Antenna Expert L. B. Cebik, W4RNL (SK)

[KC9ECI]

The ARRL is reporting that L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, ARRL Technical Adviser and antenna authority, has passed away at the age of 68. Cebik's web site www.cebik.com
has been an invaluable tool and source of information to anyone interested in antennas.


ARRL news release : http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/04/22/10059/?nc=1

[W1JL]

My condolences to his friends and family. :(

I've found his works to be invaluable (if occasionally over my head).

Clearly a tragic loss for the amateur community.

Josh, K1XLG.

[W4XKE]

I’m sad to hear of the passing of L.B. Cebik. I never met the man but I have used his material many times, as I’m sure most hams have. It was one of my desires that I might run into W4RNL at one of the local Tennessee hamfests or meetings (since we lived only about 60 miles apart) so I could talk to the fellow who had provided me with so much useful information.

It has always struck me significant that while most technical advice posted on the ham websites is usually met with a great deal of contradicting theories, scorn, criticism and outright ridicule. However when L.B. Cebik posted an article or comment, he was met with an unparalleled respect. He seemed to be immune from the usual criticisms and his work has always commanded an acceptance that few other authorities of any discipline have managed.

It will take us a lifetime of years to digest all that L.B. Cebik has left for us in his writings. I regret that I never had opportunity to meet him personally. Few men have gained such respect for their work.

Johnny

[n4aba]

A great loss....I have used his invaluable information many times. He WILL be missed. Condolences to the family.

[VU2BGS]

My heart felt condolences to his family . He was a great teacher , I will miss him dearly . It was my dream to meet him some day ,unfortunately i am left with only a dream . GOD bless his soul and may he give his family and us hams the strength to bear this great loss.

[W4RL]

His passing in one sense is such a true loss to us. I am glad though that he came through this world for a while allowing us to learn from his teachings. A true gentleman with knowledge of subject and wisdom to his students in ham radio. Going to miss him, but am thankful what knowledge he shared to us unconditionally.

RIP our friend.

Robert W4RL

[KJ4AUR]

Removed...

[kb5pn]

A great loss to the amateur community and to the world. My condolences to his family.

[KE7HQY]

Dear LB Cebik,

Even though I can't meet you in person, I am grateful to have at least known you through your work and generosity. Farewell to a friend I have never met, to a brilliant being I will forever remember.

Reqiescat In Pace

-73 de Anthony, KE7HQY

[KE7HQY]

What do you say we put out an ad in QST in memory of W4RNL?

It would be more than fitting for a commemorative ad in one of the many magazines he has written in with his great articles.

[WY0X]

I've read (and often re-read) his antenna work (and barely understood much of it) many times. A great loss for our community.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Cebik. 73.

[N5RLR]

I first became familiar with W4RNL's work through his "An-TEN-TEN-as" articles in the 10-10 International Net News. Later, having Internet access, I've read his website many, many times. A virtual treasure trove of information, thoroughly researched.

His tribute to his late wife Jean is especially touching.

It can't be said enough: A great loss. We have lost a great friend, fraternal brother, mentor, Elmer, teacher. I'm more saddened that I, like others, never had the chance to meet him.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Cebik. http://forum.goregasm.com/images/smilies/rose.gif†http://forum.goregasm.com/images/smilies/rose.gif

[KB4U]

LB Cebik liberates us from thinking "inside the box."

He exemplifies the words of Lao Tzu: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

LB left us with a wealth of information that is timeless.

I think of him each time that I look at the W8JK antenna that he inspired me to build.

Thanks to the persons that will preserve his writings and continue to make them available.

Condolences to the family. Peace to all.

[k9cox]

He truly was the consummate gentleman and scholar. Now he will be with his beloved Jean.

[KB4BLU]

I got a lot of help from his website. I sent him an E-Mail once with a question, and about one hour later I got an answer. I wish I could have met him. He typifies the old saying "Teach don't preach"

I will miss him.

[kn4lf]

That is absolutely horrible and shocking news!!! I corresponded with him
many times via email and learned very much from him about antennas, especially verticals.

