Magloops with effective remote tuning are very pricey but those are not (as far
as I know) automatic tuning, just remote) With a tiny bit of practice, it’s
not hard to do manually. I give it almost no thought. To simply have a mag
loop go to the perfect spot of resonance in response to instructions from the
radio would be difficult if not impractical.
The key thing here is that it’s not a problem (for low power) to have the mag
loop close to you nor is it hard to adjust it (as I described) to be perfectly
resonant to the radio.
However, Julia is right. You can have the KX3 report its frequency (and
everything else) through the ACC1 port. Similarly the KX3 can be controlled by
this magic box (to transmit a bit) Getting a mag loop with its very high Q to
perfectly tune to that frequency would be interesting. When you see how tiny
the changes to the Variable Cap are – you might perceive the problem. Are
there effective auto-tuning magloops that work as perfectly as hand tuning for
low power levels? I’d like to know.
I also think that complexity can get in the way of portability. The beauty of
the mag loop I have (alex loop) is that it’s light weight, quick to set up and
take down. Adding complexity would change all that. At that point, I would
use the kxpa100 with its tuner. (possibly even cheaper)
W1GCF
Geoff
From: Julia Tuttle [mailto:ju...@juliatuttle.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2022 12:53 PM
To: jerry
Cc: Geoffrey Feldman; Elecraft; JEROME SODUS
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 and its "TUNE" selection. (With mag loop)
Hi Jerry,
That's absolutely possible over the serial port (ACC1)! The Programmer's
Reference has the details:
https://ftp.elecraft.com/K3S/Manuals%20Downloads/K3S
<https://ftp.elecraft.com/K3S/Manuals%20Downloads/K3S&K3&KX3&KX2%20Pgmrs%20Ref,%20G5.pdf>
&K3&KX3&KX2%20Pgmrs%20Ref,%20G5.pdf
73,
Julie
On Wed, Aug 24, 2022, 12:49 jerry<je...@tr2.com> wrote:
I'm starting work on a magloop project. I wonder how hard it would be
to
have a transceiver tell the magloop what frequency it's tuned to? That
could
operationally be simpler than having to hit it with low-power RF so it
can tune
itself...
- Jerry, KF6VB
On 2022-08-23 14:28, Geoffrey Feldman wrote:
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
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