# Alternate Info Sources

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2017-12-04
- Length: 1h 09m
- Episode: 370
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-04-alternate-info-sources
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/370-alternate-info-sources/

## Summary

Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss Dave's upcoming Kickstarter for a new multimeter, which faces delays due to a calibration issue with the Hicon chipset. They analyze the technical and logistical challenges of crowdfunding, the industry shift toward cloud-based CAD licensing (Autodesk, Altium), and the state of open-source tools like KiCad. The conversation also covers Amazon's branded FreeRTOS, the impracticality of the Tesla Semi's charging infrastructure, and skepticism regarding new solid-state battery claims.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-04-alternate-info-sources#t=0) Introduction and Dave's New Computer
- [5:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-04-alternate-info-sources#t=339) Multimeter Kickstarter and Production Delays
- [13:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-04-alternate-info-sources#t=830) Crowdfunding Psychology and Logistics
- [25:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-04-alternate-info-sources#t=1532) CAD Software, Licensing, and KiCad Updates
- [46:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-04-alternate-info-sources#t=2806) Amazon FreeRTOS and Embedded Software Strategy
- [57:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-04-alternate-info-sources#t=3437) Tesla Semi Charging and Battery Technology Limits

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Hicon (chip)
- KiCad (tool)
- Autodesk (company)
- Altium (company)
- FreeRTOS (tool)
- Amazon (company)
- Tesla (company)
- DigiKey (company)
- Keysight (company)
- Hackaday (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [467: Temporary Axolotl](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-12-29-467-temporary-axolotl) (Embedded.fm)
- [73: That's a Waste of Bits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-10-22-73-thats-a-waste-of-bits) (Embedded.fm)
- [422: It's Not a Bug, It's a Feature](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-07-28-422-its-not-a-bug-its-a-feature) (Embedded.fm)
- [44: Light Up Strikes Back](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-26-44-light-up-strikes-back) (Embedded.fm)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-11-11-the-spark-gap-episode-43) (The Spark Gap)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-04-alternate-info-sources. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.