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Homepage Archive - September 2022 (page 2)

See Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 of the September 2022 homepage archives.

Wednesday the 14th

The Art of Xerography

The Art of Xerography, July 1965 Electronics World - RF CafeI am always amazed when reading articles like this one on "The Art of Xerography" at how the engineers and scientists who develop these system manage to think up the processes and materials required to make everything work so well, and then to make it manufacturable on a mass basis. How did Chester Carlson discover that dyed lycopodium powder, made from creeping cedars, sprinkled over a waxed paper plate would create the likeness of an original image - after, of course, rubbing a sulfur-coated metal plate with a handkerchief and quickly exposing the plate to light transmitted through the glass with a pattern on it? Electrostatics eventually came to play a big role in high volume printing, as described here. I saw a video one time (can't find it now) of a high voltage and chemical processed used on thin aluminum sheets used in newspaper printing up through the 1970's for making masters. My father worked at The Evening Capital newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, and I remember back in the 1960's walking through the printing press area and seeing operators pounding away on typesetting machines that assembled the lead die into lines of text, and from there the entire process up through actual printing and folding of the newspapers. From around 1970 through 1974, I delivered those papers in my neighborhood on my bicycle. The subscription cost was a whopping $2.10 per month...

Lotus State-of-the-Art GPS/GNSS LNA Product Line

Lotus Communication Systems New State-of-the-Art GPS/GNSS LNA Product Line - RF CafeLotus Communication Systems, a manufacturer of connectorized, cascadable RF and microwave components, has developed a new state-of-art GPS/GNSS low noise amplifiers (LNA) product line. These GPS/GNSS LNAs have industrial leading noise figure 0.2 dB and ultra compact size of 1.5"x0.75"x0.6". Lotus' LNAs consume ultra low current while provide high gain (+29 dB at 34 mA). Lotus' LNAs also has wide operational voltage (+5~+32 V) and optional EMI Shielding (includes weatherproof). Pre-filter and variable gain (0~40 dB) options are also available for customization. For example, the LAL12F27BDSE provides L1 & L2 filtering to filter unwanted interference. It provides 27 dB gain with a 0.56 dB noise figure. This LNA can be biased from a single supply +5~+12 V from output port...

Chip-Free, Wireless Electronic Skin

Chip-Free, Wireless Electronic Skin - RF Cafe"MIT engineers have developed a new kind of wearable sensor that communicates wirelessly without requiring on-board chips or batteries. Their design, detailed today in the journal Science, opens a path toward chip-free wireless sensors. The team's sensor design is a form of electronic skin, or 'e-skin' - a flexible, semiconducting film that conforms to the skin like electronic Scotch tape. The heart of the sensor is an ultra-thin, high-quality film of Gallium Nitride (GaN), a material that is known for its piezoelectric properties, meaning that it can both produce an electrical signal in response to mechanical strain and mechanically vibrate in response to an electrical impulse. The researchers found they could harness gallium nitride's two-way piezoelectric properties and use the material simultaneously for both sensing and wireless communication..."

Electronics in Medicine

Electronics in Medicine, March 1948 Radio-Craft - RF CafeEvery time I see one of these articles on "modern" medial electronics it makes me think of the Star Trek IV movie titled, "The Voyage Home," wherein Dr. McCoy (aka "Bones") intervenes as a 20th century brain surgeon is about to operate on Chekov - "My God man, drilling holes in his head is not the answer!" The 1948-vintage electrocardiograph featured in this Radio-Craft magazine article looks like it was built from parts salvaged from World War II field gear. Having a doctor attach wires to you is scary enough, but back when the probes were powered by instruments using circuits with 200-300 volts of plate bias in them would add an extra level of anxiety. BTW, have you ever wondered how "star dates" in Star Trek were determined? As it turns out, the system has not been consistent throughout the series from television and the movies then back to television. It began as a random number to avoid needing to specify a particular century...

