GREAT GADGETS!By Jack L. Stone, Publisher
GREAT GADGETS!
By Jack L. Stone, Publisher
ver the years, we have kept an eye open for useful products that could be
added to the shelves of the Shopping
Shack and made available for the convenience of our readers. The products we have
added thus far all have been made on a selective basis after we have researched and/or
tested them for satisfactory performance. Specifically, we look for quality items that
serve a good purpose and can help to enhance enjoyment of the hobby of amateur radio.
During this past month, we are pleased to announce that antenneX struck an
agreement to become a worldwide distributor for the innovative line of products of W4RT
Electronics.
As I've said before, we don't seek to sell advertising space nor
depend on those types of revenues, however, we do prefer to find good products to
distribute that we have found to be uniquely useful, work well and backed by nice folks.
This is one of them.
We found W4RT Electronics to have excellent line of products that meet our criteria quite
well. They are very clever “Gadgets”. And we have classified them as Gadgets in
the Shopping Shack.
This is so, because it is their main function to enhance the use and operation of other
popular products that you now have or may have in the future. While as a separate item
they may not be classified as a product that can function by themselves, however, when
added to another piece of equipment, they become a dynamite piece of equipment—or
clever gadgetry. Such products are the brainstorm of Barry Johnson, W4WB of W4RT
Electronics.
One Quick Switch Tested
This month our editor, Richard Morrow, K5CNF tested the “One Quick Switch” which
can be plugged into the circuitry of the LDG Z-11 auto tuner. Once a tiny “daughter
board” has been installed within a few minutes of effort, it can substantially
prolong the battery life of the popular LDG Z-11 QRP automatic tuner—an exciting and
most useful enhancement indeed for the QRP crowd! Pictured at the top is Richard’s
Z-11 and a “cut-away” of the interior showing the placement of the One Quick
Switch as described in his review article.
For more details about the One Quick Switch, be sure to take a look at Richard’s
review article this month about his test experience.
The One Quick Switch is just one of seven such clever gadgets we have added to the Shopping Shack. The other items have their own irresistible traits for enhancing your electronic equipment. We have extensive details about these items in the Shopping Shack to readily and clearly explain their attributes. Be sure to take a look and see if you don't agree that these are unique products—and very affordable!
IS THE END HERE FOR THE CFA?
As many may have read from World Radio’s recent Issue for June 19, 2002,
there is more bad news for the CFA. That article, entitled “CFA Co-Inventor, Marketer
Clash Over Sales Rights “ discussed the latest woes for the CFA situation and the
fact that Dr. Kabbary and Robert Richer of CFA, Ltd. were in dispute over the rights to
market the CFA—even as to the rights, now and future, to the patents which supposedly
had been signed over to the company formed by the parties.
Actually, I had been aware of the problems brewing between the parties but had been asked
to keep the details off the record, which I have. I was unclear as to where each of the
parties really stood on the issues in dispute, or what their legal positions were. I
suspect it will take a court to decide that if the dispute is carried to that level. I
have heard mention of attorneys being consulted and that the paperwork and agreements are
being reviewed. I will (belatedly) print the message to me from Dr. Kabbary of May 24,
2002 stating his position and plans. The message appeared to be in the form of a press
release without restrictions as to its publication (apparently this is the same source of
information quoted by Radio World’s article) I decided to delay its release until I
could gather more information and attempt to verify its content, at least to the extent
that might be of interest to the readers (the message is slightly edited only for
punctuation).
From Dr. Kabbary to Jack L. Stone May 24, 2002
In May 2002 I had some delay because of some correspondences with Robert Richer regarding our CFA Ltd, however our CFA Ltd became one of the CFA distributors in the USA, i.e., CFA Ltd has no CFA license adding from the beginning CFA has not any CFA Patents rights three years ago, only a CFA distributor, adding to the fact that I am building a new CFA company in the USA, sharing a Finnish company.This is because Robert Richer did little efforts during the last years, delayed CFA of Shifnal, did not pay 50% of the cost of this antenna to KAT Co (Kabbary Antenna Company). Also, CFA, Ltd have sent a letter to Illinois University, last month, showing that CFA Ltd has the rights of the CFA patents, which is wrong, as CFA Ltd has nothing of license or CFA patents rights, only as any other CFA agent.
These reasons are behind the delay of the Shropshire CFA project and no results were ready to the FCC; consequently the delay of CFA was for the USA market. We hope, as a new Finnish company, to build a CFA in the States soon.My best regards, Fathi
I reached Robert Richer for a response about the above and his comments arrived this morning (June 29, 2002), stating that he preferred not to be drawn into a war in the press with Kabbary. Robert added “I believe that we will have some dramatic and very positive news in the very near future….”
