Vacuum Tubes: Episode 1 - The Basics and the Diode

In this episode we finally dig into vacuum tubes. I cover what vacuum tubes are and the fundamentals behind their operation and then demonstrate two different diode type tubes.

[distinctdipole]

I love how much of a nerd you are. And how enthusiastically and clearly you explain things. Thank you!

[thereallemac]

I cannot begin to tell you how effectively you explained all this and made it interesting. In fact I love you explaining this using a pen and paper. Every other person would have resorted to making some fancy 3D graphics, etc., but your explanation using pen and paper is now burned into my brain! Well done!

[TheElementAce]

Dude let me just say this: you have incredible charisma! Most modern videos discussing these topics have a jump cut every 5 or 10 seconds. But you sir held my attention with minimal editing. And I'm 23 with an attention span molded by social media apps like Vine and Instagram. Well done!

[brandonakey]

I know this video is older now but I just have to say. I know nothing about this stuff, and this is one of the few videos that explained it in such a way that I understood completely AND had live demos! Thanks!

[GungaLaGunga]

What is going on? Im getting older 55 now, and I have this irresistable urge to learn electronics. I was in IT my whole life but mostly software, networks, servers, hardware. No electronics really. Learning now. It's fun. Great video.

[luispendragon]

Cool man. Let me tell you I am mechanical engineer and have been seduced by the dark side of the Hi Fi.... People like you make me enjoy so much and help me developing on other matters that are so interesting to learn about. Thank you very much and keep it up man!!

[zachscott]

Looking to start some vacuum tube projects myself -- just a few minutes in and I'm learning a lot. Thank you for making these!!

[erin]

Vacuum tubes were my life, 50 years of servicing electronics equipment. I started with radio, tv and early computers.

[jackhack]

Your a great instructor! I been a solid state guy all these years.

[antonnym]

First of all, I just found you today and you RULE! This is all great and new to me and hyper-interesting. I'm an old-school programmer from the 70s. I worked at Control Data, coding on the CDC Cyber 176. I found your videos on the tube computer, and wanted to backtrack to here. You are way more clever than you give yourself credit for. I like your architecture on the tube computer. I designed one also for 16 instructions, but with the idea of doing it as a relay computer. All good wishes.

[ceneblock]

This was a fantastic beginner explanation. I've been wanting to build a radio and learn how stuff was when my dad was a kid.

The way you explained it was just so intuitive and best of all, I understood it. I mostly deal with software and have been trying to learn more hardware.

I wouldn't call myself a just starting off type of noob, but certainly noob~ish.

I look forward to seeing the rest in your series!

[timbacchus]

I wish you were around when I started to study electronics. Started in Ham radio and building things in 1965 I am sure you were not born then. Doing a fine job.

[dusterthefirst]

These videos are amazing. Even though you don’t have a huge audience, you spend the extra time to up the production value to a great video. All the information is presented beautifully and really gets the viewer into what is being told.

[duffharris]

I’m super excited to see a future where a technology like vacuum tubes could come back. Especially with the risk of EMP attacks growing more present. I’ve been reading a lot about field effect tubes lately. It seems it might be possible to make a the size of a transistor.

[Ranjeet_kumar]

This is the way of teaching technical subjects

[armitage]

Great explanation, very clear and easy to follow!

[whitelion]

Had an old radio as a kid with a nice green glowing eye I love them too. Greetings from the kingdom of Eswatini

[markusfischhaber]

Just found your channel because I was interested in tubes as well, thank you for your work,

[LadyNicola]

Just spent 3 hours reading Wikipedia articles. Now I can actually see what they actually look like. Thanks. 😊😊😊

[Kurt]

Just superb content and delivery!! You're a natural! I like how you explain things clearly in theory on paper and then take it to the breadboard. Your cadence is perfect too - i like how you give time to let things sink in before moving on. I too have always been fascinated by vacuum tubes and have taken on a new passion for electronics both solid state and analog and learning as much as I can. Thanks for doing this series and I'm looking forward to watching more. Subscribed!