ConductRF Hand-Reformable 50 Ohm RF Coaxial Cables

ConductRF Hand-Reformable 50 Ohm RF Coaxial Cables at Digi-Key - RF CafeConductRF Hand-Reformable RF Coaxial Cables are available off the shelf from DigiKey. ConductRF FM series of Hand Formable RF cable assemblies provides system designers with a versatile solution that allows RF cables to be physically routed and set in to position during installation. Standard lengths and connector types feature performance up to 40 GHz. Low loss, tinned braided cable of 0.086" diameter with shielding of >100 dB. 100% factory tested for VSWR & insertion loss. RoHS & Reach compliant. Ideal for internal module linking and great for RF Testing. Made in theUSA! Features include: Formable tinned braided cable low loss, ø0.086" cable, precision RF connectors, shielding >100 dB, 100% Factory VSWR & IL Tested...

How Dependable Are Your Meter Readings?

How Dependable Are Your Meter Readings?, November 1937, Radio-Craft - RF CafeNot many people are still using analog meters for making voltage, current, resistance, and power measurements these days; however, for those who are and even for those using digital readout meters, there are valuable lessons to be learned from this article on factors that can affect the accuracy of your measurements. Whenever you make a measurement with any kind of instrument, the first step to take in minimizing the chances of inaccurate readings is to be certain the instrument is in good working order and is known to be reasonably accurate. If it is battery powered, know that low battery voltage can cause erroneous readings in both analog and digital meters, so beware. If you are making a measurement to verify a known entity and the reading is correct, then there is little reason to suspect that anything is wrong with your meter. If a reading is way off from what you expect to see, then verify the accuracy of your instrument before going any further lest...

RF & Electronics Symbols for Visio

RF Electronics Wireless Analog Block Diagrams Symbols Shapes for Visio - RF CafeWith more than 1000 custom-built symbols, this has got to be the most comprehensive set of Visio Symbols available for RF, analog, and digital system and schematic drawings! Every object has been built to fit proportionally on the provided A-, B- and C-size drawing page templates (or can use your own). Symbols are provided for equipment racks and test equipment, system block diagrams, conceptual drawings, and schematics. Unlike previous versions, these are NOT Stencils, but instead are all contained on tabbed pages within a single Visio document. That puts everything in front of you in its full glory. Just copy and paste what you need on your drawing. The file format is XML so everything plays nicely with Visio 2013 and later...

Thanks to Anritsu for Their Support!

Anritsu (electronics test equipment)Anritsu has been a global provider of innovative communications test and measurement solutions for more than 120 years. Anritsu manufactures a full line of innovative components and accessories for RF and Microwave Test and Measurement Equipment including attenuators & terminations; coaxial cables, connectors & adapters; o-scopes; power meters & sensors; signal generators; antenna, signal, spectrum, & vector network analyzers (VNAs); calibration kits; Bluetooth & WLAN testers; PIM testers; amplifiers; power dividers; antennas.

Tuesday the 13th

Glass-Dielectric Capacitors

Glass-Dielectric Capacitors, July 1965 Electronics World - RF CafeContinuing with the series on capacitor types, particularly dielectric material, this July 1965 Electronics World magazine article reports on glass materials used by Corning Glass Works. Glass dielectrics are popular for aerospace and space applications because of their tolerance for high radiation levels found in regions not protected by the Earth's atmosphere. Glass compound consistency provides for mass producing values with tight tolerances and exceptional parameter tracking over temperature. High "Q" values and low loss at extreme temperature and high frequency (at the time) made them the component of choice by missile and satellite designers. 0.5 pF through about 0.01 μF is the typical value range for glass dielectric capacitors. Author Archer Martin mentions radiation exposures of 1018 NVTth, which appears to be a measure of neutron flux exposure, but I could not find a good definition of the term ("NVT," without the "th" is used here)...

DARPA to Revolutionize Satellite Communication

DARPA to Revolutionize Satellite Communication - RF Cafe"The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), best known for creating the internet, advanced its plan to revolutionize communication among low orbiting satellite networks by selecting 11 teams to work on its Space-Based Adaptive Communications Node program. Known as Space-BACN, the project seeks to create a low-cost, reconfigurable optical communications terminal that adapts to most optical intersatellite link standards, translating between diverse satellite constellations. According to DARPA, Space-BACN would create an 'internet' of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, enabling seamless communication between military/government and commercial/civil satellite constellations that currently are unable to talk with each other..."

