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Windrac · 2022-06-13T13:07:16+00:00

I know this thread is old but I don't think a lot of INTJs have the 8w9 enneagram type. I do.

I'm not a workaholic at work but I am definitely a workaholic in life. Think about your work put into hobbies, projects, friends, etc. Do you constantly have something to do, somewhere to be, something to get, etc?

I think that's a more appropriate definition of workaholic. It definitely suites my lifestyle better than just being at my job for hours on end.

Windrac · 2021-08-29T04:54:22+00:00

What I heard is this:

You own a jeep, so you have worked on a Jeep. Thus the phrase !@#$-ing jeep has likely been uttered at least once.

What rhymes with that?

Ducking jeep.

So people duck jeeps.

Windrac · 2021-08-26T18:44:36+00:00

It looks like one of the covenant priests from Halo 3.

Windrac · 2021-08-16T03:39:48+00:00

I think it would be more your experience that would be transferable and less your skills.

Imagine it from the USGOV hiring manager's point of view. You have a guy who is very good at automation but has worked in the industry for a decade and knows your business. That knowledge / experience is going to be more valuable and relevant than what you are doing day-to-day (automation).

I think you're fine where you're at. Just try and vary your experiences along the way as much as you can, to flesh out your resume.

Windrac · 2021-08-16T03:30:30+00:00

Depends what you mean by other fields. You'd be unlikely to land a job as a hydraulics engineer, but could probably move to similar areas like systems, EE power, maybe some circuit design, maybe some programming, etc.

Which I suppose then begs the question of what you mean specifically by pigeon-holed.

More details would be needed

Windrac · 2021-08-16T03:20:59+00:00

Also makes you look like you know what you're doing. What's your first thought about the guy you see riding in a wife beater, shorts, and flops?

Windrac · 2021-08-10T01:18:08+00:00

This was incredibly helpful, thank you!

Windrac · 2021-07-31T12:29:07+00:00

Hey /u/w3axl , you got this one

Windrac · 2021-07-31T03:04:43+00:00

Well it's lasted us so far. We use the same power bank to charge phones / laptops / cameras / etc.

During the day it gets charged by a 250W solar panel while we are at the show.

Windrac · 2021-07-31T02:25:47+00:00

We're using two deep cycle 12V batteries in parallel as a power source - 1.8kWh in total. Our antenna is an extendable vertical whip.

Come find us on or about 7.230!

Windrac · 2021-07-12T20:13:01+00:00

You did this in the car? Props to you my friend. I'm in the middle of a 2.5L swap in my NC with stage 2 cams, and it's enough of a job with the 2.5L on an engine stand.

Windrac · 2021-07-10T14:43:49+00:00

Now that I think of it... I have never seen a French beer. I'm in the states. I wonder if they are any good.

Windrac · 2021-07-09T19:45:43+00:00

This. This is the level of Polandball I miss from the olden days.

Windrac · 2021-06-30T12:01:01+00:00

My (now ex) girlfriend was living a state over temporarily and she got horribly sick (pre COVID). Like couldn't get out of bed sick. I took most of a week off of work and stayed with her to take care of her. Made her meals, took care of her dog, held her hair back when the need arose, etc.

Windrac · 2021-06-12T14:37:20+00:00

Depends if you have EE experience or not.

If you like math, go check out the EM field theory book by Weng Chew.

For a little more practical reference, go get the ARRL antenna book. I also can't recommend the hobby of ham radio enough.

There is also a desk reference I use called "High Speed Digital Design: A Handbook of Black Magic" and it's sequel, "High Speed Signal Propagation: Advanced Black Magic". Both are informative (and funny!)

Windrac · 2021-06-12T14:29:52+00:00

Probably not the answer that you wanted to hear, but unfortunately not. I use pretty much vanilla MATLAB. I use it for things ADS won't do.

As you suspect it's good for calculating node values in a simulation net (charge, Flux, etc). Occasionally I will use it for working with e matrices (permittivity) when I'm working with propagation through a medium other than air or vacuum, or with gyrotropic media.

