Month: October 2019

End of a era

With the closure of Yahoo group, we are seeing a end of an era.  Roger KA7EXM just posted this to the EMRFD (Experimental Methods in RF Design) group:

Hello EMRFD Group Members,
As you have probably all realized, Yahoo is terminating it’s Group program.   It’s been a good thing for all sorts of interest groups including EMRFD.   That era has come to an end.    We thank Yahoo for their sponsoring efforts to enhance our education and enjoyment.
The sales of Experimental Methods in RF Design have slowly decreased and the book is approaching the end of publication.  EMRFD Yahoo group activity has slowed to a crawl, often with a month between postings.   We have also seen a change in the intensity and depth of the postings.   This led us to the conclusion that it is time to close the group.    It’s been a useful way for us to share a passion for our common interest in radio frequency electronics.
Free time is also becoming a challenge for both of us.   One of us (Roger, the Group founder) continues to work in the electronics industry with ever increasing responsibilities and fun.   That includes a smattering of RF work.   The other (Wes, presently the moderator) is retired, but still busy with some occasional experiments.
The simple way to shut things down would be to just let things lapse as Yahoo pulls the plug.   We didn’t want to do it this way, for the posting would then be lost.   Rather, the files, photos, and messages have been gathered and will be available at www.ka7exm.net/emrfd    It will take a while to get all of this data up, but it’s all downloaded.   Messages should be live by 27 October, photos and files will post in the coming weeks.
After a while, some of you may wish to resurrect the site, perhaps with a new name and new emphasis.   All of amateur radio is changing, so it only makes sense for the EMRFD group to evolve.
We would both like to thank all of you for sharing your thoughts and experimental results and designs.   The posts have been enlightening and stimulating.    Special thanks go to coauthors Rick Campbell, KK7B, and Bob Larkin, W7PUA.
73
Roger, KA7EXM, and Wes, W7ZOI.
EMRFD and the EMRFD group was a important part of my education.  The book and the e-mail group was a good place to learn electronic and RF design, starting with the basics, working up to large RF systems, amplifiers and transceivers.
The group did wind down in the last year. I believe part of that was due to several of the mentors leaving. I guess answering the same questions over and over again, without as much as a “thank you” takes a toll on those answering questions.
The book is showing its age. Several of the components used are EOL, not suprizing given that the book is closing on 15 years. A revision would be nice, but I don’t see that happening due to the authors age and limited time. Its sad, there is not many good RF engineering textbooks around.
Thank you to all of you making the ecosystem around the book. We had a great time!