Post by Burt on Jun 21, 2009 14:19:12 GMT -5
Yesterday was the first opportunity I had to use the Power AIM-120 using v 6.84a in a real situation. I was making Sample Line length measurements while the 700 Watt station was on the air. The sample lines were disconnected from the Delta Toroids and moved away from the plumbing as far as practical. I had trouble only with tower 3 of the 4 towers. Tower 3 was the hottest tower in the array.
I suspect this may be more of a problem in my computer, an Asus G2 than with the Power AIM-120. What would happen is the mouse pointer cursor would not follow my mouse pad movement but instead wander aimlessly around the screen ony when I tired to move it. Sometimes the problem would clear when I'd disconnect the serial/USB adapter cable from the USB port on the computer and sometimes I'd have to force the computer to shut down by holding the power button down.
I was finally able to get things to all work at once by getting a battery jumper cable from my car and grounding the Type-N connector on the Power-AIM. Apparently there was enough RF being conducted in on the outside of the sample line cable to cross the eyes of my computer.
On another similar issue, I was measuring the self impedance of the towers (with the station completely off, and no other stations within miles). It was a dry windy day, which necessitated leaving the static drain coils connected. What would happen is that the serial adapter cable or the power Aim-120 would lock up. I had to disconnect the USB end, Close the program, turn the Power AIM-120 off, connect the USB cable and turn the power AIM back on. Both the computer and the Power AIM were running on battery. Again, I had to ground the Type-N connector on the Power AIM and could get one sweep. I could get the information, go to the Smith Chart table and data without any problem but I was unable to make another sweep until I unplugged the USB cable and re-started the Power AIM.
Burt
I suspect this may be more of a problem in my computer, an Asus G2 than with the Power AIM-120. What would happen is the mouse pointer cursor would not follow my mouse pad movement but instead wander aimlessly around the screen ony when I tired to move it. Sometimes the problem would clear when I'd disconnect the serial/USB adapter cable from the USB port on the computer and sometimes I'd have to force the computer to shut down by holding the power button down.
I was finally able to get things to all work at once by getting a battery jumper cable from my car and grounding the Type-N connector on the Power-AIM. Apparently there was enough RF being conducted in on the outside of the sample line cable to cross the eyes of my computer.
On another similar issue, I was measuring the self impedance of the towers (with the station completely off, and no other stations within miles). It was a dry windy day, which necessitated leaving the static drain coils connected. What would happen is that the serial adapter cable or the power Aim-120 would lock up. I had to disconnect the USB end, Close the program, turn the Power AIM-120 off, connect the USB cable and turn the power AIM back on. Both the computer and the Power AIM were running on battery. Again, I had to ground the Type-N connector on the Power AIM and could get one sweep. I could get the information, go to the Smith Chart table and data without any problem but I was unable to make another sweep until I unplugged the USB cable and re-started the Power AIM.
Burt