BasicB-006-002-005
Where would you install a balun to feed a dipole antenna with 50-ohm coaxial cable?
A
Answer
Antennas and feed lines
Type
A
Between the coaxial cable and the antenna
B
Between the transmitter and the coaxial cable
C
Between the coaxial cable and the ground
D
Between the antenna and the ground
Answer Notes
To properly feed a balanced antenna (like a dipole) with an unbalanced feedline (like a 50-ohm coaxial cable), the transition between the two systems must happen right at the point where they physically meet. Therefore, the balun is installed directly between the coaxial cable and the antenna feedpoint.
Placing the balun at the transmitter end would be ineffective. If placed there, the entire length of the coaxial cable would still be an unbalanced line traveling to a balanced antenna, leading to undesirable RF radiation coming from the outside of the coax shield.
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What causes a transmission line to be unbalanced?