Homepage Archive - October 2021 (page 3)

See Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 of the October 2021 homepage archives.

Thursday the 21st

Mac's Radio Service Shop: Salesmen and Service Technicians

Mac's Radio Service Shop: Salesmen and Service Technicians, June 1952 Radio & Television News - RF CafeDealing with on-site traveling salesmen has always been a sort of love-hate (or maybe a necessary evil, to put it less extremely) relationship - for both the salesman and the engineer/technician. Not having been in the engineering design environment for nearly two decades, I don't know how much face-to-face contact is made anymore. Up through the early 2000s, I was still occasionally meeting with components salesmen. In this June 1952 issue of Radio & Television News magazine's Mac's Radio Service Shop technodrama, proprietor Mac McGregor takes the occasion of an afternoon rain torrent to discuss the situation with two of his regular sales representatives. The open trading of pet peeves and appreciated behavior on both sides is common sense stuff, but are courtesies often forgotten while in the throes of the daily work grind. Mac references a book...

19 Smaller Carriers Urge FCC to Auction 2.5 GHz

19 Smaller Carriers Urge FCC to Auction 2.5 GHz - RF Cafe"A coalition of 19 smaller U.S. carriers are calling on the Federal Communications Commission to move on scheduling a spectrum auction for licenses in the 2.5 GHz band, saying it’s a critical opportunity for rural and underserved areas. The service providers, all members of the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), sent an October 11 letter (PDF) to Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworel that urges the regulator to immediately set an auction date for the more than 8,000 mid-band licenses in its inventory. C Spire, GCI Communications, Union Wireless, Carolina West, Viaero Wireless, and Nex-Tech Wireless are among some of the signatories..."

Many Thanks to Anatech Electronics for Long-Time Support!

Anatech Electronics logo - RF CafeAnatech Electronics (AEI) manufactures and supplies RF and microwave filters for military and commercial communication systems, providing standard LP, HP, BP, BS, notch, diplexer, and custom RF filters, and RF products. Standard RF filter and cable assembly products are published in our website database for ease of procurement. Custom RF filters designs are used when a standard cannot be found, or the requirements dictate a custom approach for your military and commercial communications needs. Sam Benzacar's monthly newsletters address contemporary wireless subjects. Please visit Anatech today to see how they can help your project succeed. 

Electrical Conductors, Wiring Techniques, & Schematic Reading

Introduction to Electrical Conductors, Wiring Techniques, and Schematic Reading - RF CafeNavy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (NEETS) Module 4 - Introduction to Electrical Conductors, Wiring Techniques, and Schematic Reading. Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to: 1. Recall the definitions of unit size, mil-foot, square mil, and circular mil and the mathematical equations and calculations for each. 2. Define specific resistance and recall the three factors used to calculate it in ohms. 3. Describe the proper use of the American Wire Gauge when making wire measurements. 4. Recall the factors required in selecting proper size wire. 5. State the advantages and disadvantages of copper or aluminum as conductors. 6. Define insulation resistance and dielectric strength including how the dielectric strength of an insulator is determined. 7. Identify the safety precautions to be taken when working with insulating materials...

Build This Novice CW Transmitter

Build This Novice CW Transmitter, February 1955 Popular Electronics - RF CafeEven though this CW (continuous wave, for sending Morse code) transmitter circuit was published in 1955 in Popular Electronics magazine, it is still legal for today's Amateur radio operator. Portions of the 40-meter and 80-meter bands are still reserved exclusively for CW operation. As of 2021, the 40−meter band (7.025-7.125 MHz) and the 80−meter band (3.525-3.600 MHz) are both reserved for CW for Hams holding either Novice (no longer issued) or Technician licenses. Additionally, the 15−meter band (21.025-21.200 MHz) and the 2−meter band (144.0-144.1 MHz) have CW-only areas. That is different than the frequencies given in the article, so beware if you are tempted to throw one together for old time's sake. The value for XTAL will need...

Thanks Again for Windfreak Technologies' Continued Support!

