Baluns, Beverages, and Beautifully Bad Ideas
What Is CESSB?
Controlled Envelope SSB isn’t new magic — it’s smarter modulation. Here’s how it squeezes more clean audio power from the same rig without splatter or smoke.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/what-is-cessb
Transmatch Pi vs T vs L – Context Matters More Than Circuit
All tuners look good on paper. We break down when each topology shines — and why the “best” circuit depends more on feedline physics than schematic symbols.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/transmatch-pi-vs-t-vs-l-context-matters-more-than-circuit
Silent Scout – Why a Passive Balanced ARDF Probe Beats LNA-On-Probe
Sometimes adding gain adds pain. Discover why passive, balanced ARDF probes outperform active ones when precision and null depth actually matter.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/silent-scout-why-a-passive-balanced-ardf-probe-beats-lna-on-probe
EFHW 20 m–10 m – The Ground Sensitivity Problem
Short end-feds love to share current with your coax. We show how soil conductivity, height, and counterpoise length shape their real-world performance.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/efhw-20m-10m-the-ground-sensitivity-problem
Why the 80 m Lazy Loop Needs a 4:1 Unun, Not a 4:1 Balun
Voltage-fed loops demand voltage transformers. Here’s why the humble 4:1 unun keeps them quiet and balanced, while a balun just invites common-mode chaos.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-the-80-m-lazy-loop-needs-a-4-1-unun-not-a-4-1-balun
Why a Simple Choke on Your Mains Cable Isn’t Enough
One ferrite won’t save you. Learn how multi-stage suppression, cable routing, and proper grounding stop household noise before it hits your rig.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-a-simple-choke-on-your-mains-cable-isn-t-enough
Antenna Impedance vs Transmission-Line Impedance
It’s not about 50 ohms perfection — it’s about understanding what really happens when they don’t match.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/antenna-impedance-vs-transmission-line-impedance
Baluns in a Nutshell
A refresher on what baluns actually do, how to choose the right type, and why calling every transformer a “balun” still drives engineers mad.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/baluns-in-a-nutshell
Making Sense of Antenna Analyzer Readings
Reactance, resistance, and resonance — demystified. Stop chasing dips and start reading what your analyzer is really telling you.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/making-sense-of-antenna-analyzer-readings
Why Transients Matter More Than You Think in Ham Radio
Those tiny spikes during relay clicks and storms are silent killers. Here’s how to protect radios and tuners from invisible damage.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-transients-matter-more-than-you-think-in-ham-radio
Myth Buster – The EH Antenna
Physics still wins. We revisit measurements showing why this “revolutionary” design remains more heat than signal.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/myth-buster-the-eh-antenna-physics-measurements-and-why-it-s-inefficient
Why Minimum Coax Length Matters for HF Antennas
No, it’s not voodoo — reflections, velocity factor, and impedance transformation make certain lengths truly useful.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-minimum-coax-length-matters-for-hf-antennas
Why Voltage Transformers (UNUNs) Are More Efficient Than BALUNs for Real HF Antennas
Because most antennas aren’t perfectly balanced. Learn why UNUNs waste less and behave better in the real world.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-voltage-transformers-ununs-are-more-efficient-than-baluns-for-real-hf-antennas
Why Ladder-Line Length Matters Between Tuner and Antenna
Feedline current distribution can make or break multi-band systems. Here’s the logic behind those “magic” lengths.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/why-ladder-line-length-matters-between-tuner-and-antenna
Myth – The Double Bazooka Is a Magical Cure for Bad Antennas
It’s clever coax engineering, not a miracle. We show why performance rarely matches the legend.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/myth-the-double-bazooka-is-a-magical-cure-for-bad-antennas
Myth Debunked – Loops Are Not Automatically Self-Balancing
Symmetry on paper doesn’t equal symmetry in current. Here’s how to actually balance your loop.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/myth-debunked-loops-are-not-automatically-self-balancing
Over the Limit – Because Who Doesn’t Love a Smoldering PA
When “just a bit more drive” becomes a smoke test. A loving tribute to every operator who couldn’t stop at 100 W.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/over-the-limit-because-who-doesn-t-love-a-smoldering-pa
The Legend of the HAREC Who Thought Antennas Die When Grounded
A mythical tale of theory gone hilariously wrong. Proof that exam answers and physics aren’t always best friends.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/the-legend-of-the-harec-who-thought-antennas-die-when-grounded
RG-58 – The Spaghetti Cable of the Past
Thin, lossy, nostalgic. We salute the cable that taught generations of hams what not to use.
🔗 https://shop.rf.guru/pages/rg-58-the-spaghetti-cable-of-the-past
Thanks for reading this edition of the RF.Guru Lab Newsletter. As always, we mix serious engineering with the occasional eyebrow raise — because in RF, the truth is often stranger than fiction.
73,
Joeri – ON6URE
Founder – RF.Guru
https://rf.guru/