# "Impedance Matching" With Charvat And Ossmann - Recurring RF Remontados

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2014-09-03
- Length: 1h 51m
- Episode: 214
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/214-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados/

## Summary

Greg Charvat, an entrepreneur and radar expert known for the MIT coffee can radar, and Michael Ossmann of Great Scott Gadgets, creator of the HackRF software-defined radio (SDR), discuss the technical details of SDR, radar design, and RF security. They explore the architecture of the HackRF, specifically its decision to omit an FPGA to reduce cost and power, and discuss how to integrate it with low-cost FMCW radar modules for range-Doppler imaging. The conversation also covers Ossmann's work on RF retro-reflectors for the NSA Playset project, the challenges of interference in the 2.4 GHz band, and the regulatory landscape for devices like the GoTenna.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados#t=0) Introduction and Greg Charvat's TV Appearances
- [22:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados#t=1332) HackRF Architecture and FPGA Design Decisions
- [30:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados#t=1830) Integrating HackRF with Coffee Can Radar for Range-Doppler Imaging
- [47:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados#t=2828) Low-Cost FMCW Radar Sensors and Consumer Applications
- [56:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados#t=3379) RF Retro-Reflectors and the NSA Playset Project
- [1:08:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados#t=4134) Antennas, Adapters, and SDR Software
- [1:15:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados#t=4542) LabVIEW for Rapid Prototyping and Future HackRF Add-ons
- [1:31:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados#t=5463) P25/Tetra Protocols, MURS Band, and GoTenna

## Topics

- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- HackRF (product)
- Coffee Can Radar (product)
- RF Beam Microwave (company)
- K-LC1A (product)
- GoTenna (product)
- LabVIEW (tool)
- National Instruments (company)
- HP 8510 (product)
- Portapack (product)
- Kent Britton (other)
- Daisho Project (product)
- Cyber FastTrack (other)
- MURS (other)
- P25 (other)
- Tetra (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [012 - Cheese vs. SDR](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2018-06-29-012-cheese-vs-sdr) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [057 - I Did Not Expect Sharks!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-05-09-057-i-did-not-expect-sharks) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Ep003: Igloos, Lidar, and the Blinking LED of RF Hacking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-01-24-ep003-igloos-lidar-and-the-blinking-led-of-rf-hacking) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 388: RAM-Swapping on Raspberry Pi, Raindrops on Radar, and a Fine Mesh](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [059 - Instant Nerd Snipe](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-07-04-059-instant-nerd-snipe) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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