PCBs, Tektronix & Ham Radio - Habitual Handicraft Hangups

The Amp Hour · 1 May 2013 · 1h 18m · Episode 143

What this episode covers

Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the evolution of electronics manufacturing, contrasting the low-cost, manual labor of the past with modern automation and the ethical implications of sourcing. They analyze why through-hole technology persists due to cost and kit-making practicalities, while also touching on the career risks of being pigeonholed in specific engineering niches. The conversation covers specific tools like Tektronix equipment, the Blink1 device, and emerging technologies like MEMS-based lab-on-a-chip diagnostics.

Mentioned

Companies
Tektronix, Talking Electronics, Evil Mad Scientist Labs
Products
Blink1, Belkin WeMo, Raspberry Pi, Bot Queue, Radblock, Agile DMM, X-TEC
Tools
ViaDesigner
Also
Colin Mitchell, Ifttt.com, Arduino, Alibaba, DigiKey, Mouser, Newark, 114, Wendell, Zach Hoken-Smith, Alan Wolke, Hamvention, Icon, Monster, Node.js, Python, Mr. Money Mustache, MEMS, DARPA, CNC

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