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How do manufacturers of ham radio equipment test the devices they sell without violating laws against commercial use of ham radio frequencies?

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Many RF equipment tests can be done using well shielded and tapped dummy loads, programmable signal generators with adjustable attenuators, and/or other suitable laboratory test and measurement equipment.

I test one of my dual port full duplex transceiver kits by running the transmitter output via shielded coax thru a calibrated attenuator back into the receiver, or into an oscilloscope or spectrum analyzer (tinySA) to cross check the test measurements.

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  • $\begingroup$ Yes but they have the expensive "toys" that allow them to do this. They also keep them in calibration. $\endgroup$
    – Gil
    Nov 18, 2022 at 18:26
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Engineers typically use a mixture of equipment including a dummy load, signal generator, frequency counter and power meter.

Dummy Load

A dummy load allows an engineer to simulate an antenna whilst absorbing most if not all of the RF load.

Frequency Counter

A frequency counter allows an engineer to measure the frequency and can assist with fine adjustment of the transceiver's transmitter circuits.

Signal Generator

A signal generator generates a signal that can mimic an incoming transmission allowing receive adjustment and optimisation.

Power Meter (aka Wattmeter)

A power meter facilitates measurement and fine adjustment of the output power (watts output) of the transmitter.

Of course, there are many other tools and equipment. This reply is designed to be a succinct answer to the question.

P.S. @kj7rrv If this answered your question today, please mark this contribution as the accepted answer.

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