If you’re doing avionics wiring while your ship is still sitting in a cradle (instead of on its gear, you will have run into the problem of not having your belly antennas installed—but you just KNOW that you’re itching to hit that “push to talk” switch to make sure it works. You have also heard horror stories of blowing up your radio if you hit that PTT without an antenna installed. That was absolutely true in the vacuum tube days, probably true in the early transistor days, and I honestly have no idea whether it is true with today’s IC radios. But why risk it? These 50 ohm dummy loads with BNC connectors are available on Amazon for a low price – and mine will just stay in place from now until I install the antennas!
“Click, click… is this thing on?!”
Dummy Loads keep you from being a dummy and letting the smoke out of your radio…
Great idea Paul! I really enjoy reading your posts and articles.
I noticed that the Amazon link for the dummy load uses a male UHF PL259 input. The cable connected to my radio ends at a male BNC connector. One method that would work for my setup is to also purchase a Female PL259 to Female BNC adapter. Or whatever adapter works for others’ setup.
Another option is to buy the 25 watt dummy load that XRDS sells that has a male BNC input and also purchase a BNC female to BNC female converter.
Thanks!
Russ