Homepage Archive - October 2019 (page 1)

These archive pages are provided in order to make it easier for you to find items that you remember seeing on the RF Cafe homepage. Of course probably the easiest way to find anything on the website is to use the "Search RF Cafe" box at the top of every page. About RF Cafe.

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See Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 of the October 2019 homepage archives.
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Friday 6

DMMCheck Plus Calibrator

DMMCheck Plus Calibrator - RF Cafe Cool ProductFellow amateur radio enthusiast Russ Keller (KM4RHK), of Wake Forest, North Carolina, has designed and is selling his DMMCheck Plus test device for verifying the accuracy of digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, or other instruments which measure the provided parameters. This compact (2.5" x 2.2"), inexpensive board is battery powered and can be used to verify the accuracy of seven primary DMM functions. A very complete description of each function is provided on the DMMCheck Plus website. A certificate of measured values for each function is provided with the DMMCheck Plus. Re-measurement, if desired, is free for the first two years ...

Electric Power Directly from Gas

Electric Power Directly from Gas, August 1958 Popular Electronics - RF CafeOnce a major manufacturer of both primary (one-time use) and secondary (rechargeable) batteries, the National Carbon Company changed names many times through acquisitions and mergers until its current incarnation as GrafTech International. National Carbon Co. appeared frequently in electronics magazines during the World War II era for their innovations in portable power supplies. They are credited for developing the world's first "D" size dry cell battery. This advertisement in a 1958 issue of Popular Electronics heralded the company's introduction of what was essentially what we call a hydrogen fuel cell ...

R&S AdVISE Visual Inspection Software

R&S®AdVISE Visual Inspection Software - RF CafeHere is a unique new product being offered by Rohde & Schwarz: AdVISE Visual Inspection Software. "R&S®AdVISE visual inspection software automates the process of visually monitoring an equipment under test (EUT) during a test sequence. This eliminates human inattention, ensures reproducible results and simplifies the test documentation. A typical application is EMS testing with R&S®EMC32 and R&S®ELEKTRA test software. Automatic error recognition on EUTs based on camera signals Continuous monitoring of all observed regions at 30 frames per second Saves time and eliminates human inattention Generation of test reports and event-controlled video protocols Runs independently and under the control of system software ..."

Automatic Antenna Switching

Automatic Antenna Switching, April 1945 QST - RF CafeIn this article from a vintage issue of QST magazine, the author describes the automatic antenna switching system which was developed for controlling the forty-odd receiving antennas at the FCC's Grand Island Monitoring Station (Nebraska). With this system it required only a matter of seconds for the operator to select any desired antenna by simply pushing a couple of buttons on the control panel. A similar system could easily be designed for a lesser number of antennas either for a test range or an amateur radio operation. Of course modern-day antenna switching equipment does the job handily and at a good price ...

Please Thank RF Superstore for Their Continued Support

RF Superstore coaxial cable, connectors, adapters - RF CafeRF Superstore launched in 2017, marking the return of Murray Pasternack, founder of Pasternack Enterprises, to the RF and microwave Industry. Pasternack fundamentally changed the way RF components were sold. Partner Jason Wright manages day-to-day operations, while working closely with Mr. Pasternack to develop RF Superstore into a world class RF and microwave component supplier. RF coaxial connectors & adapters, coaxial cable & cable assemblies, surge protectors, attenuators. Items added daily. Free shipping on orders over $99. We're leading the way again!

Understanding Preselection in EMI Receivers

Understanding Preselection in EMI Receivers - RF CafeRohde & Schwarz has a new app note entitled, "Understanding Preselection in EMI Receivers." "EMI (electromagnetic interference) testing differs from traditional spectrum analysis in numerous ways, but the most important differentiator between them lies in the nature of the signals that are being measured. In traditional spectrum analysis, we are normally measuring signals that we (or rather our device under test) are generating. In other words, we are measuring known signals. In most cases we have control over both the signal's content or modulation, as well RF-level parameters such as frequency, level, crest factor, etc. We can easily configure or adjust our device under test ..."

Copper Mountain Technologies: Vector Network Analyzers

Copper Mountain TechnologiesCopper Mountain Technologies develops innovative and robust RF test and measurement solutions for engineers all over the world. Copper Mountain's extensive line of unique form factor Vector Network Analyzers include an RF measurement module and a software application which runs on any Windows PC, laptop or tablet, connecting to the measurement hardware via USB interface. The result is a lower cost, faster, more effective test process that fits into the modern workspace in lab, production, field and secure testing environments.

