First of all, don't expect a very scientific comparisation here. I haven't got calibrated equipment. It is just a practical comparisation between the S-match antennatuner I previously converted from a MFJ-948 and the Palstar AT1KM with homemade 1:1 current balun for the low bands. Personally I think it is not a fair comparisation since the components in the S-match are inferior compared to the components used in the Palstar. However, I was just curious...
Measurement was made with 50W input. Output current was measured with my homemade RF current meter.
Palstar S-Match
Band | %Left | %Right | %Left | %Right | |
80 | 60 | 60 | 45 | 35 | |
60 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 10 | |
40 | 50 | 40 | 40 | 30 | |
30 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 30 | |
20 | 80 | 70 | 70 | 60 | |
17 | 45 | 45 | 40 | 30 | |
15 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 60 |
Not surprisingly the S-match does not perform as good as the Palstar with 1:1 balun. I think this is because of the used components in the tuners. The Palstar has bigger capacitors and a huge variable coil. The S-match has small capacitors with a switchable coil, this coil is made of wire that is only 1/4 of the size the Palstar coil is made of. Besides that the S-match has a lot of additional wiring because it is a converted T-match and components are not in the ideal place. However, the S-match is advertised as doing a great job in balancing, in this it does a good job....but the Palstar T-match design with 1:1 balun outside the tuner does at least the same job in balancing.
My conclusion is that if you want to use a doublet as your antenna and think you need a special (balanced) tuner for it to feed the open line this is simply not necessary. If you have a simple T-match tuner or even a automatic tuner that has enough capacity, with a good 1:1 current balun outside the tuner it will do the job.
Past experiments: