RadioBanter - View Single Post - Transformer for longwire antennas to reduce noise problem?

September 29th 04, 05:43 AM

In article ,
(TheGnome) wrote:

I was thinking about adding one of those 9:1 transformers or other
impedance matching things for longwires; would this reduce the noise
problem I'm having? Any other tips for reducing longwire noise? It
works enough, but I know I can do better...

I had a noise problem with a longwire. I got a 4:1 balun from LDG, it's
meant to be used with their autotuners, bit also can be used by itself.

On the high impedance side of the balun, one side goes to the antenna,
and the other side to ground. You then use coax to connect to your
receiver. I mounted the balun on the wall right where the antenna
leaves the house, and connected the ground terminal to a ground rod
directly below that point.

The reduction in noise was dramatic! This tells me that what you
propose should work for you, as long as you can connect one side of the
high-impedance side to a good ground. In a dorm room, I don't know if
you have a decent RF ground available, depends on the circumstances of
the plumbing, etc.

If the balun is not too expensive, it is probably worth your while to
get one and to experiment. Try yo buy one from a place with a liberal
return policy, in case it does not work for you.

Good luck!

73 de KC1IH

--
Larry Weil
Lake Wobegone, NH