Thursday 5

Crossnumber Puzzle

Crossnumber Puzzle, August 1958 Popular Electronics - RF CafeIn many ways a crossnumber (aka cross number or cross figure) puzzle, which is an intersecting grid of numbers, is more challenging than a standard crossword puzzle, which is an intersecting grid of letters. John Comstock created a few of these crossnumber puzzles for Popular Electronics back in the early days of the magazine. If you have never tried creating a crossword puzzle, especially one that uses only technical terms and has many interconnected squares in the grid, then you cannot appreciate the frustration it can be. The nice thing about creating a crossnumber puzzle versus a crossword puzzle is that every number is a valid "word" and it is therefore never a problem to find a clue to go with it. For example, any random number can be the answer to a clue that expresses ...

Woremor RF-IE50 EMR & RF Shielding Paint

Woremor RF-IE50 EMR & RF Shielding Paint - RF CafeAn RF Cafe visitor recently wrote to tell about having discovered a conductive paint for creating an inexpensive shielded room for doing RF testing. My first thought when looking up the Woremor RF-IE50 EMR & RF Shielding Paint (−44 dB @ 4 GHz) was that it was probably a favorite of the tinfoil hat crowd that believes the government is bombarding them with radiation and/or listening in on their conversations. The company does recommend it for painting room walls where smart meters are mounted on the other side, thus exploiting the paranoia. Connection to an Earth ground is required for safety EMI RFI Shielding Hat WOREMOR - RF Cafereasons. Woremor also sells shielding wallpaper (−82 dB @ 10 GHz), window film (−32 dB @ 1 GHz), and other such products. They even sell a fashionable tinfoil hat.

Paul Harvey Honors Ham Radio Operators

Paul Harvey Honors Ham Radio Operators - RF Cafe Smorgasbord"Hello Americans, This is Paul Harvey..." Radio legend Paul Harvey produced and performed a daily show that featured news, commercials, and commentary. For nearly 75 years, dedicated listeners looked forward to his show on the local AM radio stations - especially The Rest of the Story. Scores of wars, natural disasters, crises, deaths, scientific advances, miracles, and acts of human kindness were commented upon in Mr. Harvey's unique delivery style. On March 19, 2003, Mr. Harvey did a pitch for the role of Amateur Radio operators in emergency response roles. The mention was the second item on "page four" of his Paul Harvey Noon News and Comment program. "America's quiet warriors are the legion of ham radio operators, 700,000 of them, who are always at ready for backup duty ..."

CMT Intros New 2-Port Compact VNAs w/Higher Output Power and Dynamic Range

Copper Mountain Technologies Intros New 2-Port Compact VNAs with Higher Output Power and Dynamic Range - RF CafeCopper Mountain Technologies is announcing the release of the new SC Series Compact VNAs for 2-port 2-path measurements. The SC Series network analyzers feature a 140 dB dynamic range, 15 dBm output power, and a typical measurement speed of 16 µs per point. The SC Series is the latest addition to CMT's Compact line of VNAs and includes the SC5065 and SC5090. Both instruments have a starting frequency of 300 kHz, the SC5065 goes up to 6.5 GHz and the SC5090 goes to 9 GHz. All CMT VNAs include excellent customer service, automation support, and years of engineering expertise at your disposal ...

Can Flexoelectricity Explain the Charging by Friction Conundrum?

Can Flexoelectricity Explain the Charging by Friction Conundrum? - RF Cafe"The electric shock you get from shuffling along a carpet might be the first experiment in electrostatics and tribology in most people's lives, but what causes it remains an open question. 'A lot of people had worked on what was taking place, for instance that electrons or ions were getting transferred from one material to another,' says Laurence Marks, a professor at Northwestern University in the U.S. 'However, why this should occur in the first place was not understood.' Despite this gap in understanding, the triboelectric effect plays a key role in a variety of fields. One perk is that the electricity generated could replace batteries, which tend to be heavy and need constant recharging ..."

ERZIA: Microwave & mm-Wave Modular Amplifiers

Many Thanks to ERZIA for Continued Support!ERZIA serves critical aerospace and defense missions by designing and manufacturing RF, microwave, and mm-wave amplifiers, integrated assemblies operating from low frequencies up to 100 GHz, and by providing high reliable satellite communications. The company was founded in 2002 to become a worldwide reference of advanced engineering, performance, reliability and ruggedness. Their catalogue of standard amplifier modules comprises more than 100 different models, having also a high capacity of customization for amplifiers and integrated assemblies. Some of products have space heritage and are used in aerospace, commercial, military and scientific systems, having a wide range of final applications.

