Yes, you are. Dummy loads are not fun, like nice radios. When I built a Heathkit HW100, 45 years ago, I needed a dummy load to align the transmitter section. Not having one, and having just spent all my discretionary funds on the radio, I used a pencil lead to make a resistor element. I had to experiment with different drafting pencils to find the correct resistance. I carefully removed the wood with a razor blade, and attached clip leads at the points that gave me 50 ohms. I dunked the result in a container of motor oil (probably not the best choice), and finished the alignment. It worked well and was a one shot deal. Later, following instructions in a ham radio magazine, I built a dummy load using two copper disks and 10 resistors. This was also installed in a quart can filled with oil of some kind. I put the dummy load under my shack and ran coax up to my rigs. Also worked well. Now, I use an Elecraft 20 watt load, and have used it for short periods of time at higher power to make quick measurements. This included the alignment work on my K3/100.
73, Rick Dettinger K7MW On Mar 30, 2015, at 2:43 PM, Dave Baxter wrote: > I often wonder about people who will buy expensive (but excellent) radio's, > then baulk at spending a few bucks, quid's or ?, on basic test kit like a > half decent dummy load! > > Am I missing something? > > Dave G0WBX. ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
