Description
BL-154V-3K 4:1 Voltage BALUN (200:50 Ohms)
The BL-154V-3K is a premium Ruthroff-style 4:1 voltage BALUN (200:50 Ohms), expertly designed for horizontal multiband loop antennas like the MyLoop-330-3K, as well as off-center-fed (OCF) antennas—commonly known as “Windom” antennas. Built with a large binocular core and PTFE (Teflon) wire, this is one of the most robust and efficient 4:1 voltage baluns available on the market today.
Ideal Applications:
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Horizontal Delta or Quad Loops using a full wavelength of wire for the 80m or 160m band.
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OCF Dipole Antennas with either a 33/67% or 20/80% wire ratio.
Important: When using an OCF dipole, a common mode choke is necessary to prevent unwanted radiation from the coaxial cable shield. We highly recommend the CMC-154-3K. In addition, proper grounding of the coaxial shield at the point of entry is required per NEC-810 guidelines. See our About Grounding page for more information.
Performance:
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Frequency Range: 1–54 MHz
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VSWR: Near-perfect when terminated into a 200-ohm load
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Power Handling:
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Rated at 3kW ICAS (Intermittent Commercial and Amateur Service)
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Capable of handling the full US legal power limit (1500W) with ease, and even more under typical conditions.
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Unlike some manufacturers, we provide realistic and tested power ratings—our baluns are range-tested to ensure reliability and performance.
Key Features:
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SO-239 PTFE (Teflon) Connector for superior durability and performance
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Stainless Steel Hardware and connecting studs
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Sturdy Polycarbonate Enclosure for long-lasting outdoor use
*ICAS = Intermittent Commercial and Amateur Service
Robert –
Working great so far! No weird quirks. Just works. I cut my own wire off a spool of 14 awg thhn that I had already. I ended up using 273′ so that my 4th harmonic would land on 14.3 Mhz. After doing that all the other bands just fell right into place. I really only need a tuner to touch up a few bands. The upper end of 75m is 2.75:1 without a tuner. 30m is 3:1 without a tuner. 17m is 1.8:1 without a tuner. 10m is decent around 28.6 Mhz. The CW portion needs a tuner or it’s 2:1. Everything else 40, 20, 15, 12m no tuner needed. Pretty flat match or a 1.2:1 or something.
I’m set up in an almost square. The lowest point is 30′, I have another corner at 34′, The other 2 points go to to some palm trees about 45′ up.
I’ve only run about 700 watts into it. On 75m
SSB I get great reports. S9+40 db 275 miles out. You don’t really need to run an amplifier with a signal like that. If I ran 5 watts, they would hear me. Receive is pretty quiet also. I can hear a lot. I’m in central California and can easily hear the rag chews going on several states out in every direction. On 75m I think Montana and Texas are about as far as I have talked on SSB. The signal does go straight up on 75-80.
I did have a 75-10m EFHW up prior to this. Both are great antennas and perform well. I think the loop edges it out a bit in signal strength. But, they are actually pretty close. Each antenna have different radiation patterns on the harmonics. Most nights my noise floor with the loop on 75m is about S3. A noisy night might be S5.
On WSPR the loop gets out with good reports globally. It depends on what band you are on of course and what is open at the time.
Overall it’s a keeper for now
Dee Hooker –
Very impressed with this balun. I connected it with the recommended choke for my OCFD. Best antenna I’ve owned so far. At about 50′ over the corner of my house I work 10 through 80M. Report from Spokane from Florida is best signal so far. It’s a keeper.
73
Dee
W4DCH