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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10(oo)

                        TERM LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


         THIS TERM LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT(this "AGREEMENT"), is entered
into as of December 23, 2002, between MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation, with an address at 41 Fairfield Place, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 (the
"BORROWER"), and FLEET NATIONAL BANK (f/k/a/ Summit Bank) (the "BANK"), with an
address at 208 Harristown Road, Glen Rock, New Jersey 07452.

         WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to borrow, and the Bank desires to lend
money pursuant to the terms hereof.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and premises
contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency
of which is hereby acknowledged, the Borrower and the Bank, intending to be
legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.       DEFINITIONS.

         All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in the body of
this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Schedule 1. All
terms of an accounting character not specifically defined herein shall have
meanings given to such terms by GAAP.

2.       LOAN TERMS; AMOUNTS; INTEREST RATES; ETC.

         2.1 TERM LOAN. The Bank agrees, subject to the terms and conditions
         hereinafter set forth, to make a term loan to the Borrower in the
         aggregate principal amount of TWO MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND
         DOLLARS ($2,720,000) (the "LOAN" or "TERM LOAN") on the date hereof
         (the "CLOSING DATE"). The Borrower may not reborrow any principal
         amounts repaid or prepaid on the Term Loan. The Term Loan shall be
         evidenced by a Term Loan Note in the form provided to the Borrower by
         the Bank (together with any attachments thereto and amendments or
         modifications thereto in effect from time to time, hereinafter referred
         to as the "NOTE"). The Term Loan shall be for a term commencing on the
         Closing Date and terminating on December 23, 2009 (the "MATURITY
         DATE").


         2.2 MATURITY. The Loan will mature on the Maturity Date, at which time
         all amounts outstanding under the Loan and unpaid interest thereon will
         automatically be due and payable.




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         2.3 INTEREST RATES; COMPUTATION, LATE FEES AND PAYMENT TERMS.

             (a) TERM LOAN INTEREST RATE. The Term Loan shall bear interest
             computed daily on the unpaid principal balance at the rate equal to
             two hundred (200) basis points over and above LIBOR in effect at
             the time of such borrowing under the Loan for each Interest Period
             (the "LIBOR Interest Rate"). Notwithstanding any provisions of this
             paragraph to the contrary, each determination by the Bank of the
             applicable LIBOR Interest Rate shall be deemed conclusive.

             (b) PRINCIPAL. The principal amount of the Loan shall be payable in
             monthly installments in accordance with the Note. All unpaid
             principal and accrued, unpaid interest is due and payable in full
             by the Borrower to the Bank on the Maturity Date.

             (c) COMPUTING INTEREST. Interest will be calculated on the basis of
             a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed in each
             interest period and will be payable in arrears.

             (d) LATE FEES. If the entire amount of any required principal
             and/or interest is not paid in full within ten (10) days after the
             same is due, the Borrower shall pay to Bank a late fee equal to
             five percent (5%) of the required payment.

             (e) PAYMENT OF FEES AND EXPENSES. Borrower shall pay on demand all
             expenses of Bank in connection with the preparation,
             administration, default, collection, waiver or amendment of loan
             terms, or in connection with Bank's exercise, preservation or
             enforcement of any of its rights, remedies or options hereunder,
             including, without limitation, reasonable fees of outside legal
             counsel or the allocated costs of in-house legal counsel,
             accounting, consulting, brokerage or other similar professional
             fees or expenses, and any fees or expenses associated with travel
             or other costs relating to any appraisals or examinations conducted
             in connection the loan or any other collateral therefore, and the
             amount of all such expenses shall, until paid, bear interest at the
             rate applicable to principal hereunder (including any default rate)
             and be an obligation secured by any collateral.

             (f) DEFAULT RATE OF INTEREST. Upon an Event of Default described in
             Section 7.1 (whether or not Bank has accelerated payment of the
             Note), the unpaid principal of all advances shall, at the option of
             Bank, bear interest at a rate which is four (4) percentage points
             per annum greater than that which would otherwise be applicable
             (the "DEFAULT RATE").

             (g) APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. All payments shall be applied first to
             the payment of all fees, expenses and other amounts due to the Bank
             (excluding principal and interest), then to accrued interest, and
             the balance on account of outstanding principal; provided, however,
             that after default, payments will be


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             applied to the obligations of Borrower to Bank as Bank determines
             in its sole discretion.

             (h) PREPAYMENT. LIBOR Loans may be prepaid in whole or in part
             (each partial prepayment shall be in an amount of $10,000 or any
             integral multiple thereof) without premium or penalty upon at least
             three (3) Banking Days irrevocable prior written notice at the end
             of the then current Interest Period of the LIBOR Loan to be repaid.
             Notwithstanding the foregoing, if for any reason the Bank received
             (from any source) any payment of the principal amount due hereunder
             on a date other than its regularly scheduled payment date with
             respect to any LIBOR Loan, including without limitation, due to
             acceleration of the payment date of said amount following the
             occurrence of an Event of Default, the Borrower shall pay to the
             Bank upon demand, in addition to principal and interest due
             hereunder, the amount of any loss and reasonable expense the Bank
             incurs as a consequence of such prepayment, including, without
             limitation, the amounts payable to the Bank pursuant to paragraph
             2.6(.g) (Indemnity and Yield Maintenance Fee) hereof.

             (i) UNAVAILABILITY OF LIBOR. In the event LIBOR is not available at
             any time, interest on the outstanding principal balance hereunder
             shall accrue at the Bank's Prime Rate (as defined below) minus
             fifty (50 b.p.) basis points; provided however, that following an
             Event of Default, interest on the outstanding principal balance
             hereunder shall accrue at the Default Rate.

             (j) MANNER OF PAYMENTS. All payments of principal, interest and
             other amounts payable hereunder, shall be made to Bank at such
             place as Bank may, from time to time determine, not later than 1:00
             P.M. (New Jersey time) on the due date therefor in lawful money of
             the United States of America in federal funds or other funds
             immediately available to Bank, without counterclaim or setoff and
             free and clear of, and without any deduction or withholding for,
             any taxes or other payments.

         2.4 CLOSING FEE AND COUNSEL FEE. The Borrower will pay a one-time
             closing fee of Thirteen Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($13,600.00)
             (the "CLOSING FEE"). The Closing Fee will include any fees paid by
             the Borrower prior to the Closing Date and will not be refundable
             for any reason. In addition, Borrower shall pay to Bank's counsel
             all reasonable costs and fees (the "COUNSEL FEE") incurred in
             connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of the Loan
             Documents and other documents related thereto.


         2.5 BANKING ACCOUNT. The Borrower agrees to maintain an operating
             account (hereinafter referred to as the "Fleet Account") at the
             Bank continuously until the Liabilities due hereunder are paid in
             full. The Bank shall and is hereby authorized by


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             the Borrower to enter and deposit into the Fleet Account the entire
             proceeds of the Loan.

         2.6 LIBOR PROVISIONS.

             (a) GENERAL PROVISIONS. If an Event of Default shall occur and
continue to exist, any LIBOR Loan shall be automatically converted to the
Default Rate at the end of such Interest Period. No LIBOR Loan may be continued
as such when any Event of Default shall then exist; rather such LIBOR Loan shall
be automatically converted to the Default Rate on the last day of the Interest
Period applicable thereto. When the Interest Period for any LIBOR Loan expires
within one month of the Maturity Date, such LIBOR Loan shall, upon expiration of
such Interest Period, be automatically converted to the Prime Rate minus fifty
(50 b.p.) basis points.

             (b) TERM PERIOD. In the event the Loan, or any portion thereof, is
converted to a rate of interest based upon the Prime Rate by the operation of
this Agreement, the Borrower may elect to convert all of such Loan amount back
to a LIBOR Loan in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Such conversions to a LIBOR Loan shall only be made on a Banking Day.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no conversion to LIBOR shall occur if a Default
or an Event of Default shall then exist or if LIBOR is not available.

             (c) INABILITY TO DETERMINE RATE. If with respect to any Interest
Period, the Bank determines that extraordinary circumstances affecting the
relevant market make it impracticable to ascertain the interest rate applicable
for such Interest Period, the Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower of such
determination. If any LIBOR Loan is outstanding on the date of such notice and
such notice has not been withdrawn on the last day of the then current Interest
Period applicable thereto, the Borrower may on the last day of such Interest
Period either convert such LIBOR Loan to the Prime Rate or prepay the
outstanding principal balance thereof and accrued interest thereon in full.

             (d) ILLEGALITY. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, if any
law, regulation, treaty or directive or any change therein or in the
interpretation or application thereof, shall make it unlawful for the Bank to
make or maintain LIBOR Loans as contemplated by this Agreement, the LIBOR Loan
shall be converted to the Prime Rate minus fifty (50 b.p.) basis points on the
last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto or within such earlier period
as may be required by law.

             (e) REQUIREMENT OF LAW. In the event that any law, regulation,
treaty or directive or any change therein or in the interpretation or
application thereof or compliance by the Bank with any request or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) from any central Bank or other
governmental authority, agency or instrumentality:

                 (i) does or shall subject the Bank to any tax of any kind
whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, the Note or the Loan made hereunder,
or change the basis of


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taxation of payments to the Bank of principal, commitment fee, interest or any
other amount payable hereunder (except for changes in the rate of any tax
presently imposed on the Bank);

                 (ii) does or shall impose, modify or hold applicable any
reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets
held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, loans by, or
other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of
the Bank which are not otherwise included in the determination of LIBOR; or

                 (iii) does or shall impose on the Bank any other condition; and
the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Bank of
maintaining the Loan or extensions of credit to the Borrower or to reduce any
amount receivable from the Borrower hereunder then, in any such case, the
Borrower shall promptly pay to the Bank, upon its demand, any additional amounts
necessary to compensate the Bank for such additional cost or reduced amount
receivable which the Bank deems to be material as determined by the Bank with
respect to this Agreement, the Note or the Loan made hereunder. If the Bank
becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it
shall promptly notify the Borrower of the event by reason of which it has become
so entitled. A certificate setting forth calculations as to any additional
amounts payable pursuant to the foregoing sentence submitted by the Bank to the
Borrower shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

             (f) CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If after the date hereof, the Bank shall have
determined that the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding
capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or
administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable
agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance
by the Bank with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or
not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable
agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the
Bank's capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below
that which the Bank could have achieved but for such adoption, change or
compliance (taking into consideration the Bank's policies with respect to
capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by the Bank to be material, then from time
to time, within 30 days after demand by the Bank, the Borrower shall pay to the
Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Bank for such
reduction. The Bank will promptly notify the Borrower of any event of which it
has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle the Bank to
compensation pursuant to this section. A certificate setting forth calculations
as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this paragraph submitted by the
Bank to the Borrower shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

             (g) INDEMNITY AND YIELD MAINTENANCE FEE. The Borrower agrees to
indemnify the Bank and to hold the Bank harmless from any loss or expense which
the Bank may sustain or incur as a consequence of (i) a default by the Borrower
in payment of the principal of or interest on the Loan, including, but not
limited to, any such loss or expense arising from additional interest or fees
payable by the Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to maintain the
Loan hereunder, (ii) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing or conversion



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after the Borrower has given a notice in accordance with this Agreement or (iii)
default by the Borrower in making any prepayment after the Borrower has given
Bank a notice thereof. The Borrower shall pay to the Bank, upon request of the
Bank such amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion of
the Bank) to compensate it for any loss, cost, or expense incurred as a result
of: (i) any payment of a LIBOR Loan on a date other than the last day of the
Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan; (ii) any failure by Borrower to pay a LIBOR
Loan on the date for payment as set forth in the Note; or (iii) any failure by
Borrower to borrow a LIBOR Loan on the date specified in the Borrower's written
notice. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower shall pay to the Bank a "yield
maintenance fee" in an amount computed as follows: The current rate for United
States Treasury securities (bills on a discounted basis shall be converted to a
bond equivalent) with a maturity date closest to the term chosen pursuant to the
Interest Period as to which the prepayment is made, shall be subtracted from the
LIBOR Interest Rate in effect at the time of prepayment. If the result is zero
or a negative number, there shall be no yield maintenance fee. If the result is
a positive number, then the resulting percentage shall be multiplied by the
amount of the principal balance being prepaid. The resulting amount shall be
divided by 360 and multiplied by the number of days remaining in the term chosen
pursuant to the Interest Period as to which the prepayment is made. Said amount
shall be reduced to present value calculated by using the above referenced
United States Treasury securities rate and the number of days remaining in the
term chosen pursuant to the Interest Period as to which prepayment is made. The
resulting amount shall be the yield maintenance fee due to the Bank upon the
payment of a LIBOR Loan. If by reason of an Event of Default, the Bank elects to
declare the Note to be immediately due and payable, then any yield maintenance
fee with respect to a LIBOR Loan shall become due and payable in the same manner
as though the Borrower had exercised such right of prepayment. A certificate
setting forth calculations as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this
paragraph submitted by the Bank to the Borrower shall be conclusive in the
absence of manifest error. The covenants contained herein shall survive
termination of this Agreement and payment of the Note.

