Welcome to our local mirror of the technical papers, NEC models, and antenna design archives of L. B. Cebik, W4RNL (SK).
For decades, Cebik’s work represented the gold standard in practical antenna engineering and electromagnetic modeling for the amateur radio community. To ensure this irreplaceable wealth of knowledge remains freely accessible to builders, experimenters, and engineers, our club maintains this preserved repository of his original writings.
About L. B. Cebik (1939–2008) Dr. L. B. Cebik was widely recognized as one of the most prolific and respected figures in modern antenna theory. Though many assumed he held advanced degrees in electrical engineering due to the mathematical rigor and depth of his work, his antenna expertise was entirely self-taught—fueled by a passion for empirical analysis, rigorous testing, and clear technical communication.
Amateur Radio & Antenna Work Cebik was licensed in 1954 (originally holding calls like WN1APS and W1APS before becoming W4RNL). While many assumed he held advanced degrees in electrical engineering due to the rigor of his work, his antenna expertise was entirely self-taught and driven by a passion for empirical analysis and practical design.
"The Antenna Guru" He wrote over a dozen books and hundreds of technical articles across almost every major amateur radio publication—including QST, QEX, CQ, Ham Radio, 73, and antenneX.
NEC Modeling Master Cebik single-handedly demystified computer modeling tools like NEfor everyday radio amateurs. His tutorials bridged the gap between complex electromagnetic math and practical antenna construction for builders.
ARRL Technical Adviser He served as an ARRL Technical Adviser, acted as a curriculum consultant for the League's online education courses, and authored foundational modeling coursework.
Open-Access Philosophy Cebik maintained a massive personal website containing thousands of pages of detailed antenna modeling notes, regression equations, and evaluations for designs ranging from Moxon rectangles and quads to Yagis and wire arrays. He freely shared his work, embodying what he often described as the core "ham spirit" of passing knowledge forward without expecting a return.
Academic Career Outside of amateur radio, Cebik served in the U.S. Air Force as an air traffic control specialist (1957–1961) before earning his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Nebraska. He taught for over 30 years and retired as Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
L. B. Cebik Ph.D passed away suddenly at his home in Powell, Tennessee, on April 22, 2008, at the age of 68. His extensive library of antenna notes and NEC modeling research continues to be preserved online by the amateur radio community as a foundational resource for antenna builders and engineers worldwide.
Explore the Archive In this collection, you will find Cebik's complete collection of antenna modeling notes, NEC files, multi-part design series, and theoretical breakdowns.
