Hardware Podcasts

An interview with Tony Long - Millimeter Microwave Magician

The Amp Hour · 6 Aug 2012 · 1h 23m · Episode 107

What this episode covers

Tony Long, founder of Reactance Labs, discusses his work building millimeter-wave amateur radio equipment and the technical challenges of GHz frequencies. He explains the physics of atmospheric attenuation, the necessity of exotic materials like Rogers substrates and Gallium Arsenide MMICs, and the precision machining required for waveguide components. Long also details his new line of open-source hardware kits, including the OpenSynth frequency synthesizer, designed to fund his passion for high-frequency radio experimentation.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Reactance Labs, Rogers, Mini Circuits, TriQuint, Hittite, Intel, ASML, Agilent, Rodion Schwartz, Ritsu, Atmel, Analog Devices
Products
OpenSynth
Chips
LM317
Tools
HP 851, HP 432
Materials
Gallium Arsenide

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 08m

    76: Entropy Is for Wimps

    Ron Sparks (AG5RS), a veteran electrical engineer and ham radio operator, discusses the convergence of the maker movement and amateur radio, highlighting projects like the South Texas Balloon Launch Team and the Pecan Pico. He details the technical challenges of building ultra-compact RF devices for high-altitude balloons and the importance of analog signals for digital tracking. Sparks also reflects on his career in safety management and troubleshooting, offering advice on navigating ageism in engineering and finding community in technical hobbies.

    Wireless & RFCareers & education
    8 chapters

  • Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast · 1h 37m

    057 - I Did Not Expect Sharks!

    Michael Ossmann, founder and CTO of Great Scott Gadgets, discusses the creation of open-source hardware tools like HackRF One and Ubertooth One, which emerged from his background in wireless security research. He explains how his work on public safety protocols like APCO P25 and the NSA's ANT catalog led to the development of accessible RF tools and a passion for education through his SDR video series. Ossmann also shares anecdotes about unexpected uses of his hardware, such as studying shark behavior, and the importance of open-source software like GNU Radio Companion in lowering the barrier to entry for digital signal processing.

    Open-source hardwareWireless & RF
    8 chapters

  • Hackaday Podcast · 48m

    Ep103: Antennas for Everyone, a Clock Made of Chains, Magic Eye Tubes, and a Little Google Bashing

    Hackaday editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams discuss a variety of hardware hacks, including optimizing NRF24L01+ wireless modules by tuning PCB antennas and building simple dipole or ground plane antennas using tools like a Vector Network Analyzer. They highlight Ben Krasnow’s mouth-controlled guitar pedal, which uses a ramp mechanism and UV-cured adhesive, and Al Williams’ exploration of Magic Eye vacuum tubes as vintage voltmeters. The episode also covers Eka Grot Singh Kalsi’s 3D-printed chain clock, the musical instruments of the band Electronico's Fantasticos, and a retrospective on the Concorde's engineering and economics.

    Wireless & RFMaterials & manufacturing processes
    8 chapters

  • Hackaday Podcast · 39m

    Ep032: Meteorite Snow Globes, Radioactive Ramjet Rockets, Autonomous Water Boxes, and Ball Reversers

    Hackaday editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams record from Chaos Communication Camp, reviewing a week of hardware hacks. They discuss Matt Bliskey’s automatic kite winder with a ball reverser, Tom Stanton’s Coanda effect quadcopter, and J. Little 988s’ 3D-printed gearbox that twists aluminum extrusion. The hosts also cover nuclear-powered ramjet history, micrometeorite collection, and various quick hacks including an Echo Dot USB mod and a MIDI harp.

    Prototyping & iterationMechanical engineering
    9 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 20m

    441: Ear Goobers

    Mark Smith (SmittyHalibut) of Halibut Electronics discusses amateur radio, antenna theory, and his new Open Headset Interconnect Standard (OHIS). He explains HF propagation, the necessity of baluns, and recommends QRP Labs kits like the QCX for low-power CW operation. Smith also critiques the current state of ham radio emergency communications and promotes his podcast, Ham Radio Workbench.

    Wireless & RFMaker community & events
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Amp Hour. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.