NOTICE: Since the above statement was published late June 30, 2002, I have received an in-depth reply from Robert Richer who further represents that such reply is made in conjunction with the knowledge of his financial backers of CFA, LTD as well as the knowledge of Maurice Hately as stated below:
| Received from Robert Richer July 1, 2002 at 10:49AM CT Dear Mr. Stone: It has come to our attention that Fathi M. Kabbary, Ph. D. has written to you about his supposed financial concerns relating to Crossed Field Antennas, Ltd., the company that holds all the legal rights to the Crossed Field Antenna technology. Dr. Kabbary does not seem to understand (or willfully misunderstands) how investment capital is used in developing companies. We are the investors in CFA Ltd. who have put up any capital to fund the company. The company has used this capital to pay for a prototype that has been built in the UK. Much of the funding has gone to pay Dr. Kabbary and his associates to construct and tune the antenna. In addition, we gave him 40 percent ownership in the company, without his having to put up any cash, in exchange for the full rights to the CFA technology. This, of course, is all documented in formal, signed contracts among all the parties, including Dr. Kabbary. Unfortunately, Dr. Kabbary has never completed the construction, nor has he ever tuned the antenna. We have had to put up additional funds to complete the project. One can only wonder about his motivation, and we are in the process of taking legal action to resolve the matter. It has become apparent, however, that Dr. Kabbary never had any intention of living up to his commitments, and has even made public statements to undermine the venture. Nevertheless, we have moved forward with other engineers, and Professor Maurice Hately, the original inventor of CFA, has joined our group. We are optimistic about the future of CFA, Ltd. We have had problems with weather, floods, hoof and mouth disease, etc., but Dr. Kabbary’s lack of performance has been our most significant roadblock. This is now removed. Dr. Kabbary has withdrawn from the company. We have reorganized, brought in new investors, and are moving forward. Dr. Kabbary’s actions have had the potential to do enormous damage to our company and certainly cost us significant capital and sales revenues, thanks to these delays. He has also done a significant disservice to the radio industry and to the engineering community. We are confident that CFA, Ltd. and Professor Hately will go down in engineering history books as having made an enormous contribution, despite being undermined by a self-interested partner. The engineering community has nothing for which to thank Dr. Kabbary. If anyone would like further information, they are encouraged to contact our President, Robert E.Richer at cfaricher@snet.net. Sincerely, SIGNED BY ALL CFA INVESTORS James Azzarito Robert Richer Larry Snoddon |
As I had promised, the above reflects an unedited response from Robert Richer, President of CFA, LTD. to the statements contained within Dr. Kabbary's message of May 24, 2002 and also printed above for the first time.
NOTICE: Since the above statement published at the behest of Robert Richer, Dr. Fathi Kabbary has asked that his statement below also be published. The message is published as received with only minor edits for punctuation.
| Received and requested for publication from Dr. Fathi Kabbary - July 8, 2002
16:30 Texas Time Dear Jack I may highlight the present situation reached between KAT & CFA, Ltd. No way I like to damage the CFA Ltd , which I was a partner of it. How my company can continue the work of shifnal CFA without getting some funds from CFA LTD d , Robert and Jim Azzarito have promised in more than a letter to send me the rest of CFA price to continue this work , but no response. Much money were spent in the company ,more than $ 800 000 , mentioned by Jim, while much less than 10 % of this money was received by my company as 50 % of CFA price . I am afraid to say that CFA Ltd has used the CFA name to collect money from investors all over the last three years, and spent this money on other subjects away from the CFA of Shifnal, and not able to send me the rest of the CFA price as they promised in many of their letters, to complete the CFA of Shifnal, causing more delay for the project, this is the reason that I preferred to leave CFA Ltd, as mentioned in many of my letters to Robert. My company is not able to move technicians to complete CFA of Shifnal without getting the promised funds from CFA Ltd. Is this was the way of CFA ltd to run CFA projects? ...lossing three years of CFA life? I hope things became more clear for you. I feel sorry and sad to reach this end of CFA Ltd, causing three years loss of our CFA adding to much loss for my company. My best regards Fathi Kabbary |
Below continues my column as originally written on June 30,
2002:
Further, we have checked with our contacts in Finland and there is no knowledge of any CFA
effort as described by Kabbary under way there, although this does not mean there
isn’t one. I also followed up with Lawrence Behr of LBA based in North Carolina, USA
and still holds an FCC license to install and test a CFA in the USA. Lawrence had not
heard of any other efforts here in the USA either. As you may recall, LBA was also granted
worldwide marketing rights to the CFA by one of the co-inventors.
