# An Interview with Alan Yates - Recondite Radiation Raconteur

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2011-08-23
- Length: 1h 08m
- Episode: 57
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-57-recondite-radiation-raconteur/

## Summary

Alan Yates, a software engineer at Netcom and amateur radio operator (VK2ZAY), discusses his diverse maker hobbies, including pyrotechnics, radiation detection, and building electronics with the 555 timer. He details his work on a 555-based adding machine and spectrum analyzer, his transition from web software to hardware R&D, and his views on the Australian electronics industry. The conversation also covers the technical aspects of fractal antennas, radiation detection using photodiodes and ion chambers, and the current state of ham radio.

## Chapters

- [0:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur#t=28) Introduction: Alan Yates and Netcom
- [4:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur#t=285) Transition from Software to Hardware R&D
- [7:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur#t=454) Pyrotechnics and Amateur Radio Hobbies
- [19:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur#t=1174) Fractal Antennas and RF Design
- [26:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur#t=1586) 555 Timer Projects: Adding Machine and Spectrum Analyzer
- [35:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur#t=2116) Radiation Detection: Photodiodes and Ion Chambers
- [43:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur#t=2627) HP News and Corporate Innovation Culture
- [58:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur#t=3512) The Australian Electronics Industry

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Netcom (company)
- 555 timer (chip)
- fractal antenna (tool)
- photodiode (chip)
- ion chamber (other)
- 2N4117A (chip)
- HP (company)
- Goodwill Instec (company)
- Heathkit (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 222: VCF East Special Edition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-06-09-ep-222-vcf-east-special-edition) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [76: Entropy Is for Wimps](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-11-12-76-entropy-is-for-wimps) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep103: Antennas for Everyone, a Clock Made of Chains, Magic Eye Tubes, and a Little Google Bashing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-01-29-ep103-antennas-for-everyone-a-clock-made-of-chains-magic-eye-tubes-and-a-little) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [EP015: Going Low Frequency, Robotic Machines, Disk Usage For Budgets, And Cellphones Versus Weather](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-04-19-ep015-going-low-frequency-robotic-machines-disk-usage-for-budgets-and-cellphones) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 204: Cesium, Colorful Cast Buttons, and CNC Pizza](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-02-03-ep-204-cesium-colorful-cast-buttons-and-cnc-pizza) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-23-an-interview-with-alan-yates-recondite-radiation-raconteur. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.