Wednesday 4

The Klystron - Sperry Gyroscope Company

Klystron - Sperry Gyroscope Company, November 1944 Radio News - RF CafeDid you know that Sperry was assigned a trademark on the term "klystron?" The klystron vacuum tube type was actually invented by invented in 1937 by American electrical engineers Russell and Sigurd Varian (I'm old enough to have had Varian Associates catalogs). According to this full-page advertisement in a 1944 issue of Radio News magazine, not only did Sperry develop the klystron vacuum tube, but they also coined a term to describe any study or application of it: "klystronics." Here is a very interesting excerpt from the Wikipedia page, "The work of physicist W.W. Hansen was instrumental in the development of the klystron and was cited by the Varian brothers in their 1939 paper ...

Post Your Engineer & Technician Job Openings on RF Cafe for Free

Engineering Job Board - RF CafeRF Cafe's raison d'être is and always has been to provide useful, quality content for engineers, technicians, engineering managers, students, and hobbyists. Part of that mission is offering to post applicable job openings. HR department employees and/or managers of hiring companies are welcome to submit opportunities for posting at no charge (of course a gratuity will be graciously accepted). 3rd party recruiters and temp agencies are not included so as to assure a high quality of listings. Please read through the easy procedure to benefit from RF Cafe's high quality visitors ...

Electronic Curves Quiz

Electronic Curves Quiz, February 1963 Popular Electronics - RF CafeThis Electronics Curves Quiz will probably prove to be a little more of a challenge than some of the ones previously appearing in Popular Electronics magazine. Being a rocket scientist won't help you much here, but being a seasoned electronics technician, hobbyist, or engineer will sure come in handy. Be careful to note the axis unit labels - I got tripped up by that from being lazy and missed one. Surely you won't be hindered by such an oversight.

Many Thanks to Withwave for Continued Support!

Withwave RF & Microwave Components - RF CafeWithwave manufactures an extensive line of metrology quality coaxial test cable assemblies, connectors (wave-, end-, vertical-launch, board edge, panel mount), calibration kits (SOLT), a fully automated 4-port vector network analyzer (VNA) calibrator, between- and in-series connector adaptors, attenuators, terminations, DC blocks, torque wrenches, test probes & probe positioner. Special test fixtures for calibration and multicoax cable assemblies. Frequency ranges from DC through 110 GHz. Please contact Withwave today to see how they can help your project succeed.

Where Does 75-Ohms Come from Anyway??

Where Does 75-Ohms Come from Anyway?? (Conrad Young) - RF CafeMr. Conrad Young, whom I have the pleasure of knowing from our days at RFMD and is now the CTO at Linear Devices Company in San Jose, CA, just published this excellent whitepaper entitled, "Where Does 75-Ohms Come from Anyway??" Much has been written on the origin of 50 Ω coaxial cable (with some disagreement), but not so much about 75 Ω. A delve into 75 Ω's history with the broadcast TV industry provides a segue into some high level theoretical discussions and then finally presenting various coaxial cable and connector configurations. It is a good read with lots of source references for further investigation if you so desire.

Antenna Uses Saltwater and Plastic to Steer Radio Beams

Antenna Uses Saltwater and Plastic to Steer Radio Beams - RF Cafe"A new antenna that uses saltwater and plastic instead of metal to shape radio signals could make it easier to build networks that use VHF and UHF signals. Being able to focus the energy of a radio signal towards a given receiver means you can increase the range and efficiency of transmissions. If you know the location of the receiver, and are sure that it's going to stay put, you can simply use an antenna that is shaped to emit energy mostly in one direction and point it. But if the receiver's location is uncertain, or if it's moving, or if you'd like to switch to a different receiver, then things get tricky. In this case, engineers often fall back on a technique called beam-steering or beamforming, and doing it at at a large scale is one of the key underlying mechanisms behind the rollout of 5G networks ..."

Triad RF Systems: RF/Microwave Amplifiers and Systems

Triad RF SystemsTriad RF Systems designs and manufactures RF power amplifiers and systems. Triad RF Systems comprises three partners (hence 'Triad') with over 40 years of accumulated knowledge of what is required to design, manufacture, market, sell and service RF/Microwave amplifiers and amplifier systems. PA, LNA, bi-directional, and frequency translating amplifiers are available, in formats including tower mount, benchtop, rack mount, and chassis mount. "We view Triad more as a technology partner than a vendor for our line-of-sight communications product line." Please check to see how they can help your project.

