[Elecraft] Don't have a 50W dummy load

[Don Wilhelm]

Tony,

"Scolding time" :-)
One thing that I believe should be in every ham's shack is a dummy load 
capable of handling the maximum power that your station can develop.  
Ridge Equipment has a 50 ohm 75 watt dummy load good up to 1.5GHz for 
$11.95, but you will need an adapter for UHF connectors so that is an 
additional $5.  See https://www.ridgeequipment.com/store/dummyloads.html.

If ever you run into a problem, the first check is to see what happens 
when you transmit into a dummy load.  That removes many variables - like 
RFI problems and antenna problems.  It is the first check I recommend.  
If the rig works into the dummy load, you need to look for the problem 
somewhere other than the rig.

I have had rigs sent to me for "repair" only to find that there is 
nothing wrong.  The resulting repair charge is greater than the cost of 
a good dummy load.

If you look for one at a hamfest, take your ohmmeter along to check if 
it is still a 50 ohm load - some are burned out from excessive power.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/24/2015 3:25 PM, Tony Estep wrote:
> Well, now I downloaded the new firmware, only to discover that I have to do
> the 50W calibration. I have a 5W dummy load, but no 50W. The 5W calibration
> went okay. So do I have to get a 50W dummy load before I can use the K3
> again? Or should I back down to the previous firmware? Or what?
>
>