[GCARC] Dummy Load/Wattmeter Build Project

[Christopher Prioli AD2CS]

Hello folks...

I wanted to take a few minutes to talk a little bit about the upcoming
GCARC Dummy Load / Wattmeter build project.  This build is set for
Saturday, 10 May as the May 2025 Tech Saturday Forum topic.  The cost per
seat is fifty dollars, and plenty of seats are still available.  Believe
me, this one is well with the modest cost.

This instrument is unique in that it is a dummy load that will report to
the user the power level of the signal that is being sent into the dummy
load.  It can be built at any one of three maximum power ratings, 25 watts,
50 watts, or 100 watts.  This is an interesting combination of basic
electronics in the dummy load section and advanced electronics operation in
the fact that the reporting wattmeter is based on an Arduino Nano.  All of
the heavy lifting will have been done for you before the event -- the
programming of the Arduino and the finely-detailed assembly of the
interconnecting wire harnesses.  The design uses two circuit boards, each
of which you will assemble during the build, and it is almost 100%
through-hole componentry.  The *only* solder joint that is not through-hole
is the connection of the load resistor to the detector PCB.

This instrument is one that belongs on every ham operator's benchtop, as it
serves the purposes of both a dummy load and a wattmeter, as its name
implies.  However, the wattmeter function is automated and requires no
fancy manipulation of menus or programming once the firmware is loaded into
the Arduino.  What could be easier?

Think about it seriously, and then, if you decide that you could use an
instrument like this one, sign up for the build by dropping me an email to
get started...

73 de

-- Chris   AD2CS
*GCARC VE Team Liaison*
*GCARC Education Committee Chair*
*GCARC Membership Committee Chair*
*Member, GCARC Board of Directors*
------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher P Prioli
648 W Holly Ave
Pitman, NJ  08071
1-856-689-6783
www.ad2cs.com