I've actually tried some of the cheaper ones and also built my own. I
haven't taken the RF Systems balun apart (like you said, they are costly)
but for some reason they work MUCH better. Worth every penny.


"dave" wrote in message
...
Unrevealed Source wrote:
I don't know about scanner frequencies, but at shortwave frequencies it
makes a huge difference to match the long wire to the coax. RF Systems
has a magnetic longwire balun (MLB) that works very well.

So does a home made one for $10.

http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/s...0Balun_MLB.htm

The RFS is way overpriced. If you're going to spend that kind of money
get something not made by communists, e.g. a Palomar MLB-1.