Can I have a signal generator on while it's not connected?












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The unit in question is an Elecraft XG3 test signal generator. It puts out anywhere from -107 dBm to 0 dBm. Is it safe to have these signal generators on and transmitting while not connected to anything, or should they always be connected to a 50 ohm load?



I want to fire it up for the first time but I don't want it hooked up to my actual rig until I know everything's good. Can I just hook it up to a dummy load? Or is the power so minuscule that it doesn't matter?










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    $begingroup$


    The unit in question is an Elecraft XG3 test signal generator. It puts out anywhere from -107 dBm to 0 dBm. Is it safe to have these signal generators on and transmitting while not connected to anything, or should they always be connected to a 50 ohm load?



    I want to fire it up for the first time but I don't want it hooked up to my actual rig until I know everything's good. Can I just hook it up to a dummy load? Or is the power so minuscule that it doesn't matter?










    share|improve this question











    $endgroup$















      1












      1








      1





      $begingroup$


      The unit in question is an Elecraft XG3 test signal generator. It puts out anywhere from -107 dBm to 0 dBm. Is it safe to have these signal generators on and transmitting while not connected to anything, or should they always be connected to a 50 ohm load?



      I want to fire it up for the first time but I don't want it hooked up to my actual rig until I know everything's good. Can I just hook it up to a dummy load? Or is the power so minuscule that it doesn't matter?










      share|improve this question











      $endgroup$




      The unit in question is an Elecraft XG3 test signal generator. It puts out anywhere from -107 dBm to 0 dBm. Is it safe to have these signal generators on and transmitting while not connected to anything, or should they always be connected to a 50 ohm load?



      I want to fire it up for the first time but I don't want it hooked up to my actual rig until I know everything's good. Can I just hook it up to a dummy load? Or is the power so minuscule that it doesn't matter?







      rf-power transmitter impedance-matching testing






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      edited 2 hours ago









      Mike Waters

      3,8162635




      3,8162635










      asked 4 hours ago









      PaulPaul

      1578




      1578






















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          $begingroup$

          It's not necessary to turn it off while it is not connected. Zero dBm is a power level of only 1 milliwatt, and no device will be damaged by that power level.



          If it were, the manual would have said so.






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            yeah i saw no mention of it in the manual one way or the other. guess i was overthinking it.
            $endgroup$
            – Paul
            2 hours ago












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          $begingroup$

          It's not necessary to turn it off while it is not connected. Zero dBm is a power level of only 1 milliwatt, and no device will be damaged by that power level.



          If it were, the manual would have said so.






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            yeah i saw no mention of it in the manual one way or the other. guess i was overthinking it.
            $endgroup$
            – Paul
            2 hours ago
















          2












          $begingroup$

          It's not necessary to turn it off while it is not connected. Zero dBm is a power level of only 1 milliwatt, and no device will be damaged by that power level.



          If it were, the manual would have said so.






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            yeah i saw no mention of it in the manual one way or the other. guess i was overthinking it.
            $endgroup$
            – Paul
            2 hours ago














          2












          2








          2





          $begingroup$

          It's not necessary to turn it off while it is not connected. Zero dBm is a power level of only 1 milliwatt, and no device will be damaged by that power level.



          If it were, the manual would have said so.






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$



          It's not necessary to turn it off while it is not connected. Zero dBm is a power level of only 1 milliwatt, and no device will be damaged by that power level.



          If it were, the manual would have said so.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 2 hours ago









          Mike WatersMike Waters

          3,8162635




          3,8162635








          • 1




            $begingroup$
            yeah i saw no mention of it in the manual one way or the other. guess i was overthinking it.
            $endgroup$
            – Paul
            2 hours ago














          • 1




            $begingroup$
            yeah i saw no mention of it in the manual one way or the other. guess i was overthinking it.
            $endgroup$
            – Paul
            2 hours ago








          1




          1




          $begingroup$
          yeah i saw no mention of it in the manual one way or the other. guess i was overthinking it.
          $endgroup$
          – Paul
          2 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          yeah i saw no mention of it in the manual one way or the other. guess i was overthinking it.
          $endgroup$
          – Paul
          2 hours ago


















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