In this episode of the RedMars Podcast featuring Secret Launch Codes, AstroJake and a friend dive into one of those perfectly random yet surprisingly deep conversations. We bounce from solar radiation and how it bends, breaks, and boosts radio signals… to cows roaming Texas (don’t ask, just listen). Then we swing out to the Lagrange points and the missions that could live there, talk through muscle wires and shape-memory Nitinol, and nerd out on antenna geometries and why certain shapes actually work better in space and on Earth.

It’s equal parts chill hangout and technical brain fuel — the kind of episode where you learn something new without even trying.

In this episode, I share my journey of building a dual-band ham radio antenna using a Nitinol rod — covering both 2 meters and 70 centimeters. I dive into why DIY in ham radio is such a powerful part of the hobby, from experimenting and learning to building gear that truly fits your needs. Ham radio isn’t just about talking — it’s about creating, tinkering, and exploring. I want to inspire more people to get hands-on with their radios and discover the fun of building your own antennas and equipment.

In this episode of The RedMars Podcast, I share more of my ham radio journey as I’m learning the ropes. I talk about a wild moment when the International Space Station (ISS) was rotated 180 degrees after a Russian Soyuz spacecraft fired its thrusters—proving once again how critical communication is, and how ham radio has even played a role in space safety. I also share some updates from my own radio life, like realizing I needed a programming cable to set up my handhelds (rookie mistake, but we’ve all been there!). Join me as I explore the ups and downs of getting started in amateur radio, from space stories to practical lessons, all while keeping it real.