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DIY Dummy Load or just buy it?

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SpugEddy

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I'm looking for a dummy load for very short
term keys on GMRS channels.
Trying to track down SWR issues and I would
like to have a dummy load that will do 50 watt
max with very short keydown times. Obviously
has to cover min. of 460 to 470 mhz.
Do I look for a DIY homebrew project or do
I just buy a low cost dummy?
 

Delta33

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Clinton Iowa
Either. You can build a bank of three quarter or 1 watt carbon resistors rated for 50 ohms, or you can buy a 100 watt resistive load.
 

SteveSimpkin

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That depends on what parts you have access to and how much time you want to spend. I think the MFJ-261 might do what you want. 100W peak, 15W average. It costs about $26 at gigaparts.com.
 

jonwienke

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I have the MFJ and it works just fine. UHF SWR connected directly to the meter is less than 1.1.

I haven't tried hitting it with more than 25 watts; you don't need high power to test SWR or look for cable problems. If you do have a cable problem, running low power reduces the chance of frying the RF output transistors in your radio anyhow. It never got noticeably warm hitting it with 25 watts for a few seconds (just long enough to get a SWR reading).
 

SpugEddy

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Location
Camden County South Jersey
I like the MFJ-260C. It looks like it might be a little
more robust. Not that I need that because I don't
keep SWR meters in line all the time. I simply key
the mic, calibrate, rekey and read the SWR and Power.

Thank you for the replies guys.
Happy Thanksgiving to all
 
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