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Reviews For: Bird 8251 Termaline Coaxial Resistor 1000 Watt Dummy Load

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

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Review Summary For : Bird 8251 Termaline Coaxial Resistor 1000 Watt Dummy Load
Reviews: 3MSRP: 1,060
Description:
Bird Termaline Coaxial Load Resistors are portable, general purpose
50 ohm coaxial transmission line terminations.

Model 8251 load can absorb up to 1000 watts continuously and
dissipate it harmlessly as heat over a frequency range of dc to 2400
MHz. They will show a maximum VSWR of 1.10 from dc to 1000 MHz, 1.25
from 1000 to 2000 MHz and , for Model 8251 only, 1.30 from 2000 to
2400 MHz.

These loads provide accurate, dependable, and practically
nonreflective line terminations. These models are rectangular in
shape with transverse fins encasing a dielectric coolant cylinder. A
retractable handle is recessed in the radiator fins. The front and
rear fins are made of heavier gauge material and are bent 90° to form
bottom mounting flanges. These flanges are supports for free standing
use, or brackets for fixed mounting. Holes are provided in the
flanges for fixed mounting.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.birdrf.com/Products/Test%20and%20Measurement/Loads/Coaxial-Terminations/1kW/8251-Series_1-kW-Oil-Cooled-Terminations.aspx
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0035
WB7USV Rating: 2024-02-02
Great resistive (dummy) load! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased a used Bird 8251 Resistive Load from an auction site for about 1/4 ($700+$26.30 s&h) the current retail price ($2662.00 at one retail outlet)! Finding (in good condition) used loads like this one isn't common, nor inexpensive. The internal resistor measured 50.8 ohms and has the proper amount of PMX 200 coolant in it. I haven't tried it out yet at full load, but years ago I had to use the same model load to test an FM station's 1 Kw transmitter for an exciter problem. The testing took several hours and the load got warm but not uncomfortably so. It was elevated off the floor to allow for convection cooling. A very good piece of test equipment to have on hand.
N2RRA Rating: 2021-04-01
Quality dummy load and wouldn’t bother with any other. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
What more does one have to say about Bird products?

They look like robust military quality testing equipment that could last forever and they can. Dumping 1Kw into mine numerous times testing equipment and doesn’t even get hot. Quickly little by little dumping a little more to full legal limit briefly and still zero problems. They say if you place a couple box fans underneath to vent and cool the fins you’ll easily be able to dump 1.5kw with no issues.

Either way, great product and deserves to be mentioned.

73,
NG7M Rating: 2017-06-25
Looking for a Cadillac of Amateur Dummy Loads? Get a Bird Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have reviewed several of the Bird QRO oil cooled dummy loads. The 8251 is a 1 KW continuous load and is perfect in the shack if you are running QRO. You can load this up with a continuous carrier at 1.5 KW for longer than you would ever need... it would even break a sweat at 1.5 KW or even 2 KW for minutes at a time. The rated temp for 1 KW continuous is around the 400f mark and I doubt any Amateur op would ever get the load this hot when testing.

If you can find one of these like I did for less than $200, don't hesitate. This one cleaned up nice and is in perfect working order with clean oil per Birds specifications.

You will never need another QRO dummy load (as I have mentioned in my other reviews for the various Bird models).

If you can find one, you won't be disappointed getting a commercial quality piece of gear for your shack at pennies on the dollar if you take your time on the usual auction site.

Here is a link to the pictures of mine after cleaning it up: http://www.nc7j.com/pa/main.php?cmd=album&var1=NG7M%2FBird8251DummyLoad/

Max NG7M