[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Dear RP, > I am doing some testing and have the 145.410 repeater connected to a > dummy load. To get an accurate output indication in watts is it > critical to have 1/2 wavelength cables? I have used an 18" cable from > TX to wattmeter and then a 72" cable from wattmeter to load resistor. I > have noticed a big difference in wattmeter indication between using the > 72" cable and connecting the load right to the wattmeter. Also the same > indication with a cable 144" long. I am making some cables 1/2 > wavelength long for tuning use. Am I doing right? > Thanks, Collin >
If you have a good dummy load, it WILL NOT matter what length coax you use. In fact, I try to make sure my cables are NOT resonant. If there's a significant difference when you go from a resonant cable to a non-resonant one, or from a 1/4-wave to a 1/2-wave, there is a problem with the load.
