Utterly Monstrous, Mind-Roasting Summer Design Contest for 2010!

Updated July 14, 2010

Announcing an Utterly Monstrous, Mind-Roasting Microwave Design Contest! For the summer of 2010, we'll propose a friendly competition on an utterly useless but interesting design problem: Suppose you wanted to design an RF amplifier operating somewhere north of 100 MHz with at least 10 dB small signal gain in 50 ohms, but all you have available for matching networks is coax cable? How would you hack up some cables to produce a working prototype? Hints: transformers are easy, bypass capacitors and blocking caps might take some thought. We'll allow a few exceptions: you will need something for a ground plane, and one resistor for stabilizing the mess. So pick out your favorite unmatched transistor and get busy. If you have any questions, send them in and we'll supply the answers on this page. First submission of a realistic (and original) "paper design" gets $100, and first submission of photos and measured data of a breadboard also gets $100. Employees of legal firms, Wall Street, BP and right-wing talk show hosts are not eligible! Contestants are encouraged to extend their lunch hour and tie up expensive EDA licenses until finished. Contest is open until at least one winner is declared, unless we cancel it for lack of interest or it turns out to be completely impossible. Contact us if you want to participate, or have questions of comments.

Nothing is better for thee than me!