EFHW – Page 2 – owenduffy.net

Thoughts on the ARRL EFHW antenna kit transformer

Several readers have asked my thoughts on the ARRL EFHW kit.

I have not built and measured the thing, but have done the first step in a feasibility study.

The transformer design is not novel, it is widely copied and this may be one of the copies. The design is usually published without any meaningful performance data or measurements.

The article Select a ferrite core material and sufficient primary turns for a low InsertionVSWR 50Ω broadband RF transformer – comparison of measured and predicted laid out a method for approximating the core loss of a EFHW where the load is adjusted to that input VSWR₅₀=1, ie input Z=50+j0Ω.

That method will be applied here for a good initial estimate of core loss.

I will present calcs for 80m and 40m since there are lots of articles and videos encouraging people to extend the antenna to 80m (with and without a loading coil).

It is quite practical to build an EFHW transformer with less than 0.5dB (11%) core loss.

Amidon FT240-43 toroid with 2t primary

The first point to note is that Amidon’s 43 product of recent years is sourced from National Magnetics Group, and is their H material. It is not a good equivalent to Fair-rite’s 43 mix.

Let’s make a first estimate of core loss at 3.5MHz.

We can estimate the complex permeability which is needed for the next calculation. Continue reading Thoughts on the ARRL EFHW antenna kit transformer

Last update: 14th April, 2024, 1:34 PM

Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – 2643251002 – #5 – improved Simsmith model (v1.03)

This article applies the improved model: An improved simple Simsmith model for exploration of a common EFHW transformer designs (v1.03) to the design at Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – 2643251002 – #1 – design workup.

Above is the prototype transformer wound with 14t of 0.71mm ECW tapped at 2t. The mm rule gives some scale. The turns are close wound, touching on the inner diameter of the core. Continue reading Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – 2643251002 – #5 – improved Simsmith model (v1.03)

Last update: 14th April, 2024, 1:34 PM

A Simsmith model of a Ruthroff 1:4 voltage balun – 2843009902 (BN43-7051)

A correspondent asked whether I had a tool similar to An improved simple Simsmith model for exploration of a common EFHW transformer designs (v1.03) to assist in the design of a ferrite cored Ruthroff 1:4 balun for HF.

In fact, the problem is the same as the one discussed in the article above, and the model is suited to application to the ferrite cored HF Ruthroff 1:4 balun case.

This analysis applies to a Fair-rite 2843009902 but may not apply to other manufacturer’s BN43-7051.

Above is a screenshot of the model calibrated against measurement. The magenta curve is the prediction and the blue curve is the measurement. Note that very small differences in measured value result in apparently large changes in InsertionVSWR, these two curves reconcile very well, especially considering the tolerances of ferrite material. Continue reading A Simsmith model of a Ruthroff 1:4 voltage balun – 2843009902 (BN43-7051)

Last update: 14th April, 2024, 1:36 PM

Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – 2 x 5943000601 (FT82-43) – VK4JJ build and measurement

The transformer is an autotransformer of 3+21 turns single layer close wound on a ‘stack’ of two Fair-rite 5943000601 cores (FT82-43?). Note that these were genuine Fair-rite stock, other #43 mix products in the market place may be significantly different (see Ferrite cored RF chokes in Class-E RF power amplifiers – core material issues for more discussion).

There are a plethora of designs using FT82-43 published on the ‘net, most of them have appalling loss.

Above is a Simsmith model and measurement of the transformer for reconciliation. The blue VSWR curve is the measurement and the magenta curve is the calibrated model, they agree well considering the tolerance of ferrite materials. Continue reading Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – 2 x 5943000601 (FT82-43) – VK4JJ build and measurement

Last update: 14th April, 2024, 1:34 PM

Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – LO1238 – VK3PY, VK3TU build and measurement

This article documents the process of design, prototyping, measurement and final build of a 1:49 impedance ratio (1:7 turns ratio) EFHW transformer, exploring some alternative designs along the way, a collaboration between VK3PY and VK3TU with a little guidance.

The transformer is wound on a Jaycar LO1238 35x21x13mm toroid of L15 material (L15 appears to be a NiZn ferrite based on its very high resistivity), they sell at $7 for a pack of two.

2:14 winding

The first test was of a 2:14 turn winding terminated in a 2450Ω load. The transformer is an autotransformer of 2+12t with 91pF compensation capacitor installed in shunt with the 2t winding.

As expected, |s11| is pretty poor at the low end, corresponding to an InsertionVSWR=1.7 @ 3.5MHz.

Design rejected due to high InsertionLoss, magnetising admittance too high.

3:21 turn windings

The transformer is an autotransformer of 3+18t with 91pF compensation capacitor installed in shunt with the 3t winding. Continue reading Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – LO1238 – VK3PY, VK3TU build and measurement

Last update: 14th April, 2024, 1:34 PM

An improved simple Simsmith model for exploration of a common EFHW transformer designs (v1.03)

The article A simple Simsmith model for exploration of a common EFHW transformer design – 2t:14t proposed a simple model.

The previous proposal

Above is the equivalent circuit used to model the transformer. The transformer is replaced with an ideal 1:n transformer, and all secondary side values are referred to the primary side.

The model works quite well for low leakage inductance / low ratio transformers but falls down for the higher leakage inductance / higher ratio transformers.

An improved model

The improved model is similar, but Cse in the model above is distributed to the outer sides of the lumped constant model.

Above is the equivalent circuit used to model the transformer. The transformer is replaced with an ideal 1:n transformer, and all secondary side values are referred to the primary side. Continue reading An improved simple Simsmith model for exploration of a common EFHW transformer designs (v1.03)

Last update: 14th April, 2024, 1:34 PM

Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – 2643251002 – #4 – G8GYW build and measurement

The article
Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – 2643251002 – #2 – prototype bench measurement continued the development of a transformer design.

This article analyses measurements at 7.1MHz reported by Mike, G8GYW of his build of a similar transformer.

Above is G8GYW’s build, that is an inch grid on the bench. Continue reading Another small efficient matching transformer for an EFHW – 2643251002 – #4 – G8GYW build and measurement

Last update: 14th April, 2024, 1:34 PM

FT37-43 for a 49:1 EFHW transformer enquiry

A correspondent asked whether Sontheimer coupler – transformer issues – an alternative design – FT37-43 could be used to inform design of a 49:1 EFHW transformer based on the same core, but with a 2 or 3t primary.

In the case of the Sontheimer coupler the winding with the higher number of turns appears in shunt with the nominal 50Ω load, and its effect on InsertionVSWR and the core loss can be predicted reasonably well and confirmed by measurements as in the referenced article.

In that instance, a 7t winding in shunt with the nominal 50Ω load causes excessive core heating, a 3t winding will be worse, and 2t worse again.

The case of an EFHW transformer is somewhat similar, the difference is now that the winding with less turns in approximately in shunt with the nominal 50Ω primary referred load. The same Simsmith model can be used to predict likely InsertionVSWR due to primary magnetising admittance, and the core loss.

Let’s try the 3t case first, with the experience of the referenced article we can expect it will have insufficient turns for good performance.

Above is the Simsmith model of a Fair-rite 5943000201 core (equivalent dimensions to FT37-43) with a 3t winding. Note this does not apply to Amidon #43 as their material is significantly different in characteristic. Continue reading FT37-43 for a 49:1 EFHW transformer enquiry

Last update: 14th April, 2024, 1:34 PM