73 & God Bless,
Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF
Lakeland, FL, USA
kn4lf@arrl.net

KN4LF Amateur & SWL Radio Autobiography: http://www.kn4lf.com

[K9SQG]

W4RNL, LB Cebik, (SK)

Fellow hams,

LB was an antenna mentor to me. He made the complex understandable.

LB had tremendous balance. He knew antenna theory as well as the practicalities.

LB was a fellow caregiver. His life with Jean gave me guidance and encouragement.

LB was a gentleman. He always had time to reply to my inquiries.

LB had a good sense of humor. It made his writings as amusing and enjoyable as they were informative.

LB autographed one of his antenna books for me. It will always remain top shelf in my hamshack.

LB and Jean loved the birds of the air. He shared hints with me for providing for their care and feeding.

Farewell my friend. I'm looking forward to our next QSO...

Evan, K9SQG

[KJ4AUR]

Removed...

[KB1KIX]

I have mirrored the website http://www.cebik.com at http://cebik.packetmail.net in the event http://www.cebik.com becomes unavailable. It would be a huge loss to the Amateur Radio community if this wealth of information became inaccessible.

I was about to do the same thing - thanx!

I've had a few emails with him and he was always a true gentleman and an educator.

Gave me full permission to copy articles for our newsletters and classes and such.

I've referred to his writings in QEX, QST, the Antenna Handbook and his site for the past 5 years.

He was a very nice guy and a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

Jonathan

[na4it]

I was fortunate enough to live within range of a Knoxville repeater (147.300?) and listened to Mr. Cebik on a technical net many times. I had also corresponded via email with him, and he always answered. Mr. Cebik would answer your question, but also teach you why it was so. You truly could learn from the man. Like I said, gonna be missed.

Side note: I have looked for a copy of his actual obituary, and cannot find it. If someone has it, please post it.

Here is my tribute (although the author is unknown) to Mr. Cebik:

Silent Keys
Their tubes may no longer glow, And their transmitters no longer send;
Their keys are still and silent now, But their signals will never end.

Ham shacks now are silent and lonely, Their letters are no longer aired;
So let us not forget their calls, Nor the time together we shared.

Their souls are now of the stars, As are the signals they did send;
Their calls are traveling the heavens, On and on they go for time without end.

73 Lee, 73

[MM0SGQ]

Learnt alot and still learning from this great Ham.

Best wishes to his familly.

73 steve.

[n7okl]

What more needs to be added....

A great guy that will be missed.....

[TA2RX]

I feel so sad to hear this news. He has been such a true gentleman. :,-(

May his soul rest in peace.

[w8lm]

I had the pleasure to correspond with LB. He encouraged me to experiment based on his writings. When I asked him if I could publish my findings with references to him, he answered me that "HE would be honored" to be mentioned in my writings.

That said, it's time to get out pencil and paper to document my 3 antenna designs. They are nothing anyone else could figure out, however my modeling were reviewed and approved by the master...LB Cebik. Should I publish, I think I'd call one of the antenna's a W4RNL in LB's honor.

Gone now are RL Cebik W4RNL, Doug DeMaw, W1FB and John Kraus W8JK. Any newbie into Ham Radio needs to read every word ever published by these 3 men.
It will be hard to ever see another amateur command the respect and make an impact these 3 have.

33- God Bless....

Larry W8LM
ARRL Life Member

[kb5pn]

Gone now are RL Cebik W4RNL, Doug DeMaw, W1FB and John Kraus W8JK. Any newbie into Ham Radio needs to read every word ever published by these 3 men.
It will be hard to ever see another amateur command the respect and make an impact these 3 have.

33- God Bless....

Larry W8LM
ARRL Life MemberI agree, I would have to include William Orr W6SAI, in this list also.

[W5YNE]

I have a homebrew 2 element 5 band quad aloft at the moment, all antennas before it were homebrew, Homebrew just means i constructed it myself, all the tech information came from Cebik.

May his soul rest in peace, i'm sure his work will be an aid to many in the future.

Wayne

[n5ypj]

Thanks for having taken your time to answer my questions and enlighten me on antennas - you were a true teacher. May you rest in peace OM.

