What's a dummy load? (not much at minimum wage!)

[Dtwo1946]

I've inherited a Cobra MR 55 EU VHF radio with my latest boat. I'm booked on the RYA radio imbecile's course soon.
I don't know if the thing works and I'm nervous about testing it on the antenna (apparently I'll bust it if I test it without) in case the Coast Guard and the River authorities smack my bottie.
I've read that it can be tested with a dummy load. Now, I know loads of dummies but not one of them can help.
What's a dummy load and how do I attach it to the radio?
I will be forever grateful if somebody can help

 

[Richard.C]

In simple terms it's a load that replaces the antenna and absorbs the RF instead of it returning to the output amplifiers and damaging them.

One of these:

http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/antenna-accessories/dummy-loads/albrecht-l20

 

[pebbledashed]

its basically a big 50 ohm resistor able to dissipate heat. but without other test equipment its pointless. If you find your local ham radio group I`m sure someone would test it for you.

 

[prv]

Doing the course is the right thing, but nobody's going to smack your botty for testing a radio in the meantime.

I don't know who would be best to call for a test in your area - NCI Coastwatch would be ideal if they have a station nearby, check their website. Otherwise marinas are usually happy to oblige, or if necessary there's always the Coastguard. People doing radio checks with the Coastguard on channel 16 are unpopular in my part of the world because there are so many of them, but I'm guessing that's less of an issue where you are. Certainly the Coastguard themselves are happy to help, it's the rest of us who tut and moan

Just select the right channel (65 for Coastwatch, 80 for most marinas, 16 for the Coastguard), listen for a bit to check nobody's already using the channel, then press the button and say something like:

Hello NCI Tees, NCI Tees, NCI Tees,
This is Yacht Floatything, Floatything,
Can I have a radio check please,
Over.

With any luck they'll reply saying you're loud and clear, and you can reply along the lines of:

NCI Tees, Floatything,
Thanks very much
Out.

Nothing to it, and it's all a lot less formal than you may suspect. It's not Air Traffic Control or Combat Net Radio, nobody gets too upset over the details.

EDIT: Just to add, a good idea if you try calling someone a couple of times and don't get any reply, when you decide to give up waiting make a quick broadcast like:

Tees, Floatything, nothing heard, out.

This helps prevent confusion if they were actually replying but you couldn't hear them, and they wondered why you didn't respond.

Pete

 

[Dtwo1946]

Thanks

 

[Dtwo1946]

its basically a big 50 ohm resistor able to dissipate heat. but without other test equipment its pointless. If you find your local ham radio group I`m sure someone would test it for you.

Thanks

 

[Dtwo1946]

Doing the course is the right thing, but nobody's going to smack your botty for testing a radio in the meantime.

I don't know who would be best to call for a test in your area - NCI Coastwatch would be ideal if they have a station nearby, check their website. Otherwise marinas are usually happy to oblige, or if necessary there's always the Coastguard. People doing radio checks with the Coastguard on channel 16 are unpopular in my part of the world because there are so many of them, but I'm guessing that's less of an issue where you are. Certainly the Coastguard themselves are happy to help, it's the rest of us who tut and moan

Just select the right channel (65 for Coastwatch, 80 for most marinas, 16 for the Coastguard), listen for a bit to check nobody's already using the channel, then press the button and say something like:

Hello NCI Tees, NCI Tees, NCI Tees,
This is Yacht Floatything, Floatything,
Can I have a radio check please,
Over.

With any luck they'll reply saying you're loud and clear, and you can reply along the lines of:

NCI Tees, Floatything,
Thanks very much
Out.

Nothing to it, and it's all a lot less formal than you may suspect. It's not Air Traffic Control or Combat Net Radio, nobody gets too upset over the details.

EDIT: Just to add, a good idea if you try calling someone a couple of times and don't get any reply, when you decide to give up waiting make a quick broadcast like:

Tees, Floatything, nothing heard, out.

This helps prevent confusion if they were actually replying but you couldn't hear them, and they wondered why you didn't respond.

Pete

Thanks Pete.

That's all clear and concise and exactly what I'm going to do.