Using Tuner as a Wattmeter

[KB1WOH]

I have an MFJ 969 tuner for HF+6meter band. I have a simple question. Would it be safe to use the dummy load on the BYPASS setting (not using the tuning circuits) for testing the RF watt output for my 2 meter/ 70 centimeter HT. Would it give an accurate reading, or worse, damage the unit?

[WB2WIK]

I doubt it would cause any damage, but neither the dummy load nor the wattmeter (coupler) in the 969 works at 2m or 70cm.

[KB1WOH]

That's what I'm thinking. I doubt 4 watts could do any harm to such a big tuner. It probably wouldn't give a good reading, or any at all. I'll end up testing it and report my findings here later.

[KB1WOH]

I tried my experiment, the dummy load did not work correctly with 2m or 70cm. It read an extremely high swr for each frequency range.

[WA7KKP]

You're going to have to get a good grade VHF wattmeter and dummy load -- that rules out MFJ.

Can you borrow a Bird 43, with a load and proper slug? That's the only wattmeter I'd trust at VHF or UHF.

Gary WA7KKP