Tuesday 3

Transparent Ceramics for Electro-Optics

Transparent Ceramics for Electro-Optics, October 1972 Popular Electronics - RF CafeEvery time I see something about "transparent anything" that formerly was know only in an opaque form, I think about the Star Trek "The Voyage Home" movie (click on the link if you don't know what I mean). This transparent ceramic material was a real breakthrough in optics technology in its day due to the ability to control its degree of transparency or opacity with an electric field. It would even retain its state with the electric field removed so use as a data or even image storage device was possible. An ability to be quickly switched (at up to a 10 MHz rate) held promise for it as a laser or other light source modulator or even as a high speed facsimile (fax) system. It seems sort of like a solid version of a liquid crystal display (LCD). Lots of unique optics terms appear in this article ...

Free Engineering Magazines & Whitepapers

Engineering White Papers & Books, October 2019 - RF CafeEngineering whitepapers, pamphlets, books, magazines, and chapter examples listed here are a small sample of a lot of new items that are offered for FREE through TradePub. The publishers make them available to qualifying people as a promotional campaign for their full line of offerings. Free e-books like "Maximizing LinkedIn for Business" and "20 Questions You Should Never Ask in an Interview" are examples. Magazine titles include Microwave Engineering Europe, Electronic Design, and Microwave Product Digest.

Modelithics COMPLETE Library v19.3 for NI AWR Design Environment

Modelithics Releases the COMPLETE Library v19.3 for NI AWR Design Environment - RF Cafe"Modelithics is pleased to announce the release of the newest version, version 19.3, of the COMPLETE Library for use with NI AWR Design Environment software platform. This update includes 65 new models. Designers will be thrilled with the new release of the Modelithics COMPLETE Library for NI AWR Design Environment, specifically Microwave Office circuit design software. The addition of 65 new models significantly increases the library content, with the library now representing over 17,000 components. New Microwave Global Models™ for passive components are available for Coilcraft, DLI (Knowles), Exxelia, and Syfer (Knowles), including ten new ferrite beards, seven capacitors and two inductors for Würth Elektronik. This release also includes three new resistors and five attenuators ..."

Please Welcome MPDevice as My Newest Advertiser !

MPDevice - RF CafeMPDevice (MPD) has become a trustworthy and reliable company in the global RF market as a manufacturer of passive RF Devices. Included are attenuators and terminations, coaxial connectors, adapters, and cable assemblies, DC blocks, surge arrestors, power combiner / dividers, and directional couplers. The Korean Telecommunication market is now entering into the era of hyperconnected society. With continuous enhancement in R&D capabilities and quality control, MPD will continue in an effort to become the No. 1 technologically innovative company with a focus on the emerging 5G marketplace.

An Intrstng Exprmnt in Spch

An Intrstng Exprmnt in Spch, January 1957 Radio & Television News - RF CafeHere is a little insight into early speech processing research by the Bell Telephone Laboratories. 1957 was the early era of real-time digital processing where the need to cram more calls into less signal space (bandwidth) led to sampled systems - 1:6 in the case of this advertisement from Bell that appeared in Radio & Television News. Engineers of the day would be amazed at how the state of the art has advanced since then, both in mathematical techniques and in miniaturized hardware. Waaaaay back in the early 1990s while working at Comsat Laboratories, in Germantown, Maryland, one of the Intelsat earth station modem transceivers I worked on used groundbreaking software algorithms to reduce call bandwidth ...

Security Robot Drowns Itself in D.C. Water Fountain

Security Robot Drowns Self in D.C. Water Fountain - RF Cafe"A roving security robot - oblong and about four-feet-tall - plunged into a water fountain outside a Washington, D.C., office building Monday afternoon, sending online commentators into a tizzy and causing many people to spot plenty of metaphors for the much-promised autonomous future. Numerous photos posted online showed the robot on its side in the ankle-deep water as workers tried to figure out how to rescue it. The autonomous machine was apparently making its usual rounds outside the Washington Harbour office and retail complex in Georgetown when it tumbled down some steps and into the fountain ..."

Transient Specialists: EMC, EMI, RFI Test Equipment Rentals

Transient Specialists - RF CafeTransient Specialists specializes in EMC test equipment rentals and carries a complete line of ESD guns, surge immunity test equipment, and EFT generators. Rentals available for military (Mil-Std 461), automotive (ISO 7637), and commercial (IEC 61000-4) EMC testing. Flexible terms, accredited calibrations and technical support on EMC testing equipment offered. Equipment consists of top EMC Test System manufacturers, including Teseq, Thermo Keytek, EM Test and EMC Partner. Contact Transient Specialists today for your ESD / EMC / RFI testing needs.

