James, today a dummy load is a highly-recommended and inexpensive tool in any modern ham shack. Any of the popular brands are fine for aligning your K3. You do NOT need an expensive precision laboratory load.
If you are a dedicated QRP operator, a low powered load is fine. Keep in mind that the fastest way to destroy a dummy load is to overload it. Having a dummy load rated for substantially more than the power you plan to run is a wise investment, especially when you realize that most dummy loads are rated for only short transmissions lasting several seconds at their rated power. It's all a matter of being to dissipate the heat. On line, www.rfparts.com offers a wide variety of dummy loads - many used and tested - for power ranges of a few watts up to hundreds of watts and at good prices. For up to 100 watts they are under $100. Elecraft offers a nice QRP dummy load, the DL-1, in kit form that also allows you to do power measurements using a common DMM. See http://www.elecraft.com/mini_module_kits/mini_modules.htm (scroll down the page) If you want to do a little soldering, the Tom, N0SS (SK) web site has excellent plans for rolling your own loads at a very low cost: http://www.n0ss.net/dl_30w_hf-uhf.pdf Personally, I have an MFJ 1.5 kW dummy load that has done excellent service for decades: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-264 There are a number of other dummy loads at various prices and power ranges on the MFJ web site. 73, Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of James Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 11:15 AM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Dummy Load What is the recommended solution to the requirement of a 5w dummy load during assembly of the K3? 73 James / K1SD / Rhode Island ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