No matter what, this new scenario will have its tendency to drive another nail in the
coffin of the CFA and its future is certainly all the more dismal. I have followed this
story for years, and I for one had high hopes that it would succeed in helping to fill a
void in the industry. Many were awaiting the outcome of the UK tests. Alas, once it enters
this latest stage which may lead to litigation, or worse become embroiled in litigation,
the market will be all the more reluctant to go anywhere near to the CFA. There are easier
roads to travel. One cannot avoid the “Test of Time!”
TEST OF TIME
The Test of Time is a reference and term I applied in my column of January 2001.
More specifically, I said:
“Putting a new device to use and applying the test of time is usually the only way to ultimately sort out and resolve any differences about new scientific premises and claims in support of its workings. Of course the big catch here is just how long is that test of time going to be before it can be proclaimed fact or folly? Rarely if ever does a new concept pop out of the box in a state of optimum perfection.”
Thus, the CFA program has surely reached a critical stage in its "test of time". While one may argue and have heated debates with skeptics, one cannot argue with the force of the market. It really doesn't matter if PVS can be proved or not. That is not the real issue. If the CFA cannot put out an adequate signal to reach its audience within the constraints of the regulatory agencies, such as the FCC, then that's the bottom line! It will not matter what phenomena is at play and whether or not anyone can prove it. When the market speaks, everyone must listen to that force or eventually wither away!
The big moment for the CFA has arrived with the unit planned for testing in the UK and scheduled for completion as this column is written. Within a couple of weeks ago, Robert Richer, President of CFA, LTD. provided me with an update about those test plans and Robert advises that Dr. Kabbary and a team of six Egyptian technicians arrived at the Shropshire site on December 12, 2000. Construction on the 1 kW 972 kHz CFA began in earnest on the 13th. It is their hopes that final assembly and phasing will be completed no later than December 24, 2000. Engineer Ben Dawson is expected on site on January 2, 2001 and it is supposed to take approximately two weeks to run his tests, which will include skywave measurements using a helicopter supplied courtesy the BBC. That pegs the big moment as mid-January 2001.
Well, according to my calendar, that “big moment” is now more than 1-1/2 years overdue, as there are yet no results from that test unit. I think the “test of time” has spoken loudly as there has been little or no progress made on the test CFA—and it had so much riding on it! Yes, one has been built and attempts made to tune up, but its signal produced thus far has been way below any commercially acceptable level. It will certainly take nothing short of a miracle for the CFA to recover from its image tarnished with one failure after another. Should litigation commence over the marketing rights and/or rights to the patents, then.....???
JAMES S. CEBIK – SILENT KEY
Coincidentally, in that same column of mine in January 2001, I made reference to an
article we have in the archives about Loops that dates back to the 1920s. It was written
by James S. Cebik, 1ATG, W1BCD, W1BUK, KA1TXF. If that name looks familiar, it should.
James is the father of L.B. Cebik, W4RNL Technical Editor for antenneX and a
regular columnist and feature article contributor for the past five years. Alas, it is
with sadness I report that James S. Cebik is now a Silent Key. Our deepest-felt
condolences go to LB and family during their time of grief.
In memory of:
James S. Cebik, ex: 1ATG, W1BUK, KA1TXF
SK: June 27, 2002
On June
27, 2002, Mr. James S. Cebik, passed away in his sleep at the age of 96. Born in 1906, Jim
Cebik held many call signs, including 1ATG, W1BUK, and KA1TXF. He lived his entire life in
the Fairfield, Bridgeport, Stratford area of southwestern Connecticut. He was a mechanical
engineer specializing in very large machine tools, one as long as 3 railroad flatcars. He
developed electronic controls for his machinery well before they became commonplace.
As a ham, Jim enjoyed experimenting with circuitry and antennas. He developed a rig in the
1920s in which the oscillator tank coil also served as a loop antenna, with efficiencies
not far different from modern small loop antennas. He also develop push-pull rf amplifiers
and detectors to extend the frequency range of common tubes of 1930 (See April, 1931,
QST). Returning to amateur radio in the 1960s, Jim built his own transmitters until the
1980s.
A man of many facets and talents, Jim Cebik was also a marksman in the Naval Reserve
during the late 1920s. He shot many a perfect score and won the Camp Perry competitions on
one occasion. Later, he took up flying, which led to his command of the Bridgeport (CT)
CAP squadron in the mid-1950s. (His wife, Ella, also flew, as did 2 of his 3 sons. The
remaining son served as an air traffic controller in the Air Force.)
