CM-3203 Balun Replacement

[N9JIG]

I have been using this balun for a while on an ST-2 in the attic and it works SO much better than the cheap supplied balun:

Outdoor Balun/Matching Transformer Deluxe

The Channel Master CM-3203 Outdoor Balun Matching Transformer Deluxe is an upgraded professional grade balun for any outdoor tv antenna that does not have an integrated balun.

www.channelmaster.com

I am looking for a couple more of these baluns but they seem to be out of stock everywhere, I wonder if they are discontinued.

Has anyone else found a high-quality replacement balun like CM-3203?

 

[vagrant]

I'm figuring you do not have dB numbers from an SDR, so give us an idea on how much better please. I think my transformer is fine, but hey $20 is for testing won't break the bank.

I have two ST2 antennas and they do work well, but they are somewhat directional which can be good or bad, depending on what one may be monitoring.

I have been using this balun for a while on an ST-2 in the attic and it works SO much better than the cheap supplied balun:

 

[N9JIG]

I'm figuring you do not have dB numbers from an SDR, so give us an idea on how much better please. I think my transformer is fine, but hey $20 is for testing won't break the bank.

I have two ST2 antennas and they do work well, but they are somewhat directional which can be good or bad, depending on what one may be monitoring.

Correct, any noted improvement is anecdotal. The difference was remarkable but I cannot say if the difference was due to the balun or replacing the RG6QS with the LMR400 style coax, both were done at the same time and I did not test them separately.

I have 3 other ST-2's, one is still in the far side of the attic (disconnected) and I brought 2 down to the garage. I might go up to the attic one of these days and put one of these ST-2's on the coax used by the Omni-X to see how well it works as that has turned out to be pretty disappointing. Since I do not have another one of the CM-3203 baluns I will use the original one that was supplied with the ST-2 for now.

 

[N9JIG]

It appears they are now back in stock at Channel Master. I ordered 2 more of these baluns direct from Channel Master.

They are $19.00 each direct from Channel Master (https://www.channelmaster.com/products/tv-antenna-outdoor-balun-matching-transformer-deluxe-cm-3203), $25 at Amazon (Amazon.com)

Hopefully it will not be too hot next week when I go up in the attic to put a second ST-2 back in service!

 

[dimab]

Correct, any noted improvement is anecdotal. The difference was remarkable but I cannot say if the difference was due to the balun or replacing the RG6QS with the LMR400 style coax, both were done at the same time and I did not test them separately.

I have 3 other ST-2's, one is still in the far side of the attic (disconnected) and I brought 2 down to the garage. I might go up to the attic one of these days and put one of these ST-2's on the coax used by the Omni-X to see how well it works as that has turned out to be pretty disappointing. Since I do not have another one of the CM-3203 baluns I will use the original one that was supplied with the ST-2 for now.

Can you give more details on the switch from RG6QG to LMR400… what kind of improvements? Was it much harder to work with the LMR400 over the RG6?
I just went to RG6QS of about 75’ run, and monitor VHF to 800 with a few scanners + SDRs ( stridsburg multicoupler )

 

[prcguy]

$19 is ludacris for a TV balun, some of the better ones are only about $2 new. I tested a number of them years ago and keep a stock of them on hand.

 

[N9JIG]

$19 is ludacris for a TV balun, some of the better ones are only about $2 new. I tested a number of them years ago and keep a stock of them on hand.

Could be but the combination of new/better coax and a new/better balun has worked wonders here. I don't mind spending a little extra to get better results and looking at the construction (all metal housing vs. plastic) this one will likely last forever, especially in an attic of a home in the desert with outside temps of 110 to 120 for 6 months a year. God only knows how hot the attic gets in the summer, I won't go up there when it is over 90 here.

When I go up to the attic next week when the new baluns arrive I will pop on one of the old cheap baluns that came with the ST-2 and compare it to the same antenna with the new balun to see what, if any, different results I get.

Can you give more details on the switch from RG6QG to LMR400… what kind of improvements? Was it much harder to work with the LMR400 over the RG6?
I just went to RG6QS of about 75’ run, and monitor VHF to 800 with a few scanners + SDRs ( stridsburg multicoupler )

I had pretty good results with RG6QS over the years on my ST-2's at this house and my last house, both in the attic. After I replaced the balun and coax a while back the ST-2 worked much better. I cannot say with certainty if it is due to the balun or coax specifically but I suspect it is a combination of both.

If I had to do it again I would probably use the SuperFlex coax instead of the Air10. They both work great and I cannot tell any difference in performance. The SuperFlex was more expensive (close to $100 for a 50 foot assemble vs about $65 for the Air10) but the rated loss was comparable and was a ton easier to work with.