# Clap on, clap off, lights flicker

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2025-03-12
- Length: 1h 02m
- Episode: 690
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/690-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker/

## Summary

Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the engineering behind a custom AirTag clone, detailing the challenges of fitting an nRF52840, NFC antenna, and sensors onto a 32mm single-sided PCB. They also analyze the causes of alkaline battery leakage, the mechanics of latched vs. unlatched continuity testers in multimeters, and the technical implications of Apple's new in-house modem silicon in the iPhone 16.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker#t=0) Introduction and Meetup Platform Changes
- [3:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker#t=212) Alkaline Battery Leakage and Chemistry
- [9:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker#t=543) Tony Fridge Music Player Teardown
- [11:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker#t=696) Multimeter Continuity Tester Modes
- [19:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker#t=1176) Designing a Compact AirTag Clone
- [34:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker#t=2044) Apple iPhone 16 Modem and Satellite Features
- [38:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker#t=2319) Vintage Whistle/Clap Key Finders
- [41:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker#t=2484) SAW Filters and Oscilloscope History
- [54:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker#t=3287) Diagnosing Household Light Flicker

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- AirTag (product)
- nRF52840 (chip)
- ESP32-S3 (chip)
- EEVblog (company)
- Contextual Electronics (company)
- Luma (other)
- Joplin (other)
- Duracell (company)
- Colin O'Flynn (other)
- Intel (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- Starlink (company)
- Telstra (company)
- MKBHD (other)
- Cosmo 5020 (product)
- Tech 400 (product)
- Analog Discovery 3 (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 127: Whippletree Clamps, Sniffing Your Stomach Radio, Multimeter Hum Fix, and C64 Demo; No C64](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-07-16-ep-127-whippletree-clamps-sniffing-your-stomach-radio-multimeter-hum-fix-and-c64) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [047 - The Sun, The Moon, The Stars](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2021-05-16-047-the-sun-the-moon-the-stars) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [063 - I Read Online That It's Impossible](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2023-03-26-063-i-read-online-that-its-impossible) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Ep 311:  AirTag Hack, GPS Rollover, and a Flat-Pack Toaster](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-07-ep-311-airtag-hack-gps-rollover-and-a-flat-pack-toaster) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 313: Capacitor Plague, Wireless Power, and Tiny Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-21-ep-313-capacitor-plague-wireless-power-and-tiny-everything) (Hackaday Podcast)

## 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/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker. 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.