Aegis Power Systems Videos

Aegis Power Systems Videos - RF CafeIMHO, it is a good idea for companies to produce in-house videos to give customers - both existing and potential - a look at their employees, equipment, facilities, and processes. Aegis Power Systems has a series of such videos available for viewing. Aegis is a leading supplier of AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies for custom and special applications. Aegis has been designing and building highly reliable custom power supplies since 1995. They offer a complete line of switch mode power supplies and power converters for a variety of markets including defense, industrial, aircraft, VME, and telecom. Supports military, aircraft, EV, telecom, and embedded computing applications. Design and manufacture of custom power supply solutions to meet each customer's exacting specifications.

Frenzied Radio

Frenzied Radio, February 1930 Radio-Craft - RF Cafe"And there is nothing new under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 1:9, NKJV (did you know that is the origin of the saying?). This 1930 editorial by Radio-Craft editor Hugo Gernsback describes a coordinated scam perpetrated by radio manufacturers to compel consumers to buy new sets rather than have their existing sets repaired; such schemes persist today. In short, retail prices were inflated to accommodate a built-in "trade-in" allowance that far exceeded the repair cost or used radio cost. Radio service shops were getting the short shrift because many people who might have otherwise elected to have repairs made would instead trade in the old set for a new one. That a conspiracy was underfoot was evidenced both by the practice of destroying traded-in sets so they cannot be used again (similar to the Cash for Clunkers program where engines were destroyed after trade-in), and by making it difficult or even impossible for repair shops to obtain adequate technical documentation...

RF & Electronics Stencils for Visio

RF & Electronics stencils for Visio r4 - RF CafeWith more than 1000 custom-built stencils, this has got to be the most comprehensive set of Visio Stencils available for RF, analog, and digital system and schematic drawings! Every stencil symbol has been built to fit proportionally on the included A-, B-, and C-size drawing page templates (or use your own page if preferred). Components are provided for system block diagrams, conceptual drawings, schematics, test equipment, racks (EIA 19", ETSI 21"), and more. Test equipment and racks are built at a 1:1 scale so that measurements can be made directly using Visio built-in dimensioning objects. Page templates are provided with a preset scale (changeable) for a good presentation that can incorporate all provided symbols...

Many Thanks to San Francisco Circuits for Continued Support!

San Francisco CircuitsSF Circuits' specialty is in the complex, advanced technology of PCB fabrication and assembly, producing high quality multi-layered PCBs from elaborate layouts. With them, you receive unparalleled technical expertise at competitive prices as well as the most progressive solutions available. Their customers request PCB production that is outside the capabilities of normal circuit board providers. Please take a moment to visit San Francisco Circuits today. "Printed Circuit Fabrication & Assembly with No Limit on Technology or Quantity."

Monday the 12th

An Unusual TV Antenna

An Unusual TV Antenna, April 1967 Popular Electronics - RF CafeThis being an April issue of Popular Electronics magazine, I am not sure whether this is an April Fools gag article of the real McCoy. The Iron Curtain was in full force, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a mere five years earlier and the Gary Powers U-2 incident just seven years hence, so anything related to the USSR (aka Soviet Union) was considered mysterious and possibly nefarious. Seeing Ruskie text was a real attention-getter. The article entitled "НЕОБЫЧНАЯ ТЕЛЕВИДЕНИЕ АНТЕННА" reportedly appeared in the April 1966 issue of the Soviet Union's "Radio" magazine (still in print). I did a search for it and could find the March and June 1966 issues, but not April. BTW, if you plug the Russian text into the Duck Duck Go translator, it does indeed come back with "Unusual TV Antenna," just as author Joseph Zelle claimed in 1966. Now, as to whether the article's claim is legit or not, I can't say...

Axiom Blog: AC, DC Loads Evaluate Electrical Use

Axiom Test Equipment Blog: AC, DC Loads Evaluate Electrical Use - RF CafeAxiom Test Equipment, Inc., an electronic test equipment rental and sales company has published a new blog post entitled "Modular Test Solution Speed Semiconductor Testing," that explains how electronic loads are able to enhance the performance of AC and DC power supplies and energy sources. Connecting an AC or DC electronic load to the output of an AC or DC power supply, respectively, enables it to replace the electronic circuitry normally at that point in an electronic design or product and study the behavior of the power supply under a variety of operating conditions. A power supply can be analyzed by connecting it to a suitable-sized resistor to sink current to ground. However, such a passive load is not representative of most actual applications. An electronic load mimics the complexity of a real-world load with resistance, inductance, and capacitance that can vary under changing conditions. Whether by manual tuning or programmed under computer control, an electronic load can mimic the many different load conditions facing a power supply...