Windfreak TechnologiesWindfreak Technologies designs, manufactures, tests and sells high value USB powered and controlled radio frequency products such as RF signal generators, RF synthesizers, RF power detectors, mixers, up / downconverters. Since the conception of WFT, we have introduced products that have been purchased by a wide range of customers, from hobbyists to education facilities to government agencies. Worldwide customers include Europe, Australia, and Asia. Please contact Windfreak today to learn how they might help you with your current project.

Wednesday the 20th

Secret Communications

Secret Communication, July 1946 Radio-Craft - RF CafeIn this 1946 issue of Radio-Craft magazine, editor and über electronics guru Hugo Gernsback reviews "Secret Communications" methods used throughout history, including Alexander Graham Bell's "Photophone" that used a modulated light beam for transmission. With World War II having recently ended and devices such as the "Enigma Machine" developed by the Germans for secure encryption of messages, secure communications was high on the priority list of government and military strategists. Gernsback also suggests ultrasonic systems for wireless communications, and a multiple channel scheme suggestive of the m−ary method widely used today...

Rethinking Wireless Power

Rethinking Wireless Power - RF Cafe"Can a small wireless power startup really use its 'RF Holography' technology to charge personal electronics from several meters away, without irradiating their users? Join ED's Lee Goldberg as he takes a deep dive into the theory behind the system. Our recent story 'Wireless Power System Approved by EU and UK Claims to Charge Mobile Devices Without Frying Users' caused quite a stir amongst our loyal reader community. In fact, more of our sharp-eyed readers took the time to weigh in on the technology's relative merits than any other story I've written in the last decade (or two). Nearly all of their responses were even more skeptical than I was of Ossia's claims to be able to deliver meaningful amounts of power to devices multiple meters away via either 2.4- or 5.8-GHz RF beams..."

Fundamentals of Color TV, Tri-Gun Receiver Circuits

Fundamentals of Color TV, Tri-Gun Receiver Circuits, June 1954 Radio & Television News - RF CafeThis was a multi-part series published by Radio & Television News magazine in the days when color TV was the domain of the more well-to-do folks on the block. Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), nobody I knew had color TV before around 1968. One of my friend's father owned a fairly profitable gas station and service garage, so they were the first to have one. For some inexplicable reason (I jest), his mother never allowed more than one or two of us into the house at a time, so we drew straws to see who got to witness that fabled miracle of technology. I was about third in line. Insomuch as the 1960s were a much more polite and private time than the present, peeking through a living room window for a preview was expressly verboten. In fact, going into a friend's house for any reason was rare. The privileged appointments were strictly adhered...

ConductRF FlexiForm  Cables w/SMPM and 0.047" Cable at DigiKey

ConductRF FlexiForm RF Cable Assemblies w/SMPM and 0.047" Cable - RF CafeConductRF FPA Cable Assemblies use a unique, Low Loss, high performance Semi-"FlexiForm" Cable that is formable, but flexible, providing system designers with a versatile solution for High Frequency applications. The product also allows for very tight phase matching to ±0.2º. Available in three common cable diameters, with the benefits of higher operating frequencies, shielding effectiveness and stability performance over traditional standard Hand Formable cables, these solutions enhance any application requiring higher performance. ConductRF's FPA Cable Assemblies are manufactured using the latest induction soldering techniques to best ensure the highest quality and performance...

Radio Mobile: Point-to-Point System Planner Freeware

Radio Mobile: Point-to-Point System Planner Freeware - RF Cafe Cool ProductThanks to a tip by RF Cafe visitor and contributor Bob Davis for letting me know about a very capable point-to-point RF system planner called Radio Mobile (URL updated since original expired), by Canadian Ham radio operator Roger Coudé (VE2DBE). There is another similar freeware program available called AlphiMax, but it requires that you upload your system data to a remote server - a potential confidentiality conflict. Radio Mobile uses GPS-based terrain information obtained from the U.S. Department of Commerce NTIA/ITS Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) database...

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

/jobs.htm" target="_top"> 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 /jobs.htm" target="_top">job openings. HR department employees and/or managers of hiring companies are welcome to submit opportunities for posting at no charge. 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...

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."

