Which Balun, UnUn or Choke to use and why?

There are common mis-conceptions about the jobs that UN-Un's, Bal-Un's and chokes do with regard to amateur radio end fed half wave, random wire and di-pole antennas. This video takes a broad and high level view of the subject. Hopefully useful for the beginner and more experienced ham.

Colin MM0OPX has an excellent youtube channel, in particular the work done on finding the most efficient UnUn:

Most photo credits are due to VK6YSF and many of the circuits described are from his great website:
9:1 UnUn
1:1 Balun

The 49:1 drawing is from here:

Info. on which random wire lengths to use and which to avoid

HamGoodies Store

How to wind a 9:1 (one of many videos on the subject):

73, Fraser MM0EFI

#hamradio #unun #balun #efhw #randomwire #antennas #ferrite #portableradio

[beaver]

Thanks for the simple but informative information. I keep hearing about unun, balun, and the different ratios, but could not work out what went with what antenna. Good video, thankd.

[PureAwareness]

❤ What a lovely presentation!

And we have the same hobbies, love your Newton reflector in the background!

Cheerz from a Hungarian 🇭🇺 SWL working in 🇬🇧.

[acestudioscouk-Ace-GACE]

I'm returning to amateur radio, so this was really useful to me and very well explained. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[mattcero]

Lots to talk about huh? How 'bout your lens choice? All humor aside, great video and perfect for what I was looking for. I wish more people included 6M on these types of antenna-centric videos though. Millions of hams use 6M so the audience would be so much bigger if they were included.

[dwyn]

Very helpful! I've made an EFHW and it is working fine in inverted L for QRP, but I want to connect two other rigs to it and run 20W, but didn't know if I needed a balun, unun or choke, or all three! Tons of videos about each one, but nobody else out there explaining in high-level terms and comparing all three without getting lost in the weeds! THANK YOU!!! I think I get it now!

[elduderino]

Cracking video Fraser. Although I’ve learned a bit about antennas I’m thinking back to when I first started and this would of been so informative so will really help those just starting out. Nicely explained and not too complicated. Thanks for taking the time to show the different antennas as well. 73 MW7WDP

[davidnelson]

Great video. You do a wonderful job explaining the difference between all these options and when to use them. Thanks for sharing.

[bakbassix]

Very informative Fraser. A great introduction to this mind boggling subject for a confused M7 like myself. Bite size information. Perfect thanks - M7MDO

[tcort]

This is so informative. Thanks, Fraser!

[IrishHamRadio]

Thank you for this Fraser… I learned a lot from this one…
I keep my setup fairly simple with either a dipole or vertical…. So haven’t delved really much into this space. 😊

[kurtwolter]

Great presentation. Cheers from the burbs of Chicago. 👍

[PortableRadio]

Good overview and to the point, Fraser!
If you're using an EFHW, where the coax is part of the system, even with QRP, it may be necessary to use a choke/CMS. This depends also on the environment, the band you're on and how well the radio copes with HF (mostly a problem with the microphone input). A choke or CMC never hurts, apart from the additional weight to carry 😉
73 Stephan

[wowsly]

great video, thanks for all the info. just put up a Rybakov at home with 14 raidials and was wondering if i should use a choke and now i know :D
dont forget to MOT the landy. mine is due next month
73

[Kcvhr]

Best explanation iv heard, Thank you for sharing your knowledge and time.

[tims.]

Always appreciate your videos Fraser! Keep up the excellent work! 73! Tim, DK8MT

[brianfields]

Nice video Fraser. Apart from a 1 to 1 choke I always use resonant monoband vertical antennas, so no need for there others. My very old ham mate always told me, the less bits and bobs between the rig and ant the better hi, so I've stuck to that for 30 years.
73 zl3xdj

[timcollingwood]

Hi Fraser excellent video, really enjoy this subject, now it has got me thinking what about The shortwave listener would any of this benefit us I have about a 61 ft long wire in the back garden .Thanks for sharing all your stuff with us Best Regards Tim

[FLDT-Alain]

Very instructive video, thanks. I'm trying to source ununs where I live (France) but these aren't available anywhere. I can only order them from the US or the UK with eye-watering shipping fees and import taxes.
Baluns, however, are easy to find. So my question is: would using a balun with the same ratio instead of an unun on an EFHW or random length antenna work, possibly needed more tuning on the transceiver, or not at all?

[sunnysidegardeners]

Thanks for the informative video! Just one question, for the choke, what’s the best toroidal to use? Thanks

[mrtechie]

I want to build the 3 wire version (T3FD). Let's say I use a 1000 ohm termination resistor.
There seems to be disagreement about the balun. Can you explain how to choose a balun ratio of 9:1 vs 12:1 vs 16:1?