Please Thank Lotus Communication Systems for Their Support!

Lotus Communication Systems Modular RF/Microwave Components - RF CafeLotus Communication Systems began in 2009, setting up CNC machine shop and RF/microwave assembling and testing lab in Middlesex Country, Massachusetts. Lotus is committed to highest quality and innovative products. Each RF/microwave module meets exceedingly high standards of quality, performance and excellent value, and are 100% MADE IN USA. Lotus' RF/microwave products cover frequency band up to 67 GHz. Lotus also offers an COTS shield enclosures for RF/microwave prototyping and production. All products are custom designed. We will find a solution and save your time and cost. Lotus has multiple 4 axis CNC machines and LPKF circuit plotters.

Resonant Metasurfaces Breakthrough for Quantum Research

Resonant Metasurfaces Breakthrough for Quantum Research - RF Cafe"Scientists have successfully created photon pairs at several different frequencies using resonant metasurfaces. Tomás Santiago-Cruz and Maria Chekhova from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg in cooperation with Sandia National Laboratories successfully used resonant metasurfaces to create photon pairs at several different frequencies. A photon is the quantum (the minimum amount involved in an interaction) of any form of electromagnetic radiation, such as light. Photons are essential to a number of contemporary research fields and technologies, including quantum state engineering, which in turn represents the cornerstone of all quantum photonic technologies. With the help of quantum photonics, engineers and scientists are working to create new technologies such as new types of supercomputers and new forms of encryption for highly secure channels of communication. The creation of photon pairs is one of the key requirements for quantum state engineering. This has traditionally been achieved through the use of one of the two nonlinear effects, spontaneous parametric down-conversion..."

World Peace and Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio: World Peace and Amateur Radio, April 1967 Popular Electronics - RF CafeIt hasn't been just Miss America contestants that have wished for world peace over the years. In April 1967, this article entitled "World Peace and Amateur Radio" was published in Popular Electronics magazine extolling the efforts of Ham radio operators in attempting to break through communications barriers erected by governments. Amateur signals could reach into the USSR, Cuba, China, North Korea, and all the other hopelessly oppressed regions of the world - even Chicago ;-) - to let people know that there is hope beyond the Iron Curtain of Communism. This particular story reports on one Ham's outreach to the people of Japan which, fortunately for them, was not a member of the "Red club." When this article was first posted in 2013, Yemen and North Korea prohibited amateur radio communications with the United States. According to the FCC website, there are currently no countries on the banned list...

Amplifier Gain Nomogram

Amplifier Gain Nomogram, August 1965 Electronics World - RF CafeEven with the ready availability of programmable calculators and smartphone apps, there are still times when having a handy-dandy nomograph printed out and hanging on the wall for quick reference can be a great asset. This nomograph which appeared in a 1965 issue of Electronics World magazine provided ready conversion between two different (input and output) voltage and power values to equivalent decibel values. It seems strange that the watts and voltage scale is on the left and the milliwatts and millivolts scale is on the right. That might be more intuitive for a nomograph of attenuation, but not - at least to me - for positive gain as through an amplifier...

RF Cascade Workbook

RF Cascade Workbook - RF Cafe RF Cascade Workbook is the next phase in the evolution of RF Cafe's long-running series, RF Cascade Workbook. Chances are you have never used a spreadsheet quite like this (click here for screen capture). It is a full-featured RF system cascade parameter and frequency planner that includes filters and mixers for a mere $45. Built in MS Excel, using RF Cascade Workbook 2018 is a cinch and the format is entirely customizable. It is significantly easier and faster than using a multi-thousand dollar simulator when a high level system analysis is all that is needed. An intro video takes you through the main features...

Many Thanks for Alliance Test Equipment's Support!

Allied Test Equipment Products - RF CafeAlliance Test Equipment sells used / refurbished test equipment and offers short- and long-term rentals. They also offer repair, maintenance and calibration. Prices discounted up to 80% off list price. Agilent/HP, Tektronix, Anritsu, Fluke, R&S and other major brands. A global organization with ability to source hard to find equipment through our network of suppliers. Alliance Test will purchase your excess test equipment in large or small lots. Blog posts offer advice on application and use of a wide range of test equipment. Please visit Allied Test Equipment today to see how they can help your project.