[K6EC]

I am profoundly sadened by L.B.'s passing. At I time when I find much of amateur radio decaying, his work was uplifting and inspirational. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to the family & may God bless all!k6ec Bill

[KE6ENI]

well it didnt take them long to take down his web site and have all the information for "Sale" now!

[wy6k]

I agree, I would have to include William Orr W6SAI, in this list also.

Ain't it so! The Bill Orr Handbook is still the best.

[wy6k]

I saw a photo of Dr. Cebik somewhere since he passed away but now I can't find it. Was that here on QRZ and it was removed or was it somwhere else?

Thanks,
Mike WY6K

[WA5KRP]

Art Collins (W0CXX)
Bill Orr (W6SAI)
L. B. Cebik (W4RNL)


A pantheon.


http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/00/0310/cebik.jpg


K1ZZ and W4RNL





WA5KRP
Texas

[na4it]

The website has been redesigned and requires a free or paid login. Not unreasonable at all considering the wealth of information STILL available there. Took me all of 4 minutes to sign up.

de NA4IT

[KA5LQJ]

Last night, I was saddened to learn of L.B.'s passing. I never understood his "technical" writings. He was way over my head with those formula's, :eek:

Being busy with LIFE, there are a lot of antenna questions, I would have loved to have asked him, about certain concepts for antennas I had in my head to build. I guess now, the only thing to do is just "do it" and see if it works or not.

Larry, I will miss you, my friend. Give Ms. Jean a hugg for me.

Respectfully,
73,

Don/KA5-LQJ

[VE9SY]

well it didnt take them long to take down his web site and have all the information for "Sale" now!

It's still there for free for the time being. You just have to create a log in account to access it. I have no doubt they will change that though.

[kb9umi]

:( I Am saddened! too learn of L B Cebik's Passing he has taught me so! much knowledge & understanding that I cannot Explain in WORDS!!!! He explained too me in the 3D I will miss his thoroughness! & EXPERTISE HIS PASSION LIVES ON!!!!! KB9UMI /Mark EN 70 :(

[4X1MK]

Dear LB -
Thank you for all you have passed on in your knowledge to so many of us illustrating so well the true spirit of Ham Radio. This knowledge lives on here below, and will continue to resonate with us lovers of radio - radio amateurs!

I first had recourse to your modeling data when I was putting together my 5 band 2 element spider quad,and thank you for your time and effort in answering my emails. As time went on I utilized your vast treasure trove of information doing other projects. Everything you wrote was right on, and I considered you my guru when it comes to antennas.

May you now continue your celestial journey in the best possible way and achieve the best destination in that mysterious realm, unknown to us still in this earthly existence.
Peace and blessings upon you, dear brother.

Ron 4X1MK

[na4it]

Mr. Cebik's obituary and condolence book is online at
http://mynattfh.net/memorials/memorial.php?gb_id=977

de NA4IT

[k4avl]

I just posted a message there, thanks for posting that. If you go to his site, and look at the non-antenna areas, you can see the things he wrote about his wife, both before and after she passed away, very touching, to say the least.

[k4kv]

I met LB when I was a new ham in Athens, GA in 1972. He was teaching at UGA at that time, where I was attending as
a sophomore.

I remember him as one who was interested in new technology, and he bought and built a digital desktop calculator. The thing was HUGE and crammed full of discrete ICs. He was doing things like this many years before the rest of us.

He helped me learn new things about ham radio in the years that I attended UGA. In the past few years, I made contact with him again, and we had some email conversations about antenna work.

I, and many others, will miss you old friend.

Glen K4KV
Moultrie, GA

[kb2wye]

Rip L.b. C.

[nw5y]

What can I say?
L.B. Cebik's really got me interested in antenna design and the desire to experiment with my own thoughts. He was a great man and I feel a huge loss for our community.

As others have mentioned, I owe Bill Orr as well. His writings have educated me beyond what I thought I was capable of.

I believe these two individuals are synonymous with the greatest generation ever that preceded mine.


Scott Orr
NW5Y
Lubbock, TX

[KI6ASW]

Picked up one of his books at a used book sale for $4, still value it among my favorites. This was before I was interested in HAM radio, but rather in OTA TV. Its fair to say the book motivated me to become ever more interested in radio and eventually get a license.