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Antenna Tuner for Magnetic Loop Antenna controlled by Arduino via IR

Clique aqui para documentação em Português.

Table of contents

Introduction

Magnetic Loop Antenna is very useful for limited space and also portability. It can provide reasonable gain on 20, 17 and 15 meters and excellent gain on 10 meters. However, working with a Magnetic Loop Antenna can become uncomfortable sometimes doe to constant need to adequate it to the frequency or band that the user wants to work. This project tries to minimize this problem by allowing the user control the antenna remotely.

Using few components, this project intends to implement a remote control for a Magnetic Loop Antenna tha can be used with an Alexloop or a homebrew antenna.

Component parts

Small and lightweight with considerable output power. This Servo can rotate approximately 180 degrees, and works like a standard servo. The table below shows the features of the servo used here.

Feature Description
Modulation Analog
Torque 4.8V: 22.2 oz-in (1.60 kg-cm)
Speed 4.8V: 0.12 sec/60°
Weight 0.32 oz (9.0 g)
Dimensions -------
Length: 0.91 in (23.1 mm)
Width: 0.43 in (10.9 mm)
Height: 1.14 in (29.0 mm)
Motor Type Coreless
Gear Type Plastic
Rotation/Support Bushing
Pulse Range 600mS to 2100mS pulse

Micro Servo TG9

Schematic

schematic

Arduino sketch

There are two Arduino sketch version for this project.... see source folder ... to be continue...

Final consideration

Before I started this project, I was worried if the Arduino could cause unwanted noise or interference in my reception, specially, if it works very close to loop antenna. Actually, there is a crystal that oscillates at 16MHz on Arduino board and other components that potentially can generate unwanted signal. However, I haven’t noticed any difference using the loop antenna with this system on and off.

Photos

Photo 01

Photo 02

Photo 03

Photo 04

Videos

73 PU2CLR

Ricardo Caratti - 17 / 11 / 2013

email: pu2clr@gmail.com