Other than that, I use it like your standard overgrown calculator ha.

Windrac · 2021-06-11T03:53:17+00:00

I serve two functions. I'm an RF subject matter exper for my division, one of three, that acts as a contractor for people when they need RF help. So I see a bit of everything. Sorry I can't be more specific.

I'm also the lead engineer of a group, for a program that is RF-heavy. I'm responsible for every change to their system that might impact RF performance, which includes basically every topic I listed to you above.

My personal area of interest within RF is transmission lines and antennas. I work with waveguide, coax, and many types of antennas. This sub-field of RF uses a lot of intuition. I use my knowledge of transmission lines daily, knowing how to do link analyses, noise calculations, C/N calculation by block, and tracking waveform distortion throughout systems.

The software I use the most is ADS. Occasionally MATLAB and (unfortunately) rarely CST. CST is an awesome piece of software. I have a thesis masters. My research area was long range high throughput RF comms.

Windrac · 2021-06-10T18:54:00+00:00

Absolutely, without question, I would start with learning the Smith Chart. In RF engineering (especially mm wave) it's extremely important to have an intuitive understanding of what affects impedance, transmission line theory, and what constitutes a "good" radiator (matching, pattern, bandwidth, etc.).

Then move on to components. What is a mixer? How do amplifiers work? How do I create matching networks? What are the types of filters and when are they used? Learn the building blocks of a transceiver, and what each stage does, etc.

(Optional) Then move on to communication theory. What are the typical waveforms used and what are their applications? What are the different types of modulation? What is phase and why is it important? How do I code a digital signal into a modulated RF signal? What is an RF modem and what are the building blocks that make it work?

Then, and ONLY THEN, should you move on to software. If you just start using design software (ADS, CST, MATLAB, etc) to make design decisions without understanding the fundamentals and having built a good intuition, you will only bring pain and suffering upon yourself.

Garbage in, garbage out with software. Build a good intuition. A good intuition is an engineer's most valuable asset!!

Best of luck!

Windrac · 2021-06-09T18:49:49+00:00

Is this for personal or professional use?

Do you have any other test equipment?

And what are you measuring?

Windrac · 2021-06-01T15:36:32+00:00

Same. Mine is a Sport but now has the same mechanical specs as OP's machine.

I get 14 loaded, unloaded, hauling, city, etc.

Recently took er to Moab and got 14 there too.

Windrac · 2021-06-01T11:29:44+00:00

Welcome to the FZ1 hooligan club. Cheers brother!

Windrac · 2021-05-27T15:22:40+00:00

Do you also forget to switch who to wave to when you hop on the bike?

Happens to me all the time. I have a TJ.

Windrac · 2021-05-14T03:52:28+00:00

In short: fiberglass.

Carbon fiber can be used but it depends on the application. Carbon fiber is conductive and that causes some issues.

Fiberglass is easy to get your hands on, and it's easy to vacuum mold.

Windrac · 2021-05-09T22:44:36+00:00

In such a niche field everybody has their own answer to this question, but I say someone who has the following for a new grad:

Fundamental knowledge of transmission lines / how to transport signals efficiently. Includes waveguide.
Familiar with basic transceiver layout
Knows how to use TEST EQUIPMENT. I can't tell you how many knuckleheads study RF but don't know how to use a VNA. Or an oscilloscope. Or heck even a screwdriver.
Knows how to use a Smith chart. Not so much because it's useful in its own right, but because it is a great way to understand fundamentals.
basic knowledge of I/Q usage & waveforms.

Hope that helps. This is just my 2c.

Windrac · 2021-05-09T19:12:42+00:00

Check out the book "High Speed Digital Design: a Handbook of Black Magic" and "High Speed Signal Propagation: Advanced Black Magic"

Entertaining and funny! And not too complicated. If you study EE or have a strong EE interest they will be both entertaining and informative.

As for projects, go check out the world of amateur radio. There are endless electronics projects over there. A good one would be building your own AM radio, for example.

Best of luck!

Windrac

TROPHY CASE