What is the primary purpose of a dummy load?

The primary purpose of a dummy load is to prevent transmitting signals over the air while making tests, which is crucial for various reasons, especially during the development, maintenance, or testing phases of radio equipment. When a transmitter is powered on without an appropriate load, it can radiate unnecessary signals that could interfere with other communications and violate licensing regulations.

A dummy load simulates the load that the transmitter would typically see if it were connected to an antenna, allowing the technician to measure power output and other parameters without radiating those signals. This is essential for troubleshooting and ensuring that the system operates correctly without causing unwanted interference in the RF environment.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects of radio frequency operation but are not the primary role of a dummy load. For example, preventing over-modulation, improving antenna efficiency, and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio involve other techniques and equipment configurations and are not the main functions of a dummy load in the testing process.