A long-time member of the First Congregational Church of Stratford (CT), Jim served on
many boards. He regularly taped services and distributed them to shut-ins, accompanied by
words of cheer--his hallmark. An indefatigable optimist, Jim encouraged many local high
school students to apply for college scholarships when they were uncertain of their
chances to continue their education.
Jim is survived by 3 sons: Ronald, a retired clergyman and counselor, L.B. (W4RNL), a
retired philosophy professor, and James Allen, an aircraft test engineer with United
Aircraft (Sikorsky).
IN THIS ISSUE
This month is our 63nd online issue! We again include many fine articles by our great writing team. Allow me now to introduce this month's line-up of content:
THE July 2002 ONLINE ISSUE NO. 63 CONTENTS:
OUR MONTHLY COLUMNS (plus this one by yours truly):
FEATURE ARTICLES IN THE LIBRARY:
An OWA Family of 2-Meter Yagis from 6 to 12 Elements |
| These notes present a family of Optimized Wide-band Antenna (OWA) Yagis developed as a simple design exercise and not necessarily intended to be implemented. The boom lengths range from 4.5 to 20 feet, with 6 to 12 elements. What differentiates these Yagis from a large collection of other excellent designs is not only the design principles (OWA) invoked, but as well the design specifications. Rather than aim solely for gain, front-to-back ratio, and feedpoint impedance, the designs also set specifications for control of secondary forward lobes. In this first part, we shall compare a 12-element 2-meter Yagi derived from DL6WU design to its corresponding OWA design to gather a perspective on what the use of OWA principles may gain and lose. In Part 2, we shall examine the entire set of OWA designs individually. |
LAB NOTES: A Tale of Twin Lead |
| This month in the LAB experiments, Joel started out to design a Gieskieng cross-breed antenna, which would use two Gieskieng antennas connected in series or parallel with each antenna’s reactance tuning the other antenna. The intent was to make a multi-band antenna. First came the simulation -- It took about an hour of “balancing the bridge” with the simulator to get a design that computed to a 50-Ohm SWR under 1.5:1 at the 3 frequencies! Then came the real version with surprising results! |
Antenna Commutation Units |
| There comes a time when the radio amateur becomes entangled in his antennas, transceivers, and the methods of switching to alternate antennas and change from one rig to another. At a certain point, the light of comprehension begins to glow: we need an antenna commutation unit (ACU). Often we need a unit not only in shack, but also on the roof, because ten coaxial cables dangling from a roof looks like (and may rustle like) a nest of snakes. The question of effective antenna switching often becomes lost amid the other considerations that go into antenna construction. Some of the antenna switching questions can be somewhat complicated, and we must give them some serious thought when designing or redesigning our amateur antenna system. Not only do we have a question of where to place the ACU (in the shack, on the roof or both places), but as well we must think about future revisions or additions to our set of antennas. In this article, we examine some ways of constructing and applying ACUs in radio amateur installations. |
SPREADER SUPPORTS |
| An important part of any antenna experimenter's work is to have at hand a good selection of materials so that one can use the right material for the right job. antenneX is committed to bringing to your notice useful antenna and antenna support material with which you may not be familiar. Chuck Carpenter, W5USJ, has come up with two that may be just right for a number of special tasks. |
COMPUTER SIMULATIONS: Finds Wave Pockets? |
| In Part 1 of this presentation, Marcel established the possibility of wave pockets at medium frequencies (MF), using an isotropic radiator in conjunction with the software Proplab-Pro. Using the geographic location of Dr. Kabbary's test site, he explored daily and seasonal variations in the propagation in the MF range. However, an isotropic radiator has characteristics that are unlike those of antennas that we actually use for transmitting and receiving. Therefore, in this part of the presentation, Marcel repeats the experiment using a more realistic antenna and explores further aspects of wave pocket formation. The sum of this work will result in a tentative theory of wave pockets at MF. |
The One Quick Switch |
| Within the world of the QRP backpacker or the HF backpacker, battery weight and battery life is of prime importance. Anything that can be done to conserve battery life and to reduce the weight that is in the backpack holds great interest for those who pursue this aspect of amateur radio. For those who are not aware of this amateur radio amateur activity, there are a considerable number of hams that like to backpack their gear. They enjoy camping and radio operating in inaccessible places and operate with battery power from these remote locations. In this article, Richard has found an interesting and very useful "gadget" called the "One Quick Switch" that can extend the battery life. |
Well, there you have it, folks—thanks for listening and
remember, the reading lamp is always on for you in the reading rooms. If I can be of
further help, I'm just a Stone's Throw! away. July
2002 antenneX Online Issue #63
reGARDS, Jack L. Stone, Publisher jack@antennex.com
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