looking for advice on dummy loads

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Robert Henry

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Aug 6, 2026, 4:35:22 PM (yesterday) Aug 6
to PNWVHFS
I'm looking for advice on (or loan of, or sale of) a dummy load that can handle <1kW at 144MHz and < 250W at 432MHz, in bursts <= 10s long with a reasonable duty cycle.  N-series connector.

Robert R. Henry WA6BEV
Renton, WA

kl...@acsalaska.net

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Aug 6, 2026, 7:36:10 PM (21 hours ago) Aug 6
to rrh....@gmail.com, pnw...@googlegroups.com
I have a Bird 500w air-load with N-female.  It handles up to 1500w if you limit to short transmissions (10-15 seconcds).  Frequency range is up to 1000-MHz but does well to 2400 with decent SWR.

BUT - DO NOT OVERDRIVE for long duration!  If too hot to touch that was too long!

I bought it on E-Bay for $300-500 (long ago so not sure)..

Most loads can be run up to 400% of rating if you keep transmission short. 

I also have a 25w Bird and couple 100w (Unknown brand) loads.  All have N-female connecors.
Also aa bunch of 5w with BNC-male.  Good for terminating coax to test.  5w HT is a fine VHF/UHF test source.

73, Ed - KL7UW

spencer bahner

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12:08 PM (5 hours ago) 12:08 PM
to kl...@acsalaska.net, rrh....@gmail.com, pnw...@googlegroups.com
The Bird 8431 loads appear on eBay at good prices. These are air cooled and rated at 500 watts continuous. There are a couple under $200 right now. Works well at higher power for moderately brief transmissions.

From: pnw...@googlegroups.com <pnw...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of kl...@acsalaska.net <kl...@acsalaska.net>
Sent: Thursday, 06 August 2026 16:36:05
To: rrh....@gmail.com <rrh....@gmail.com>; pnw...@googlegroups.com <pnw...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [PNWVHFS] looking for advice on dummy loads
 
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