Hello
I have been offered a Baby Loop which has not been used for some years and I need some assistance please on a problem.
The ATU is serial number 12-2015B and the board is 1.03.0100 the firmware was V2.19 and it does not have the RS232 installed.
The update to firmware V3.29 installed. On first operation I used Auto Detect to identify the Baby Loop and to confirm the motor operation.
Using the keypad it is possible to enter frequencies and the loop will auto tune.
But there is a problem. When testing the auto tune on the frequency range in steps from 7000khz through to 28000khz there is an intermittent fault.
For example if already auto tuned to 14000khz and 21000khz is entered on the keypad the ATU will begin to tune and immediately shuts down and then reboots to the last successful auto tune as in this example of 14000khz.
I have tested this issue on the frequency range 7000khz to 28000khz moving up or down the bands and the intermittent shut down and restart issue is random it may successfully auto tune to the requested frequency or the ATU may shut down and reboot.
I have placed the loop in three different locations, on the balcony with a wooden surface, on a concrete paving slab in the garden and in the garden boarder all at a height of 2 metres and away from nearby obstacles as instructed in the installtion manual.
Here are figures for a sample test:-
Freq Freq SWR
1 6600 1.1
2 6600 7000 1.2
3 7000 10000 1.4
4 10000 14000 1.1
5 14000 18000 Shutdown and reboot
6 14000 18000 Shutdown and reboot
7 14000 18000 1.1
8 18000 21000 Shutdown and reboot
9 18000 21000 1.3
10 21000 24000 Shutdown and reboot
11 21000 24000 1.5
12 24000 27000 Shutdown and reboot
13 24000 27000 1.5
14 27000 28000 1.5
15 28000 7000 1.1
16 7000 14000 1.2
17 14000 21000 1.7
18 21000 28000 1.5
19 28000 14000 1.1
20 14000 7000 Shutdown and reboot
Please can anyone advise me what is happening and how to resolve the problem.
Thank You
Robert Carswell
M0ITR
That's a photo of the braid I use over the DC cable, seems to have an impact on reliable tuning,
73s
Pete
I had similar issue with my Midi Loop, I fitted a shield section to the DC cable, will try to grab a photo but its basically a piece of braided shield wire that I could slip over the DC cable, seemed to cure many of the mistuning issues. Running the >2A supply will also help, I have an original 1.0A unit and it does give more variable results. If you can find 2 core shielded cable for the DC feed, am sure that would be an improvement.
73s
Pete
I have the same problem. atu crashes when the motor draws more current than the power supply can handle. I have just ordered a 2a power supply. Hopefully you solved this problem.
Today I have been through the motor connections from the ATU and the two junction boxes checking for continuity and any evidence of open circuits or corrosion etc.
I didn't find anything amiss so I monitored the output voltage to the motor at the junction box on the loop and watched it peak up and down between 20v DC and zero as the loop auto tuned and then without any warning at a random frequency change the ATU would just shut down and reboot.
There doesn't appear to be any one band that is causing the problem.
I don't have another 24v AC adaptor to test whether that is causing the issue.
Can anyone help please with advice or info on how to solve the situation.
Robert
M0ITR