Description
Advanced Dummy Load/Wattmeter, featured in the February QST, originally designed by Bob Fontana (AK3Y), covers the HF, VHF and UHF spectrum, up to 150 Watts and makes an excellent club workshop project. To meet the performance requirements, it uses a flange mounted high-frequency/high power resistor, Schottky diode detector and an Arduino microcontroller.
NFARL searches for club workshops that are useful, not too expensive, are relatively easy to build and have large membership appeal. This one hits the sweet spot, covering frequencies up to 70cm, and power levels from QRP up to 150 Watts, and with ARRL Field Day coming at the end of June.
One of our members ordered all the parts, and successfully built one unit to validate the product. A small group tested and calibrated the unit and developed the assembly process along with the test/calibration procedure for the workshop.
This is a field-portable dummy load/wattmeter that can be used at low QRP and 100 watt power levels from 160 meter to 23-centimeter band.
This kit includes the PCBs, all the electronic components, and the heat dissipator. Some assembly required.
Documentation & Resources:
- GitHub Repo
- Download project .zip file
- Bob Fontana AK3Y QRZ page
- QST Feb 2025 article (ARRL login required)
