User`s manual

SG-211 User’s Manual

Unfortunately, when you use a can-type dummy load, you

can’t see “what’s happening” with your transmitter. In

this case, you can use a light-bulb dummy load to test

your transmitter. Here, the light bulb is directly connected

to the output of the transmitter and it dissipates the RF

energy as light. The light bulb dummy load is more useful

than the oil-can type because you can guess how much

power is being output, you can see the voice modulate the

SSB (the light will flicker with your voice peaks), and

you can tune the transmitter for maximum out-put (if the

transmitter is an older model that requires tuning).

Before building or using the light-bulb dummy load,

remember that these models typically don’t dissipate the

transmitter’s output as well as an oilcan dummy load. The

result is that RF will “leak” out; we have heard a few

stories of amateurs who were heard around town while

operating their transmitters into a light-bulb dummy load.

If you use this system, make sure that you test the

equipment on a clear, harmless frequency (NEVER test

with the transmitter set on an emergency frequency, such

as 2182 KHz).

SGC recommends that you build the light-bulb dummy

load with the following parts (although we have made one

with an old light fixture and a makeshift version with just

alligator clip leads and a light bulb):

• AC socket to cable with a PL-259 connector

(for transceiver)

• AC socket to cable with alligator clips

(needed with coupler)

• Light bulb to AC adapter

• 3 to 25 watt light bulb, 120 to 220 VAC

• 10-60 watt radio transceiver

• Any SGC Smartuner or equivalent