Dummy Antenna

[WSHE531]

So is there any particular dummy antenna that is good for measuring output on your radio?

[WRUE951]

35 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

Nope.  Never heard of a dummy antenna.   Dummy load? Yes.  Dummy antenna? Nope.    Another question that could have been answered by a quick internet search.  

i guess they make 'Dummy Antennas' for Dummies than  

 

Dummy antenna

A dummy antenna is used to simulate an antenna during testing, allowing the transmitter to be adjusted without radiating radio waves and interfering with other services.42 It typically consists of a resistor that matches the impedance of the antenna or transmission line, usually 50 Ω or 75 Ω.4 The purpose of a dummy antenna is twofold: it loads (terminates) the cable from the signal generator with the characteristic impedance of the generator and coax cable, and it makes it look to the radio's antenna input as if it is being fed from a source impedance that resembles a real antenna.24

There are different types of dummy antennas, including dry dummy loads, which do not require coolant, and wet dummy loads, which use mineral oil to dissipate heat.46 For example, the Opek DL-60 is a dry dummy load designed for CB and ham radio testing, capable of handling 60 watts peak and 20 watts average power.5

A simple dummy antenna, as specified by the Radio Manufacturers Association (RMA), consists of a 0.0002 μF capacitor in series with a 20 μH RF choke, with the choke shunted by a 0.0004 μF capacitor in series with a 400 ohm non-inductive resistor.8

In some cases, a dummy antenna may include reactive elements like capacitors to block any DC voltage potential differences that could damage the equipment.

[SteveShannon]

6 minutes ago, WSHE531 said:

So is there any particular dummy antenna that is good for measuring output on your radio?

Any 50 ohm dummy load that is rated for the maximum power output of your radio is just fine. Understand that there are continuous power ratings and ratings that are derated based on time and output power. 

[BoxCar]

Any 50 ohm load rated for 50W or more.

[nokones]

9 minutes ago, WSHE531 said:

So is there any particular dummy antenna that is good for measuring output on your radio?

EMR Corp, Celwave, and any quality brand from a Radio Electronics Retailer that measures out at 50 ohms with the appropriate power rating for the radio you are testing.

[nokones]

a.k.a. Load Terminator or RF Power Terminator

[BoxCar]

4 hours ago, Socalgmrs said:

Nope.  Never heard of a dummy antenna.   Dummy load? Yes.  Dummy antenna? Nope.    Another question that could have been answered by a quick internet search.  

Dimmy antennas are used to contact stations 200 miles away.

[dosw]

4 hours ago, Socalgmrs said:

Nope.  Never heard of a dummy antenna.   Dummy load? Yes.  Dummy antenna? Nope.    Another question that could have been answered by a quick internet search.  

We all value knowledge and experience here, but the way you're treating newcomers is out of line. Everyone starts somewhere, and being dismissive, impatient, or outright rude doesn't make you look more knowledgeable—it just makes this community less welcoming.

If your goal is to actually help people learn and grow, then your attitude needs to reflect that. Otherwise, you're not building anything—you're just gatekeeping. You were new once too. Try to remember that.

[SteveShannon]

4 hours ago, dosw said:

We all value knowledge and experience here, but the way you're treating newcomers is out of line. Everyone starts somewhere, and being dismissive, impatient, or outright rude doesn't make you look more knowledgeable—it just makes this community less welcoming.

If your goal is to actually help people learn and grow, then your attitude needs to reflect that. Otherwise, you're not building anything—you're just gatekeeping. You were new once too. Try to remember that.

He was actually new twice here. He quit once, had his name purged, and then slunk back in. That’s why there are all those idiotic posts attributed to “Guest” in the non-guest forums. 

[GrouserPad]

13 hours ago, BoxCar said:

Dimmy antennas are used to contact stations 200 miles away.

But only in low light where its ability to send RF in even the dimmest of atmospheric conditions is better than a non dim light spec’d one when operating in late evening or at night. 

[Socalgmrs]

30 minutes ago, WSHE531 said:

So is there any particular dummy antenna that is good for measuring output on your radio?

Nope.  Never heard of a dummy antenna.   Dummy load? Yes.  Dummy antenna? Nope.    Another question that could have been answered by a quick internet search.