Model 4116 - 4:1 Hybrid Balun 1.5 - 54MHz 3kW

This is a great all purpose 4:1 current balun designed for those who would like the combination of a 4:1 balun capable of tolerating a compromised antenna installation and still provide a high level of performance. This unit is a great choice for multiband antennas such as OCF dipoles and full wave loops when used for multiband operation.

As the title indicates, this balun is a hybrid combination of a 4:1 voltage balun and a 1:1 current balun.  If you look closely at the image, you can see the coaxial wound 1:1 current balun underneath the 4:1 voltage balun stacked above it.  This combination results in a very versatile, rugged and forgiving 4:1 current balun.  By utilizing a voltage balun in the first stage, the unit is able to handle most compromised installations with the 1:1 current balun providing superior RF choking, feedline isolation and excellent current balance.  Our testing has shown this balun is able to provide high level performance even in some very difficult and unusual installations.

It should be noted that OCFD antennas were designed to provide low SWR for full power rating on even harmonics only, i.e. 80m, 40, 20m and 10m.  Use on WARC bands or 15m can create SWR greater than 2.5:1 which degrades the power handling of baluns by 60% or more.  Power on these odd harmonics should not exceed 400-500 watts ssb and 200-300 watts for FT8 or high duty cycle RTTY.

"Had the unit up for a few days now. Can tell a big difference. One of the first stations I work. Was Kuwait on low-power Thank you very much. Worth every cent I paid for it. And maybe even more Mickey. 73s" 

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"I just wanted to share with you just how great your Model 4116- 4:1 Hybrid Balun 1.5 - 54MHz 3kW works !!!  I purchased you balun about two months ago before I headed for Prince Edward Island.  I built an OCF dipole 45' - 90' each leg using your new hybrid balun.  I never got to use it until today.  I traveled 2000 miles to PEI to operate the ILLW from the Cape Bear Lighthouse/Marconi Station.  

Never having used it before I left, I was indeed concerned that I might have brought an antenna that does not work. Well, those concerns are history.  The antenna worked with your balun wonderfully.  I do not even need a tuner for most of 20 and 40 meters !!! The SWR across both those bands without a tuner is anywhere from 1:1 to 1.5:1 !!!

Thank you for this great product."

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 "I switched over to an OCF dipole recently and was having troubles with common mode currents which were caused by the cheap current balun that I was using to match my RG-8X coax at the feedpoint. I contacted Bob at Balun Designs and and he recommended his new hybrid model the #4116, It features two baluns in one box. One is an isolation balun to keep my feedline from radiating and the other is a 4:1 balun to provide the proper matching to my coax.  After I replaced the cheaper balun with this 4116 model I noticed that the feedback problem was solved. The new balun works very well and it seems that I also have lower noise levels on 160 and 80 meters.

I am very pleased with my purchase and I highly recommend Balun Designs if you are considering a balun for your antenna system. I also suggest that you visit Bob's website. It is excellent and provides a great deal of helpful information to assist you in selecting what balun best meets your needs."
"PS:  The 4116 was ABSOLUTELY DESIGNED for my situation as the antenna feedpoint is 12 foot above my chimney, directly over the ham shack and the coax is run across the roof.  No TVI/RFI!!!"

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Only one application where this balun is not recommended. When building or replacing the 4:1 balun at the feedpoint of a Carolina Windom that incorporates a vertical coaxial radiator, a voltage balun like our model 4125 should be used so RF will pass to the vertical radiator.  Please click on the thumbnail below to view the excellent characteristics of this hybrid balun and be sure to note the outstanding return loss of this unit, up to 62 dbmw!!

   
Click to Enlarge
Testing done with an AIM-4170uhf Network Analyzer

Specifications

Installation Notes