             (f) SURVIVAL. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6 shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.


3. PLEDGE OF STOCK AND SECURITY INTEREST.

          3.1 PLEDGE OF STOCK. In addition to a security interest in the
          Collateral (as defined in Section 3.2), Borrower's payment and
          performance obligations hereunder shall be secured by a first lien on
          certain shares of capital stock of the Costa Rica Facilities owned by
          Borrower, as more particularly set forth in that certain pledge
          agreement of even date herewith (the "Pledge Agreement"). Borrower
          hereby represents that the shares of stock of each of the Costa Rica
          Facilities being pledged under the Pledge Agreement represent
          sixty-five percent (65%) of the issued and outstanding shares of
          capital stock of each of the Costa Rica Facilities.

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          3.2. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST. As security for the full and punctual
          payment and performance of all Obligations of the Borrower to the
          Bank, the Borrower hereby grants to the Bank a continuing security
          interest in all of the assets and personal property of the Borrower,
          including without limitation, the following property (the
          "Collateral"): all personal property of the Borrower, including the
          following, all whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising and
          wherever located: (i) accounts (including, without limitation,
          accounts receivable); (ii) securities entitlements, securities
          accounts, commodity accounts, commodity contracts and investment
          property; (iii) deposit accounts; (iv) instruments (including
          promissory notes); (v) documents (including warehouse receipts); (vi)
          chattel paper (including electronic chattel paper and tangible chattel
          paper); (vii) inventory, including raw materials, work in process, or
          materials used or consumed in Borrower's business, items held for sale
          or lease or furnished or to be furnished under contracts of service,
          sale or lease, goods that are returned, reclaimed or repossessed;
          (viii) goods of every nature, including stock-in-trade and goods on
          consignment; (ix) equipment, including machinery, vehicles and
          furniture; (x) fixtures; (xi) commercial tort claims, if any; (xii)
          letter of credit rights; (xiii) general intangibles, of every kind and
          description, including payment intangibles, software, computer
          information, source codes, object codes, records and data, all
          existing and future customer lists, chooses in action, claims
          (including claims for indemnification or breach of warranty), books,
          records, patents and patent applications, copyrights, trademarks,
          tradenames, tradestyles, trademark applications, goodwill, blueprints,
          drawings, designs and plans, trade secrets, contracts, licenses,
          license agreements, formulae, tax and any other types of refunds,
          returned and unearned insurance premiums, rights and claims under
          insurance policies; (xiv) all supporting obligations of all of the
          foregoing property; (xv) all property of the Borrower now or hereafter
          in the Bank's possession or in transit to or from, or under the
          custody or control of, the Bank or any affiliate thereof; (xvi) all
          cash and cash equivalents thereof; and (xvii) all cash and noncash
          proceeds (including insurance proceeds) of all of the foregoing
          property, all products thereof and all additions and accessions
          thereto, substitutions therefor and replacements thereof.
          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral pledged under this
          Agreement shall not include any (i) property in the possession of or
          maintained by the Costa Rica Facilities, (ii) contract rights in the
          "Transaction Agreements" (as such term is defined in that certain
          Subscription Agreement dated as of February 28, 2002, by and between
          Borrower, and Dupont Chemical and Energy Operations, Inc., and E.I. Du
          Pont de Nemours (collectively the "Dupont Companies")), or (iii) any
          intellectual property arising out of the Transaction Agreements
          between Borrower and the Dupont Companies on or after the date of this
          Agreement which is not related to the intellectual property identified
          on Schedule 4.11, or (iv) any contract rights arising out of the
          Transaction Agreements between Borrower and the Dupont Companies on or
          after the date of this Agreement.

          3.3. SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS WITH RESPECT
          TO COLLATERAL. With respect to the Collateral, Borrower hereby
          represents and warrants to and covenants with the Bank, as follows:

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                  i. Change in Name or Locations. The Borrower hereby agrees
         that if the location of the Collateral changes from the locations
         listed on Schedule 3.3(a) hereto and made part hereof, or if the
         Borrower changes its name, its type of organization, its state of
         organization (if Borrower is a registered organization), its principal
         residence (if Borrower is an individual), its chief executive office
         (if Borrower is a general partnership or non-registered organization)
         or establishes a name in which it may do business that is not listed as
         a tradename on Schedule 3.3(b) hereto, the Borrower will immediately
         notify the Bank in writing of the additions or changes.

                  ii. Representations and Warranties. Except as disclosed in or
         permitted under the Loan Agreement, the Borrower represents, warrants
         and covenants to the Bank that: (a) all information, including its
         exact name (as it appears on its organizational documents, as amended,
         filed with the state of its incorporation or formation), type of
         organization, jurisdiction of organization and chief executive office
         set forth in this Agreement are true and correct on the date hereof;
         (b) the Borrower has good, marketable and indefeasible title to the
         Collateral, has not made any prior sale, pledge, encumbrance,
         assignment or other disposition of any of the Collateral, and the
         Collateral is free from all encumbrances and rights of setoff of any
         kind except the lien in favor of the Bank created by this Agreement;
         (c) except as herein provided, the Borrower will not hereafter without
         the Bank's prior written consent sell, pledge, encumber, assign or
         otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral or permit any right of
         setoff, lien or security interest to exist thereon except to the Bank;
         (d) the Borrower will defend the Collateral against all claims and
         demands of all persons at any time claiming the same or any interest
         therein; (e) each account and general intangible, if included in the
         definition of Collateral, is genuine and enforceable in accordance with
         its terms and the Borrower will defend the same against all claims,
         demands, setoffs and counterclaims at any time asserted; and (f) at the
         time any account or general intangible becomes subject to this
         Agreement, such account or general intangible will be a good and valid
         account representing a bona fide sale of goods or services by the
         Borrower and such goods will have been shipped to the respective
         account debtors or the services will have been performed for the
         respective account debtors, and no such account or general intangible
         will be subject to any claim for credit, allowance or adjustment by any
         account debtor or any setoff, defense or counterclaim.

                  iii. Borrower's Covenants. The Borrower covenants that it
         shall:

                  (a) from time to time and at all reasonable times allow the
         Bank, by or through any of its officers, agents, attorneys, or
         accountants, to examine or inspect the Collateral, and obtain
         valuations and audits of the Collateral, at the Borrower's expense,
         wherever located. The Borrower shall do, obtain, make, execute and
         deliver all such additional and further acts, things, deeds, assurances
         and instruments as the Bank may require to vest in and assure to the
         Bank its rights hereunder and in or to the Collateral, and the proceeds
         thereof, including waivers from landlords, warehousemen and mortgagees.
         Upon an Event of Default, the Borrower agrees that the Bank has the
         right to notify (on invoices or


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         otherwise) account debtors and other obligors or payors on any
         Collateral of its assignment to the Bank, and that all payments
         thereon should be made directly to the Bank, and that the Bank has
         full power and authority to collect, compromise, endorse, sell or
         otherwise deal with the Collateral in its own name or that of the
         Borrower.;

                  (b) keep the Collateral in good order and repair at all times
         and immediately notify the Bank of any event causing a material loss or
         decline in value of the Collateral, whether or not covered by
         insurance, and the amount of such loss or depreciation;

                  (c) only use or permit the Collateral to be used in accordance
         with all applicable federal, state, county and municipal laws and
         regulations; and

                  (d) have and maintain insurance at all times with respect to
         all Collateral against risks of fire (including so-called extended
         coverage), theft, sprinkler leakage, and other risks (including risk of
         flood if any Collateral is maintained at a location in a flood hazard
         zone) as the Bank may require, in such form, in such amount, for such
         period and written by such companies as may be satisfactory to the Bank
         in its sole discretion. Each such casualty insurance policy shall
         contain a standard Lender's Loss Payable Clause issued in favor of the
         Bank under which all losses thereunder shall be paid to the Bank as the
         Bank's interest may appear. Such policies shall expressly provide that
         the requisite insurance cannot be altered or canceled without at least
         thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Bank and shall insure the
         Bank notwithstanding the act or neglect of the Borrower. Upon the
         Bank's demand, the Borrower shall furnish the Bank with duplicate
         original policies of insurance or such other evidence of insurance as
         the Bank may require. In the event of failure to provide insurance as
         herein provided, the Bank may, at its option, obtain such insurance and
         the Borrower shall pay to the Bank, on demand, the cost thereof.
         Proceeds of insurance may be applied by the Bank to reduce the
         Obligations or to repair or replace Collateral, all in the Bank's sole
         discretion.

                  iv. Negative Pledge; No Transfer. The Borrower will not sell
         or offer to sell or otherwise transfer or grant or allow the imposition
         of a lien or security interest upon the Collateral except (a) to the
         Bank, (b) as permitted in the Loan Agreement, or (c) for sales of
         inventory and collections of accounts in the Borrower's ordinary course
         of business. The Borrower will not allow any third party to gain
         control of all or any part of the Collateral, and will not use any
         portion thereof in any manner inconsistent with this Agreement or with
         the terms and conditions of any policy of insurance thereon.

                  v.  For all accounts, Borrower shall:

                  (a) On the Bank's demand, make notations on its books and
         records showing the Bank's security interest and make available to the
         Bank shipping and delivery receipts evidencing the shipment of the
         goods that gave rise to an account, completion certificates or other
         proof of the satisfactory performance of services that gave rise to an
         account, a copy of the invoice for each account and copies of any
         written contract or order from


                                       9
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         which an account arose. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Bank if
         an account becomes evidenced or secured by an instrument or chattel
         paper and upon the Bank's request, will promptly deliver any such
         instrument or chattel paper to the Bank, including, without
         limitation, any letter of credit delivered to the Borrower to support
         a shipment of inventory by the Borrower.

                  (b) Promptly advise the Bank whenever an account debtor
         refuses to retain or returns any goods from the sale of which an
         account arose and will comply with any instructions that the Bank may
         give regarding the sale or other disposition of such returns. From time
         to time with such frequency as the Bank may request, the Borrower will
         report to the Bank all credits given to account debtors on all
         accounts.

                  (c) Immediately notify the Bank if any account arises out of
         contracts with the United States or any department, agency or
         instrumentality thereof, and will execute any instruments and take any
         steps required by the Bank so that all monies due and to become due
         under such contract shall be assigned to the Bank and notice of the
         assignment given to and acknowledged by the appropriate government
         agency or authority under the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940,
         as amended, or other applicable law.

