Powering on Bullet M with no antenna a big NO or okay?

[eatmoresoap]

When configuring MT RouterBoards with cards we have to have an antenna attached while powered on or else the cards could fry. I've searched around and can't find any mention of a danger of damage to the Bullets by being powered and not having any antenna on it. I don't like the idea of having 10 or 20 Bullets with antennas all powered up on the desk in order to configure them, my eyes would melt! Even set down to zero they still put out 6dbi and the least I would do would be to put a rubber duck on it and even then, that's 8dbi by itself. Will the N connector radiate enough energy out of the chip to safeguard from damage or is this engineered to protect itself? I would guess it's fine but I don't need an expensive mistake. Just looking to make my life easier. Thanks!

[UBNT-Mike.Ford]

Hello,

You can power them up without antennas, however do not run them for extended periods of time like this.

Thanks,

Mike

[Blizz]

Hi,

you can use 50ohm dummy load, but I still suggest you dont try to power on the unit without a load (antenna), especially for high power unit, it may damaged the PA in a short time..., it may materialized in my strange signal later... how long it could stand ? I wont speculate on how long a PA can stand pumping high power with open (unlimited) load and high power,