Feedlines, Phantom Conductors, and the Return of “Good Enough”
By February, the honeymoon phase of the new year is over. The station hasn’t magically improved, the noise hasn’t disappeared, and the feedline still insists on participating in places it shouldn’t.
This issue dives deep into magnetizing inductance, phantom conductors, portable vertical claims, USB-C noise, and the uncomfortable reality that “good enough” is often just a polite way of saying “untested.”
If there’s a theme this month, it’s this: most RF problems aren’t mysterious — they’re measurable.
High XL (Magnetizing Inductance) Is Great for Power Transfer…
Transformer design isn’t magic — high magnetizing reactance is fundamental. Here’s why it matters and how it’s often misunderstood.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/high-xl-is-great-for-power-transfer
When the Feedline “Becomes the Antenna”?
It’s not mystical coupling — it’s common-mode current doing exactly what physics allows it to do.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/when-the-feedline-becomes-the-antenna
The Phantom Third Conductor
Two conductors in theory. Three in practice. Understanding where that “extra” path comes from changes everything.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-phantom-third-conductor
Coax Unbalanced by Definition?
Balanced vs unbalanced isn’t about connector count — it’s about reference and return paths.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/coax-unbalanced-by-definition
G3TXQ “Common-Mode Chokes” Revisited
A fresh look at a classic reference — what still holds, what needs context.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/g3txq-common-mode-chokes-revisited
Wire Antennas in a Small Garden
Constraints don’t prevent performance — poor geometry does.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/wire-antennas-in-a-small-garden
Why “Antenna Loss Calculators” Aren’t That Useful
Spreadsheets don’t know your soil, height, or common-mode current.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-antenna-loss-calculators-aren-t-that-useful
Why UHF Hotspots Often Beat VHF in a Tiny Room
Propagation physics changes indoors — and so should expectations.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-uhf-hotspots-often-beat-vhf-in-a-tiny-room
A Room Full of PIMs (Not the Cookies)
Passive intermodulation isn’t just for towers — it can live in your shack too.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/a-room-full-of-pims-not-the-cookies
USB Chargers, Power Supplies, and Why CM/DM Noise Feels Worse in the USB-C PD Era
Modern convenience brings modern noise. Understanding CM vs DM is step one.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/usb-chargers-power-supplies-and-why-cm-dm-noise-feels-worse-in-the-usb-c-pd-era
Making AM Sound Better on an SDR
DSP can help — but only if you understand what it’s fixing.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/making-am-sound-better-on-an-sdr
Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough Anymore
Because small inefficiencies compound — and modern RF environments are unforgiving.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/good-enough-isn-t-good-enough-anymore
POTA PERformer — Challenger — Dominator — And the Real “Dominator”
Marketing tiers are easy. Real-world dominance is measurable.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/pota-performer-challenger-dominator-and-the-real-dominator
A Portable Vertical Write-Up Starts as Engineering
If the first paragraph is hype instead of physics, be cautious.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/a-portable-vertical-write-up-starts-as-engineering
The 96% SWR Myth
Reflected power math doesn’t equal radiated power reality.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-96-swr-myth
The Official™ Book of Ham Radio Absolutes
Guaranteed correct in every situation — until someone keys up and says “Well, actually…”
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-official%E2%84%A2-book-of-ham-radio-absolutes
Prefer hearing the explanation instead of arguing about it? Mark breaks down many of these same topics with calm clarity, real measurements, and zero tolerance for RF mythology.
🔗 Watch the featured videos from our collaboration
If this issue makes you slightly more skeptical of neat charts, clean SWR curves, and perfectly symmetrical waterfalls — good.
That’s where better RF decisions begin.
73,
Joeri – ON6URE
Founder – RF.Guru
https://rf.guru/