                  (d) At any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default,
         and without notice to the Borrower, the Bank may direct any persons who
         are indebted to the Borrower on any Collateral consisting of accounts
         or general intangibles to make payment directly to the Bank of the
         amounts due. At any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default,
         at the request of the Bank, the Borrower will direct any persons who
         are indebted to the Borrower on any Collateral consisting of accounts
         or general intangibles to make payment directly to the Bank. The Bank
         is authorized to collect, compromise, endorse and sell any such
         Collateral in its own name or in the Borrower's name and to give
         receipts to such account debtors for any such payments and the account
         debtors will be protected in making such payments to the Bank. Upon the
         Bank's written request, the Borrower will establish with the Bank and
         maintain a lockbox account ("LOCKBOX") with the Bank and a depository
         account(s) ("CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT") with the Bank subject to the
         provisions of this subparagraph and such other related agreements as
         the Bank may require, and the Borrower shall notify its account debtors
         to remit payments directly to the Lockbox. Thereafter, funds collected
         in the Lockbox shall be transferred to the Cash Collateral Account, and
         funds in the Cash Collateral Account shall be applied by the Bank,
         daily, to reduce the outstanding Obligations.

                  vi. Further Assurances. By its signature hereon, the Borrower
         hereby irrevocably authorizes the Bank to execute (on behalf of the
         Borrower) and file against the Borrower one or more financing,
         continuation or amendment statements pursuant to the UCC in form
         satisfactory to the Bank, and the Borrower will pay the cost of
         preparing and filing the same in all jurisdictions in which such filing
         is deemed by the Bank to be necessary or desirable in order to perfect,
         preserve and protect its security interests. If required by the Bank,
         the Borrower will execute all documentation necessary for the


                                       10
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         Bank to obtain and maintain perfection of its security interests in the
         Collateral. If any Collateral consists of letter of credit rights,
         electronic chattel paper, deposit accounts or supporting obligations
         not maintained with the Bank or one of its affiliates, or any
         securities entitlement, securities account, commodities account,
         commodities contract or other investment property, then at the Bank's
         request the Borrower will execute, and will cause the depository
         institution or securities intermediary upon whose books and records the
         ownership interest of the Borrower in such Collateral appears, to
         execute such Pledge Agreements, Notification and Control Agreements or
         other agreements as the Bank deems necessary in order to perfect,
         prioritize and protect its security interest in such Collateral, in
         each case in a form satisfactory to the Bank.

                  vii. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any such Event of
         Default and at any time thereafter, the Bank may declare all
         Obligations secured hereby immediately due and payable, without further
         notice, presentment, demand, declaration, protest or other requirement
         of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower. At any
         time after the occurrence of any Event of Default, and irrespective of
         whether the Obligations have been declared due and payable pursuant to
         the immediately preceding sentence, the Bank shall have, in addition to
         any remedies provided herein or in the other Loan Documents or by any
         applicable law or in equity, all the remedies of a secured party under
         the UCC. The Bank's remedies include, but are not limited to, the right
         to (a) peaceably by its own means or with judicial assistance enter the
         Borrower's premises and take possession of the Collateral without prior
         notice to the Borrower or the opportunity for a hearing, (b) render the
         Collateral unusable, (c) dispose of the Collateral on the Borrower's
         premises, (d) require the Borrower to assemble the Collateral and make
         it available to the Bank at a place designated by the Bank, (e) notify
         the United States Postal Service to send the Borrower's mail to the
         Bank, (f) endorse the name of the Borrower upon any and all checks,
         drafts, money orders and other instruments for the payment of monies
         which are payable to the Borrower and constitute proceeds of the
         Collateral, (g) sign financing statements in the name of the Borrower,
         or file financing statements with the Borrower's signature in any
         relevant state to perfect or maintain the Bank's security interest in
         any of the Collateral, (h) subrogate to all of the Borrower's
         interests, rights and remedies in respect to the Collateral, (i) take
         possession of an sell in a commercially reasonable manner in accordance
         with applicable law or dispose of any or all of the Collateral at
         public or private sale without notice or advertisement (if permitted by
         law) and bid and become purchaser at such sale, and if notice of such
         sale or of other action by Bank is required by applicable law, Borrower
         agrees that ten (10) days notice to Borrower shall be sufficient, which
         Bank and Borrower herewith agree to be commercially reasonable, and (j)
         apply the proceeds of any disposition of the Collateral available for
         satisfaction of the Obligations in the order, amounts, and manner which
         Bank may determine in its sole discretion. Unless the Collateral is
         perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type
         customarily sold on a recognized market, the Bank will give the
         Borrower reasonable notice of the time and place of any public sale
         thereof or of the time after which any private sale or any other
         intended disposition thereof is to be made. The requirements of
         commercially reasonable notice shall be met


                                       11
<PAGE>

         if such notice is sent to the Borrower at least ten (10) days before
         the time of the intended sale or disposition. Expenses of retaking,
         holding, preparing for disposition, disposing or the like shall include
         the Bank's reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses, incurred or
         expended by the Bank to enforce any payment due it under this Agreement
         either as against the Borrower, or in the prosecution or defense of any
         action, or concerning any matter growing out of or connection with the
         subject matter of this Agreement and the Collateral pledged hereunder.
         The Borrower waives all relief from all appraisement or exemption laws
         now in force or hereafter enacted.

                  viii. Power of Attorney. The Borrower does hereby make,
         constitute and appoint any officer or agent of the Bank as the
         Borrower's true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with power to (a) endorse
         the name of the Borrower or any of the Borrower's officers or agents
         upon any notes, checks, drafts, money orders, or other instruments of
         payment or Collateral that may come into the Bank's possession in full
         or part payment of any Obligations; (b) sue for, compromise, settle and
         release all claims and disputes with respect to, the Collateral; and
         (c) sign, for the Borrower, such documentation required by the UCC, or
         supplemental intellectual property security agreements; granting to the
         Borrower's said attorney full power to do any and all things necessary
         to be done in and about the premises as fully and effectually as the
         Borrower might or could do. The Borrower hereby ratifies all that said
         attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This
         power of attorney is coupled with an interest, and is irrevocable.

4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER.

         The Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to the
Bank which shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and will
continue to remain true and correct so long as any amount remains due under the
Note

         4.1      ORGANIZATION, POWER AND AUTHORITY. The Borrower is a
                  corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
                  standing or subsisting under the laws of the jurisdiction of
                  its organization, and is duly qualified as a foreign
                  corporation, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in
                  which such qualification is required by law, other than in
                  those jurisdictions as to which failure to be so qualified or
                  in good standing could not, individually or in the aggregate,
                  reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The
                  Borrower has the corporate power and authority to own or hold
                  under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under
                  lease, to transact the business it transacts or proposes to
                  transact, to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which
                  it is a party and to perform the provisions thereof.

         4.2      AUTHORIZATION; ETC. The Loan Documents to which it is a party
                  have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
                  the part of the Borrower and each


                                       12
<PAGE>

                  of the Loan Documents constitute a legal, valid and binding
                  obligation of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in
                  accordance with its terms except as such enforceability may be
                  limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
                  reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the
                  enforceability of creditor's rights generally, and (b) general
                  principles of equity (regardless of whether such
                  enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
                  law). The individuals who represent themselves to the Bank as
                  holding one or more of the following executive officer
                  positions with the Borrower at the time of making a
                  certification hereunder are, and at such times shall be,
                  authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Borrower
                  the certifications contemplated under this Agreement to be
                  delivered in the future (each an "AUTHORIZED OFFICER").

         4.3      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; PROJECTIONS.

                  (a) The Borrower has delivered or caused to be delivered to
                  the Bank copies of the consolidating and consolidated
                  financial statements of the Borrower. All of said financial
                  statements (including in each case the related schedules and
                  notes) fairly present in all material respects the
                  consolidated financial condition of the Borrower as of the
                  respective dates specified on such consolidated financial
                  statements, and the consolidated results of operations and
                  cash flows for the respective periods so specified, and have
                  been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
                  throughout the periods involved, except as set forth in the
                  notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial
                  statements, to the omission of notes thereto and normal
                  year-end adjustments).

                  (b) The Borrower has delivered to the Bank projections of its
                  anticipated financial performance for the period beginning on
                  January 1, 2002 and continuing through December 31, 2004 (the
                  "FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS"). The Financial Projections were
                  prepared in good faith by the Borrower based on assumptions
                  its management believed to be reasonable at the date of their
                  preparation and, in the opinion of management of the Borrower,
                  the underlying assumptions provide a reasonable basis for such
                  Financial Projections.

         4.4      NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the most recent balance
                  sheet of the Borrower delivered to the Bank, the Borrower has
                  not suffered any damage, destruction or loss to any Material
                  part of its assets (tangible or intangible), and no event or
                  circumstance has occurred or exists, which individually or in
                  the aggregate has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
                  result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         4.5      NO DEFAULTS, VIOLATIONS OR CONFLICTS; ETC. The execution,
                  delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Loan Documents
                  to which it is a party will not (a) contravene, result in any
                  breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the
                  creation of any Lien (as hereinafter defined) in respect of
                  any of its property


                                       13
<PAGE>

                  or under, corporate charter, by-laws, or similar constituent
                  documents, or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan,
                  purchase or credit agreement, lease, or any other agreement or
                  instrument to which it is bound or by which it or any of its
                  properties may be bound or affected, (b) conflict with or
                  result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or
                  provisions of any order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any
                  court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to it,
                  or (c) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or
                  regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to it,
                  which default or violation, individually or in the aggregate,
                  could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
                  Effect.

                  The term "LIEN" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security
                  interest, bailment, encumbrance, claim, lien, right of set-off
                  or charge of any kind, including any agreement to give any of
                  the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention
                  agreement and any lease in the nature thereof, and the filing
                  of or agreement to give any financing statement under the
                  Uniform Commercial Code.

                  The term "PERMITTED LIENS" means Liens (a) for current taxes
                  and assessments not yet due and payable; (b), if any,
                  reflected on or in the notes to the most recent balance sheet
                  of the Borrower delivered to the Bank on or prior to the
                  Closing Date; (c) securing the payment of taxes or charges of
                  Governmental Authorities not yet delinquent or being contested
                  in good faith by appropriate proceeding, for which adequate
                  reserves are maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) in the
                  nature of non-exclusive licenses and sublicenses of the
                  Intellectual Property granted to Persons in the ordinary
                  course of business; (e) arising from judgments, decrees or
                  attachments to the extent and only so long as such judgment,
                  decree or attachment has not caused or resulted in an Event of
                  Default; (f) in favor of lessors of tangible personal property
                  arising under operating leases, provided that such Liens are
                  limited to the leased property, any improvements made thereto
                  and the proceeds thereof; (g) in favor of or approved in
                  writing by the Bank, or (h) set forth on Schedule 4.5.

         4.6      TITLE TO PROPERTY; LEASES. Except as disclosed on Schedule
                  4.5, the Borrower has good and sufficient title to, or a valid
                  leasehold interest in, all of its Material properties,
                  including all such properties reflected in the most recent
                  balance sheet of the Borrower delivered to the Bank or
                  purported to have been acquired by the Borrower after the date
                  of said balance sheet (except as sold or otherwise disposed of
                  in the ordinary course of business), in each case free and
                  clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens.

         4.7      LITIGATION. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10, there are no
                  actions, suits, proceedings or governmental investigations
                  pending or, to the Borrower's knowledge, threatened against
                  the Borrower in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind
                  or before any Governmental Authority, which, individually or
                  in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
                  Material Adverse Effect.

                                       14
<PAGE>

         4.8      TAX RETURNS. The Borrower has filed all returns and reports
                  that are required to be filed by it in connection with any
                  federal, state or local tax, duty or charge levied, assessed
                  or imposed upon them or their properties, assets, income or
                  franchises or withheld by them, including unemployment, social
                  security and similar taxes and all of such taxes, have been
                  either paid or adequate reserves or other provision for the
                  payment thereof have been made in accordance with GAAP, except
                  for any non-filing of returns or reports or any non-payment of
                  taxes or assessments that could not individually or in the
                  aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
                  Effect.

         4.9      EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Each employee benefit plan as to which
                  the Borrower may have any liability complies in all material
                  respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA, including
                  minimum funding requirements, and (a) no "Prohibited
                  Transaction" (as defined under ERISA) has occurred with
                  respect to any such plan, (b) no "Reportable Event" (as
                  defined under Section 4043 of ERISA) has occurred with respect
                  to any such plan which would cause the Pension Benefit
                  Guaranty Corporation to institute proceedings under Section
                  4042 of ERISA, (c) the Borrower has not withdrawn from any
                  such plan or initiated steps to do so, and (d) no steps have
                  been taken to terminate any such plan. In the event that
                  Borrower shall institute a "defined benefit Plan" (as defined
                  under ERISA), the Borrower shall furnish to the Bank: (i) as
                  soon possible and in any event within thirty (30) days after
                  Borrower or a duly appointed administrator of a defined
                  benefit Plan knows or has reason to know that any "Reportable
                  Event" (as defined under ERISA) has occurred with respect to
                  any defined benefit Plan, a statement of the chief financial
                  officer of the Borrower setting forth details as to such
                  Reportable Event and the action which the Borrower proposes to
                  take with respect thereto, together with a copy of the notice
                  of such reportable event given to the PBCG; (ii) promptly
                  after the filing thereof with the United States Department of
                  Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or the PBCG, copies of
                  each annual and other report or notice with respect to each
                  defined benefit Plan; and (iii) promptly after receipt
                  thereof, a copy of any notice Borrower or any other Control
                  Persons may receive from the United States Department of
                  Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or the PBCG with respect
                  to any defined benefit Plan.

