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

[w3mq]

I always wondered how these things were made, thanks for the video and instructions. is there any particular size paint can that you should use?

[69furball69]

A quart can is adequate for 100 - 130 watts. If you build one for more power you'll obviously need larger resistors and a bigger can.

[jeffHeff jeff]

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

Great Vid 10 out of 10 :)!

[69furball69]

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]

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

[eogg25]

look up digikey website they have metal film 50 for about 13.00 not includeing shipping they also have carbon, also the cheapest mineral oil i could find is at walmart, 1.48 for 16 ounces as of yesterday. might be their regular price.

[eogg25]

nice job Steve, i beleive that when you soldered the coax connector, you would only have to heat it till the solder melts, the solder will flow to wherever the flux is, at least it works that way with copper pipe. you did an excelent job. The meter reading proved that. well done.

[KE5SUI]

to keep the resistors cool and provide a large thermal mass to dissipate heat. Also it's a pretty good electrical insulator.

[Levy Kalman]

Thanks to the project, works well GL 73

[tototana]

What's the Oil for?

[Richard Trowell]

can you use metal film resistors . having a hard time finding carbon resistor or carbon film resistor

[sparky42]

where was the stove located ?

[w5jda]

Nice job de ND5FW

[CodfishCatfish]

No problem whatsoever. I have used this formula many times and it's just about OK. f you see this website then it also has a great converters for speed.

radioing.com/eengineer/rfcalc.­html

[Thomas Sarlandie]

I think what you meant is 35.36^2 = 35.36*35.36 = 1250.33 - But thanks for the tip!