View Full Version : Powered Balun?


ngarrang
03-10-09, 01:03 PM
Is there such a thing as a powered 300 Ohm to 75 Ohm converter? It would seem to remove a loss segment in the antenna-to-TV chain of cable and connections.

Ratman
03-10-09, 01:55 PM
What is a "pre-amp"?

A balun is the least significant worry for "loss" when the antenna, balun placement, cable and connectors are properly installed.

Do you have a problem to resolve?

ngarrang
03-10-09, 01:58 PM
What is a "pre-amp"?

A balun is the least significant worry for "loss" when the antenna, cable and connectors are properly installed.

Do you have a problem to resolve?

I was just trying to remove a connection point in my home-made setup. I live 25 to 30 miles from any antenna, through trees, so the 1 to 3 db I would be losing might mean the different between watching the Simpsons...or not. *shrug*

Antenna -> Balun -> pre-amp -> TV

Just seems to be me to be more efficient to combine the Balin and Pre-Amp segment into one. (I am a professional computer geek, optimizing tasks is my job)

ngarrang
03-10-09, 02:17 PM
Ah ha!

Nevermind my question.

Answer found. Google-fu had only briefly failed me. Move along, nothing to see here but a n00b trying to build an antenna.

Pre-Amp with 300 Ohm leads. Yup.

:headdesk:

namechamps
03-10-09, 02:18 PM
I was just trying to remove a connection point in my home-made setup. I live 25 to 30 miles from any antenna, through trees, so the 1 to 3 db I would be losing might mean the different between watching the Simpsons...or not. *shrug*

Antenna -> Balun -> pre-amp -> TV

Just seems to be me to be more efficient to combine the Balin and Pre-Amp segment into one. (I am a professional computer geek, optimizing tasks is my job)

I have never seen one:
Antenna -> Powered Balun -> TV
Antenna -> Balun -> pre-amp -> TV

would be electrically identical with the exception of a pair of connectors.

While it would technically be possible to make a powered Balun the weight would need to be supported so likely it would attach to the mast. Running couple feet of twinlead to the mast would negate most of the benefit from losing a pair of connectors.

ctdish
03-10-09, 06:07 PM
Radioshack 15-1108 was 300 ohm in and 75 ohm out. Antenna portion was only a little bigger than a balun.

John