Perhaps others can make a recommendation on currently available dummy loads.
Mine is an older "Cantenna" that I acquired back when Heathkit was still in business. They can sometimes be found at hamfests. 73, John, KI5HOC On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 10:07 AM Lone Wolf via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: > Thanks, I can do that. Can you suggest a dummy load product for ICOM 7300 > Mark II? I can order it but ideally I need a link or product name to buy > the right one. > > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Jan 21, 2026, at 09:57, John Mechura via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: > > > In addition to your already gathered equipment, I would recommend that you > obtain a dummy load of appropriate power handling capacity. > > This allows you to test all your equipment with the exception of the > antenna in a safe manner anytime. > > I use it to test unknown transmitters and also perform repairs safely and > without embarrassing and inappropriate transmissions. > > If you had one then you could test your equipment now and verify that it > was working before the warranty expires. > > 73, > John, KI5HOC > > On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 9:47 AM Lone Wolf via BVARC <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> I’m near downtown Houston (First Ward). >> >> But I can drive anywhere on the weekends if anybody is willing to get me >> started. I’m waiting for the antennas, but I have the base station, coax >> cable, a power supply and a network analyzer. I also have an external >> speaker, a desktop microphone and a small Morse key. >> >> Ideally, I’d like to verify that my station works before the warranty >> expires. >> >> Wolfgang >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On Jan 21, 2026, at 09:36, Richard Bonica via BVARC <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> >> What part of town are you in? >> >> On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 9:26 AM Lone Wolf via BVARC <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> Sorry to hear about the cancellation. >>> >>> I’m new and would like an expert to show me how to hook up my rig and >>> what to do (tuning, SWR, sequence of events, power level, etc). >>> >>> Is there any other gathering coming up (indoors or out) where I could >>> bring my stuff and get started? It doesn’t have to be for long, but I won’t >>> turn it on (the first time) without someone knowledgeable telling me it’s >>> safe. The equipment is too expensive to fry on Day 1. :) >>> >>> Thank you. >>> BTW, I still haven’t received my antennas. Hope they get here soon. >>> >>> Wolfgang >>> KJ5NPH >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Jan 21, 2026, at 06:36, Richard Bonica via BVARC <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> <image.png> >>> >>> Hello BVARC Members, >>> >>> I owe you a little insight into how we arrived at the decision to *cancel >>> this weekend’s Field Day* — and yes, I did in fact lose some sleep over >>> it. >>> >>> I spent a good part of the night staring at weather forecasts, maps, and >>> mental checklists trying to figure out *how we could possibly run Field >>> Day safely*. While there’s no lightning expected, the forecast >>> helpfully includes *heavy rain, strong wind, cold temperatures, and the >>> very Houston-specific phrase “possible ice.”* >>> >>> At that point, the weather stopped being a forecast and started sounding >>> like a survival scenario. >>> >>> In the military, there’s a process called *Organized Risk Management >>> (ORM)*. I used ORM to weigh the benefits of Field Day against the >>> risks. The conclusion was simple: >>> There is no version of Field Day where the reward outweighs soggy coax, >>> frozen fingers, sliding trailers, broken gear, or explaining to spouses why >>> we thought *this* was a good idea. >>> >>> Field Day is supposed to test emergency communications — not become an >>> emergency. >>> >>> That said, *we’re still a radio club, and we still take care of our >>> own.* >>> >>> I encourage everyone to: >>> >>> - >>> >>> Keep an ear on *146.88 MHz* >>> - >>> >>> Check in, say hello, and see who’s around >>> - >>> >>> Listen out for any BVARC members who may need help, information, or >>> moral support while the weather tries its best >>> >>> This is also a great opportunity to *get on the air from home* and >>> maybe invite *friends or family to sit in, listen, and even make a >>> transmission*. There will be other hams on the air, plenty of friendly >>> voices to talk to, and it’s a perfect low-pressure way to let someone new >>> experience what amateur radio is all about. >>> *(As always, unlicensed operators should transmit only under the >>> supervision and control of a licensed amateur.)* >>> >>> Think of this as *“Field Day: Couch Edition.”* Same frequency, warmer >>> feet. >>> >>> The good news: *the BVARC Hamfest is still very much happening*, and >>> now might be the perfect time to start preparing for it — preferably >>> somewhere dry and climate-controlled. We will absolutely need >>> *volunteers*, so if you’ve ever wanted to help the club *without* >>> standing in cold rain, your moment has arrived. >>> >>> Thank you for understanding and for trusting the decision. We’ll >>> reschedule Field Day when Houston remembers that winter is supposed to be >>> mild and weekends are supposed to be fun. >>> >>> Until then: stay warm, stay dry, stay upright, and keep the radios on. >>> >>> 73, >>> Richard Bonica, KG5YCU >>> President, BVARC >>> >>> *PS:* If you already packed for Field Day, feel free to set up your >>> antenna in the living room, log a few QSOs, and proudly tell your family >>> you’re “operating portable — indoors.” Bonus points if you still wear your >>> Field Day hat. >>> ________________________________________________ >>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >>> >>> BVARC mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >>> Publicly available archives are available here: >>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> >>> ________________________________________________ >>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >>> >>> BVARC mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >>> Publicly available archives are available here: >>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> >> >> >> -- >> Richard Bonica >> C: 281.935.7222 >> Email: [email protected] >> Freq: 147.000 - DMR - Digital Mobile >> Territory: NE Fort Bend >> CERT, CST, EST, WEB EOC, HSEEP, FEMA PD, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Extra >> Ameture Radio >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> > ________________________________________________ > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > Publicly available archives are available here: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > ________________________________________________ > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > Publicly available archives are available here: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >
________________________________________________ Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list [email protected] http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Publicly available archives are available here: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
