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Re: [TowerTalk] Phase Vertical Dummy Load

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Phase Vertical Dummy Load
From: Jim Lux <jimlux@earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:40:08 -0700
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
On 8/7/15 7:10 AM, David Robbins wrote:
I use a vectronics DL-650m.  Yes, it is overkill as it is rated at 1500w,
but it is small enough to fit in an upside down coffee can for protection
from the weather.

that small implies that it isn't rated for 100% duty cycle: I'll bet it gets mighty hot, mighty quick at that power.



  A smaller one would probably be ok most of the time as
dump power normally should be 100w or less if you are well balanced... BUT
(yes, the BIG BUT) if something happens to one of the verticals and you
don't notice it right away a 100w or even 250w dummy load would fry pretty
quickly.

The small air cooled load like the DL-650M will fry in a minute at that kind of power

The MFJ_264 is quite similar in design, and they give a power vs time chart (with a very non linear horizontal scale, which doesn't give me much confidence in it). 1250W at 10 seconds, 250W at 50 seconds, 100W indefinitely. (which makes sense.. physically, it's the size of a big 100W power resistor, but not a kilowatt power resistor)

So it really depends on how long "not notice it right away" is (e.g. "what's that hot resistor smell?")


Actually, though, what is the maximum power that goes into the dump port on one of those passive phasing units? Say one of the antennas is shorted/open?

On a microwave 90 degree hybrid (like a Lange coupler), with all ports except one properly terminated, the power into the load is down 6 dB from the input power (3 dB because the input power is split between the two output ports, another 3dB because the reflected power from the "bad" port is split between the load and the input port).

On typical 4 square systems, the power division among elements isn't equal (they're designed for equal element currents, and the feed point Z isn't the same for all elements)


David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt@arrl.net
web: http://wiki.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://k1ttt.net


-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
john@kk9a.com
Sent: Friday, August 07, 2015 13:44
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Phase Vertical Dummy Load



I am curious what people are using for the dummy load used on phased
vertical controllers and how they are mounted. I do NOT wish to have the
dummy load in the shack. My plan is to have something that will be outside
and work in a variety of temperatures. I can mount it in an enclosure
however heat is a concern. Is air cooled better than the oil type outdoors?
Who makes a quality dummy load that will work in this environment? What is
the typical percentage of dump power across 80m?
Any suggestions and pictures are welcome.

73,
John

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