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 RF Dummy Load - DIY

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Victor
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Victor


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PostSubject: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeThu Sep 17, 2020 6:10 am

Hi all,

I've come across several occasions where someone requires a RF Dummy load for checking/testing their radios.

They can be purchased relatively cheaply new, but soon become expensive for higher wattages.

There are various DIY approaches from salt water filled pots to 'bird cages' of resistors, all with merit but somewhat lacking. Getting hold of non-inductive carbon composition resistors to build the latter are harder to find nowadays and somewhat expensive.

A cheaper and more elegant solution is as follows.....

Search eBay for "RF Termination Resistors".

This should herald plenty of results for Hybrid RF microwave termination resistors at a cost of approx. £3 to £6 each.
(These are surplus items and I believe used in mobile phone cell towers, I haven't bought a duff unit yet.)

Then check out the following link for an example build :-

RF Dummy Load DIY

Nothing more simple than one of these resistors, RF socket and a heatsink Smile

I've built a couple myself, a 100w unit and a 250 watt unit the first built on a heatsink and the second on an extruded aluminium case. Both work faultlessly.

You can of course purchase several of these resistors and install them as parallel/series circuits to yield higher wattages. The old mineral oil filled can will help with cooling or build on a larger heatsink.


TIP :-

The silver tab for connecting to these hybrid resistors are quite delicate, make sure they are connected via a mechanically sound connection. Don't be tempted to just solder on a lead as they will break, typically right at the component body! Go on, ask me how I know Wink

Also, don't be tempted to run any power through them without being connected to a decent heatsink. They will get hot very quickly and blow! Use good mechanical clamping and don't forget the old heatsink compound.


Helped me out discovering this, I hope it helps you.


All the best,
Victor

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Swadeyboy
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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeThu Sep 17, 2020 9:12 pm

Totally agree. Built my own one. Which works great.

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Tristar
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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeThu Sep 17, 2020 10:52 pm

👍 hi guys. 

It may be helpful for someone to explain why having and using a dummy load is useful as again it not a regular conversation especially to newcomers to the hobby!

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Victor
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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeFri Sep 18, 2020 6:07 am

I'm uncertain, if not perplexed by the last couple of responses to this posting, but will do my best to resolve or at least understand them. (If not only for me but maybe others also.)


Martin,
You are certainly free to make any posting on the forum of your own regard for almost any subject you wish. (Obviously within forum rule boundaries.) As you have added another resource for a DIY approach to a dummy load it is a more than valid input. You could also if you wished place your resource in a posting of your own with titling specific to a salt water dummy load. It's totally up to you.

I don't understand the "as admin can't be bothered" aspect of your posting. I certainly haven't received any peronal request and I'm unaware of other admin receiving such a request but I'll double check for you. However, as mentioned you are free to make any posting of your own.

--------------------

John,
There may very well be people, or as you mention newcomers that do not know what a dummy load is. Again, as I have mentioned to Martin you are more than free to make such a posting of your own with that regard if you wish. I know that for myself when I come across a phrasing, abbreviation or other such that a quick search with Google or other search engine usually heralds answers to my query. Indeed searching for "dummy load" certainly gives many results on this particular subject.

---------------------

This forum is totally reliant on the input made from it's members and I believe a good resource for anyone involved or interested in radio.
If you feel it would benefit from specific information then you are totally free to add information to it. Whenever I have had the free time I certainly add postings that may, (or maybe not Wink), be of interest to other members and add to the wealth of knowledge here.

That was certainly my intention here, sharing a resource that might be of benefit to others and definitely helped me. If it's a known resource someone may confirm it, (as occured here), ask further questions, or even make further suggestions to add to the knowledge. All good stuff I'm sure you'll agree.


Anyway, I hope that sheds a bit more light.

All the best,
Victor

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Victor
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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeFri Sep 18, 2020 7:32 am

Ah, OK Martin, it makes more sense now.

I thought you had specifically asked admin to make a posting maybe via a PM or something and hence my confusion. Easily missed if it was just on the fly in a posting. 

I just had a quick scout through the forum just now and found your posting, I had remarked on the unusual idea but obviously missed your intention. Still, as I said you are free to make your own posting. I couldn't find any reason however to make suggestion that anyone thought your input was a poor one though?


The reason for making my posting was to share a solution I had found for a dummy load. The resistors were cheap, the heatsinks free from discarded items and it works from DC to 3GHz so useful for the many frequencies Hams experience. No less worthy, indifferent, hard work or expensive than your input.

Anyway, glad we got that cleared up Smile

All the best,
Victor

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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeFri Sep 18, 2020 8:43 am

Hi Victor. 
In response t your comment. I totally agree with members making contributions on the forum. We agree that it is that that will keep it alive. 
Also Keeping it alive is that it’s a place for discussion and GOOD information on subjects and items that you could look up google responses and be flooded with a whole page or more of good, bad or indifferent comments . 
So having somewhere that you can trust giving you the simple facts that can be understood and found easily is a good thing. 
That’s why I come here and read up on headings of interest. JMO

Oh and I don’t know what a dummy load is.
 I didn’t want to admit it so I’m sure there’s others out there too!

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Alan Pilot
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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeFri Sep 18, 2020 8:58 am

This all came from the picture i put up and a joke after the post lol.
But some good info has come about from it that might save people a few bob.
Regarding the joke i will have a 500w Bird dummy load to use when the heatsink arrives to fix it to.
Have a look Victor what do you thing i have a pl adapter on it and it's still at 50ohm.  (£4.20 on the bay)...
RF Dummy Load - DIY Dummy_10

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Victor
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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeFri Sep 18, 2020 10:24 am

Hi Alan,

Bit of a bargain that Bird terminator you got there. I do like a bargain even when it's someone else's bargain! Wink

Got to admit I wasn't part of the original discussion so missed something(?) They might have added me to the admin team but it didn't come with omnipresence Very Happy

Anyway, if even one person got something useful out of it all, then it's worth it.


You seem fair old setting up there Alan, fixing radios and expanding the test gear! All good to see.

All the best,
Victor

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Alan Pilot
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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeFri Sep 18, 2020 1:06 pm

Victor
I posted a picture of my SWR and somebody said i bet there is a dummy load some ware as a joke.
The Bird one i have only arrived yesterday and waiting for the 6x2x1 lump of aluminium to be delivered for the heatsink.
Did give it a quick try and it does work well but was starting to get warm after 5/10 seconds but well pleased with my bargain don't normally get them as i sit thinking for too long lol.
It's got a N-type to pl259 and a patch lead on it at the moment but still on 50ohm but it will be sorted out when the bit's turn up.
The funny look's have started from the wife now with this kit coming in aerial analyser came Wednesday  bounce

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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeFri Sep 18, 2020 7:34 pm

I made my own 50ohm dummy load using readily available parts from CPC. I used a metal alloy box which was a bit small but a bit of ingenuity made it fit. The metal box helps with any heat build up. Coming from an electrical background kind of helped. 2x 100ohm 100watt panel mount resistors wired in parallel. Using 1.5mm sq electrical cable. All materials cost about £30. 
You could probably buy one for the rhe same money but where's the fun in that, plus it keeps you away from the other half😎
I would have added some photos but i don't seem to have an icon to add any🤔

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PostSubject: Re: RF Dummy Load - DIY   RF Dummy Load - DIY Icon_minitimeSun Sep 27, 2020 9:05 pm

Well this was my attempt at building a dummy load. Works a treat.
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