  RPdBi (R = Er, Ho, Gd, Dy, Y, Nd) compounds were studied by means of x-ray
diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity,
magnetoresistivity, thermoelectric power and Hall effect measurements,
performed in the temperature range 1.5-300 K and in magnetic fields up to 12 T.
These ternaries, except diamagnetic YPdBi, exhibit localized magnetism of
$R^{3+}$ ions, and order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures ($T_{N}$ =
2-13 K). The transport measurements revealed behavior characteristic of
semimetals or narrow-band semiconductors. Both, electrons and holes contribute
to the conductivity with dominant role of p-type carriers. The Hall effect of
ErPdBi is strongly temperature and magnetic field dependent, reflecting complex
character of the underlying electronic structures with multiple electron and
hole bands. RPdBi, and especially DyPdBi, exhibit very good thermoelectric
properties with a power factor coefficient $PF$ ranging from 6 to 20
$\mu$Wcm$^{-1}$K$^{-2}$.
