[Antennas] re: building a dummy load

Fri, 8 Aug 2003 21:25:00 -0400

Hart,
  Yes and no. The older 'hollow state' transmitters could be (and often
were) loaded into almost anything. The newer solid state rigs (i.e.,
no-tune) are very particular on the load impedance they see. If it varies
much from 50 ohms, they will start to throttle back. The light bulb will not
be anywhere near 50 ohms and will change significantly as the filament heats
up. I have no idea what sort of a load it will present but am sure the solid
state rig will not like it at all. Also, the attenuation of the transmitted
signal will probably be less than it would be when using a properly
constructed and shielded resistance type dummy load. Many will relate
stories of unexpected and/or embarassing contacts made while transmitting
into a conventional dummy load.  Not too long ago there was an article in
one of the ham publications regarding the use of a light bulb as a
transmitting antenna and it didn't do all that bad as I recall.
  So, keep your eyes open at the next hamfest and you can probably pick up a
used dummy load for a reasonable price. Your rig and your neighbors will
appreciate it.

73 de
Mike / W8DN

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hart Engel" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 9:03 PM
Subject: [Antennas] re: building a dummy load

> Someone has told me that I can build a dummy load using a 100-300w light
> bulb. Is this true?
>
> Hart
>
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