Ramsey Electronics FX Series Manual page 43

MUTE = to turn off, to render silent. (See also SQUELCH)
N = can be any number to solve in a classroom problem, but "N" is THE magic
number (decimal) to understand in FX binary frequency programming. N = the
frequency in KHz divided by 5 KHz.
NBFM = "Narrow-Band FM." NE- = prefix to transistors or IC's made by
Signetics, Inc.
OFFSET = The distance in KHz or MHz of the transmitted signal from the
primary or received signal. The "TX Offset" may be higher or lower,
depending on the repeater setup or other application.
OP-AMP = "Operational Amplifier," a high performance linear amplifier with an
Inverting input, a Non-inverting Input and one Output.
ORIENT, orientation = Yes, the Orient is Marco Polo's Far East where they
build many FM radios and where we buy many common parts. When we ask
you to "orient" a kit part one way or the other, we're just asking you to get it
RIGHT -- per all the "orientation" illustrations that we provide.
PACKET = Rapid transmission of intelligible computer generated data in
groups or bursts of a fixed length called "packets."
PHASE DETECTOR = In a frequency synthesizer, the phase detector
compares the signal from a reference oscillator to the signal from a
programmable counter and sends a corrected control voltage to the L-C
section of a VCO. Thus, it can be considered a phase "corrector." See also:
VCO, PLL, VARACTOR.
PLATED-THROUGH = Refers to a style of PC board manufacturing in which
traces on both sides of the board are interconnected by a coating of solder
around the inside of each hole.
POLARITY = Refers to the "+" and "-" sides of batteries, power supplies,
power cables, electrolytic capacitors, etc.
PLL = "Phase-Locked Loop," a frequency generator circuit in which an
oscillator output is analyzed by counters and a phase detector which controls
and corrects the voltage supplied to varactor diode(s) which determine
oscillator frequency.
POT = jargon for "potentiometer", a variable resistor, either a panel control or
a "mini" device on a PC-board.
PRESCALE, Prescaler = a circuit or device which divides an incoming
frequency down to a lower frequency so that it can be handled more easily by
later digital counting circuitry or devices.
PTT = "push to talk", referring to all switches and circuitry involved in turning a
transmitter on and off from a switch usually built into a microphone. This
switch may also be a relay or transistor in a packet TNC, etc.
PUFF = No, not the magic dragon. It's an easier way to say "picofarads" in
the Ramsey warehouse and other high tech temples.