# An Interview with Larry Sears - Hexagram Hardware Holism

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2012-08-20
- Length: 1h 30m
- Episode: 109
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-109-hexagram-hardware-holism/

## Summary

Larry Sears, who founded Hexagram and later Clara, explains his journey from a 1970s design-and-build shop to creating remote meter reading systems and now teaching at Case Western Reserve University. He details the technical challenges of early RF metering, including a failed custom IC project with National Semiconductor and the strategic use of low-frequency licensed spectrum to achieve long-range connectivity. Sears also discusses the establishment of ThinkBox, a high-end maker space and incubator at Case Western, emphasizing the importance of hands-on hardware education for students.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism#t=0) Introduction: Larry Sears and Hexagram Hardware Holism
- [2:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism#t=161) Teaching Analog Design at Case Western Reserve University
- [10:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism#t=628) Starting a Design and Build Company in the 1970s
- [14:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism#t=856) Hexagram's First Product: Computerized Embroidery Machine
- [33:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism#t=1986) Developing Remote Meter Reading Systems
- [42:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism#t=2535) Technical Failures: Custom IC and RF Competitors
- [54:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism#t=3296) Navigating FCC Regulations and Licensed Spectrum
- [1:03:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism#t=3802) Establishing ThinkBox Maker Space and Lab
- [1:15:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-08-20-an-interview-with-larry-sears-hexagram-hardware-holism#t=4510) Engineering Education and Student Engagement

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up, established companies

## Mentioned

- Hexagram (company)
- Case Western Reserve University (company)
- ThinkBox (product)
- National Semiconductor (company)
- Fairchild F8 (chip)
- Arduino (product)
- Lego Mindstorms (product)

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- [S2E51 The Hardware Academy | John Teel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-03-s2e51-the-hardware-academy-john-teel) (Being an Engineer)
- [36: Drive the Boat with a Wii Mote](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-01-22-36-drive-the-boat-with-a-wii-mote) (Embedded.fm)
- [70: Make Us All into Sherlock Holmes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-10-03-70-make-us-all-into-sherlock-holmes) (Embedded.fm)
- [053 - It's Hammer Time!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2021-12-16-053-its-hammer-time) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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