         4.10     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.10,
                  the Borrower is (or, in respect of prior owned or operated
                  real property, was) in compliance, in all material respects,
                  with all Environmental Laws, including, without limitation,
                  all Environmental Laws in jurisdictions in which the Borrower
                  owns or operates, or had owned or operated, a facility or
                  site, stores or has stored Collateral, arranges or has
                  arranged for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances,
                  solid waste or other waste, accepts or has accepted for
                  transport any hazardous substances, solid waste or other
                  wastes. No litigation or proceeding arising under, relating to
                  or in connection with any Environmental Law is pending or, to
                  the Borrower's


                                       15
<PAGE>

                  knowledge, threatened against the Borrower, any real property
                  which the Borrower holds or has held an interest in, or any
                  past or present operation of the Borrower that could
                  reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
                  To the Borrower's knowledge, no release, threatened release or
                  disposal of hazardous waste, solid waste or other wastes is
                  occurring, or to the Borrower's knowledge has occurred, on,
                  under or to any real property in which the Borrower holds any
                  interest or performs any of its operations, in violation of
                  any Environmental Law that could reasonably be expected to
                  result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Section,
                  "litigation or proceeding" means any demand, claim notice,
                  suit, suit in equity, action, administrative action,
                  investigation or inquiry whether brought by a Governmental
                  Authority or other person; "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all
                  provisions of laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations,
                  permits, licenses, judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees,
                  orders, awards and standards promulgated by any Governmental
                  Authority concerning health, safety and protection of, or
                  regulation of the discharge of substances into, the
                  environment; and the terms "real property," "facility" and
                  "site," when referring to real property, a facility or site
                  leased and not owned by the Borrower, shall refer only to the
                  portion of such real property, facility or site actually or
                  previously leased by the Borrower.

         4.11     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Borrower owns or has a valid and
                  enforceable right to use all patents and patent rights owned
                  or used by it free and clear of all Liens except Permitted
                  Liens. To its knowledge, the Borrower owns or has a valid and
                  enforceable right to use all trademarks, trade names, service
                  marks, copyrights, and other Intellectual Property (as
                  hereinafter defined), technology, know-how and processes
                  necessary for the conduct of the Borrower's business as
                  currently conducted, in each case, that are Material, free and
                  clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens. Except as disclosed
                  in Schedule 4.11, the Borrower does not own any registered
                  patents, registered trademarks or registered copyrights nor
                  does the Borrower have any applications to register patents,
                  trademarks or copyrights that are pending.

                  The term "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means and includes all of the
                  Borrower's right, title and interest in all patents, patent
                  applications, copyrights, copyright applications, trademarks,
                  trademark applications, trade names, tradestyles, service
                  marks, goodwill, computer information, computer software,
                  source codes, object codes and trade secrets.

         4.12     USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN REGULATIONS. The Borrower will use the
                  proceeds of the Loan only for lawful purposes in accordance
                  with the term of this Agreement. No part of the proceeds of
                  the Loan will be used directly or indirectly for the purpose
                  of "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin stock" within the
                  respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under
                  Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
                  System as now and from time to time in effect,


                                       16
<PAGE>

                  or for any purpose which violates the provisions of the
                  Regulations of such Board of Governors.

         4.13     SOLVENCY. As of the date hereof, and after giving effect to
                  the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, the
                  Borrower will have sufficient cash flow to enable it to pay
                  its debts as they mature and will not have an unreasonably
                  small amount of capital relative to the Borrower's business
                  and operations.

         4.14     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10,
                  the Borrower has complied in all material respects with all
                  Laws applicable to it, and to the operation of its business
                  (including any statute, rule or regulation relating to
                  employment practices and pension benefits or to environmental,
                  occupational and health standards and controls), except where
                  failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have,
                  either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
                  Effect.

         4.15     DISCLOSURE. None of the Loan Documents contain any untrue
                  statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact
                  necessary in order to make the statements contained in this
                  Agreement or the Loan Documents, taken as a whole, not
                  misleading. There is no fact known to the Borrower which,
                  individually or in the aggregate with other facts known to the
                  Borrower, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
                  Adverse Effect, and which has not otherwise been fully set
                  forth in this Agreement, the Addendum, the Schedules hereto or
                  in the Loan Documents. Each of the certificates delivered or
                  to be delivered by the Borrower or any of its officers
                  pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents will be true,
                  accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date
                  made.

         4.16     BUSINESS. The Borrower is principally engaged in the research,
                  development, manufacture, distribution and sale of electronic
                  and other signal processing equipment and conducts no other
                  substantial businesses or activities.

         4.17     PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS. As of the date hereof, the
                  principal place of business of the Borrower is located at 41
                  Fairfield Place, West Caldwell, New Jersey.

          4.18    REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK Since October 7, 1997, Borrower has
                  not repurchased more than Eighty Two Thousand One Hundred
                  (82,100) shares of its common stock at a cost of not more than
                  Five Hundred Seventy Three Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Six
                  Dollars ($573,866.00).


                                       17
<PAGE>

5.       AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

         The Borrower will comply with the covenants and agreements set forth in
this Section 5 from the date of execution of this Agreement until all
Obligations have been fully paid and any commitments of the Bank to the Borrower
have been terminated.

         5.1      BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Borrower will maintain accurate and
                  complete books and records. The Borrower will give
                  representatives of the Bank access, upon request and during
                  normal business hours in accordance with the provisions of
                  this Section 5.1, to its books and records of account,
                  including permission to examine, copy and make abstracts from
                  any of such books and records and such other information as
                  the Bank may from time to time reasonably request, and the
                  Borrower will make available to the Bank, for examination
                  during normal business hours and in accordance with the
                  provisions of this Section 5.1, copies of any reports,
                  statements or returns which it may make or file with any
                  governmental department, bureau or agency, federal or state.
                  Audits shall be at the expense of the Borrower. So long as
                  neither an Event of Default exists nor the Bank reasonably
                  believes that there has been a Material adverse change in the
                  business or financial condition of the Borrower, the Bank will
                  (i) give reasonable written notice at least one (1) Business
                  Day prior to conducting any examination under this Section
                  5.1, (ii) not require the Borrower to pay for more than one
                  (1) audit per annum, and (iii) not contact the Borrower's
                  customers unless required to do so by applicable law, rules,
                  or regulations or its own internal policies. Except as
                  permitted under Section 12.11 hereof in connection with an
                  assignment or grant of a participation interest in the Loan or
                  as hereafter provided, the Bank will treat as confidential all
                  non-public information contained in such books and records;
                  provided, however, that (a) the Bank will be permitted to
                  disclose any such confidential information or any other
                  information pertaining to the Borrower that is in the
                  possession or control of the Bank or as may be required or
                  requested by its applicable Governmental Authorities, and (b),
                  if the Bank is required to disclose confidential information
                  pursuant to a court order, subpoena or similar process, prior
                  to disclosure the Bank will (i) promptly provide the Borrower
                  with a copy of the court order or subpoena, (ii) cooperate
                  with the Borrower at the Borrower's expense in obtaining a
                  protective or similar order, and (iii) in any event, disclose
                  only such confidential information as the Bank, with the
                  advice of its counsel, shall deem necessary to comply with
                  such court order or subpoena.

         5.2      FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Borrower shall deliver to the Bank the
                  following financial and other reports of the Borrower:

                  (a) Within ninety (90) days of the Borrower's fiscal year end
                  (for each year under this Agreement), a Report on Form 10-K
                  with all accompanying financial reports and statements, and
                  company prepared consolidating annual financial statements;

                                       18
<PAGE>

                  (b) Within one hundred twenty (120) days of the Borrower's
                  fiscal year end (for each year under this Agreement), copies
                  of the Borrower Annual Report to stockholders;

                  (c) Within sixty (60) days of the end of each fiscal quarter,
                  quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, company prepared consolidating
                  quarterly financial statements, current reports on Form 8-K,
                  proxy statements and any other reports filed with or filings
                  made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. With respect
                  to financial statements included in the reports on Form 10-Q,
                  the chief financial officer of the Borrower shall certify same
                  complete and correct, which certificate shall include a
                  statement (i) of his examination (which shall include a review
                  of the relevant provisions of this Agreement), (ii) that the
                  Company is in compliance with all financial covenants
                  contained in this Agreement, (iii) indicating whether his
                  examination has disclosed the existence of any condition or
                  event which constitutes an Event of Default, and, if so,
                  specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, and
                  (iv) all supporting calculations;

                  (d) Within sixty (60) days of the end of the Borrower's fiscal
                  year end (for each year under this Agreement), an accounts
                  recivable aging report in a form reasonably satisfactory to
                  Bank;

                  (e) Within sixty (60) days of the end of each fiscal quarter,
                  quarterly backlog reports (which shall include shipping dates)
                  for each of the Borrower (excluding Filtran) and Filtran
                  separately, and quarterly accounts receivable aging reports in
                  a form reasonably satisfactory to Bank; and

                  (f) Within ten (10) days after the Bank's request therefor,
                  such additional information regarding the financial condition
                  and affairs of the Borrower as the Bank shall reasonably
                  require.

         5.3      FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS. The Borrower will deliver to the Bank
                  projections, forecasts, financial pro formas and such other
                  information reasonably requested by the Bank from time to time
                  that is in the nature of information presented to the
                  Borrower's Board of Directors or is in the nature of
                  information disclosed to any of the Borrower's existing
                  stockholders or prospective investors, which at a minimum
                  shall include monthly financial projections for the fiscal
                  year ending December 31, 2002, and quarterly financial
                  projections for each year thereafter until all Obligations
                  have been fully paid and any commitments of the Bank to the
                  Borrower have been terminated.

         5.4      PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER CHARGES. The Borrower will pay and
                  discharge all Obligations, when due, all indebtedness and all
                  taxes, assessments, charges, levies and other liabilities
                  imposed upon them, their income, profits, property or
                  business, except those which currently are being contested in
                  good faith by


                                       19
<PAGE>

                  appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower will have
                  set aside adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or made
                  other adequate provision with respect thereto acceptable to
                  the Bank in its reasonable discretion; provided, however, that
                  the Borrower need not pay any such tax or assessment or claims
                  if the nonpayment of all such taxes and assessments and claims
                  in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a
                  Material Adverse Effect.

         5.5      MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE, OPERATION AND ASSETS. The Borrower
                  will do all things reasonably necessary to maintain, renew and
                  keep in full force and effect its organizational existence and
                  all rights, permits and franchises necessary to enable it to
                  continue its business; continue in operation in substantially
                  the same manner as at present; maintain, preserve and keep all
                  its properties, equipment and assets reasonably necessary for
                  its business in good repair, working order and condition,
                  reasonable wear and tear excepted, and make, or cause to be
                  made, all necessary or appropriate repairs, renewals,
                  replacements, substitutions, additions, betterments and
                  improvements thereto so that the efficiency of all such
                  properties and assets shall at all times be properly preserved
                  and maintained.

         5.6      PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY; INSURANCE. The Borrower shall keep
                  and maintain all of its properties in good order and repair;
                  and will maintain with financially sound and reputable
                  insurers, as reasonably determined in good faith by the
                  Borrower, insurance with respect to its property and business
                  against such casualties and contingencies, of such types and
                  in such amounts as is customary for established companies
                  engaged in the same or similar business and similarly
                  situated, and will deliver to the Bank at least once each year
                  evidence of insurance in form satisfactory to the Bank.

         5.7      COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Borrower will comply in all material
                  respects with all Laws applicable to it and to the operation
                  of its business (including any statute, rule or regulation
                  relating to employment practices and pension benefits or to
                  environmental, occupational and health standards and
                  controls), except where failure to comply could not reasonably
                  be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate,
                  a Material Adverse Effect.

