An Engineer's View

Another “Kick me” CB Shop

04 August 2007 · Topic: CB

Here is yet another example of a play by play showing just how stubborn CB shops can be insisting they have some kind of right to ignore FCC rules created, enforced and, yes, interpreted by the FCC…

http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2007/DA-07-881A1.html

Read all of it and see how the FCC gives stores chance after chance to straighten up yet store owners wonder in amazement how they get caught when FCC undercover customers buy the illegal radio again.Â The only thing that makes any sense is the profit from selling illicit products must outweigh the $7,000 to $100,000 fines collected easily by the FCC with super simple detective work.Â Maybe dodging “the man” is part of the fun.

10 Meter CB? vs. FCC

04 August 2007 · Topic: CB

For some time we all have been aware that strange 10 meter CB like equipment has been available. Marketed as Amateur Radio transceivers, these units appear to be mostly available from CB shops around the country. What is so funny about all this is the FCC is continuously leveling fines against the marketers of this equipment yet they seem un-phased claiming some sort of right to do whatever they want. The FCC is so very obviously right about this I just don’t get why the marketers want to wear a sign that says “kick my butt… please.” Just what are the details…
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Twin CB Antennas on Trucks

01 August 2007 · Topic: Antennas, CB

Ever wonder why truckers use twin antennas for their CB radio needs? Here is an article which uses simulation to examine the merits and pitfalls of this technique.

Simulation of Two CB Antennas

GAP Titan vs. Reference Monopole

22 July 2007 · Topic: Antennas, HamRadio

Gap Titan

Here is a good example of a comparison between the Gap Titan antenna and a simple mono-band dipole. While this is yet another A/B test, the author does follow reasonable engineering practices.
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Static Electricity Explained

22 July 2007 · Topic: Electrical

For you beginners wondering about what static electricity is or for you folks who already do know, take a ride in the way back machine and watch this old government video. While a little long in the tooth it does a terrific job explaining and demonstrating various examples of static electricity.

The Amazing Power of Static Electricity

This video was made back when the English language was spoken good… ah I mean well.

This is well worth the twenty minute length.

Vertical Antenna Project

15 July 2007 · Topic: Antennas

Vertical Antenna Gain Plot

I have embarked on a vertical antenna project and will be covering the steps in several articles starting here…

http://www.cosjwt.com/index.php?a=7

This will be treated a bit like an engineering project with the following steps:
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Vertical Antenna Anti-Gain

08 July 2007 · Topic: Antennas, HamRadio

There was a humerous response in this discusson on the DX Engineering web site concerning the need for radials. The web page is here…

DX Engineering

It is in the pop-up link “how just a few radials can do wonders for your signal by WB2WIK/6.”
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Computer Modeling and Measurements of BPL

08 July 2007 · Topic: BPL

One example of BPL emissions in this report.

Here is a report from NTIA to the FCC of some very interesting modeling and real measurements.

It illustrates the many ways BPL signals can move about and certainly suggests BPL over medium voltage power lines are not the way to go.

Kenwood TM-G707 2M/440 Radio

07 July 2007 · Topic: HamRadio

I have had this radio for about two years now. It really is very nice. I immediately purchased the display remote cables and have the display attached to my center drink holder with Velcro.
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FCC’s 40dB loss per decade vs. 20dB

07 July 2007 · Topic: BPL

Near and Far Field Attenuation for electrically small antenna.

The above graphic is from this article about the near field affects.

Far Field RF Link Budgets all have one thing in common. They assume a signal weakens as the square of distance. Double the distance and you loose 6dB. This makes sense when you consider the intensity of radiated electro-magnetic fields drops as the square of distance. 3dB is half the power and 6dB is half again or 1/4 the power or 6dB.
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