Sunday the 11th

Wireless Engineering Themed Crossword for September 11th

Wireless Engineering Themed Crossword Puzzle for September 11th, 2022This custom Wireless Engineering themed Crossword Puzzle for September 11th, 2022, is brought to you by RF Cafe. All RF Cafe crossword puzzles are custom made by me, Kirt Blattenberger, and have only words and clues related to RF, microwave, and mm-wave engineering, optics, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and other technical subjects. As always, this crossword contains no names of politicians, mountain ranges, exotic foods or plants, movie stars, or anything of the sort unless it/he/she is related to this puzzle's technology theme (e.g., Reginald Denny or the Tunguska event in Siberia). The technically inclined cruciverbalists amongst us will appreciate the effort. Enjoy!

September 11, 2001 - Never Forget

Islamic terrorist attack on UAL Flight 93, September 11, 2001 - RF CafeIslamic terrorist attack on the Pentagon, September 11, 2001 - RF CafeIslamic terrorist attack on the twin towers, September 11, 2001 - RF CafeIncredibly, 21 years has passed since the extremist Islamic attack on American soil on the morning of September 11, 2001. Nearly 3,000 citizens died that day. World leaders have embarked on a path of colonizing our homelands with groups of
people that are known to harbor sympathies for the terrorists. They dwell among us now and mean to do us harm when opportunity presents itself - which it has on numerous occasions in the past many years. Never forget the people who died in the burning towers, the Pentagon, and the airplanes, and those left behind to grieve and get on with life. Never forget the police and military members who fought - and some died - to keep us safe and free. Never forget the rotten politicians who imperil our existence with their selfish agendas.

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 $25. We're leading the way again!

Friday the 9th

Electrolytic Capacitors

Electrolytic Capacitors, July 1965 Electronics World - RF CafeThe July 1965 issue of Electronics World magazine contained articles on many types of capacitors being used at the time. As of this writing I have posted the articles on paper and plastic film capacitors. Still to come are mica, ceramic, and glass. Newer dielectric formulations have been developed since then, with some being improvements on existing types and others being either rarely or never used back then. Notably missing in the capacitor formats are distributed element on substrate, semiconductor, and air (vacuum). Construction and parameters for both polarized and non-polarized electrolytic capacitors are addressed by Mr. H. Nieders, of the Mallory Capacitor Company (now Duracell)...

Thanks to Anritsu for Their Support!

Anritsu (electronics test equipment)Anritsu has been a global provider of innovative communications test and measurement solutions for more than 120 years. Anritsu manufactures a full line of innovative components and accessories for RF and Microwave Test and Measurement Equipment including attenuators & terminations; coaxial cables, connectors & adapters; o-scopes; power meters & sensors; signal generators; antenna, signal, spectrum, & vector network analyzers (VNAs); calibration kits; Bluetooth & WLAN testers; PIM testers; amplifiers; power dividers; antennas.

Could Metamaterials Solve 6G's Problems?

Could Metamaterials Solve 6G's Problems? - RF Cafe"For all the tumultuous revolution in wireless technology over the past several decades, there have been a couple of constants. One is the overcrowding of radio bands, and the other is the move to escape that congestion by exploiting higher and higher frequencies. And today, as engineers roll out 5G and plan for 6G wireless, they find themselves at a crossroads: After years of designing superefficient transmitters and receivers, and of compensating for the signal losses at the end points of a radio channel, they're beginning to realize that they are approaching the practical limits of transmitter and receiver efficiency. From now on, to get high performance as we go to higher frequencies, we will need to engineer the wireless channel itself. But how can we possibly engineer and control a wireless environment, which is determined by a host of factors, many of them random and therefore unpredictable..."