         5.8      ADDITIONAL REPORTS. The Borrower will deliver written notice
                  to the Bank promptly after receiving notice or knowledge of
                  the occurrence of any of the following, together with a
                  description of the action that the Borrower is taking or
                  proposes to take with respect thereto: (a) an Event of Default
                  or an event or circumstance that with the passage of time,
                  delivery of notice or both would constitute an Event of
                  Default, (b) any Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction
                  with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan(s) (as defined in
                  ERISA); (c) any event that could reasonably be expected to
                  have a Material Adverse Effect; or (d) an Equity Event (as
                  hereinafter defined).

                                       20
<PAGE>

                  The term "EQUITY EVENT" means the closing and completion of a
                  private placement of common or preferred stock of the Borrower
                  or equity securities convertible into preferred or common
                  stock of the Borrower, as the case may be, to professional or
                  institutional investors or other investors who may lawfully
                  purchase such securities, including, but not limited to, then
                  existing owners of the Borrower's equity securities, resulting
                  in any net proceeds to the Borrower upon commercially
                  reasonable terms prevailing in the marketplace at the time and
                  negotiated at arm's length.

         5.9      BOARD REPORTS; OBSERVER RIGHTS. The Borrower will deliver to
                  the Bank copies of all regular periodic reports provided by
                  management of the Borrower to its Board of Directors. The Bank
                  shall be entitled to attend meetings of the Board of Directors
                  of the Borrower for the purpose of observing such proceedings,
                  unless such attendance would be inappropriate as determined by
                  the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Borrower.

         5.10     BANK ACCOUNTS. The Borrower will maintain all of its bank
                  accounts for corporate and related business at the Bank.

         5.11     USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower will use the proceeds of the
                  Loan only for lawful purposes in accordance with the uses
                  permitted hereunder and such use shall not contravene any
                  applicable Law.

         5.12     OPINION OF BORROWER'S COUNSEL. The Borrower will cause its
                  counsel to deliver to the Bank on or prior to the Closing Date
                  an opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
                  the Bank and its counsel.

         5.13     LITIGATION. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Bank of any
                  litigation, actions, proceedings, claims or investigations
                  pending or threatened against the Borrower or any of its
                  Subsidiaries, wherein claimant seeks to recover in excess of
                  $100,000.00 and of the entry of any judgment in excess of
                  $100,000.00 against the Borrower or the entry of any Liens
                  securing any obligation or obligations in excess of
                  $100,000.00 (individually or in the aggregate), other than
                  Permitted Liens, against any of its assets.

          5.14    RELIANCE UPON COSTA RICA FACILITIES. If required in order to
                  avoid an Event of Default under Section 7.1(a), Borrower
                  agrees to apply any monies or proceeds from the Costa Rica
                  Facilities toward the payment of its Obligations due
                  hereunder.

          5.15    FILTRAN AND NOVA SCOTIA BANK. Borrower represents that Filtran
                  maintains certain accounts and has a banking relationship with
                  the Nova Scotia Bank. Borrower hereby consents to Bank
                  contacting and obtaining certain information from the Nova
                  Scotia Bank that the Bank reasonably deems necessary to
                  evaluate


                                       21
<PAGE>

                  the status of Filtran's accounts and relationship with the
                  Nova Scotia Bank. Borrower further agrees to cooperate with
                  and assist Bank with respect to obtaining such information.

6.       NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

         The Borrower will comply with the covenants and agreements set forth in
this Section 6 from the date of execution of this Agreement until all
Obligations have been fully paid and any commitments of the Bank to the Borrower
have been terminated.

         6.1      INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower shall not create, incur or assume
                  any liability for borrowed money in excess of an aggregate of
                  Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00); provided, however,
                  that, subject to applicable financial covenants of the
                  Borrower in this Agreement, Borrower may incur liabilities up
                  to Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) in the
                  aggregate per annum for the purchase of new machinery and
                  equipment through direct financing, lease financing or other
                  means, except liabilities heretofore or hereinafter incurred
                  in favor of the Bank.

         6.2      OBLIGATIONS. The Borrower shall not assume, guarantee, endorse
                  or otherwise become liable, in connection with the obligations
                  of any person, firm or corporation except:

                  (i)      Liabilities resulting from product warranties made in
                           the ordinary course of business;

                  (ii)     Liabilities resulting from its endorsement of items
                           or instruments for deposit or collection in the
                           ordinary course of business; and

                  (iii)    Assumptions, guarantees, endorsements or other
                           liabilities for obligations which in the aggregate do
                           not exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00)
                           at any time outstanding, except for a guaranty of the
                           lease obligations relating to the Costa Rica
                           Facilities, which obligations shall not exceed
                           $500,000.00, as more particulalry set forth on
                           Schedule 6.2.

         6.3      SALE/LEASE OF PROPERTY. The Borrower shall not sell, lease,
                  abandon, or otherwise dispose of any part of its properties or
                  assets, except (i) sales of finished goods made to a person,
                  firm or corporation in the ordinary course of business in
                  commercially reasonable and bona fide arm's length
                  transactions for fair consideration, (ii) dispositions of raw
                  materials and finished goods inventory deemed to be obsolete
                  and in respect of which a charge to income has been reflected
                  in the Borrower's financial statements, or (iii) the factoring
                  of certain foreign receivables in the ordinary course of the
                  Borrower's business, unless (1) the Bank is provided at least
                  ten (10) days written notice of such sale, lease or
                  disposition, and (2) the entire amount of proceeds of such
                  sale, lease or


                                       22
<PAGE>

                  disposition is paid to the Bank to reduce the principal amount
                  outstanding under the Loan.

         6.4      OTHER SALE/LEASE OF PROPERTY. The Borrower shall not purchase,
                  lease, or otherwise acquire the properties, assets or real
                  estate, or any interest therein, of any person, firm or
                  corporation, except purchases, leases or other acquisitions of
                  inventory and equipment made in the ordinary course of
                  business in bona fide arm's length transactions.

         6.5      BUSINESS COMBINATION. The Borrower shall not consolidate with,
                  merge into, or participate in any joint venture with, any
                  person, firm or corporation, or permit any person, firm or
                  corporation to consolidate with, merge into or participate in
                  any joint venture with the Borrower without the consent of
                  Bank.

         6.6      SUBSIDIARY. The Borrower shall not create or acquire, or
                  permit the creation or acquisition of, any Subsidiary without
                  the consent of the Bank, which shall not unreasonably be
                  withheld or delayed.

         6.7      SECURITIES. The Borrower shall not purchase or acquire the
                  obligations, securities or stock of, or make loans, advances
                  or capital contributions to, any person, firm or corporation,
                  except:

                  (i)      Marketable direct obligations of the United States of
                           America;

                  (ii)     Commercial paper issued by corporations conducting
                           substantially all of their business in the United
                           States of America, maturing within 180 days from the
                           date of the original issue thereof, and rated "prime"
                           by the National Credit Office;

                  (iii)    Bonds of any state, county, or municipality of the
                           United States of America, (w) which mature within two
                           years from the date of acquisition thereof, and (x)
                           which are not in default as to principal or interest,
                           and (y) which are rated Aa, or better, by Moody's
                           Investors Service, and (z) the interest of which is
                           exempt from federal income tax;

                  (iv)     Customer's notes, chattel paper, or the like received
                           as non-cash proceeds of the sale of any inventory in
                           the ordinary course of business;

                  (v)      Certificates of Deposit and Repurchase Agreements;

                  (vi)     Repurchase of its common stock, not to exceed in the
                           aggregate the sum of Four Hundred Twenty Six Thousand
                           One Hundred Thirty Four Dollars ($426,134.00) during
                           the term of this Agreement; provided, however, that
                           such repurchase is permitted under Section 6.13; or

                                       23
<PAGE>

                  (vii)    Investments described on Schedule 6.7 hereto, which
                           investments shall not exceed in the aggregate at any
                           one time the sum of $2,000,000.

         6.8      LOANS TO INSIDERS. The Borrower shall not make any new loans
                  or advances (individually or in the aggregate exceeding at any
                  one time the sum of $100,000.00) to any of its officers,
                  directors or shareholders, or to any other person, firm or
                  entity.

         6.9      CAPITAL STOCK. The Borrower shall not alter its existing
                  capital stock structure by elections of new classes of stock
                  or otherwise.

         6.10     RECEIVABLES. The Borrower shall not sell, assign, transfer,
                  discount or otherwise dispose of any account receivable or any
                  note receivable with or without recourse, except for
                  collection without recourse in the ordinary course of
                  business.

         6.11     MERGER OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS. The Borrower shall not: (a)
                  merge or consolidate with or into any Person, or (b) lease,
                  sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of its property, assets
                  and business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except
                  in the ordinary course consistent with past practice or as
                  contemplated in the financial projections delivered to the
                  Bank prior to the Closing Date.

         6.12     CHANGE IN BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT OR EQUITY OWNERSHIP; CHANGE OF
                  CONTROL.

                  (a) The Borrower shall not engage in any business other than
                  the business specified in Section 4.16, without the prior
                  written consent of the Bank.

                  (b) The Borrower shall not make, suffer or permit any material
                  change (i) in the composition of its current executive
                  management if, as a result of such change, the person then
                  serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Borrower would cease
                  serving in such capacity, unless such change has been approved
                  by one of the individuals, or a majority of the individuals,
                  if more than two, who are then serving on the Borrower's Board
                  of Directors as the designees or representatives of
                  institutional or professional investors that hold shares of
                  the capital stock of the Borrower; or (ii) in the ownership of
                  its capital stock or other similar equity interests, whether
                  through the change of ownership of presently outstanding
                  shares or interests or by means of newly issued shares or
                  interests, except pursuant to (A) Section 6.7, (B) an
                  underwritten public offering of the Borrower's common stock
                  that is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
                  amended, or (C) an Equity Event that does not result in a
                  Change of Control.

                  (c) The Borrower will not permit or suffer to occur a Change
                  of Control and will not execute any agreement or letter of
                  intent with respect to any proposed transaction or event or
                  series of transactions or events which, when fully performed
                  by the parties thereto, would result in a Change of Control.

                                       24
<PAGE>

         6.13     DIVIDENDS. The Borrower shall not declare or pay any cash
                  dividends on or make any cash distribution with respect to any
                  class of its equity or ownership or membership interests which
                  would result in a breach of the financial covenants set forth
                  in Section 6.15, or purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise
                  acquire any of its equity or ownership or membership interests
                  other than in connection with employee repurchase agreements
                  entered into by the Borrower pursuant to (i) an Equity Event,
                  or (ii) the grant of stock options, stock grants or options or
                  grants to acquire ownership or membership interests issued to
                  employees under an existing plan approved by the Borrower's
                  Board of Directors (a copy of which has been made available to
                  the Bank).

         6.14     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Borrower shall not enter into any
                  agreement or undertaking pursuant to which the Borrower
                  assigns for security or grants or agrees to assign for
                  security or grant to any Person a lien or security interest in
                  or otherwise encumber any of the Borrower's present and future
                  right, title and interest in and to (a) any Intellectual
                  Property, (b) the registration of any Intellectual Property,
                  (c) the right to sue for past, present and future
                  infringements of any Intellectual Property, (d) the proceeds
                  of any Intellectual Property, including, without limitation,
                  license royalties and proceeds of infringement suits, or (e)
                  the goodwill associated with any Intellectual Property;
                  provided, however, nothing herein shall restrict or prohibit
                  the Borrower from granting licenses of any Intellectual
                  Property in the ordinary course of business that are not for
                  the purpose of granting security. The Borrower will not enter
                  into any agreement, covenant or undertaking with any Person
                  the terms of which would restrict or prohibit the Borrower
                  from, or would be violated upon, granting or assigning for
                  security to the Bank a lien or security interest in or
                  otherwise encumbering in favor of the Bank or assigning
                  outright to the Bank any Intellectual Property or other rights
                  and benefits described in the preceding sentence. The Borrower
                  will not abandon any Material Intellectual Property
                  registration without the written consent of the Bank. The
                  Borrower will maintain the Intellectual Property in full force
                  and effect until all of the Obligations are satisfied in full
                  except for Intellectual Property rights that expire
                  automatically upon completion of their terms or as otherwise
                  provided in the immediately preceding sentence. Upon request
                  of the Bank after the occurrence and during the continuance of
                  an Event of Default, the Borrower will deliver to the Bank a
                  description of all such Intellectual Property existing at such
                  time.

