Neets Master Glossary

1-15 COUNTER EMF—The voltage generated within a coil by a moving magnetic field cutting across the coil itself. This voltage is in opposition (counter) to the moving field that created it. Counter emf is present in every motor, generator, transformer, or other inductance winding whenever an alternating current flows [2] [5]. COUNTERPOISE—A network of wire connected to a quarter-wave antenna at one end. The network provides the equivalent of an additional one-fourth wavelength [10]. COUPLING—The process of transferring energy from one point in a circuit to another point, or from one circuit to another [8]. COUPLING CAPACITOR—A capacitor used to couple signals [8]. COUPLING DEVICE—A coupling coil that connects the transmitter to the feeder [10]. COVALENT BOND—A type of linkage between atoms in which the atoms share valence electrons [7]. CPR—Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation [1]. CREST (TOP)—The peak of the positive alternation (maximum value above the line) of a wave [10]. CRITICAL ANGLE—The maximum angle at which radio waves can be transmitted and still be refracted back to earth [10]. CRITICAL FREQUENCY—The maximum frequency at which a radio wave can be transmitted vertically and still be refracted back to earth [10]. CROSSED-FIELD AMPLIFIER—A high-power electron tube that converts dc to microwave power by a combination of crossed electric and magnetic fields [18]. CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA—The area of a "slice" of an object. When applied to electrical conductors it is usually expressed in circular mils [1]. CROWN-OF-THORNS TUNER—See SPROCKET TUNER [11]. CRYSTAL—A natural substance, such as quartz or tourmaline, that is capable of producing a voltage when under physical stress or of producing physical movement when a voltage is applied [9]. CRYSTAL FURNACE—A device for artificially growing cylindrical crystals to be used in the production of semiconductor substrates [14]. CRYSTAL MICROPHONE—A microphone that uses the piezoelectric effect of crystalline matter to generate a voltage from sound waves [12]. CRYSTAL OVEN—A closed oven maintained at a constant temperature in which a crystal and its holder are enclosed to reduce frequency drift [9]. CURRENT—The movement of electrons past a reference point. The passage of electrons through a conductor. Measured in amperes [1]. CURRENT-FEED METHOD—Same as CENTER-FEED METHOD [10]. CURRENT RATING—The safe current-carrying capacity of a wire or cable on a continuous basis [4]. CURRENT REGULATOR—A circuit that provides a constant current output [7].