I have baby loop antenna. I'm noticing SWR discrepancy between SWR shown on ATU display vs. what my Icom SWR meter shows. For example, ATU will display SWR of 1.3 but my Icom transceiver will show SWR of more than 2. When this happens transceiver power output is automatically reduced. ATU is connected to radio and then to antenna as per installation guide. There are no other devices or antenna tuners connected. Antenna tuner on the transceiver is turned off.
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FT8 works fine for me. This means that I do not have large SWR variations over the entire band (3Khz). When I work in LSB mode at 40 meters, the SWR remains fairly constant after several tunning attempts. What is strange is that the ICOM 7410 Frequently reducing the power back to 0 watts. I have no problems with an EndFed antenna.
I do not understand why the power is reduced to 0 watts while the SWR 1.5: 1 and ICOM modulates very well.
Can someone answer this question.
73 Gerard
40 meters is the most problematic. I have to constantly re-tune to get the SWR to reasonable levels. It becomes real challenge trying to work digital FT8 on 40m because very slight change in frequency throws SWR off. This is a big problem when attempting to contact other stations, especially DX stations. I'm often left with no option but to tune on unused frequency and resort to just calling CQ.
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Hi Svitez,
I experience the same problems that you describe. I bought the baby loop just a week ago.
I installed the loop on my garage roof about 15 meters from the house. The antenna is installed about 1.80 above the roof.
The loop is very difficult to tune at 40 meters. When I tune the antenna at 40 meters and work in digital mode such as FT8, this works fine. However, when I try to work in SSB mode this does not work. The SWR then varies from 1.7: 1 to more than 3. The power of the ICOM that I use is then reduced to 0 watts.
The internal tuner of the ICOM is off and all memories of the tuner have been erased.
On the 20 meter band and higher I have fewer problems, but even there I often have to tune the antenna again.
73 Gerard PA7GMU