RF Cafe Radio & Science Crossword Puzzle
May 31, 2020

This week's crossword puzzle is a new type that uses a "free form" layout where the software dynamically creates the word grid, rather than beginning with a predefined grid that it then fills with words. It appears the longer it is allowed to run, the greater the number of words and cross-links it creates. After about 5 minutes, this 19x17 grid is showing 57 words and 61 cross-links... and now an hour later it shows 62 words and 70 cross-links - not overly impressive in my view. The algorithm picks from the same database of thousands of words which I have been creating for over twenty years and contains only clues and terms associated with engineering, science, physical, astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, familiar company names etc. You will never find a word taxing your knowledge of a numbnut soap opera star or the name of some obscure village in the Andes mountains. You might, however, encounter the name of a movie star like Hedy Lamarr or a geographical location like Tunguska, Russia, for reasons which, if you don't already know, might surprise you.

cruciverbalist: [noun]  cruci- ("cross") +‎ verbal ("words") +‎ -ist ("agent, person") -- A person who constructs or works crosswords.


Reproduction of this puzzle without the express permission of RF Cafe is prohibited.

acr. = acronym, abbr. = abbreviation, pl. = plural, wds. = words

Engineering & Science Crossword Puzzle May 31, 2020 - RF Cafe

<click for full size to print>

ACROSS DOWN
1. Small DIP package (abbr.)

3. Write-Once (abbr.)

6. Modulation type (abbr.)

10. Input intercept point (abbr.)

11. Internet mail protocol (abbr.)

12. Impurity in a semiconductor

14. A sudden and temporary increase in voltage, current, or power

15. Devices on an axle used to hold a wheel in place (pl.)

16. Chemical symbol for calcium

18. CB slang for a passenger

20. Last statement in a BASIC routine

22. Unit of current

24. Unit of processor calculation speed, abbr.

26. Opposite of O.D.

27. Voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (abbr., pl.)

28. Uppermost surface

29. Vertical Metal Oxide Semiconductor

33. A feedback scheme to level out the receiver audio volume (abbr.)

34. Common petroleum-based enclosure material (pl.)

39. Akin to EEs, CEs, AEs, etc. (abbr., pl.)

40. Tweak a filter for the correct response

41. Unit of resistance (pl.)

43. Computer monitor cable type (abbr.)

45. BSEE + 2 years

47. Computer monitor resolution measure (abbr.)

50. RF connector type

51. Active Electronically Scanned Array (abbr.)

53. Method of self-detection and self-fixing transmission of digital data (abbr.)

54. Software storage unit (pl.)

55. International phonetic alphabet letter "L"

2. Coder/decoder (abbr.)

3. Refers to the IEEE802.11 networks (abbr.)

4. Semiconductor device type (abbr.)

5. International phonetic alphabet letter "K"

6. Manned rocket series that went to the moon

7. Related to FM by a differential

8. Started as HPIB

9. Last stage in transmitter (abbr., pl.)

11. Sudden, short-lived increase in voltage or current

13. Enclosure for electronics system or assembly

15. Object orientated programming term

17. Type of logic gate (pl.)

19. Line extending out from center

21. Ultra High Voltage (abbr.)

23. FET voltage specification

24. _____-Carlo analysis

25. Unintended frequency product from a mixer

28. Unit of frequency

30. 300 kHz to 3 MHz

31. Solid figure that has every point on its surface equidistant from its center

32. Unit of frequency (archaic, abbr.)

35. Miniature RF connector

36. Integrated Services Digital Network (abbr.)

37. International Amateur Radio Union (abbr.)

38. Official engineering change document (abbr., pl.)

42. Steel, brass, aluminum, etc.

44. Filter type that blocks frequencies below and above a specified band (abbr.)

45. Degree of IC sophistication (abbr.)

46. 30 GHz to 300 GHz

48. The computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey

49. One state of matter

52. Chemical symbol for gallium


See solution below

 

2020 Crossword Puzzle Archive

Visit the Crossword Express website - RF CafeTake a well-deserved break and try your hand at some of these goodies. Every word in the RF Cafe crossword puzzles is specifically related to engineering, mathematics, and science. There are no generic backfill words like many other puzzles give you, so you'll never see a clue asking for the name of a movie star or a mountain on the Russia-China border.

All of these crossword puzzles were created using the fabulous Crossword Express (now called "Magnum Opus") software.

2024 | 2023 |2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | Sudoku

Cruciverbalist:

A cruciverbalist is a person who is skilled at creating or solving crossword puzzles. The term is a combination of "cruci-" from "crucifix," meaning cross, and "verbalist" from "verbal," indicating a person who deals with words. cruciverbalists are often responsible for designing crossword puzzles, and they possess a deep knowledge of wordplay, vocabulary, and the techniques used in constructing and solving crosswords. They aim to make puzzles that are both challenging and enjoyable for crossword enthusiasts.

December 27

December 20

December 13

December 7

November 29

Thanksgiving Day

November 22

November 15

November 8

November 1

October 25

October 18

October 11

October 4

September 27

September 20

September 13

September 6

August 30

August 23

August 16

August 9

August 2

July 26

July 19

July 12

July 5

June 28

June 21

June 14

June 7

May 31

May 24

May 17

May 10

May 3

April 26

April 19

April 12

April 5

March 29

March 22

March 15

March 8

March 1

February 23

February 16

February 9

February 2

January 26

January 19

January 12

January 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engineering & Science Crossword Solution May 31, 2020 - RF Cafe