Model 49131 - 49:1 - 80-10m EFHW - Up to 1kW

For those that enjoy the LNR and Hy Endfed antennas, but want to run more power, Balun Designs now offers an excellent alternative.  Built with the same craftsmanship as all our other units, this new model will allow you to either replace your current matching unit or construct a new higher power end fed half wave antenna. We also install an additional stud which can be used for a separate counterpoise wire rather than forcing the use of the feedline's coax shield. 

Attaching a counterpoise wire to the common point of the auto-transformer provides the antenna radiator something to push against rather than the coax shield. The counterpoise wire does not have to be similar in length to the main radiator and the antenna works best with counterpoise length of 0.05 λ on the lowest band the antenna wire is cut for.  This calculates to ≈ 12.5 feet for an 80m end-fed.

This transformer is designed to be used with an end fed half wavelength of wire only.  The length should be calculated based on the lowest frequency to be worked.  So for example 80m could range in length from 120 to 133 feet.  Use with other lengths can potentially damage the transformer depending on power level in use.  

 "Just received my new 64131 yesterday and was anxious to see how well it performed.  I connected it to a 33’ wire running from my balcony, through the trees, and ran WSPR overnight to check things out.  Performance is ASTOUNDING, far exceeding my expectations.  I have included a screenshot showing the stations that reported spotting my 200 mw beacon over the last 16 hours.  The WSPR map is so dense it looks like the US and Europe are just big blobs of color. At this point, I’ve only used the 49:1 tap, but plan to take the 64131 whenever I operate portable.  Having the option to switch rapidly between 49:1 and 64:1 should prove to be a really nice feature.. Thank you so much for such a great product!

"I received my third balun from Balun Designs this afternoon.  Following the directions exactly as specified (0.47wl / 0.05wl matching counterpoise) and drilling two weep holes in the appropriate position, I had a 10 meter EFHW antenna up in less than ten minutes.  I made just a touch over 100 QSOs today with the new unit.  I'm consistently pleased with the quality and ease of use of Balun Designs products and look forward to my next purchase in the future.

Thank you!

Phil"

 "Re: Like Night & Day

This Balun Designs unit is replacing an MFj 1982 HP EFHW balun that was DOA when it arrived last May. The 30 day return period lapsed before I could get the antenna deployed to test it. Anyway, an old friend mentioned he had heard good things about 'Balun Designs' so he recommended you. I sent him the link to the 49:1 unit to get his feedback. He was so impressed that he purchased a 9:1 unit from you, his will be delivered Saturday. The major point of this message is to tell you that approximately 20 minutes after I connected the balun unit to the antenna, I made contact with a gentleman in Italy-my first European contact!! A couple hours later when I sat down to do some more DXing, I made contact with a gentleman in Slovenia-my second European contact. Both were on 20 meters at 97 watts, Icom 7300. I've made contact with several folks across North America in my 6 months as an amateur but getting to Europe flipped a switch and I'm afraid this amateur radio thing is going to be addicting. I'm looking forward to getting off work and hitting 40 & 20 meters again!! So I just wanna say thank-you!! Cannon"

 Caution: When used at full power rating of 1kW, the antenna must have a low SWR on the band selected and be used on a 50% duty cycle.  Any SWR measurement taken with the transformer at the feedpoint should not exceed 1.5:1 with NO tuner in use.  There are numerous configurations available online that will accomplish this on multiple bands (Google search "end fed half wave antennas").  If the transformer is used with an external tuner in conjunction with a single wire antenna typically 130-135 feet in length, power should be reduced on those bands that show an SWR above 1.6 to 2:5 without the tuner.  A level of 500-600 watts is the maximum with a further reduction on any band measuring above 3:1.

If you would like to use high power up to legal limit with a single end fed wire antenna (not necessarily a half wave) consider using our Model 9135 along with one of the wire lengths shown in the Installation Notes.

Specifications