         6.15     FINANCIAL COVENANTS. Without the prior written consents of the
                  Bank, the Borrower shall not cause, suffer or permit: (1) the
                  Leverage Ratio to exceed 1.1:1.0 at the end of any
                  quarter-annual period during the Borrower's fiscal year; (2)
                  the Tangible Net Worth of the Borrower to be less than
                  $14,500,000.00 at the end of any quarter-annual period during
                  the Borrower's fiscal year, except that this threshold shall
                  be increased on a cumulative basis each quarter in an amount
                  equal to fifty percent (50%) of the net income from the
                  preceding quarter (with no


                                       25
<PAGE>


                  change to the then current threshold if the net income for the
                  preceding quarter is negative); or (3) fail to maintain at the
                  end of each quarter-annual period during the Borrower's fiscal
                  year a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the preceding
                  four fiscal quarters of at least 1.25:1.00. Each of the
                  foregoing financial covenants will be tested for compliance at
                  the end of each calendar month or quarter, as applicable, and
                  the Borrower will report its compliance or non-compliance
                  therewith to the Bank in accordance with the provisions of
                  Section 5.2 of this Agreement.

         6.16     FILTRAN RESTRICTIONS. Borrower shall not assign, transfer,
                  loan or otherwise distribute any funds, monies or property of
                  any kind to Filtran, unless such monies and/or property are
                  transferred, lent, distributed or assigned (i) in the ordinary
                  course of business, and (ii) as part of the vendor/trade
                  relationship between Borrower and Filtran. Notwithstanding the
                  foregoing, in no event shall any of the proceeds of the Loan
                  be transferred, assigned, lent or otherwise distributed to
                  Filtran.

7.       EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES.

         7.1      EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any of the following will
         be deemed to be an "EVENT OF DEFAULT":

                  (a) Payment Default. The Borrower's failure to pay, when due,
                  on demand or at maturity (whether stated or by acceleration),
                  as the case may be, any payment of principal, interest or
                  other charges due and owing to the Bank pursuant to any
                  Obligations of the Borrower to the Bank, which breach remains
                  uncured for a period of ten (10) days from the date such
                  payment is due.

                  (b) Covenant Default. The Borrower shall either (i) default in
                  the performance of, or violate any of, the covenants or
                  agreements contained in Sections 5. or 6., or (ii) default in
                  the performance of, or violate any of the other covenants or
                  agreements contained in this Agreement (other than the
                  Obligation to pay principal and interest on the Note, which
                  shall be governed by Section 7.1(a), or those contained in
                  Sections 5. or 6.) and, if the same are capable of being
                  cured, such default or violation shall continue uncured for a
                  period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days after written
                  notice thereof is given to the Borrower by the Bank.

                  (c) Breach of Warranty. Any Financial Statement,
                  representation, warranty or certificate made or furnished by
                  the Borrower to the Bank in connection with this Agreement
                  shall be false, incorrect or incomplete in any Material
                  respect when made.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                  (d) Bankruptcy or Insolvency. A proceeding shall have been
                  instituted in a court having jurisdiction over the Borrower
                  seeking a decree or order for relief in respect of Borrower in
                  an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other
                  applicable bankruptcy, insolvency reorganization or other
                  similar law and such involuntary case shall remain undismissed
                  or unstayed and in effect for a period of thirty (30)
                  consecutive calendar days, or the Borrower shall commence a
                  voluntary case under any such law or consent to the
                  appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
                  trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or other similar
                  official).

                  (e) Other Default. The occurrence of an Event of Default as
                  defined in the Note or any of the other Loan Documents,
                  subject to any applicable cure periods therein.

                  (f) Default on Other Debt. A default with respect to any other
                  indebtedness of the Borrower for borrowed money, if the effect
                  of such default is to cause or permit the acceleration of such
                  debt.

                  (g) Default on Guarantees. A default with respect to any
                  indebtedness of any Affiliate for which Borrower has
                  guaranteed the payment of such indebtedness, if the effect of
                  such default is to cause or permit the acceleration of such
                  debt.

                  (h) Entry of Judgment. The entry of a final judgment for money
                  damages exceeding One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00)
                  against the Borrower and the failure of the Borrower to
                  discharge the judgment within ten (10) consecutive calendar
                  days after the entry of such judgment.

                  (i) Foreclosure on Collateral. The commencement of any
                  foreclosure or forfeiture proceeding, execution or attachment
                  against any collateral securing any of the Obligations.

                  (j) Material Adverse Effect. The occurrence of any event or
                  circumstance or any combinations of events or circumstances
                  that alone or taken together results in a Material Adverse
                  Effect.

                  (k) Adverse Change in Business/Financial Condition. If, in the
                  good faith opinion of the Bank, there is any Material adverse
                  change in the Borrower's business or financial condition or if
                  the Bank otherwise reasonably deems itself insecure.

                  (l) Filtran Default. A default with respect to any
                  indebtedness of Filtran for borrowed money, if the effect of
                  such default is to cause or permit the acceleration of such
                  debt.

                                       27
<PAGE>

         7.2      REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described
                  in Section 7.1, the principal and accrued interest, all other
                  amounts due and owing on the Loan (if not then due and
                  payable), and all other Obligations owing to Bank shall become
                  due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand,
                  notice, protest, declaration or any other requirement of any
                  kind, all of which the Borrower expressly waives. Upon the
                  occurrence of an Event of Default, and irrespective of whether
                  the Loan has been declared due and payable pursuant to the
                  immediately preceding sentence, the Bank will have all rights
                  and remedies specified in this Agreement, in the Note and
                  other Loan Documents, and all rights and remedies (which are
                  cumulative and not exclusive) available under applicable law
                  or in equity. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the
                  Bank may notify any Persons who are account debtors of the
                  Borrower to submit all payments in respect of the Borrower's
                  accounts receivable directly to the Bank and shall provide
                  written notice to the Borrower that it has done so. Upon the
                  occurrence of an Event of Default, the Bank's duty to make any
                  further loans pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise shall
                  immediately cease.

         7.3      RIGHTS OF SET-OFF. The Borrower and any Guarantor hereby grant
                  to Bank a continuing lien, security interest and right of
                  setoff as security for all liabilities and obligations to
                  Bank, whether now existing or hereafter arising, upon and
                  against all deposits, credits, collateral and property, now or
                  hereafter in the possession, custody, safekeeping or control
                  of Bank or any entity under the control of Fleet National Bank
                  and its successors and assigns or in transit to any of them.
                  At any time, without demand or notice, (any such notice being
                  expressly waived by Borrower) Bank may set off the same or any
                  part thereof and apply the same to any liability or obligation
                  of Borrower and any Guarantor even though unmatured and
                  regardless of the adequacy of any other collateral securing
                  the Loan. ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE BANK TO EXERCISE ITS
                  RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH
                  SECURES THE LOAN, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SETOFF WITH
                  RESPECT TO SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF THE
                  BORROWER ARE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY
                  WAIVED.

8.       CONDITIONS.

         The closing of the Loan (the "CLOSING") shall take place at such place
and on such date as the Borrower and the Bank shall mutually agree (the "CLOSING
DATE"). The Bank's obligation to make any advance or fund any draw under any
Loan is subject to the following conditions as of the date of the advance:

         8.1      NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. No Event of Default or fact, event or
                  circumstance which with the passage of time, provision of
                  notice or both would constitute an Event of Default shall have
                  occurred and be continuing.

                                       28
<PAGE>

         8.2      AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENTS. The Bank will have been furnished
                  certified copies of resolutions of the board of directors
                  authorizing the execution of this Agreement, the Note, and
                  other Loan Documents, or other proof of authorization
                  satisfactory to the Bank.

         8.3      RECEIPT OF LOAN DOCUMENTS. The Bank will have received the
                  Loan Documents, and such other instruments and documents that
                  the Bank may reasonably request in connection with the
                  transactions provided for in this Agreement.

         8.4      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and
                  warranties of the Borrower to the Bank will be true and
                  correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date and in
                  all material respects thereafter, except for those
                  representations and warranties that speak as of a specific
                  date, including, but not limited to, the representations and
                  warranties pertaining to financial statements of the Borrower
                  dated prior to such date, which representations and warranties
                  shall be true and correct as of such date.

         8.5      NO LITIGATION. No litigation and no proceeding nor
                  investigation by or before any court, public body, agency or
                  authority is impending or threatened, of which either party is
                  aware, which may have a Material Adverse Effect.

         8.6      PAYMENT OF FEES. The Borrower will have paid to the Bank the
                  Counsel Fee.

         8.7      ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS. The Bank will have received the
                  following documents:

                  (a) Duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, in a form
                  reasonably satisfactory to the Bank, each of the following:

                           (i)   Term Loan and Security Agreement;

                           (ii)  Term Loan Note;

                           (iii) Pledge Agreement regarding capital stock of the
                                 Costa Rica facilities;

                           (iv)  Assignment of Stock Certificate (in blank) and
                                 accompanying Stock Certificate; and

                           (v)   UCC-1 Financing Statements.

                  (b) A certified copy of the resolutions of the Board of
                  Directors of the Borrower in a form satisfactory to the Bank,
                  authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the
                  Loan Documents, the transactions contemplated by such
                  documents and all such other and further actions in connection
                  with this Agreement as designated officers of the Borrower may
                  deem necessary and proper;

                                       29
<PAGE>

                  (c) Certificates by the Secretary of the Borrower as to the
                  incumbency and signatures of the officers of the Borrower
                  designated to sign the Loan Documents;

                  (d) Copy, certified by the Secretary of the Borrower, of its
                  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws;

                  (e) Certificate from the Secretary of the State of Delaware as
                  to the good standing of the Borrower;

                  (f) Opinion of Borrower's counsel; and

                  (g) Such other documents as Bank may reasonably require,
                  including, without limitation, financial statements, proofs,
                  and opinions of other professionals.

         8.8      LIENS. Proof, satisfactory to the Bank in form and substance,
                  of the satisfaction, termination and discharge of any Liens,
                  other than Permitted Liens.


         8.9      SECURED CREDITOR INSURANCE. A secured creditor insurance
                  policy, with coverage acceptable to the Bank and naming the
                  Bank as the insured, shall be in full force and effect with
                  the entire premium being paid in advance and in-full by the
                  Borrower.

9.       EXPENSES.

         The Borrower will pay to the Bank, not sooner than five (5) calendar
days after the Closing Date, and thereafter on demand, all reasonable and
necessary documented costs and expenses, including reasonable fees and expenses
of counsel, expenses for auditors, appraisers and environmental consultants,
lien searches, recording and filing fees and taxes, incurred by the Bank in
connection with (a) the preparation, negotiation and delivery of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, (b) any amendments, amendments and restatements or
other modifications to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents incurred
subsequent to the Closing Date, and (c) the Loan or instituting, maintaining,
preserving, enforcing and foreclosing the security interest in any of the
collateral securing the Loan, whether through judicial proceedings or otherwise.

10.      USURY.

         All agreements between Borrower and the Bank are hereby expressly
limited so that in no contingency or event whatsoever, whether by reason of
acceleration of maturity of the indebtedness evidenced hereby or otherwise,
shall the amount paid or agreed to be paid to the Bank for the use or the
forbearance of the indebtedness evidenced hereby exceed the maximum permissible
under applicable law. As used herein, the term "applicable law" shall mean the
law in effect as of the date hereof provided, however, that in the event there
is a change in the law which results in a higher


                                       30
<PAGE>

permissible rate of interest, then this Loan Agreement shall be governed by such
new law as of its effective date. In this regard, it is expressly agreed that it
is the intent of Borrower and Bank in the execution, delivery and acceptance of
this Loan Agreement to contract in strict compliance with the laws of the State
of New Jersey from time to time in effect. If under or from any circumstances
whatsoever, fulfillment of any provision hereof or of any of the Loan Documents
at the time of performance of such provision shall be due, shall involve
transcending the limit of such validity prescribed by applicable law, then the
obligation to be fulfilled shall automatically be reduced to the limits of such
validity, and if under or from circumstances whatsoever Bank should ever receive
as interest an amount which would exceed the highest lawful rate, such amount
which would be excessive interest shall be applied to the reduction of the
principal balance evidenced hereby and not to the payment of interest. This
provision shall control every other provision of all agreements between Borrower
and the Bank.

