If your antenna is a magloop - DO NOT USE the tune button. In fact, clear the tuner memory for your band per instructions. The tuner feature (assuming you have the option) is great with other antennas, especially random wire but it doesn't go well with mag loops. The xmit button is simply "PTT".
For any mag loop, choose a frequency you wish to start work, somewhere in the middle of the band. Mag Loops are high Q antennas, that is they are effective in a very narrow range of frequencies to which they are adjusted with the tuning box. This fact should inform your thoughts on effective use. Turn the tuning dial (ON THE MAG LOOP) until you hear the maximum amount of noise (or blessed with a real signal). The antenna and the radio are now tuned. Turn the KX3 tuning knob SLOWLY until you hear some kind of interesting signal. (PX3 is great for this too). Tweak the tuning knob on the mag loop to get the strongest signal for your exact frequency. (just a tweak). This is important even if you hear the signal, to get the most efficient use of transmitter. If while seeking a station you hear a lot less static, adjust the mag loop as above. IF seeking up and down the band, just rinse and repeat as above until you get a station to work. Once the mag loop is tuned to the band, you won't have to adjust it much to tune it for the particular part of the band you are on. Gentle tweaks is the way. Notice too, mag loops are very directional. Consult the manufacturing manual for where it's sensitive and turn it along a great circle to where you want to go. (In Boston, where I live, Europe is north east by great circle. I note there is something about tuning the radio in some mag loop instructions. I find this not necessary with the KX3. What I describe here is what I do and it works well. I have contacted Europe USB with a KX3 at 15 watts and a mag loop. The antenna was on the top floor of my wood frame town house for this, not even outdoors. If you think about what I wrote, you want the antenna in arm's length while working the radio. Don't worry about your body affecting the near field. Mag Loops are not like that. -73- W1GCF Geoff ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
