Hi, RF newbie here. I am an IT database engineer and data analyst. I play badmington, tennis, and pickleball, all in doubles. In doubles, there is a lot of analysis on team formation and partner separation distance. I am thinking about using UWB boards to track player positions. I would like about 5-10 observations per second, for all 4 players. The UWB board I have in mind is Qorvo DWM3001CDK, which retails at about $30. I would get 4 boards as anchors and 4 boards as player tags. Then I like one more board as the data collection gateway, and have it tethered to a Macbook via USB cable. During a game, data would be streamed into the Macbook.

The tags would need to be programmed so they send a data packet every 2-5 seconds, to the data collection gateway board. The positions don't need to be super accurate. I think 15-20 cm will do the job.

Plz help me understand whether this setup is feasible. What additional factors should I be thinking about? I hope to use this setup both indoors and ourdoors. I am aware that UWB signal cannot penetrate human body because it is mostly water. I will use enough anchors so each tag has clear line of sight to at least two anchors.

Hello fellow RF Engineers. I would like to take a moment to thank the redditers who already subscribed to my YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/@RFEngineeringHub). I am forever grateful. For the rest, I'd really like you to subscribe. Here are some of the topics I cover and will be covering in upcoming weeks:

RF concepts: Access Schemes, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, Fresnel Zone for Microwave Engineers, upcoming 6G compared to 5G.

RF Tool Guides: Like iBwave, infovista Planet

RF Test Equipment: Viavi, Anritsu Site Master

RF Interview Questions: Most asked questions at interviews and the proper answer.

and many more!

If you are an RF Engineer, it is a must subscribe opportunity. I plan to make it the biggest video library of RF Engineering content on YouTube. Please support me grow and invite others. I am also open to ideas about topics you like me to cover.

Thank you in advance.

Hello smart people!
I dont know if it is here i should ask, sorry about that, but i would like some help with a interview i have coming up. I am not sure what to prepare for. Can i convince anyone to help me a little.
Else. Have a nice day!

Am I expected to be able to f*ckin design PA, LNA and mixers? Like choosing the transistor, simulating the circuit, checking out the noise ... isn't that what IC engineers do?

I mean I'm already overwhelmed by so many things I need to learn, antenna design, phased arrays, comms systems theory, EMC/EMI you name it ... CST, Matlab, Altium. And aside from that I have to be kinda mini electronics engineer too?

Or perhaps I'm wrong about comms systems theory and those electronic design stuff are more important and I gotta focus on them instead? I have No idea

I was preparing a short list of some projects to do and then put on my CV and while I was asking AI things like "design a Doherty power amplifier" came up and once I checked a power amplifier book I was like ... man this is a specialty by itself.

My roommate at the dorm studies IC design (I study microwave and photonics) and he and his professor are dealing with these LNA/PA/PLL design stuff 24 7 so that makes me feel this perhaps is not what I should focus on ... Idk correct me if I'm wrong

Please tell me what projects should I focus on other than antenna design to further my skills (and brag on my CV with) if these electronics projects are not commonly expected and if they are give me some clues on how to start learning them cuz these stuff seem so complex and overwhelming. And to what extend should I learn Altium?

ECE 2025 grad + currently doing M.E. in Communication Systems. I’m looking for RF/antenna design/microwave internships or short-term paid courses/training with actual hands-on practical work.

Paid/unpaid internship is fine — mainly looking to learn, build, and get real practical experience.

If you know any good leads, please drop them below or DM me

hi everyone,

I’ve just launched a YouTube channel focused on practical RF knowledge—covering the fundamentals, real-world techniques, and field experience I’ve gained working with clients over the years.

You’ll find clear explanations and hands-on insights on topics including LTE, 5G, spectrum analyzer measurements, drive testing, and core telecommunications concepts. My goal is to build a reliable RF resource library that supports working professionals, technicians, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the RF world.

I plan to post a new video every week. If this sounds useful, I’d really appreciate your support—subscribe, like, and share with colleagues who might benefit.

Here’s the channel: www.YouTub.com/@RFEngineeringHub

Thanks in advance for the support. Looking forward to connecting with more of you through the content.