11.      INCREASED COSTS.

         Within thirty (30) calendar days following written demand, together
with the written evidence of the justification therefore (including in
reasonable detail, the calculation thereof), the Borrower will pay to the Bank,
all direct increased costs incurred, and any losses suffered or increased
payments made by the Bank as a consequence of making the Loan, by reason of any
change in law or regulation or the interpretation of any law or regulation
imposing any reserve, deposit, allocation of capital or similar requirement
(including without limitation, Regulation D of the board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System) on the Bank, its holding company or any of their
respective assets.

12.      MISCELLANEOUS.

         12.1     NOTICES. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals
                  and other communications required or permitted hereunder must
                  be in writing and will be effective upon receipt if delivered
                  personally to such party, or by nationally recognized
                  overnight courier service, to the address set forth below or
                  to such other address as any party may give to the other in
                  writing for such purpose:

                  To the Bank:                   To the Borrower:

                  Fleet National Bank            Merrimac Industries, Inc.
                  208 Harristown Road            41 Fairfield Place
                  Glen Rock, New Jersey 07452    West Caldwell, New Jersey 07006
                  Attn:  Richard H. Mady         Attn:  Robert V. Condon

         12.2     PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS. No delay or omission on the part of
                  the Bank to exercise any right or power arising hereunder will
                  impair any such right or power, or be considered a waiver of
                  any such right or power or any acquiescence therein, nor will
                  the action or inaction of the Bank impair any right or power
                  arising hereunder. The Bank's rights and remedies hereunder
                  are cumulative and not


                                       31
<PAGE>

                  exclusive of any other rights or remedies which the Bank may
                  have under other agreements, at law or in equity.

         12.3     ILLEGALITY. In case any one or more of the provisions
                  contained in this Agreement should be invalid, illegal or
                  unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and
                  enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein
                  shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         12.4     CHANGES IN WRITING. No modification, amendment or waiver of
                  any provision of this Agreement nor consent to any departure
                  by the Borrower therefrom, will in any event be effective
                  unless the same is in writing and signed by the Bank and, in
                  the case of amendments and modifications, by the Borrower, and
                  then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
                  specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No
                  notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case will entitle
                  the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in the
                  same, similar or other circumstance.

         12.5     ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement (including the documents and
                  instruments referred to herein) constitutes the entire
                  agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements and
                  understandings, both written and oral, between the parties
                  with respect to the subject matter hereof.

         12.6     SIGNATURES; COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in any
                  number of counterpart copies and by the parties hereto on
                  separate counterparts and delivered by telecopier, but all
                  such copies shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         12.7     SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement will be binding upon
                  and inure to the benefit of the Borrower and the Bank and
                  their respective successors and assigns; provided, however,
                  that the Borrower may not assign this Agreement in whole or in
                  part without the prior written consent of the Bank, and the
                  Bank, at any time, may assign this Agreement in whole or in
                  part in accordance with Section 12.11 hereof.



                                       32
<PAGE>


         12.8     INTERPRETATION. In this Agreement, unless the Bank and the
                  Borrower otherwise agree in writing, the singular includes the
                  plural and the plural the singular; words importing any gender
                  include the other genders; references to statutes are to be
                  construed as including all statutory provisions consolidating,
                  amending or replacing the statute referred to; the word "or"
                  shall be deemed to include "and/or," the words "including,"
                  "includes" and "include" shall be deemed to be followed by the
                  words "without limitation"; references to articles, sections
                  (or subdivisions of sections), schedules or exhibits are to
                  those of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated; and
                  references to agreements and other contractual instruments
                  shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other
                  modifications to such instruments, but only to the extent such
                  amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by or
                  are entered into in accordance with the terms of this
                  Agreement. Section headings in this Agreement are included for
                  convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part
                  of this Agreement for any other purpose. Unless otherwise
                  specified in this Agreement, all accounting terms shall be
                  interpreted, and all accounting determinations shall be made,
                  in accordance with GAAP. If this Agreement is executed by more
                  than one party as Borrower, the obligations of such persons or
                  entities will be joint and several.

         12.9     INDEMNITY. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each of the Bank,
                  its directors, officers and employees and each legal entity,
                  if any, which controls the Bank (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTIES")
                  and to hold each Indemnified Party harmless from and against
                  any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses
                  (including, without limitation, all reasonable fees of counsel
                  and all reasonable expenses of litigation or preparation
                  therefor) which any Indemnified Party may incur or which may
                  be asserted against any Indemnified Party in connection with
                  or arising out of the matters referred to in this Agreement or
                  in the other Loan Documents by any person, entity or
                  Governmental Authority (including any person or entity
                  claiming derivatively on behalf of the Borrower), whether (a)
                  arising from or incurred in connection with any breach of a
                  representation, warranty or covenant by the Borrower, or (b)
                  arising out of or resulting from any suit, action, claim,
                  proceeding or governmental investigation, pending or
                  threatened, whether based on statute, regulation or order, or
                  tort, or contract or otherwise, before any court or
                  Governmental Authority, which arises out of or relates to this
                  Agreement, any other Loan Document, or the use of the proceeds
                  of the Loan; provided, that the foregoing indemnity agreement
                  shall not apply to, and the Borrower shall not be liable for,
                  claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses to the
                  extent such claims, damages, losses, liabilities and/or
                  expenses are proximately caused by an Indemnified Party's
                  gross negligence, reckless disregard or willful misconduct.
                  The indemnity agreement contained in this Section shall
                  survive the termination of this Agreement, payment of any Loan
                  and assignment of any rights hereunder. The Borrower may
                  participate at its expense in the defense of any such action
                  or claim.

                                       33
<PAGE>

         12.10    TERMINATION; REINSTATEMENT. Except as otherwise provided in
                  Section 9 and Section 12.9 and the other indemnification
                  obligations and waivers under the Loan Documents, this
                  Agreement will terminate upon satisfaction of the following
                  events: (a) payment to the Bank in full (unconditionally and
                  indefeasibly) of all monetary Obligations due hereunder and
                  under the Loan Documents, and (b) the termination of the
                  Bank's commitment to lend under the Loan; provided, however,
                  that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents will, to the
                  maximum extent allowed by applicable law, be reinstated and
                  the Obligations correspondingly increased (as though such
                  payment(s) had not been made) if at any time any amount
                  received by the Bank in respect of any Obligations is
                  rescinded or must otherwise be restored, refunded or returned
                  by the Bank to the Borrower or any other person or entity (i)
                  upon, or as a result of, the insolvency, bankruptcy,
                  dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or
                  (ii) upon, or as a result of, the appointment of any receiver,
                  intervenor, conservator, trustee or similar official for the
                  Borrower or for any substantial part of the assets of the
                  Borrower.

         12.11    ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATION. At any time, without any notice
                  to the Borrower, the Bank may sell, assign, transfer,
                  negotiate, grant participation in, or otherwise dispose of all
                  or any part of the Bank's interest in the Loan. The Borrower
                  hereby authorizes the Bank to provide, without any notice to
                  the Borrower, any information concerning the Borrower,
                  including information pertaining to the Borrower's financial
                  condition, business operations or general creditworthiness, to
                  any person or entity not a competitor of Borrower which may
                  succeed to or participate in all or any part of the Bank's
                  interest in the Loan, provided, that such person or entity
                  agrees to maintain the confidentiality of such information in
                  accordance with customary banking practices.

         12.12    PLEDGE TO FEDERAL RESERVE. Bank may at any time pledge or
                  assign all or any portion of its rights under the loan
                  documents (including any portion of the Note) to any of the
                  twelve (12) Federal Reserve Banks originated under Section 4
                  of the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C. Section 341. No such
                  pledge or assignment or enforcement thereof shall release Bank
                  from its obligations under any of the Loan Documents.

         12.13    REPLACEMENT OF NOTE. Upon receipt of an affidavit of an
                  officer of Bank as to the theft, destruction or mutilation of
                  the Note or any other security document which is not of public
                  record, and, in the case of any such loss, theft, destruction
                  or mutilation, upon cancellation of such Note or other
                  security document, Borrower will issue, in lieu thereof, a
                  replacement note or other security document in the same
                  principal amount thereof and otherwise like tenor.

         12.14    COLLATERAL PLEDGE. Bank may transfer Collateral into its name
                  or that of its nominee and may receive the income and any
                  distributions thereon and hold the


                                       34
<PAGE>

                  same as Collateral for the Obligations, or apply the same to
                  any Obligations due, whether or not a default or Event of
                  Default has occurred.

         12.15    GOVERNING LAW.

                  THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO AND ACCEPTED BY THE BANK
                  AND WILL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. THIS
                  AGREEMENT WILL BE INTERPRETED AND THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES
                  OF THE PARTIES HERETO DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS
                  OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, EXCLUDING ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS
                  RULES.

         12.16    CHOICE OF FORUM.

                  THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE
                  JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SEATED IN BERGEN
                  COUNTY OR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY, AND CONSENTS THAT ALL
                  SERVICE OF PROCESS BE SENT PREPAID BY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
                  OVERNIGHT COURIER SERVICE DIRECTED TO THE BORROWER AT THE
                  BORROWER'S ADDRESS SET FORTH HEREIN AND SERVICE SO MADE WILL
                  BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED ON THE BUSINESS DAY AFTER DEPOSIT
                  WITH SUCH COURIER; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS
                  AGREEMENT WILL PREVENT THE BANK FROM BRINGING ANY ACTION,
                  ENFORCING ANY AWARD OR JUDGMENT OR EXERCISING ANY RIGHTS
                  AGAINST THE BORROWER INDIVIDUALLY, AGAINST ANY SECURITY OR
                  AGAINST ANY PROPERTY OF THE BORROWER WITHIN ANY OTHER COUNTY,
                  STATE OR OTHER FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC JURISDICTION. THE BANK AND
                  THE BORROWER AGREE THAT THE VENUE PROVIDED ABOVE IS THE MOST
                  CONVENIENT FORUM FOR BOTH THE BANK AND THE BORROWER. THE
                  BORROWER WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE AND ANY OBJECTION BASED
                  ON A MORE CONVENIENT FORUM IN ANY ACTION INSTITUTED UNDER THIS
                  AGREEMENT.

         12.17    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

                  THE BORROWER AND THE BANK (BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS LOAN
                  AGREEMENT) MUTUALLY HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND
                  INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF
                  ANY CLAIM BASED HEREON, ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION
                  WITH THIS LOAN AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
                  CONTEMPLATED TO BE EXECUTED IN


                                       35
<PAGE>



                  CONNECTION THEREWITH OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF
                  DEALINGS, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF
                  ANY PARTY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY COURSE OF
                  CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALINGS, STATEMENTS OR ACTIONS OF BANK
                  RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LOAN OR ENFORCEMENT OF
                  THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, AND AGREE THAT NEITHER PARTY WILL SEEK TO
                  CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH ACTION WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A
                  JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. EXCEPT AS
                  PROHIBITED BY LAW, BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY
                  HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY LITIGATION, ANY SPECIAL
                  EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
                  OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES. BORROWER
                  CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF BANK
                  HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT BANK WOULD NOT
                  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
                  WAIVER. THIS WAIVER CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR BANK
                  TO ACCEPT THIS LOAN AGREEMENT AND MAKE THE LOAN.


         The Borrower acknowledges it has read and understood all the provisions
of this agreement, including the waiver of jury trial, and has been advised by
counsel as necessary or appropriate.



                                       36
<PAGE>









                         [PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]























                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]















                                       37
<PAGE>





         WITNESS the due execution of this Term Loan Agreement as of the date
first written above.



ATTEST:                                         MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC.


/s/ Robert V. Condon                            By: /s/ Mason N. Carter
---------------------------                         ---------------------------
Robert V. Condon, Secretary                         Name: Mason N. Carter
                                                    Title: President and CEO


                                                FLEET NATIONAL BANK


                                                By: /s/ Richard H. Mady
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                    Name: Richard H. Mady
                                                    Title: Senior Vice President










                                       38
<PAGE>


                                 ACKNOWLEDGMENT


STATE OF NEW JERSEY    )
                       )  SS.:
COUNTY OF ESSEX        )


     I, ________________________________________, an Attorney at Law of New
Jersey DO HEREBY CERTIFY that MASON N. CARTER, who is personally known to me to
be the same person whose name is subscribed to in the foregoing instrument
appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that he signed, sealed
and delivered the said instrument as the free and voluntary act of MERRIMAC
INDUSTRIES, INC., for the uses and purposes therein set forth, and that he was
duly authorized to execute same on behalf of said Company.