Tuesday the 19th

Television Signal Strength Calculation Charts

Television Signal Strength Calculation Charts, July 1952 Radio & Television News - RF CafeAlthough not directly applicable today, these charts from a 1952 issue of Radio & Television News magazine showing signal voltage levels versus distance from broadcast television transmitter locations provide a general sense of how attenuation varies as a function of distance. Both low (channels 2−6 at 54−88 MHz) and high (channels 7−13 at 174−216 MHz) VHF bands are included for a couple different standard power levels. A Transvision Model FSM−1 field strength meter (see example at left) was used to construct these charts. While the Friis equation for signal free space attenuation can be used to predict levels, actual physical measurements are often more useful in real-world scenarios where landscape and manmade obstructions...

Build an Electroscope

Build an Electroscope, July 1955 Popular Electronics - RF CafeHere is an easy-to-build project that demonstrates how like electrical charges repel. The electroscope was developed by English physicist William Gilbert in 1600. I remember playing with one in physics class in junior high school (one of the few classes that interested me at the time). The electroscope in this 1955 Popular Electronics magazine article calls for the use of gold leaf, but it can be any type of good electrical conductor. In fact, I found a video on YouTube that shows how to make an electroscope out of commonly available materials. This would make a good conversation piece to sit on your desk...

Please Visit Triad RF Systems to Thank Them for Their Support

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.

Bluetooth 5.1, UWB, 802.11az Empower Micro-Location

Bluetooth 5.1, UWB, 802.11az Empower Micro-Location - RF Cafe"With the popularity of GPS, location is becoming an important feature for wireless devices. Now, consumers want micro-location, and, in turn, wireless technologies are adapting to it and accuracy levels are on the rise. Using wireless technologies for positioning isn't new. However, the level of accuracy required has evolved over the years upon identification of new location-based use cases. A GPS system, for example, can achieve roughly between a 5- to 20-meter level of accuracy, depending on signal conditions. This is sufficient when driving around to locate a particular building, but a GPS level of accuracy can't meet the needs of finding, say, a specific shelf in a store or point to the right painting in a museum tour..."

Arvin Model 6 Radio Service Data Sheet

Arvin Model 6 Radio Service Data Sheet, August 1938 Radio-Craft - RF CafeI have been scanning and posting many "Radio Service Data Sheets" like this one featuring the Arvin Model 6 under-dash car radio in graphical format, but have not yet run OCR on them to reproduce the textual content for search purposes. Radio−Craft magazine and others published many of these for the sake of hobbyists and commercial repair shops that could not afford to pay for subscriptions to services such as Sams Photofact. I could not locate an example of a restored model. Manufacturers usually would not provide service data to non-representatives. There are still many people who restore and service these vintage radios, and often it can be difficult or impossible to find schematics and/or tuning information...

Belmont Model 578 Series A, 5-Tube Superhet Radio

Belmont Model 578 Series A, 5-Tube A.C. Superheterodyne Radio Service Data Sheet, March 1936 Radio-Craft - RF CafeThis is another Radio Service Data Sheet that appeared in the March 1936 edition of Radio-Craft magazine. I post this schematic and functional description of the Belmont Model 578 Series A, 5-Tube A.C. Superheterodyne radio manufacturers' publications for the benefit of hobbyists and archivists who might be searching for such information either in a effort to restore a radio to working condition, or to collect archival information...

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 16,000 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 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.

Monday the 18th

Map Your Fringe Area Signal Level

Map Your Fringe Area Signal Level, July 1952 Radio & Television News - RF CafeHave you noticed how heavily burdened utility poles (formerly referred to as electric poles or telephone poles) are these days? Many of the decades−old creosoted wooden poles originally were designed to carry a single set of high voltage distribution lines (13.8 kV) and a multiconductor telephone cable containing twisted pairs. Look around now and you will see at least twice that number of cables, and often three times as many due to multiple coaxial and fiber optic cables and needing to route extra AC power circuits (of larger gauge to handle higher current) in increasingly crowded areas. Notice how many are leaning over (particularly at corners) and/or are being supported with additional guy cables and/or splints. Half a century ago when music, talk, and television was broadcast over the air, the need to string wire all over the landscape was not necessary. Some people complained about "ugly" TV and radio station broadcast antennas...

