Page 210 - MY STORY

give us data ranging from material design properties to

acceptance test of system level items. Using internal
R&D money was against the law. We did have access to
internal funds that were targeted expense items to be used

for calibration, repair, maintenance, process development,
design methodology, and the like.

At which point our crew decided we could design and
build our own compact range — as long as we did not
bring too much attention to our actions, and couched the

procurement and expended hours in carefully constructed
language.

The huge room became a beehive of activity. We
assigned Paul R, a recent graduate of Ohio State U, to
oversee the build since he had the necessary experience in

range operation from his Master’s work at OSU. One
main material purchase was microwave foam absorber in

the form of large pyramids (about 2’ to 3’ high) that had to
be glued to our metalized walls. Paul was there day and
night with our shop folk to make sure the foam was

installed correctly with no gaps from one piece to the
other until all the walls and ceiling were covered with this
black mass of pyramids.