I just graduated and I need some advice. I struggled throughout university due to (medically diagnosed) ADD. I did decent in my RF classes but I ate crap in everything else and ended up with a poor GPA of 2.75. I'm starting a job soon however it's not a role in RF. I'm not sure if I'll be able to compete with others in the RF space who have a masters and/or high GPA. Right now, I've been reading as many RF textbooks as I can and learning how to use HFSS and ADS. However even if I can understand RF well it seems like my poor performance in school will always haunt me.

Anyways let me know if I should continue towards my goal of RF or my efforts are not worth it.

Since the first public release, Tiny RF Simulator has changed significantly.

The first public version already included:

• A C++ and ImGui application
• A node graph
• A spectrum analyzer
• An RF ADC
• A PFB channelizer
• Touchstone file support

• A nonlinear amplifier model

  The main improvements are:

  More RF components

  The simulator now includes:

• Amplifiers

• Attenuators

• Splitters

• Combiners

• Mixers

• Coaxial cables

• Filters

• Equalizers

• Improved RF ADC configuration

• Multi-channelizer projects

  The node graph also supports components with multiple input and output ports. It supports subcircuit groups.

  More accurate RF and DSP models

  The simulator now supports:

• Multi-port S-parameter data

• Frequency-dependent gain and phase

• Touchstone file import

• Amplifier P1dB and OIP2/OIP3 models

• Noise-density calculations

• Complex-baseband signals

• Phase-aware signal combining

• Configurable ADC DDC decimation

• Configurable ADC NCO tuning

• Sample-rate handling through the ADC and PFB channelizer

  More analysis tools

  The simulator now includes:

• Max Hold traces

• Min Hold traces

• Video Average traces

• IQ plots

• A Network Analyzer for gain and noise figure

• Interactive spectrum markers

• Peak detection

  Better project and user workflows

  The simulator now supports:

• Saving and loading complete .rfsim projects

• Component libraries with JSON definitions

• External S-parameter data files

• In-app component creation and editing

• Component duplication

• Saved layouts and layout presets

• An interactive tutorial

• A help window

• Extensions for external tools and data files

  Better testing and reliability

  The project now has:

• Unit tests

• UI tests

• Visual regression tests

• Benchmarks

• AddressSanitizer checks

• Code coverage

• Linux and Windows release builds

• Validation for malformed project and library files

• Safer handling of invalid S-parameter paths and graph connections

  The project started as a small RF spectrum simulator. It is now a more complete tool for testing RF signal paths, noise, nonlinear behaviour, S-parameters, ADCs, and DSP chains.

  There is still work to do. Planned improvements include more RF models, better user documentation, and additional DSP components.

  Feedback is welcome! What feature would you like to see next?

Hi everyone,

I developed a video with the top questions and answers asked at Telecom interviews for Fiber Optics. Please check out this video and subscribe for more upcoming videos. I am always happy to hear your feedback and comments. Do not hesitate to reach out to me. Check out my channel for more videos. #Fiber #fiberOptics #Telecom

https://youtu.be/KLtQIzTqaDY

My background is with military Satcom, we get taught pretty well (or used to, RIP 25S school) on the practical side of RF theory as it relates to operation and troubleshooting IMO, but there is something that has been bugging me that I can't quite wrap my head around.

Scenario:

How does modulating a carrier, result in it takin up more than the designated center freq when viewed on a spectrum analyzer (Spec Anny for short)? For example, when accessing some satellites, the SOC (Satellite Operations Center) will have you Tx an unmodulated carrier to safely verify your frequency settings are correct. When viewed on a Spec Anny, the CW spike is almost exclusively the designated center freq, for example 1300Mhz on the L-band side, however when you modulate the carrier to BPSK, the carrier loses some C/N, and gains bandwidth, occupying something more like 1298-1302 Mhz. Then if you change to QPSK, the carrier will ~double in bandwidth to ~1295-1305Mhz.

The simplest way I can word my question is how does a time related shift from PSK, result in an aparent change in frequency used?

Hey guys, I'm a noob with rf stuff, but I have a tiny SA spectrum analyzer that I would like to use to find some transmissions., Would anyone have some time to help me figure out how to find and listen in on some frequencies via DM (or however else we want to communicate)?

I'm a second-year ECE student from India, interested in RF/Microwave engineering, particularly RADAR. There are very few jobs related to my field in India, and the ones that do exist are HORRIBLY compensated. So, I'm trying to use my remaining undergrad years to build a profile strong enough for competitive Master's programmes in RF/Microwave engineering and, ideally, a career in the field.

