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3kW ICAS Dual Core High Power 1:1 Antenna Tuner Current Balun
3kW ICAS Dual Core High Power 1:1 Antenna Tuner Current Balun
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The 3 kW ICAS Dual-Core High-Power 1:1 Antenna Tuner Current Balun is a heavy-duty balanced interface for external tuners driving open-wire or ladder-line-fed antennas. It provides perfect current symmetry, prevents RF feedback, and blocks common-mode current even under high-voltage mismatch conditions. Built around two stacked 4″ ferrite toroids, wound with Teflon-insulated twin-lead, it delivers amplifier-level performance with very low loss.
Correct Use of RF.Guru Antenna Tuner Baluns
Baluns in a Nutshell
How Much Choking Do You Really Need — for RX and TX?
Balanced High-Power Interface
This version uses four M6 stainless-steel terminals — two for the tuner output and two for the balanced feedline. Each bolt is separated from the polycarbonate enclosure by Teflon spacers that prevent creepage, surface arcing, and HV leakage paths during operation. The entire assembly is fully floating, making it ideal for tuners with open binding-post outputs or balanced matching networks.
Specifications
- Ferrite cores: 2 × 4″ (10.2 cm) toroids — dual-core stack
- Winding: 11 turns Teflon twin lead in Teflon sleeving (24 kV/mm)
- Terminals: 4 × M6 INOX 316 bolts with Teflon spacers (2 in / 2 out)
- Enclosure: HV-coated polycarbonate (IP64) with silicone gasket and pressure valve
- Power rating: 3 kW ICAS / 1.2 kW CCS
- Frequency range: 1.5 – 30 MHz (usable to 54 MHz)
Measured Performance (Single Unit)
Performance is identical to our large-core QRO choke family. Measured using injected common-mode current per EMC-standard test method.
| Band | Choking Impedance (Ω) | Common-Mode Rejection (dB) |
|---|---|---|
| 160 m | 6.0 kΩ | 47.6 dB |
| 80 m | 8.0 kΩ | 50.1 dB |
| 40 m | 3.0 kΩ | 41.7 dB |
| 30 m | 1.0 kΩ | 32.3 dB |
| 20 m | 0.8 kΩ | 30.4 dB |
| 17 m | 0.7 kΩ | 29.2 dB |
| 15 m | 0.6 kΩ | 28.0 dB |
| 12 m | 0.5 kΩ | 26.4 dB |
| 10 m | 0.4 kΩ | 24.6 dB |
Installing two units in series increases common-mode rejection by ≈ +30 dB across all bands, providing decent isolation from 160 to 10 m.
Mechanical Highlights
- Dual-core architecture for extended thermal and magnetic headroom
- Four M6 stainless terminals with Teflon spacers for maximum creepage distance
- Teflon twin lead and sleeving rated 24 kV/mm dielectric strength
- IP64 UV-resistant polycarbonate housing with HV coating and gasket
- Weight: approx. 750 g
Each balun is tested using true common-mode current injection under load. Residual current is measured with a calibrated probe to determine Common-Mode Rejection (CMR in dB). This method reflects actual field performance rather than differential VNA plots and is compliant with EMC industry standards.
Mini-FAQ
-
Q: Can I connect it directly to my tuner output?
— Yes. Use the two input M6 posts for the tuner and two output posts for your balanced feedline. -
Q: Are the terminals insulated from the box?
— Yes. Each M6 bolt has a Teflon spacer that prevents creepage and surface arcing on the polycarbonate housing. -
Q: Can I use two in series for extra isolation?
— Absolutely. Two units in series increase CMR by ≈ +30 dB across all HF bands. -
Q: Is it weatherproof for outdoor use?
— Yes. The housing is IP64-sealed and UV resistant. -
Q: What power levels can it handle?
— 3 kW ICAS / 1.2 kW continuous (160 – 10 m).
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