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XRDS-RF 50W PL259 UHF Male Plug RF Dummy Load, 50 Ohm
XRDS -RF

XRDS-RF 50W PL259 UHF Male Plug RF Dummy Load, 50 Ohm

Bottom line: The XRDS-RF 50W PL259 UHF Male Plug RF Dummy Load: Covers DC to 520 MHz: HF, CB, 2 m and 70 cm bands in one load; main trade-off: 50W rating is too low for full-power tests on 100W HF transceivers.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Covers DC to 520 MHz: HF, CB, 2 m and 70 cm bands in one load
  • ✓ VSWR of 1.2 or better gives transmitters a near-ideal 50 ohm match
  • ✓ PL259 male plug threads directly onto standard SO-239 radio jacks
  • ✓ Silver-plated copper center pin and nickel-plated copper outer shell
  • ✓ Rated -55 to +125 C operating range for bench or field use

Cons

  • ✗ 50W rating is too low for full-power tests on 100W HF transceivers
  • ✗ Stops at 520 MHz, so no use for 900 MHz or 1.2 GHz equipment
  • ✗ PL259 only: N, BNC or SMA gear needs a separate adapter
  • ✗ Listing gives no continuous-vs-peak power rating or duty cycle

Manufacturer description

The XRDS-RF 50W dummy load gives you a clean, non-radiating 50 ohm termination for tuning and testing transmitters without putting a signal on the air. It threads straight onto any SO-239 jack through its PL259 UHF male plug, so it fits HF, CB, and VHF/UHF amateur rigs as well as most SWR meters and power meters with UHF-style connectors. The load is rated for 50W and covers DC to 520 MHz. That span reaches the 2 m and 70 cm ham bands, marine VHF, and the HF bands. A VSWR of 1.2 or better means your transmitter sees a near-ideal match. That makes the dummy load a dependable reference when…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored XRDS-RF 50W PL259 UHF Male Plug RF Dummy Load using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the power supplies & cables category. XRDS -RF's power supplies & cables lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for power supplies & cables of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this dummy load with a 100W HF radio?

Only at reduced power. The load is rated for 50W, so turn your transmitter down to 50W or less. The listing does not say whether 50W is a continuous or peak rating, so keep transmissions short and let the load cool between tests.

Will it work on 2 meters and 70 centimeters?

Yes. The frequency range is DC to 520 MHz, which includes the 144-148 MHz (2 m) and 420-450 MHz (70 cm) amateur bands, as well as HF, CB, and marine VHF.

What connector does it use, and will it fit my radio?

It has a PL259 UHF male plug that threads onto a standard SO-239 female jack, the connector on most HF and many VHF/UHF mobile rigs. If your radio uses N, BNC, or SMA, you need an adapter to SO-239.

How good is the impedance match?

The load is 50 ohm with a specified VSWR of 1.2 or better across DC to 520 MHz. That is close enough to check transmitter output and calibrate SWR or power meters for typical amateur and CB work.

What is it made of, and what temperatures can it handle?

The outer shell is nickel-plated copper and the inner pin is silver-plated copper. The rated working temperature is -55 to +125 C. For warranty terms, check the current product listing.

Key Features

  • 50W PL259 UHF Male Plug DC-520 MHz dummy load
  • Frequency Range: DC to 520MHz. VSWR:≤ 1.2
  • Connector Type: PL259 Male. Impedance: 50ohm
  • Adapter Material: The outer shell is nickel plated copper, and the inner needle is silver plated copper
  • Working Temp：-55 ~ +125 ℃

Full Specifications

BrandXRDS -RF
ColorSilver
ModelPL259 Male RF Dummy Load-50W
Wattage50 watts
Frequency520 MHz
Cable TypeCoaxial
Item ShapeRound
Model NamePL259 UHF Male Plug RF Dummy Load
Unit Count1.0 Count
Part NumberXRDS-D-L-UHF
Connector TypeRF Connector
Number of Pins1
Outer MaterialNickel
Frequency RangeDC to 520MHz. VSWR:≤ 1.2
Number of Items1
Special FeatureLightweight
Adapter MaterialThe outer shell is nickel plated copper, and the inner needle is silver plated copper
Connector GenderPL259 UHF Male Plug
Specification MetRoHS
Compatible DevicesRF Amplifier, RF Mixer, RF Oscilloscope, RF Signal Generator, RF Transceiver

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XRDS-RF 50W PL259 UHF Male Plug RF Dummy Load, 50 Ohm
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