[Elecraft] Need to select a dummy load for K3 TX calibration...(advice?)

[Radio Amateur N5GE]

On Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:13:39 -0800, "Jeff Hall, W6EZY"
<w6ezy at arrl.net> wrote:

I don't know about the MFJ dummy loads, but I would get low powered
air cooled load for it.  I use a 25 watt air cooled that I got at a
ham fest for most of the testing here.  Beware and take an ohm meter
with you if you plan to buy one at a ham fest.  Not long ago I bought
what I thought was a 50 ohm 300 watt air cooled dummy load.  When I
got it home it measured 78 ohms.

Tom, N5GE

n5ge at n5ge.com
K3 #806 with SUB RX, K3 #1055, PR6,
XV144, XV432, KRC2,
W1, 2 W2's and other small kits

1 K144XV on order

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.swotrc.net

>
>I need help picking out a proper dummy load to use for calibrating my new
>K3.  HRO is just up the road and they carry some of the less expensive MFJ
>dummy loads -- would these be sufficient? Not looking to spend a lot of
>money, but don't want to buy junk either.  What factors should I consider?
>I'm assuming oil-cooled dummy loads are more robust, while air-cooled loads
>are more compact, but you have to be more careful when operating or they can
>burn up more easily.  The K3 manual says this is just a 5W test and I need a
>load with low VSWR from 160 to 6.  What is considered "low" SWR? Anything
>under 1:5?
>
>If I can get by with the MFJ-260 for just $40, that sounds reasonable to me.
>
>73 de Jeff, W6EZY