AlfaMag Newsletter - April 2008

The Current

The official newsletter of AlfaMag Electronics, LLC.
The fun newsletter to read..!!!

Highlights
"Very Important Announcement For Our SW Series Customers"
"Fun Trivia"
"Bits & Pieces"
"Rick's Favorite Recipe of the Month"

SW Series Inductors to be replaced with the SH Series Inductors

Dear Valued Customer,

It is our goal to provide the highest quality magnetic components possible to our customers. In keeping with that goal, our SW series inductors for the National Semiconductor Simple Switchers will be discontinued, replaced by the much superior SH series inductors.

The SH series has the exact same electrical properties of the older SW series, using the same magnetic materials, wire gauges, etc. In addition, the recommended PCB layout for the SH series is the same, so they are a drop-in replacement item. The primary change is to the coil packaging for the surface mount and through-hole versions (SWS and SWT). Previously, the SW series utilized phenolic plates as mounting platforms for the coil, and as a flat surface for marking. Under certain circumstances, this "sandwich" construction caused problems with coil/plate separation, or trapping washing solvents between the plate and PCB. Therefore, to remedy these problems, a new homogenous plastic housing has been incorporated. Again, they are drop-in replacements for the SW series, and no electrical validation should be necessary. If there are very tight mechanical tolerances in your assembly, you may want to compare the mechanical characteristics of the two series, to make sure there are no interferences.

Therefore, as of May 1st, 2008, AlfaMag will no longer accept orders for SW series inductors. We fully expect your transition to the SH series to be completely seamless. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,
Jeffrey Goff, Sr. Engineer
AlfaMag Electronics, LLC

Give us a call today at 1-800-413-6693, or visit our website at www.alfamag.com.

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Fun Trivia
"Cell Phone Technology"

1. As cell phone technology evolved, a group was convened whose acronym became very popular when speaking of cell phone technology. What was the name of this group?
a. Group Sous-Moniteur
b. Group Super Mobilite
c. Group special Mobile
d. Gruppe Soubrette Malhereuse

2. Older phones, such as TDMA phones, did not come with a removable card which kept a subscriber's information (billing, number, etc). However, newer phones, especially GSM phones, contained the small removable card which is called what?
a. NIN
b. PIN
c. SIM
d. TRW

3. A dual band phone can work in all countries of the world.
a. True
b. False

4. What is flashing?
a. Removing a cell phone provider's programing from your phone.
b. Deleting all address book entries at once.
c. Sending rapid-fire text messages.
d. Making a cell phone battery inoperable.

5. What U.S. company popularized 'pay as you go' cell phones, selling them in stores such as Wal-Mart and even convenience stores, where you just bought the phone and minutes without signing a contract?
a. TracFone
b. Virgin Mobile
c. Cingular
d. Verizon








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Answers: (1)c (2)c (3)b (4)a (5)a
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Bits & Pieces

"Who's Bernardi"
Herschel Bernardi wittily illustrates the rise and fall of a movie star with a few choice phrases. Bernardi, famed for his Broadway portrayal of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, among many other fine roles, explains that when he was an "unknown", seeking a career in show business, the producers would ask, "Who's Bernardi?"

As his star began to brighten, the producers would ask, "Where's Bernardi?"

When he finally became a star, they would demand, "Get me Bernardi!"

Later, they began to say, "Get me a Bernardi type."

Until the inevitable -- "Who's Bernardi?"



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"Mistakes"
One of the most valuable lessons I learned.... is that we all have to learn from our mistakes, and we learn from those mistakes a lot more than we learn from the things we succeeded in doing.
Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas
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*** Rick's Recipe of the Month ***

"Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo"
Let's head down toward New Orleans for this recipe. I've always enjoyed the different spicy Cajun recipes. The mixture of the sausage and shrimp, with the Cajun spices brings out a taste like no other. While you're cooking this on the stove, the aroma in the air smells like a New Orleans restaurant, and you can hear that old Cajun cook say, "You gonna like this, I guar-un-tee."

Ingredients
* 2/3 cup oil
* 2/3 cup flour
* 2 onions, chopped
* 6 stalks celery, chopped
* 1 bell pepper, chopped
* 4 cloves garlic
* 1 small bunch green onion tops
* Cajun seasoning to taste
* 2 cans beef broth (low salt is best)
* 1 lb. boudin (or smoked sausage)
* 1 lb. shrimp (peeled and deveined)


Preparation
1. In a large glass measure, combine the oil and flour thoroughly. Cook on high for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
2. Stir and cook 1 minute more or until the roux is the color of a Hershey Bar.
3. Add the onions, celery, and bell pepper to the roux. Stir and then microwave on high for 3 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and green onion tops. Stir and cook 2 minutes. Be very , very careful..!! This roux is very hot.
5. Put the mixture in a gumbo pot on the stove. Add plenty of Cajun seasoning, the beef broth, and the sausage. Stir and cook down on low heat for at least 30 minutes or longer, if you can wait.
6. Add the shrimp. It's ready when the shrimp turn pink, about 5 minutes.
7. Serve over a bed of rice.

Be sure to have a "six pack" of your favorite beverage iced down for this one, along with some good ol' homemade corn bread...!!!

Ummmm, Ummmm....!!!!!

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