Monday 2

Anti-Collision Systems for Autos

Anti-Collision Systems for Autos, October 1972 Popular Electronics - RF CafeThis article reporting ongoing research for auto anti-collision systems and backup warning systems appeared in a 1972 issue of Popular Electronics has only come to practical fruition within the last decade and a half. High-end cars were offering such equipment options in the early 2000s, but it has only been commonplace since around 2010. 1972 components were still pretty large and power hungry, and digital processing capacity and speed was significantly less advanced as well. Bendix, one of the early developers of anti-collision systems, estimated that the option on a new car might add about $200 to the price, which was a really ambitious estimate, even considering that is the equivalent of $1,230 in 2019 money per BLS Inflation Calculator. The total add-on cost of both anti-collision and backup warning systems ...

IEEE Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology

2019 IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology - RF CafeThe 2019 IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology will be held from October 15th through 18th at the Westin Hotel in Waltham, Massachusetts, on Boston's famous Route 128 Technology Highway. The symposium will include keynote and plenary sessions, parallel technical sessions, poster sessions, tutorials, and a student paper contest. Social events will include a welcome reception with dinner and an awards banquet. This symposium will present the most recent advances in phased array technology and provide a unique opportunity for members of the international community to interact with colleagues in the field of phased array systems and technology.

Anatech Electronics Intros Line of Directional Couplers

Anatech Electronics Intros Line of Directional Couplers - RF CafeAnatech Electronics, Inc. offers the industry's largest portfolio of high-performance standard and customized RF and microwave filters and filter-related products for military, commercial, aerospace and defense, and industrial applications up to 40 GHz. Anatech has introduced three new directional coupler designs: a 0.5-26.5 GHz, 30 dB directional coupler that handles up to 20 watts, a 0.5-100 MHz, 30 dB directional coupler for up to 3 watts, and a 300-8000 MHz, 20 dB directional coupler for up to 20 watts. Custom RF power directional coupler designs can be designed and produced when a standard cannot be found, or the requirements are such that a custom approach is necessary.

Printed Circuits Come of Age

Printed Circuits Come of Age, December 1957 Popular Electronics - RF CafeThere is a twofer on this page - a feature article and a couple related electronics-themed comics. Point-to-point wiring of electronics assemblies is rarely seen these days. For that matter, the use of leaded components is rarely seen these days. The advent of printed circuit boards was a real breakthrough concept when they became commercially viable in the 1950s. As the comic at the bottom of the page suggests, many people did not even know what a printed circuit board was. The air traffic control radar unit that I worked on in the USAF had all point-to-point wiring in a trailer-full of chassis. Terminal strips and bus strips, bifurcated terminals, tube socket terminals, and studs from relays and switches were the connection points ...

NIST Team Demonstrates Atoms Can Receive Communication Signals

NIST Team Demonstrates Atoms Can Receive Communication Signals - RF Cafe"A team of researchers from NIST has successfully created and demonstrated a new type of sensor that relies on atoms to receive communication signals. Researchers believe that their new atom-based receiver could potentially offer a significant advantage over those currently on the market by providing a smaller device that works better in noisy environments. The team used cesium atoms (1s and 0s) to receive digital bits in the most commonly used communication format, which is best known as phase shifting or phase modulation, and is used by satellite televisions and Wi-Fi, to name just a few. With this particular format, electromagnetic waves such as radio signals are shifted relative to one another over a specific period ..."

everythingRF: Their Name Says It All

everything RF Searchable Database - RF CafePlease take a few moments to visit the everythingRF website to see how they can assist you with your project. everythingRF is a product discovery platform for RF and microwave products and services. They currently have 227,460 products from more than 1210 companies across 285 categories in their database and enable engineers to search for them using their customized parametric search tool. Amplifiers, test equipment, power couplers and dividers, coaxial connectors, waveguide, antennas, filters, mixers, power supplies, and everything else. Please visit everythingRF today to see how they can help you.

Sunday 1

Engineering & Science Crossword Puzzle for September 29

Engineering & Science Crossword Puzzle September 29, 2019 - RF CafeFor two decades, I have been creating custom engineering- and science-themed crossword puzzles for the brain-exercising benefit and pleasure of RF Cafe visitors who are fellow cruciverbalists. The jury is out on whether or not this type of mental challenge helps keep your gray matter from atrophying in old age, but it certainly helps maintain your vocabulary and cognitive skills at all ages. This September 29, 2019, puzzle uses a database of thousands of words which I have built up over the years and contains only clues and terms associated with engineering, science, physical, astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, etc. You will never find a word taxing your knowledge of a numbnut soap opera star or the name of some obscure ...