Altum RF Industrializes 400-Watt S-Band Power Amplifier MMIC

Altum RF Intros Industrialization of 400-Watt S-Band Power Amplifier MMIC - RF CafeAltum RF, a supplier of high-performance RF to millimeter-wave semiconductor solutions for next generation markets and applications, introduces in collaboration with TNO a 400-Watt S-band power amplifier MMIC, using WIN Semiconductors' NP45-11 technology. Operating between 2.8-3.3 GHz, this amplifier delivers an output power of 400 W and a PAE between 50-55% and is ideally suited for S-band radar applications. WIN Semiconductors' NP45-11 process is a 0.45 μm RF GaN-on-SiC HEMT technology manufactured with enhanced moisture protection, enabling the use of a plastic package. Altum RF's strategic relationship with TNO results in leading-edge RF to millimeter-wave products and technology for commercial markets and applications. This collaboration allows Altum RF to commercialize some of the unique technical capabilities of TNO...

A Bit of Tech Levity for Friday...

Pavlov's dogs and Schrodinger's cat - RF CafeThese two jokes showed up in a website poster's remarks:

A man walks up to a librarian and asks, "Do you have any books on Pavlov's dogs and Schrodinger's cat?" The librarian responds, "It rings a bell, but I'm not sure if it's here or not."

Also: What's the difference between California and the Titanic? The Titanic had its lights on when it sank.

You're welcome.

Hiram P. Maxim Dies

Hiram P. Maxim Dies, May 1936 Radio-Craft - RF CafeHiram Percy Maxim is a name known to every American licensed amateur radio operator, since he was the primary founder of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). This obituary that was printed in the May 1936 edition of Radio-Craft magazine reported on his death at age 66 (the article incorrectly says 67 years old) - young by today's standards, but about normal a century ago. Although he lived in Connecticut, he was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, located in Hagerstown, Maryland. A few years ago, Melanie and I were visiting her mother, who lived in Hagerstown (we once lived there as well), and set out to locate his place of final rest. I wrote about in this story titled "Hiram Percy Maxim's Gravesite in Hagerstown, Maryland..."

Promote Your Company on RF Cafe

Sponsor RF Cafe for as Little as $40 per Month - RF CafeNew Scheme rotates all Banners in all locations on the page! RF Cafe typically receives 8,000-15,000 website visits each weekday. RF Cafe is a favorite of engineers, technicians, hobbyists, and students all over the world. With more than 12,000 pages in the Google search index, RF Cafe returns in favorable positions on many types of key searches, both for text and images. New content is added on a daily basis, which keeps the major search engines interested enough to spider it multiple times each day. Items added on the homepage often can be found in a Google search within a few hours of being posted. I also re-broadcast homepage items on LinkedIn. If you need your company news to be seen, RF Cafe is the place to be.

Many Thanks to Reactel for Their Long-Time Support!

Reactel Filters - RF Cafe

Reactel has become one of the industry leaders in the design and manufacture of RF and microwave filters, diplexers, and sub-assemblies. They offer the generally known tubular, LC, cavity, and waveguide designs, as well as state of the art high performance suspended substrate models. Through a continuous process of research and development, they have established a full line of filters of filters of all types - lowpass, highpass, bandpass, bandstop, diplexer, and more. Established in 1979. Please contact Reactel today to see how they might help your project.

Thursday the 8th

Paper Capacitors

Paper Capacitors, July 1965 Electronics World - RF CafeA quick search for paper capacitors turned up no manufacturers currently offering them. They were the capacitor of choice for many decades until other types with superior dielectric material could be produced at competitive prices. A special formulation of Kraft paper of various thicknesses and chemical impregnations serves as the dielectric material between layers of conductive foil. The vast majority of tubular type capacitors found in radios, televisions, etc., prior to about 1960 were paper. One of the biggest disadvantages of paper capacitors is vulnerability to drying out or absorbing moisture either through the encapsulating material or via leaks in the case or around the external radial leads. Most people who restore vintage electronics replace all paper capacitors out of an abundance of caution, particularly because of the high voltages used by vacuum tubes. Author William Robinson does a great job describing how paper capacitors are manufactured, how they are used, and what their electrical characteristics are...

HawkEye 360 Tactical RF Info for U.S. Army

HawkEye 360 Tactical RF Info for U.S. Army - RF Cafe"The space-based RF data specialist says that under the CRADA it will 'develop and demonstrate new commercial overhead RF-sensing capabilities that could provide relevant tactical support for the warfighter.' SMDC will assist in the testing of these capabilities in relevant exercises to evaluate the utility for a tactical warfighter, said the company. 'This partnership will support the Army's modernization initiative to develop more efficient, effective, and resilient systems that strengthen how the U.S. Army mobilizes, protects, and sustains expeditionary forces leveraging tactically relevant commercial RF information. We aim to seamlessly integrate our space-based RF data into their Multi-Domain Operational environment..."

