Hello Jez on the rig expert widen the band scope to 500 you had it set to +- 79 you will then see the dip. The adjustment for tuning is more sensitive than you think ;)
Hi Jez. I also have one of these mag loops.. I use a vna set it to the required frequency and turn the cap until the swr drops. If I think on I will drop you a video. The swr dip is only narrow and if you are turning it fast you might not see the dip. 73
You are getting lots of good advice about how to use the loop Jezz. Hopefully it will make sense to you, of course there might be a problem with it but as others have said the tune point is SO narrow with Mag Loops it is easy to miss it, depending on how your meter is set up. Cant remember if you actually connected a rig to it on your first video but connect a rig and tune for most noise is also a starting point. Good luck, looing forward to the next instalment. Always enjoy your presentations.
I have the same loop albeit a much later model and mine has a remote tune switch, just moved from my QTH in Northumbria to Skelton in Cleveland so not got it up yet> What i can tell you is the loop as any other loop is very narrow banded, your better connecting it up to a trx to tune by noise, then attaching an swr meter. Also you mentioned mounting it outside, there is no weather proofing on that loop as its really meant for inside use (I used mine in the loft) The model you have is a very early model. I would suggest you contact 2E0ERO regarding any issues as otherwise its just guesswork.
Dude you really need to learn how to tune a magnetic loop antenna, look at the bottom of the capacitor, there should be a cable lock to retain the wire thats broken away and missing, there is no resistance when you turn the cap, I already gave some advice in part 1, I also offered a service to rebuild the capacitor and check through the loop for you, To tune your loop you first chose your frequency then tune the cap to that, also loops are very narrow, you would have to retune even moving around the same band. Come on, try a little harder and do some research + take the advice already given to you.
First, connect the loop to your radio and listen for a peak in the noise as you turn the capacitor. This will confirm that the loop is wired and working properly. Then connect the analyzer and do a scan about where your VFO was set when the noise peaked. This procedure will help you zero in on where the loop is tuned to. This is a 2 turn loop, so it will not be as efficient as a larger single turn type. It is also sitting on a table with metal legs and that may be detuning it. The Q is extremely high on mag loops, so the smallest rotation of the capacitor may put you completely outside of the band. They are very touchy. Lastly, remember that a low SWR does not always equal good radiation from the antenna. A dummy load as perfect SWR, but it doesn't radiate. Use a field strength meter and walk around the antenna to see where the RF is going and the relative strength between bands. There is a guy here in the US who runs a homemade magloop on 75M and has a VERY STRONG signal. Take a look on QRZ for K1QAR 73 OM
Hi jezz, the same as the other comments, one thing you could also do is have your analyser on it's vswr meter on the band you want to test and tune the capacitor to lowest vswr, don't forget that a loop will be a very high Q antenna so it'll go out of tune from the spot frequency your using at any one time.
Not filmed it yet need to send it away and get the capacitor looked at . I’ve connected it to a radio and nothing need to get a power lead for my ft817 and try it on that before sending it away
seriously ? - your problem is you don't understand the fist thing about mag loops - you are trying to test it using an analyser connectet to the coupling loop - OF COURSE ITS GOING TO HAVE HIGH SWR ! - as you are testing what the analyser sees as a dead short or at best a small loop antenna in its own right - you can not use these fancy analisers to test this type of antenna - now connect antenna up to your tx - put TX ON LOW POWER ! - insert a decent swr meter between the TX and antenna - whilst on RECEIVE only - TUNE THE LOOP WITH THE CAPACITOR FOR MAXIMUM NOISE ON YOUR RADIO - then TX at low power - to check the swr - if high - the tune the cap a bit more - either way - and you should see it come down - MAG LOOPS ARE VERY TOUCHY BEASTS AND THE DIP WILL BE SHARP !! - and each time you shift frequency or band you will have to RETUNE IT - as they are also VERY narrow band devices - i would SERIOUSLY SUGGEST you DO NOT run more than about 5 w into it untill you have mastered tuning it - and dont even THINK about touching it with higher powers applied - unless you want RF burns - anyone who has had one will tell you they a: hurt and b: don't heal quick !! - this is why its better if you have the moterised version - as it keeps YOU away from the loop - it seems that your mate "Q" has sorted the main problem of the dodgy coax ( caused i suspect by the clod handed previous owner ) - and that it WILL now work as designed - methinks you need to watch a few you tubes on these antennas before posting your own
Hello Jez on the rig expert widen the band scope to 500 you had it set to +- 79 you will then see the dip. The adjustment for tuning is more sensitive than you think ;)
It's amazing that you even have a license.
Just my thoughts
does make you wonder watching some of these videos - i think he needs to go do some research / learning on how these devices work
Hi Jez. I also have one of these mag loops.. I use a vna set it to the required frequency and turn the cap until the swr drops. If I think on I will drop you a video.
