I am an Electrical Engineer (BSEE, 1983) that currently works for a Seminconductor Company called Linear Technology. It is based in Milpitas California whcih is a part of "Silicon Valley". Linear technology make IC's or Chips of the "Analog" variety which is the opposite of the more popular "Digital" type found in PC's. What is interesting is that our chips are needed as a necessary support function to make modern microprocessors, like Intel's, go. It not glamorous or sexy in the tradition view of what is High Tech, but it is very important. Specifically, I work with customers as an Applications Engineer helping them design their circuits using my company's parts. I primarily work in high power battery chargers for notebook computers. My customer are the who who's in Notebook computers. Chances are that you notebook might have one of my designs in it. Prior to working at Linear Technology, I worked at Apple Computer (91-96) as there senior analog design engineer for the PowerBook product line. I design the power supplies and battery charger circuits used in those products. I left Apple after my sabatical looking for change. You cannot raise a family very easily and work at Apple.
Audio Equipment Interest
In the late 70's and Early 80's I became interested in Audio. Before PC's came along, this was the High Tech stuff. (Yes I got deep into PC's too.) From 78 through 84, I became a audio "Stereo" repair technician and repaired audio equipment of all makes and types. We troubleshot down to the componant level as opposed to "swapping modules" out. I quickly became the senior technician and assistant store manager. The store I worked at was authorized to service Marantz, Harmon Kardon, Sansui, Panasonic and a few more that I cannot remember. I learned about what was well built and what was junk and quickly determined what audio manufactures I liked. SAE became my favority both in terms of the technical design, company philosphy, product contruction/servicablity, and price. I own this brand the most and I am currently activly buying more. I did service very high end equipment like Audio Research, but as a kid working through college, I could only dream of affording such equipment. Nevertheless, today, I decided to stick to my favorites instead of going high end. I have formed a Yahoo group dedicated to preserving SAE equipment. Check out the links below. You can find all sorts of infomation about SAE including where to get schematics and parts..
Besides SAE, I also like Pioneer for it looks especially the blue floresent bar graph series of the late 70's. I also love Nakamichi Cassette decks. (Check out the Nakamichi web site below.) I like Marantz and Hafler equipment as well. You name it, I propably serviced it. Much of my audio equipment gets custom upgrades such as replacing all ceramic capacitors with polystyrene or mylar types or upgrading the power supply with better wiring and/or additional bulk low ESR capacitance.
Model Train Interest
Besides audio equipment, I love model trains. I belong to a model railroad club in San Jose California. Its called Silicon Valley Lines or SVL for short. We use a control system to run our trains call DCC which stands for Digital Command Control. What it simply means is that we can run our trains very realistically and without the control limits of a conventionaly controlled train layout. Check out my clubs website info at the bottom. You can find out more about me and DCC there.
) 