# An Interview with Ron Quan - Tenacious Transistor Teacher

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2013-02-19
- Length: 1h 31m
- Episode: 133
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-02-19-an-interview-with-ron-quan-tenacious-transistor-teacher
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-133-tenacious-transistor-teacher/

## Summary

Ron Kwan, author of 'Build Your Own Transistor Radios' published by McGraw-Hill, discusses his career designing analog video systems at Ampex and Sony, including early HDTV and CRT monitor linearization patents. He details the transition from analog to digital video, explaining the technical challenges of compression algorithms like discrete cosine transforms and the evolution of cable scrambling technologies at Macrovision. The conversation also covers his book's pedagogical approach, which uses practical breadboarding of 26 prototypes to teach complex transistor theory, alongside his analysis of audio measurement techniques and speaker cable physics.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-02-19-an-interview-with-ron-quan-tenacious-transistor-teacher#t=0) Introduction: Ron Kwan and his book 'Build Your Own Transistor Radios'
- [1:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-02-19-an-interview-with-ron-quan-tenacious-transistor-teacher#t=67) Early hobbyist background: Crystal radios and ignition batteries
- [8:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-02-19-an-interview-with-ron-quan-tenacious-transistor-teacher#t=517) Video career at Ampex and Sony: HDTV and CRT monitor patents
- [15:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-02-19-an-interview-with-ron-quan-tenacious-transistor-teacher#t=922) Solving CRT scan non-linearity with op-amp feedback
- [29:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-02-19-an-interview-with-ron-quan-tenacious-transistor-teacher#t=1754) The transition from analog to digital video and compression
- [39:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-02-19-an-interview-with-ron-quan-tenacious-transistor-teacher#t=2342) Macrovision cable scrambling and anti-piracy battles
- [51:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-02-19-an-interview-with-ron-quan-tenacious-transistor-teacher#t=3112) Audio engineering: Monster Cable, phono preamps, and measurement
- [1:04:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-02-19-an-interview-with-ron-quan-tenacious-transistor-teacher#t=3893) Writing 'Build Your Own Transistor Radios': Prototyping and pedagogy

## Topics

- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [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

established companies

## Mentioned

- Build Your Own Transistor Radios (product)
- McGraw-Hill (company)
- Tab (company)
- Ampex (company)
- Sony (company)
- Macrovision (company)
- Monster Cable (company)
- 741 (chip)
- CA3086 (chip)
- CA3054 (chip)
- 3127 (chip)
- Tektronix 465 (tool)
- TDS 210 (tool)
- Spectran (tool)
- ORCAD (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ray Kampmeier | The Humble Transistor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-10-07-ray-kampmeier-the-humble-transistor) (Being an Engineer)
- [Ep 242: Mechanical Math, KaboomBox, and Racing the Beam](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-10-27-ep-242-mechanical-math-kaboombox-and-racing-the-beam) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep057: Dismantled LCD Panels, Unexpected Dynamometer, a Flappy POV, and Dastardly Encryption](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-03-06-ep057-dismantled-lcd-panels-unexpected-dynamometer-a-flappy-pov-and-dastardly-en) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [76: Entropy Is for Wimps](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-11-12-76-entropy-is-for-wimps) (Embedded.fm)
- [376: Left Half of My Brain Is Digital](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-06-10-376-left-half-of-my-brain-is-digital) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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