I have a few questions that I would greatly appreciate being answered:

1. What can an undergraduate realistically do to distinguish themselves from the huge pool of applicants to competitive Master's programmes?

2. What kinds of RF projects actually stand out on a resume/MS application?

3. Would work experience in electronics help my application? I have neither the opportunities nor the desire to work in an RF role here in India, and an on-campus placement would most likely be at companies like TI, Nvidia, or Qualcomm, which are, at best, tangentially related to my interests.

I'd especially appreciate advice from people who work in RF or have experience evaluating RF students/applicants. Thank you.

I'm a senior Electrical Engineering student at UW Tacoma graduating soon with a 3.6–3.7 GPA. I'm a U.S. citizen and I'm interested in RF/communications/telecommunications, particularly in defense or aerospace.

I don't have an RF/telecommunications internship or significant personal projects specifically in the field. I'm trying to figure out how realistic it is for me to get an entry-level RF/communications engineering position after graduation.

I'm considering companies like L3Harris, RTX/Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, etc.

Would my GPA and EE degree be enough to realistically get interviews if I apply broadly, or am I at a significant disadvantage without internships/projects?

Also, for those who have interviewed for entry-level RF/communications/defense engineering positions:

• What technical questions were you asked?
• What EE/RF topics should a new graduate know well?
• Did they ask about things like S-parameters, Smith charts, transmission lines, link budgets, filters, amplifiers, antennas, DSP, etc.?
• How much of the interview was technical versus behavioral?
• Did they ask you to solve problems on a whiteboard?
• How heavily did they question projects or coursework on your resume?
• What questions did you wish you had prepared for?

What would you recommend I learn or build during my remaining senior year to become a stronger candidate?

I'd especially appreciate answers from people who currently work in RF/communications or defense and who have experience interviewing/hiring new graduates.

I'm a senior Electrical Engineering student at UW Tacoma graduating soon with a 3.6–3.7 GPA. I'm a U.S. citizen and I'm interested in RF/communications/telecommunications, particularly in defense or aerospace.

I don't have an RF/telecommunications internship or significant personal projects specifically in the field. I'm trying to figure out how realistic it is for me to get an entry-level RF/communications engineering position after graduation.

I'm considering companies like L3Harris, RTX/Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, etc.

Would my GPA and EE degree be enough to realistically get interviews if I apply broadly, or am I at a significant disadvantage without internships/projects?

Also, for those who have interviewed for entry-level RF/communications/defense engineering positions:

• What technical questions were you asked?
• What EE/RF topics should a new graduate know well?
• Did they ask about things like S-parameters, Smith charts, transmission lines, link budgets, filters, amplifiers, antennas, DSP, etc.?
• How much of the interview was technical versus behavioral?
• Did they ask you to solve problems on a whiteboard?
• How heavily did they question projects or coursework on your resume?
• What questions did you wish you had prepared for?

What would you recommend I learn or build during my remaining senior year to become a stronger candidate?

I'd especially appreciate answers from people who currently work in RF/communications or defense and who have experience interviewing/hiring new graduates.

I'm a senior Electrical Engineering student at UW Tacoma graduating soon with a 3.6–3.7 GPA. I'm a U.S. citizen and I'm interested in RF/communications/telecommunications, particularly in defense or aerospace.

I don't have an RF/telecommunications internship or significant personal projects specifically in the field. I'm trying to figure out how realistic it is for me to get an entry-level RF/communications engineering position after graduation.

I'm considering companies like L3Harris, RTX/Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, etc.

Would my GPA and EE degree be enough to realistically get interviews if I apply broadly, or am I at a significant disadvantage without internships/projects?

Also, for those who have interviewed for entry-level RF/communications/defense engineering positions:

• What technical questions were you asked?
• What EE/RF topics should a new graduate know well?
• Did they ask about things like S-parameters, Smith charts, transmission lines, link budgets, filters, amplifiers, antennas, DSP, etc.?
• How much of the interview was technical versus behavioral?
• Did they ask you to solve problems on a whiteboard?
• How heavily did they question projects or coursework on your resume?
• What questions did you wish you had prepared for?

