RedMars Podcast

From Texas Cows to Lagrange Points in Space! - Ep 35

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.

From Wires to Waves - Ep 34

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.

Chronicles of a Ham Radio Operator - Ep 33

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.

Getting Started with Ham Radio - Ep 32

I share my experience taking the Technician Class license exam and how I got into ham radio. From curiosity to preparedness, discover why radio is more than a hobby—it’s a skill that connects, teaches, and prepares us for the unexpected.

Signals in the Silence: Radiation, Ultrasound, and the Unseen - Ep 31

From the crackle of a Geiger counter to the quiet pulse of an ultrasound, this episode explores how we detect the invisible. I dive into the science of radiation — cosmic, ionizing, non-ionizing — and how it’s measured in space. We’ll talk about Geiger counters aboard spacecraft, sonar and why it doesn’t work in space, and how ultrasound waves are used not just in medicine, but even in space operations.I also share the chilling story of the Demon Core, a real-life radiation accident during the Manhattan Project that changed the way we handle nuclear material forever.And then… I bring it all home. In a personal twist, I reveal something new on the horizon for me and my family — using the very same invisible waves we’ve been talking about.This one’s about radiation, waves, and signals in the silence — both out there in the stars, and right here on Earth.🔬 Topics Covered:Types of radiation: ionizing vs non-ionizingGeiger counters in space explorationWhy sonar doesn’t work in spaceHow ultrasound helps us detect lifeThe true story of the Demon CoreA surprise at the end of the Video!🛰️ Stay curious, and keep looking up.#RedMarsLabs #SpaceTechnology #Radiation #Ultrasound #DemonCore #AstroJake #SpacePodcast #NewBabyReveal #SpaceScience #InvisibleWaves