Engineering Your Career (Part 4): Networking and Being Mentored

 Engineering Your Career: Networking and Being Mentored - RF CafeHere is Part 4 of Machine Design magazine's "Engineering Your Career: Networking and Being Mentored" series. Author Tricia Hatley begins: "Career advancements come to engineers through the support of many others. What does career success mean to you? For some, it is being highly compensated and able to comfortably take care of yourself and family. For others, it means power and control. It could also mean continuing the legacy of a family business. Many engineers and technical professionals define success as working on challenging projects and creating technical innovations or being considered a technical expert. You may have an entrepreneurial mindset, so success could be building a new business or service line..."

A Transmitting Tube Is Born

A Transmitting Tube Is Born, April 1959 Popular Electronics - RF CafeProbably when you think about vacuum tubes, you envision the short type that plugged into your (or your parent's) TV set or radio. While they were sophisticated in their own way and also required careful assembly with a lot of manual operations, these high power tubes were in a class of their own. Even the one in this article from the April 1959 Popular Electronics magazine is not as complicated as some of the ones designed and built for high power radar systems. As always, it is interesting to note the lack of eye protection during assembly operations, especially given that the glass could easily shatter at any point. I'm guessing that the guy in Figure 1, doing the glass shaping operation over a hot flame, only has on glasses because he happens to need them to see...

Glowing Trees a Problem for Astronomy

Glowing Trees a Problem for Astronomy - RF CafeA controversy brews over the merits of breeding plants that glow like a lightning bug. Proponents say glowing trees could eventually replace electric street lights, thereby reducing pollution created by generating stations. Opponents say messing around with tree genes is dangerous and should be disallowed since it could lead to unanticipated environmental ramifications on both plant and animal species. The unique aspect of this effort is that it is being pursued primarily by genetic hobbyists rather than corporations - at least for now. There is bound to be a huge financial potential for such a copyrighted line of plants. My opposition to the concept is primarily a concern for light pollution projected skyward. Astronomers have a difficult enough time with ever-encroaching sources of ambient light...

Wireless Drones Overhead... Get Used to Them

Wireless Drones Overhead... Get Used to Them - RF CafeThe drone, aka Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) and Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), has been mainstreamed in the last few years. Although drones have been around since the end of World War I, in use for target practice and eventually for reconnaissance, they have evolved from fairly crude platforms that require intensive human interaction to fully autonomous systems that can be programmed with a full mission profile then launched, modified for mission changes en route and in situ if necessary, and finally retrieved and reused. GPS, inertial guidance (gyroscopes), radar, lidar, and other complex sensors allow the craft to monitor and correct its flight course and attitude. For many dangerous missions - especially highly dangerous ones - drones have virtually eliminated the need to have a human pilot in the cockpit...

Get Your Custom-Designed RF Cafe Gear!

Custom-Designed RF-Themed Cups, T-Shirts, Mouse Pads, Clocks (Cafe Press) - RF CafeThis assortment of custom-designed themes by RF Cafe includes T-Shirts, Mouse Pads, Clocks, Tote Bags, Coffee Mugs and Steins, Purses, Sweatshirts, and Baseball Caps. Choose from amazingly clever "We Are the World's Matchmakers" Smith chart design or the "Engineer's Troubleshooting Flow Chart." My "Matchmaker's" design has been ripped off by other people and used on their products, so please be sure to purchase only official RF Cafe gear. My markup is only a paltry 50¢ per item - Cafe Press gets the rest of your purchase price. These would make excellent gifts for husbands, wives, kids, significant others, and for handing out at company events or as rewards for excellent service. It's a great way to help support RF Cafe. Thanks...

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!

Sunday the 17th

China's Earth-Circling Hypersonic Missile Test Surprises U.S.

China's Earth-Circling Hypersonic Missile Test Surprises U.S. Military - RF Cafe China test-fired a new  missile with a  hypersonic glide vehicle capable of delivering a nuclear warhead anywhere on Earth. It supposedly "caught U.S. military officials by surprise." Evidently the Chinese general whom "woke" General Milley called in January to promise he'd let him know if Trump was going to do anything bad didn't return the favor of advance notice. Add to that the billions of $$$ worth of state-of-the-art weapons left for the Taliban in Afghanistan for their use and China and Russia to reverse engineer. Oh, and our open southern border is being rushed by tens of thousands of people of unknown origin (although some we know are terrorists), with cartels battling border agents using powerful weapons. Meanwhile, police back home are being demonized and "defunded" and the parents speaking out at school board meetings are called "domestic terrorists." Ah, what a wonderful world.

