this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2026
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Science Memes
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I get the reference to the original meme. I don't understand the EM spectrum component, though.
They wish they were in an antenna and going out as radio waves, but instead they’re in a dummy load and not going anywhere. 50ohm is a common antenna impedance.
Thanks. That puts me on the right track.
https://www.onallbands.com/ham-radio-101-dummy-loads-smart-idea/
Had to go get my radio-tech spouse. His reply "Oh, that's the dumb name for a terminator...."
Apparently "dummy load" isn't what they call them in the USAF
i might be wrong here but i think a dummy load is different from a terminator, they both 50 ohm, but a terminator is more like a connector cap, while a dummy load is designed to dissipate heat and can often take many watts of power over extended time without starting glow
That's my understanding as well. I've seen dummy loads used when testing transmitters at power so that nothing gets too hot. They usually have a big aluminum heat sink.