTINSL3              
 Package of 10, Insulators $8.99, ANTINSLX10

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VHF-UHF DOUBLE FEMALE BULKHEAD (feed-thru) CONNECTORS                  YES, we have "one"  1 inch long                     For bulkhead and through-the-wall UHF connector feed-thru connections, with nuts.: Order 7518-1  (One  inch )          $ 1.79 ea.               10 for $15.50   Order 7518-2  (Two inches)        $ 2.95 ea.             10 for $ 24.50   Order 7518-3  (Three inches)     $ 3.69 ea.             10 for $ 32.50   Order 7518-4  (Four inches)       $ 3.95 ea.             10 for $ 34.50   Order 7518-6  (Six inches)          $ 4.95 ea.             10 for $ 44.50   Order 7518-8  (Eight inches)     $ 8.95 ea.              10 for $ 82.50   Order 7518-10 (Ten inches)       $ 10.95ea.            10 for $ 99.50    Order 7518-12 (Twelve inches) $12.95ea.             10 for $ 114.50                           Heavy Duty 1" Nuts for the above bulkhead connectors. 2/.99 cents     HDM1-NUT         10 for $ 3.99   50 Ohm impedance, 3 ft, 6 ft, 9 ft, 12 ft, & 18 feet. These jumpers are made from high quality, low-loss, coax cable with PL-259 connectors installed at each end. Three ft. (3')    ORDER No.      8X3-PLPL  $3.99     Six ft. (6')         ORDER No.      8X6-PLPL  $4.99      Nine ft. (9')      ORDER No.      8X9-PLPL  $5.99      Twelve ft. (12')   ORDER No.  8X12-PLPL  $7.99   Eighteen ft. (18')ORDER No.  8X18-PLPL  $8.99   Need a High Quality jumper from your transceiver to the linear? A HiQuality coax jumper for that transceiver Output to linear input! The connectors are Amphenol™  and coax is RG-8X by Belden. Hi Quality, Six ft. (9') jumper  made using high quality components.      $6.97    ORDER No.   HIQ9JMPR
Reinforced, Double Bracket used with our "DBLSPCL" antennas shown elsewhere on this page. Mount two mobile whips in a horizontal plane to form a compact apartment dweller Dipole,  or RV antenna.  Comes with mounting hardware and double Antenna Bracket as shown at left. $16.95   DBLBRKT     After a few years, the hardened, nylon shoulder washers become weather-brittle and break.  Keep a few spares in the Ham Shack:        4 for 99¢ SM1SW
Mobile tuneable-tip antennas. BHF75M  75 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD 8 feet long $16.95 BHF40M 40 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD  8 feet long $16.95 BHF20M 20 METER 3/8" X 24 THREAD  8 feet long $16.95   BHF17M 17 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD 8 feet long $16.95  BHF15M 15 METER 3/8" X 24 THREAD 8 feet long $16.95   BHF10M 10 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD 8 feet long $16.95  BHF6M  6 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD 5 feet long  $16.95    Spare 48" Tips for above tuneable-tip antennas.TIP48, $2.95	Here's the perfect solution for your RV and portable HF antenna applications.  Use our dipole, mast-mounted bracket for 'fixed-station', field-day operating, apartment dwellers, and the RV travelers.  With two of the mobile HF antennas shown at left, you can have the best of both worlds. By combining a pair (two) of the single band HF Mobile (loaded) tuneable-tip antennas, and (VHF) whips at left, you can have an ideal, single element, horizontal dipole (beam). This type antenna opens the world of HF and VHF communications for the apartment dweller, RV HAM, field-day operating, and a variety of other uses and applications.  Antenna(s) Not Included. $16.95 each  DBLBRKT  tuneable-tip antennas allow adjusting for minimum VSWR.  CLICK HERE to read more about our HF DIPOLE SPECIAL!
By combining a pair (two) of the single band HF Mobile (loaded) tuneable-tip antennas above, you can have an ideal, single element, horizontal dipole (beam). This type antenna opens the world of HF communications for the apartment dweller, RV HAM, field-day operating, and a variety of other uses and applications.  The packages described below include two antenna, the Double Antenna-Bracket (DBLBRKT), and mounting hardware $ 39.97 DBLSPCL (without BALUN) With BALUN, see "DBLCOMBO", below. 75 Meters→,    40 Meters→,    20 Meters→, 17 Meters→,    15 Meters→,    10 Meters→,    6 Meters →
By combining a pair (two) of the single band HF Mobile (loaded) tuneable-tip antennas above, you can have an ideal, single element, horizontal dipole (beam). This type antenna opens the world of HF communications for the apartment dweller, RV HAM, field-day operating, and a variety of other uses and applications.  The package described below includes two antenna, the Double-Bracket (DBLBRKT), mounting hardware, and BUX BALUN (UNUN).    $AVE $$$$$, ADD the BUX UNUN , shown below, BOTH, DPLSPCL & BUXUNUN, for only $ 54.97, ORDER, DBLCOMBO  75 Meters→,   40 Meters→,   20 Meters→,  17 Meters→,   15 Meters→,   10 Meters→   6  Meters →
NOTICE: We ship WINDOM and G5RV (wire type) antennas worldwide, However; Due to excess damage, we DO NOT ship HF Mobile or VHF Base antennas outside the continental USA !

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