     Given under my hand and notarial seal, this _____ day of December, 2002.





--------------------------------
Name:
Attorney at Law of New Jersey
















                                       39
<PAGE>





                                   DEFINITIONS

"AFFILIATE" shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) any other Person who
(either alone or with a group of Persons, and either directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries) is in control of, is controlled by or is
under common control with such Person, (b) any director, officer, partner,
employee or agent of such Person, and (c) any member of the immediate family of
such Person or any natural Person described in the preceding clauses (a) and
(b). A Person or group of Persons shall be deemed to be in control of another
Person when such Person or group of Persons possesses, directly or indirectly,
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such
other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.

"BANKING DAY" means, in respect of any city or state, any date on which
commercial banks are open for business in that city or state.

"BANKRUPTCY CODE" means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11 U.S.C.
-101, et seq.), as amended and in effect from time to time and the regulations
issued from time to time thereunder.

"BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, Federal holiday or
any other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed
for business in New Jersey.

"CASH EQUIVALENTS" means (a) securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by
the United States government or any agency thereof maturing not more than six
(6) months from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time
deposits, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, or bankers'
acceptances, having in each case a tenor of not more than six (6) months, issued
by the Bank, any affiliate of the Bank or any U.S. commercial bank or any branch
or agency of any non-U.S. bank licensed to conduct business in the United States
having combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000; (c)
commercial paper of any issuer rated at least a-1 by Standard & Poor's Rating
Group, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service
Inc. and in either case having a tenor of not more than three (3) months.

"CHANGE OF CONTROL" means (a) failure of the Control Persons or Affiliates
thereof to hold in the aggregate at least fifty percent (50%) of the capital
stock of the Borrower, assuming that all convertible securities of the Borrower
then outstanding and all convertible securities issuable upon exercise of any
warrants, options or other rights outstanding at such time were converted at
such time and that all warrants, options or similar rights to acquire shares of
the capital stock of the Borrower were exercised at such time, or (b) the
acquisition after the date of the Loan Agreement by any Person who is not a
Control Person of the power to elect, appoint, or cause the


                                       40
<PAGE>

election or appointment of at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the Borrower, through beneficial ownership of the capital stock of
the Borrower or otherwise.

"CONTROL PERSONS" means the Person or Persons who as of the date of the Loan
Agreement hold more than fifty (50%) of the capital stock of the Borrower,
assuming that all convertible securities of the Borrower then outstanding and
all convertible securities issuable upon exercise of any warrants, options or
other rights outstanding at such time were converted at such time and that all
warrants, options or similar rights to acquire shares of the capital stock of
the Borrower were exercised at such time.

"COSTA RICA FACILITIES" means Industrias Merrimac Incorporada, S.R.L. and
Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology, S.R.L.

"CURRENT ASSETS" means all current assets of the Borrower determined in
accordance with GAAP and as shown on the balance sheet of the Borrower delivered
to the Bank pursuant to Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of the Loan Agreement.

"CURRENT LIABILITIES" means all current liabilities of the Borrower minus
deferred revenues of the Borrower, in each case, determined in accordance with
GAAP and as shown on the balance sheet of the Borrower delivered to the Bank
pursuant to Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of the Loan Agreement.

"DEMAND DEPOSIT ACCOUNT" means the demand deposit account established and
maintained by Borrower with Bank pursuant to Section 2.4(b).

"EBITDA" means net income plus taxes, interest expense, depreciation,
amortization, principal repayments on loans due from Filtran and other
subsidiaries less cash.

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

"FILTRAN" means Filtran Microcircuits, Inc. the Borrower's Subsidiary located in
Canada.

"FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" means net income plus taxes, interest expense,
depreciation, amortization, principal repayments on loans due from Filtran and
other subsidiaries less cash, taxes, dividends, and unfunded capital
expenditures divided by interest expense and principal payments on long-term
debt.

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth from time to
time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with
similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the accounting
profession), which are applicable in the circumstances as of the date of
determination.

                                       41
<PAGE>

"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means any nation or government, any state or other
political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar monetary or
regulatory authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative,
judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government,
and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock of
capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing. any government or
political subdivision or any agency, authority, bureau, central bank,
commission, department or instrumentality of any government or political
subdivision, or any court, tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case
whether foreign or domestic.

"INTEREST PERIOD" shall mean, with respect to any LIBOR Loan:

          (1) periods of thirty (30), sixty (60), or ninety (90) days each (or
          such other period as may be mutually agreed by Bank and Borrower),
          with the initial period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on
          the 30th, 60th or 90th day thereafter; and

          (2) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next
          preceding Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Loan and ending on
          the 30th, 60th, or 90th day thereafter; provided that the foregoing
          provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

                  (a) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which
                  is not a Banking Day, that Interest Period shall be extended
                  to the next succeeding Banking Day unless the result of such
                  extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another
                  calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end
                  on the immediately preceding Banking Day; and

                  (b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Banking Day of
                  a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no
                  numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end
                  of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Banking Day of
                  a calendar month.

"LAW" shall mean any law (including common law), constitution, statute, treaty,
regulation, rule, ordinance, order, injunction, writ, decree or award of any
Governmental Authority.

"LEVERAGE RATIO" means the ratio of total liabilities (excluding liabilities of
Filtran) to Tangible Net Worth.

"LIBOR" shall mean, as applicable to any LIBOR Loan, the rate per annum as
determined on the basis of the offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars, for a
period of time comparable to such LIBOR Loan which appears on the Telerate page
3750 as of 11:00 a.m. London time on the day that is two London Banking Days
preceding the first day of such LIBOR Loan; provided, however, if the rate
described above does not appear on the Telerate System on any applicable
interest determination date, the LIBOR rate shall be the rate (rounded upward,
if necessary, to the nearest one-hundred-thousandth of a percentage point),
determined on the basis of the


                                       42
<PAGE>

offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars for a period of time comparable to
such LIBOR Loan which are offered by four major banks in the London interbank
market at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time, on the day that is two (2)
London Banking Days preceding the first day of such LIBOR Loan as selected by
Bank. The principal London office of each of the four major London banks will be
requested to provide a quotation of its U.S. Dollar deposit offered rate. If at
least two such quotations are provided, the rate for that date will be the
arithmetic mean of the quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided as
requested, the rate for that date will be determined on the basis of the rates
quoted for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a period of time
comparable to such LIBOR Loan offered by major banks in New York City at
approximately 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on the day that is two London
Banking Days preceding the first day of such LIBOR Loan. In the event that Bank
is unable to obtain any such quotation as provided above, it will be deemed that
LIBOR pursuant to a LIBOR Loan cannot be determined. In the event that the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall impose a Reserve Percentage
with respect to LIBOR deposits of Bank, then for any period during which such
Reserve Percentage shall apply, LIBOR shall be equal to the amount determined
above divided by an amount equal to 1 minus the Reserve Percentage. "Reserve
Percentage" shall mean the maximum aggregate reserve requirement (including all
basic, supplemental marginal and other reserves) which is imposed on member
banks of the Federal Reserve System against "Euro-currency Liabilities" as
defined in Regulation D.

"LIBOR LOAN" shall mean each portion of the Loan having the same Interest
Period.

"LOAN AGREEMENT" means the Agreement between the Borrower and the Bank to which
this Schedule 1 has been affixed and incorporated, as the same may be amended,
amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with
its terms.

"LOAN DOCUMENTS" shall mean this Agreement (including the Addendum, the Riders
and the Schedules hereto), the Note, Pledge Agreement and all other documents
and instruments executed and delivered in connection herewith or related hereto
are collectively referred to as the "Loan Documents".

"MATERIAL" means material in relation to the business, operations, affairs,
financial condition, assets, properties, or prospects of the Borrower and its
subsidiaries, if any, taken as a whole.

"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means a material adverse effect on (a) the business,
operations, affairs, financial condition, assets, properties or prospects of the
Borrower taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of the Borrower to perform any of
its obligations under the Loan Documents or the Warrant Agreement (as defined
hereinafter), or (c) the enforceability of the Loan Agreement, the Note or any
of the other Loan Documents.

"OBLIGATION" shall mean and includes the Term Loan, the Note and all other
loans, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by
the Borrower to the Bank or to any other direct or indirect subsidiary of Fleet
National Bank, of any kind or nature, present or future


                                       43
<PAGE>

(including any interest accruing thereon after maturity, or after the filing of
any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency,
reorganization or like proceeding relating to the Borrower, whether or not a
claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding),
whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment or
participation), absolute or contingent, joint or several, due or to become due,
now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not (i) evidenced by any note,
guaranty or other instrument, (ii) arising under any agreement, instrument or
document, (iii) for the payment of money, (iv) arising by reason of an extension
of credit, opening of a letter of credit, loan, equipment lease or guarantee,
(v) under any interest or currency swap, future, option or other interest rate
protection or similar agreement, (vi) under or by reason of any foreign currency
transaction, forward, option or other similar transaction providing for the
purchase of one currency in exchange for the sale of another currency, or in any
other manner, or (vii) arising out of overdrafts on deposit or other accounts or
out of electronic funds transfers (whether by wire transfer or through automated
clearing houses or otherwise) or out of the return unpaid of, or other failure
of the Bank to receive final payment for, any check, item, instrument, payment
order or other deposit or credit to a deposit or other account, or out of the
Bank's non-receipt of or inability to collect funds or otherwise not being made
whole in connection with depository or other similar arrangements; and any
amendments, extensions, renewals and increases of or to any of the foregoing,
and all costs and expenses of the Bank incurred in the documentation,
negotiation, modification, enforcement, collection and otherwise in connection
with any of the foregoing, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses.

"PERSON" shall mean an individual, sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership
(general or limited), trust, business trust, limited liability company,
unincorporated organization or association, joint venture, joint-stock company,
Governmental Authority, or any other entity of whatever nature.

"PBCG" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, its successor or any
other entity that shall perform the functions previously performed by PBCG.

"PRIME RATE" means the rate of interest per annum generally announced by the
Bank from time at its main office as a means of pricing certain of its loans to
its customers, from which other borrowing rates may be determined or, if the
Bank ceases to announce its prime rate or its prime rate otherwise becomes
unavailable for any reason, the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal.
The Prime Rate is not tied to any external rate or index and does not
necessarily reflect the lowest rate of interest actually charged to any
particular class or category of customers of the Bank. If and when the Prime
Rate changes, the rate of interest on the Loans bearing interest at the Prime
Rate will change automatically without notice to the Borrower, effective on the
date of any such change.

"SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means any corporation, association, limited liability
company, partnership, joint venture, joint stock company or other business
entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock or other
equity interests (in the case of Persons other than


                                       44
<PAGE>

corporations) is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Person, or
one or more Subsidiaries of the Person, or a combination thereof.

"TANGIBLE NET WORTH" means Borrower's net worth minus the following: goodwill,
amounts due from officers, amounts due from Affiliates (including, without
limitation, Filtran and the Costa Rica Facilities) of the Borrower, and
investments in Affiliates (including, without limitation, Filtran and the Costa
Rica Facilities) of the Borrower.

"UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code, as adopted and enacted and as in effect
from time to time in the State whose law governs pursuant to the Section of this
Agreement entitled "Governing Law and Jurisdiction." Terms used herein which are
defined in the UCC and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to such terms in the UCC. To the extent the definition of any
category or type of collateral is modified by any amendment, modification or
revision to the UCC, such modified definition will apply automatically as of the
date of such amendment, modification or revision.

"WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means any Subsidiary in which 100% of the
capital stock or equity interests (in the case of a Subsidiary that is not a
corporation) of each class having ordinary voting power, and 100% of the capital
stock or equity interests (in the case of a Subsidiary that is not a
corporation) of every other class, in each case, at the time as of which any
determination is made, is owned, beneficially and of record, by such Person, or
by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination
thereof.




















                                       45