Amateur radio
10W BNC 50Ω Dummy Load (DC–3 GHz) — RF Terminator for Ham Gear
Product description
This product is a single 10-watt dummy load with a standard BNC male connector, provided as the complete unit for RF testing and ham radio use. It presents a 50 ohm termination and is intended to substitute for an antenna during checks and measurements.
Electrical specifications include a nominal 50 Ω impedance, rated power handling of 10 watts, frequency coverage from DC up to 3 GHz, and a VSWR typically around 1.2. The device is specified to operate across a broad temperature range (listed at approximately -55°C to +125°C), suitable for many environmental conditions.
The unit is housed in a compact metal case with a fixed BNC male interface for direct connection to handheld and bench transceivers, analyzers, and SWR meters. Its small footprint is intended for portable rigs and table-top setups where a reliable, short-term termination is required.
Typical uses include antenna testing, transmitter checks, SWR verification, and providing a safe load when a radio must be keyed without an antenna attached. Users should respect the rated power limit; exceeding the rating can burn out the resistive element and cause the termination to fail (open or high resistance).
Pros
- True 50 Ω termination across wide band
- Covers DC–3 GHz with low VSWR
- Compact, BNC-male hookup for quick use
Cons
- Only 10 W continuous rating
- May overheat or fail if abused
- Not suited for high-power transmitters
VerdictA compact, dependable 50 Ω BNC terminator for low-power amateur use. It delivers broad DC–3 GHz coverage and a low VSWR for reliable bench and field testing. Not intended for continuous high-power operation — keep transmissions within the 10 W rating to avoid damage.
Reviews
-
Jgirl 5/5
Very pleased — works well with QRP gear
Great unit — solidly built and the BNC connection felt secure. I used it with my QRP Pebble for CW practice at its 5 W output and it handled the duty without getting hot. Packaged nicely and excellent value. I plan to get another for my Yaesu.
-
NV_Mike 5/5
Tiny, effective, and reliable
Used this during a CW class with an Elecraft KX2 and two LNR Mountain Topper radios. It absorbed the signal with no heating even under heavy keying. Size is ideal for small transceivers and it performed flawlessly.
-
Matt Holden 5/5
Performs perfectly on portable rigs
No issues — used successfully with IC-705 and QDX radios.
-
John T. 5/5
Well packed and handy for field use
Arrived in good condition and on schedule. Very useful for portable operations and quick tests.
-
James 5/5
Exactly what I needed for a low-power rig
Bought to block an unused antenna jack on an FT-818ND. Its 10 W rating fits that radio’s 5–6 W output perfectly. It does the job and I’d buy another.
-
Mac 3/5
Caution: may fail at continuous max power
I tested one on a Yaesu-857d at 10 W CW. It started fine but the resistance slowly went high and the unit failed after less than a minute. Don’t rely on it for sustained full-power testing.
-
Amham 5/5
Accurate 50 Ω termination
Does what it claims — measures about 50 ohms across a wide frequency span.
Comments
No comments yet.
Sign in or sign up to comment.