Radio Theme Crossword Puzzle for October 17th

Radio Theme Crossword Puzzle for October 17th, 2021 - RF CafeThis Radio Theme Crossword Puzzle for June 13 has many 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!

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.

Friday the 15th

Electronics-Themed Comics

Electronics-Themed Comics, September 1953 Radio-Electronics - RF CafeAs usual, "getting" the message in some of these vintage electronics-themed comics requires at least a passing familiarity with the state of technology and public mindset of the day. However, in most cases appreciating the humor and/or irony is possible without it. This group of six comics appeared in a 1953 issue of Radio−Electronics magazine. The first comic is a good example of needing some insider information. Back when commercial television was broadcast over the air from giant towers, multipath of the signal, particularly in urban areas, often created a situation where the difference in arrival time of the signal at the TV viewer's location caused more than one version of the picture to be displayed, slightly offset from each other...

Equiangular Lines Geometry Problem Solved

Equiangular Lines Geometry Problem Solved - RF Cafe"Equiangular lines are lines in space that pass through a single point, and whose pairwise angles are all equal. Picture in 2D the three diagonals of a regular hexagon, and in 3D, the six lines connecting opposite vertices of a regular icosahedron. Mathematicians are not limited to three dimensions, however. 'In high dimensions, things really get interesting, and the possibilities can seem limitless,' says Yufei Zhao, assistant professor of mathematics. But they aren't limitless, according to Zhao and his team of MIT mathematicians, who sought to solve this problem on the geometry of lines in high-dimensional space. It's a problem that researchers have been puzzling over for at least 70 years..."

5G Americas Paper: Benefits and Challenges of Deployment

5G Americas White Paper: Benefits and Challenges of 5G Deployment - RF Cafe"With global 5G networks providing new enhanced technical capabilities serving over 429 million connections, modern industries are examining how 5G wireless cellular connectivity impacts their businesses. 5G Americas has now announced the publication of a new white paper entitled '5G Vertical Use Cases' which provides a deep dive into the benefits, opportunities, and requirements for enterprise adoption of 5G. Said Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas, 'The 5G architecture allows for innovation. In 2021, the world approaches 200 5G networks and millions of connected 5G devices. Entities are thinking hard about what the faster data rates, lower latency, and precision management of connected sensors and devices..."

FQXi: Is Reality Digital or Analog?

FQXi: Is Reality Digital or Analog? - RF CafeEach year the Foundational Questions Institute (FQXi) holds an essay contest inviting writers to submit missives addressing the question chosen by the FQXi board as being particularly thought-provoking. In their words, "FQXi catalyzes, supports, and disseminates research on questions at the foundations of physics and cosmology, particularly new frontiers and innovative ideas integral to a deep understanding of reality, but unlikely to be supported by conventional funding sources." The 2011 question was "Is Reality Digital or Analog?" (here is The Wayback Machine's capture of the original webpage). Scientific American magazine, being one of three partners, published the runner-up entry in the December 2012 issue: University of Cambridge professor of theoretical physics...

Flat Earthers

Flat Earthers - RF CafeOur president and other pontificating politicians - particularly, it seems, those who hold college degrees in non-science realms - have recently taken to referring to anyone who does not hold their points of view as "Flat Earthers" and anti-science. BTW, these are the same people who regularly chastise their opponents for name-calling and uncivil discourse. So, if to them others are anti-science, then they obviously deem themselves to be pro-science. Would you consider a person who laments the invention of the ATM machine because it replaces bank tellers or a ticket kiosk at the airport for robbing counter clerks pro- or anti-science? What about people who prefer to cripple society with a blinders-on approach to energy production by insisting on using "renewable" sources while ignoring advances in fossil and nuclear power sources? Excuse me for getting all sciency[sic] on them...

