And dummy loads are an easy useful project that just about anyone with moderate soldering skills can build. The one described here can be used for up to 35 watts for short transmissions, and up to 25 watts for longer periods. Because it is rated for low-power operation, it makes an ideal dummy load for the QRP operator.
Dummy loads dissipate energy by generating heat.
Because of the thermal mass of the dummy load and its enclosure, that heat can stay around for a long time. Always locate your dummy load in a safe place, where there is no chance that it will burn people or catch something on fire. A dummy load is basicly a resistor, designed specifically to dissipate RF energy that would normally go to an antenna. You can buy resistors specifically made for high power and RF, but they are very expensive. Knowing this, I went a-hunting at my local electronics outlet.