Hi-Fi: Guest List

Hi-Fi: Guest List, May 1959 Popular Electronics - RF CafeThis series of comics describes the reactions you might expect to receive from various kinds people who, while visiting your home, are introduced to your new stereo setup. Although they appeared in a 1959 edition of Popular Electronics magazine, the scenarios still hold true today, only now you can extend the equipment types to include a gaming computer, a wide screen television, a personal robot, and other modern electromechanical wonders. Now, however, while "admiring" your equipment, he/she will simultaneously be referring constantly to his/her smartphone. It is rare to see this kind of entertainment in newer publications - probably for fear of being sued by an overly sensitive person who sees himself/herself as being lampooned...

Modelithics Intros MACOM Power Divider, Coupler, Balun Models

Modelithics and MACOM Collaborate to Offer New Modelithics Enhanced, Highly-Accurate Power Divider, Coupler and Balun Models - RF CafeModelithics, the leading provider of RF/microwave simulation models and MACOM Technology Solutions Inc. (MACOM), a leading supplier of semiconductor products, are pleased to announce the release of new models for three MACOM components: the MAPD-011062 power divider, the MACP-011088 bi-directional coupler, and the MABA-011125 balun. Each model is a substrate selectable S-parameter data model valid through 50 GHz. The new models are available within the Modelithics COMPLETE Library™ as well as the Modelithics mmWave & 5G Library Both the MAPD-011062 power divider and the MABA-011125 balun come in a 3-mm, 16-lead QFN package, while the MACP-011088 bi-directional coupler comes in a 4-mm, 24-lead QFN package. The models for all three parts were developed based on multi-port S-parameter measurements with calibration referenced to the edges of the bonding pads on the package...

Crosley Radio Ad

Crosley Radio Ad, July 1932 Radio-Craft - RF CafeThis Crosley advertisement from a 1932 issue of Radio-Craft magazine pitches two new models. Note the fancy wood cabinets which made them higher-end radios. At the time, radio was the only form of "live" entertainment in the home, so many radios offered shortwave bands as well as standard AM. The $119.50 "Adventurer" model would cost $2,603 in 2022 money, per the BLS Inflation Calculator! I am still looking in old electronics magazines for an ad featuring my 1941 Crosley model 03CB console radio, but thus far with no luck. What makes the model special is that it was probably one of the last new radios sold prior to the shift of material usage to military equipment in World War II. In fact, not long ago I found this brief news piece in a 1942 edition of Radio-Craft: "Crosley Scraps 1943 Line for Military Radios" reporting on how Crosley was converting its production line to support military needs...

RF Cascade Workbook

RF Cascade Workbook - RF Cafe RF Cascade Workbook is the next phase in the evolution of RF Cafe's long-running series, RF Cascade Workbook. Chances are you have never used a spreadsheet quite like this (click here for screen capture). It is a full-featured RF system cascade parameter and frequency planner that includes filters and mixers for a mere $45. Built in MS Excel, using RF Cascade Workbook 2018 is a cinch and the format is entirely customizable. It is significantly easier and faster than using a multi-thousand dollar simulator when a high level system analysis is all that is needed. An intro video takes you through the main features...

Many Thanks to Aegis Power Systems for Their Continued Support!

Aegis Power Systems - RF CafeAegis Power Systems is a leading supplier of AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies for custom and special applications. Aegis has been designing and building highly reliable custom power supplies since 1995. They offer a complete line of switch mode power supplies and power converters for a variety of markets including defense, industrial, aircraft, VME, and telecom. Supports military, aircraft, EV, telecom, and embedded computing applications. Design and manufacture of custom power supply solutions to meet each customer's exacting specifications. Please visit Aegis Power Systems today.

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Anritsu Test Equipment - RF Cafe
Innovative Power Products (IPP) RF Combiners / Dividers

Anatech Electronics RF Microwave Filters - RF Cafe

RF Cascade Workbook 2018 by RF Cafe