Federal Government Tech Sector Equivalent Salaries

Tech Sector Equivalent Salaries in the Federal Government - RF Cafe SmorgasbordWe have all seen news reports about the often exorbitant salaries of government employees as compared to the earnings of folks in equivalent private sector jobs. According to a March 2012 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average total compensation for the average private industry worker was $28.57 per hour worked whereas for the federal government worker it was $40.90 per hour - a 43% difference! When you look at the ranges of job titles and pay for government workers as compared to equivalent private industry workers there seems to be no logical correlation between which jobs pay more with the government versus private industry. There are currently about 22 million U.S. government employees - a staggering number indeed. Asbury Park Press recently made available a database (not available anymore...

The "Fair Use" Doctrine and the U.S. Copyright Office

The "Fair Use" Doctrine and the U.S. Copyright Office - RF Cafe"The Congress shall have Power … To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Tımes to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries." - United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8. Therein lies the authority for legislation and prosecution of rights for virtually every human creation within the jurisdiction of the country. Each nation has it own version, and international agreements help assure universal protection of a creator's rights of ownership; e.g., the "Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works" (aka the "Berne Convention") of 1886 and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). America has the U.S. Copyright Office. Those of us involved in presenting information and referring to legally protected works of others are, or should be, concerned with laws governing how such content may be used...

2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible AM/FM Antenna Solution

2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible AM/FM Antenna Solution - RF Cafe SmorgasbordI have often said that some of the most capable and enthusiastic engineers and technicians - and even managers - I have worked with in my 30-something year electronics career have been amateur radio operators. They are the rare few who are able to combine a hobby passion with a profession that pays for the hobby... kind of like the airline pilot who flies model airplanes or the druggie who works at a pharmacy. Oh, wait, scratch that last example. Here we see a video from Chevrolet where two engineers, one of them a Ham, took up the challenge to replace the AM/FM whip antenna originally planned for the 2011 Camaro convertible with a blended, inconspicuous antenna. Leaked photos of the prototype car showed the whip, which caused Camaro aficionados to descend upon Chevy requesting its removal. The flexible, folding rear window prevented...

Demise of America's Manned Space Transportation Program

The Demise of America's Manned Space Transportation Program - RF Cafe SmorgasbordSpace Shuttle Endeavour (named after the ship of British Lt. James Cook) lifts off for the last time tomorrow (April 29). Atlantis flies next month, marking the end of the USA's manned space flight vehicle program for the foreseeable future. Henceforth, we will be hitching rides on Chinese and Russian craft that still land in the desert using parachutes. Here are some stats on the Shuttle program. Number of shuttles: 5 - Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, Endeavour, Columbia; expected launches: 500; actual: 135; total flight time (as of Jan 2011): 1289 days; shuttles lost: 2 (Challenger, Columbia); total passengers: 836; failure rate: 1:67.5; fuel consumption rate: 660,000 lbs./min. solid, 45,000 gpm liquid hydrogen; 17,000 gpm LOX; time to orbit: 8.5 min.; orbital speed: 17, 500 mph; touchdown speed: 220 mph. As with our oil drilling industry, politicians have chosen to trash our domestic space transportation industry and send that money to countries that yearn for our demise...

Qorvo Design Summit 2021

Qorvo Design Webinar November 9-11, 2021 - RF CafeQorvo's Design Summit Webinar Series is back. Qorvo's 2020 Design Summit webinars received over 10,000 views. This series of webinars, running November 9, 10, and 11, explores the RF and power technology driving markets for 5G handsets and base stations, defense and aerospace, connected cars and homes and more. Broadcast times are 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm Eastern. Topics include: GaN Solutions for Defense & Aerospace Applications, UWB for Automotive: An Engineering Primer, Antenna Solutions Reimagined, and Wi-Fi 6 / 6E: How 6 GHz and Matter Will Change the Smart Home...

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 TotalTemp Technologies for Continued Support!

TotalTemp Technologies - RF CafeTotalTemp Technologies has more than 40 years of combined experience providing thermal platforms. Thermal Platforms are available to provide temperatures between −100°C and +200°C for cryogenic cooling, recirculating circulating coolers, temperature chambers and temperature controllers, thermal range safety controllers, space simulation chambers, hybrid benchtop chambers, custom systems and platforms. Manual and automated configurations for laboratory and production environments. Please contact TotalTemp Technologies today to learn how they can help your project.

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