How to Build A 130 Watt Dummy Load for HF Ham Radio

In this video I go through the building of a paint can dummy load that a ham radio operator may require for testing and tuning HF transmitters.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• k4eaa
• ham
• radio
• dummy
• instructions
• load
• kenwood
• HF
• transmitter
• transceiver
• icom
• yaesu
• tune
• antenna
• drake
• collins
• heathkit
• paint can
• anneal
• copper
• alex jones is an idiot

[MrHeffernan11]

Is that Seriously Giveing out around 50V??? And also How long will this Masterpeace last?

Great Vid 10 out of 10 :)!

[69furball69]

@MrHeffernan11 That's 50 Ohms resistance, a perfect match for a ham radio antenna output. The resistors dissipate the rf energy instead of transmitting a signal. This allows you to tune your radio with full power output without causing interference.

It should last until the can rusts and when the can rusts buy another and use the lid assembly you have with the new can, so virtually forever as long as you don't burn it out with too much power.

[salat]

Mh.. nice work, but have you heard of the salt water dummy load?

[69furball69]

@salat Heard of it, yes. Not to say I know anything about them in particular.

[smilerjeff]

excellent video .. hardware store here i come :)

Jeff M1BCM

[69furball69]

@smilerjeff Thanks for watching.

You're 5 and 9

Good luck with the project!

[mts0628]

I made the same dummy load but I added a diode, a capacitor, and banana jacks so I could calculate power output of my rigs. These dummy loads are very handy and simple to make. Oh I used mineral oil because I did have some on hand (for beekeeping) but any oil that won't break down at these operating temperatures or go rancid will work. I thought about adding a PIC to calculate the wattage but I never got around to it. Nice job!

[MrHeffernan11]

@69furball69 What If u Coat the Tin in Rust proof Paint? And also How do i Hook this up to the Lest say Radio antenna output

[CodfishCatfish]

If you use a BAV21 Diode from a terminal binding post to a black terminal binding post which goes to the paint tin as GND and then a 250v 0.01 uf cap across the binding posts then you can measure wattage by measuring the voltage and say a 0.4v drop across the diode and adding this later. say you measure 49.6v + 0.4v and sqr/rt of 2=1.414 (50v/1.414=35.36vRms) 35.36x25.26= 1250.33 and divide by 50 ohms Imp = 25watts simple no need for wattmeter.

[69furball69]

@websterzip search for 'k4eaa' and if you add a 'dotcom' after that call sign you will find ken's web page, from which he sells the resistor kits.