[HomeBrew] Reflection Attenuator?

[Ray, W4BYG]

I have been involved in professional and amateur radio electronics for 
over 50 years, but I came across the above term which I have never seen 
before.  I did a search for it and found nothing really useful.  I have 
a pretty nice technical library which doesn't reference it.

Pasternak has an online calculator for it, but that didn't help my 
understanding either.  The closest I come up with is it is used as 
resistive loading to improve SWR.

Anyone able to clarify what it is and how it is used?

Your attention is appreciated.
Ray, W4BYG

-- 
I'm no longer young enough to know everything!