Measuring adapter efficiency using a sliding short circuit

A simple technique for measuring the efficiency of adapters with losses less than 2 dB is described. The technique is useful in microwave applications where a moderate error in the measured loss is acceptable. This error is less than 10% of the loss for losses between 0.5 and 2 dB and is less than 0.05 dB below 0.5 dB. An expression for the error is given. >