The swr dip is only narrow and if you are turning it fast you might not see the dip.
73
You are getting lots of good advice about how to use the loop Jezz. Hopefully it will make sense to you, of course there might be a problem with it but as others have said the tune point is SO narrow with Mag Loops it is easy to miss it, depending on how your meter is set up. Cant remember if you actually connected a rig to it on your first video but connect a rig and tune for most noise is also a starting point. Good luck, looing forward to the next instalment. Always enjoy your presentations.
I have the same loop albeit a much later model and mine has a remote tune switch, just moved from my QTH in Northumbria to Skelton in Cleveland so not got it up yet> What i can tell you is the loop as any other loop is very narrow banded, your better connecting it up to a trx to tune by noise, then attaching an swr meter. Also you mentioned mounting it outside, there is no weather proofing on that loop as its really meant for inside use (I used mine in the loft) The model you have is a very early model. I would suggest you contact 2E0ERO regarding any issues as otherwise its just guesswork.
Dude you really need to learn how to tune a magnetic loop antenna, look at the bottom of the capacitor, there should be a cable lock to retain the wire thats broken away and missing, there is no resistance when you turn the cap, I already gave some advice in part 1, I also offered a service to rebuild the capacitor and check through the loop for you, To tune your loop you first chose your frequency then tune the cap to that, also loops are very narrow, you would have to retune even moving around the same band. Come on, try a little harder and do some research + take the advice already given to you.
First, connect the loop to your radio and listen for a peak in the noise as you turn the capacitor. This will confirm that the loop is wired and working properly.
Then connect the analyzer and do a scan about where your VFO was set when the noise peaked. This procedure will help you zero in on where the loop is tuned to.
This is a 2 turn loop, so it will not be as efficient as a larger single turn type. It is also sitting on a table with metal legs and that may be detuning it.
The Q is extremely high on mag loops, so the smallest rotation of the capacitor may put you completely outside of the band. They are very touchy.
Lastly, remember that a low SWR does not always equal good radiation from the antenna. A dummy load as perfect SWR, but it doesn't radiate.
Use a field strength meter and walk around the antenna to see where the RF is going and the relative strength between bands.
There is a guy here in the US who runs a homemade magloop on 75M and has a VERY STRONG signal.
Take a look on QRZ for K1QAR
73 OM
You were offered a great opportunity to get that overhauled for £40 by the manufacturer why struggle with it
Hi jezz, the same as the other comments, one thing you could also do is have your analyser on it's vswr meter on the band you want to test and tune the capacitor to lowest vswr, don't forget that a loop will be a very high Q antenna so it'll go out of tune from the spot frequency your using at any one time.
Plus don't touch it whilst transmitting could be quite shocking 😁
@@adam-g7crq RF Burns rather than shocks
@@user-em6vi6sj7p yes you can get rf burns, but on high Q antenna's like mag loops you get high voltage on the loops radiating element.
Keep it up Jez, your do it! 👍😉
Was there ever 2E0ERO Part 3 - aka a solution ?
Not filmed it yet need to send it away and get the capacitor looked at . I’ve connected it to a radio and nothing need to get a power lead for my ft817 and try it on that before sending it away
seriously ? - your problem is you don't understand the fist thing about mag loops - you are trying to test it using an analyser connectet to the coupling loop - OF COURSE ITS GOING TO HAVE HIGH SWR ! - as you are testing what the analyser sees as a dead short or at best a small loop antenna in its own right - you can not use these fancy analisers to test this type of antenna - now connect antenna up to your tx - put TX ON LOW POWER ! - insert a decent swr meter between the TX and antenna - whilst on RECEIVE only - TUNE THE LOOP WITH THE CAPACITOR FOR MAXIMUM NOISE ON YOUR RADIO - then TX at low power - to check the swr - if high - the tune the cap a bit more - either way - and you should see it come down - MAG LOOPS ARE VERY TOUCHY BEASTS AND THE DIP WILL BE SHARP !! - and each time you shift frequency or band you will have to RETUNE IT - as they are also VERY narrow band devices - i would SERIOUSLY SUGGEST you DO NOT run more than about 5 w into it untill you have mastered tuning it - and dont even THINK about touching it with higher powers applied - unless you want RF burns - anyone who has had one will tell you they a: hurt and b: don't heal quick !! - this is why its better if you have the moterised version - as it keeps YOU away from the loop - it seems that your mate "Q" has sorted the main problem of the dodgy coax ( caused i suspect by the clod handed previous owner ) - and that it WILL now work as designed - methinks you need to watch a few you tubes on these antennas before posting your own
shame on you!!!!