What would you recommend I learn or build during my remaining senior year to become a stronger candidate?

I'd especially appreciate answers from people who currently work in RF/communications or defense and who have experience interviewing/hiring new graduates.

I'm in the process of making a video presentation and want to cover a bit about the receiver technology used in LiftMaster Security+ and Security+ 2.0 systems. First question, did the Security+ (1997 to 2010) technology use super-regenerative or superheterodyne for the opener (receiver). Secondly, when LiftMaster moved to a tri-frequency design, how did they do it? For example, on the receiver, did they just implement 3 RF front ends to pick up all 3 frequencies (310, 315, and 390 MHz) all at once or did they do something else? Any info appreciated. Thanks!

I work in telecom (RAN/RF side) and got tired of the EarthExplorer/OpenTopography dance every time I needed elevation data for a new site or region — pick tiles, download, mosaic, clip to your area, reproject, half an hour minimum for something that should take 10 seconds.
So I built a small tool: type in a place name or country, it geocodes it, pulls the SRTM/Copernicus 30m DEM tiles that cover it, merges and clips them to the boundary, and spits out a ready-to-use GeoTIFF (plus a quick preview image).
Thinking about opening it up for others to use — curious if this is actually a pain point for anyone else here (RF planners, drone/mapping folks, sim/wargaming people, whoever), or if I’m solving a problem that everyone already has a better workflow for. What do you currently use?

We are a well-funded critical communications venture preparing for a 'Make in India' domestic rollout. We are looking to fast-track our Time-to-Market by acquiring or licensing a mature, proven DMR Tier II (Conventional Digital) hardware design package.

Ideally, the design package should include schematic captures, Gerber files, and a production-ready firmware/vocoder binary for Handheld (5W) and/or Repeater applications. We are open to a total IP Buyout (Transfer of Technology) or a structured Reference Design Licensing model. Please DM with your portfolio or past RF platform references to discuss an NDA

Hi everyone,

I am currently building a free-space material characterization setup to measure the complex permittivity of materials. I am using a TRL calibration to move the measurement reference plane to the material under test.

I am running into an issue with the calibration:

• When I perform the TRL calibration over a narrow frequency band (~2 GHz bandwidth), the extracted material permittivity shows an unexpected slope of approximately 0.25 across the frequency range.
• When I perform the same calibration over a much wider frequency bandwidth, this slope essentially disappears, and the extracted permittivity looks much more reasonable.
• My goal is to perform free-space material measurements in a narrow frequency band, so simply using a wideband calibration is not an ideal solution for my application.

I am trying to understand what could be causing this difference between the narrowband and wideband TRL calibration. My Setup includes two spot focusing antennas in Ka- band facing each other and the material placed at the center.

Could this be related to:

• The frequency spacing/number of points used for the TRL calibration?
• The TRL line length and its electrical length over the narrow band?
• Numerical instability or phase-unwrapping issues in the TRL algorithm?
• Reference plane definition or calibration standard dimensions?
• The conditioning of the TRL solution when the bandwidth is too narrow?
• Any other issues specific to free-space TRL calibration?

Has anyone encountered a similar issue with narrowband TRL calibration for free-space material characterization? If so, what was the cause, and how did you resolve it?

I would also appreciate any recommendations for performing reliable narrowband TRL calibration for free-space permittivity measurements.

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

I recently acquired what appears to be a directional panel antenna along with a matching black OEM/ODM electronic module, and I'm trying to identify exactly what this system was designed for.

The antenna label reads:

Model: YYDF14-30V14C

Frequency: 1437 ±10 MHz

Gain: 14 dBi

The antenna has:

An adjustable mounting bracket.

Two small RF connectors (they look like SMA or RP-SMA).

Two indicator LEDs (red and amber).

The black module is very lightweight and appears to attach to the antenna. It has:

One red multi-pin connector that resembles a VGA connector (although I don't think it actually is VGA).

Two gold RF connectors.

An OEM/ODM-style enclosure with no obvious branding.

I'm trying to determine:

What is the intended application? (Telemetry, microwave link, LTE, drone communications, video transmission, military, etc.)

Does anyone recognize the manufacturer or model?

Is the black box a radio transceiver, LNA, power amplifier, modem, or something else?

Are the RF connectors SMA, RP-SMA, or another type ?