Radio Waves
November 12, 2025 • EPISODE 286
How do invisible waves travel across the world and beyond? In this episode of Science LIVE, Dr. Roger Billings dives into the fascinating science of radio waves—how they’re created, how they move through space, and how they make long-distance communication possible. From the basics of frequency and transmission to early breakthroughs like Morse code and modern applications such as HAM radio and space communication, join us as we explore the hidden currents that keep us connected.
About DrB
Dr. Roger Billings is a visionary innovator whose work has touched the lives of millions of students and transformed the landscape of education. Widely known as “DrB” to the countless kids who benefit from his groundbreaking Acellus learning system, Dr. Billings has dedicated his life to advancing education through technology.
As part of DrB’s lifelong commitment to supporting education, Science LIVE was launched as a way to “give back” by mentoring students in conjunction with the Roger Billings Scholarship Program.
Read more about DrB »
About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program »
I genuinely enjoy these Science Live videos, since it expands my interest in Science by a ton. Wow.
I make sure to complete my daily goal in my courses, it keeps me motivated to have smaller goals to work towards! even if it’s just doing everything for the day.
i never knew that astronauts used the omega watch!
Radio waves are one of the best inventions in the world.
The lizard toy looks cute!
Do radio waves travel faster or slower than light ?
I saw the Northern Lights where I live last night! Thanks for teaching us about radio waves.
My favorite part this week was learning about Omega watch and how NASA used it during their missions.
I always like the stories Mr. Billings tells about his radio days!
The Northern Lights have been visible from my location (KC) for the past couple days! I was curious as to the science behind them only being visible through a camera lens, and how they form to begin with.
Morse Code sounds fun to learn!
we were able to see the northern lights in Mississippi as well.
Wow I didn’t know about the study routine.
I’m excited about all the new classes coming!
Omega Speedmaster was the first watch worn in space. How cool!
You should have a Dr. Billings class where you teach about Ham Radio, inventing, and hydrogen stuff… then you could have your helicopter friend be a guest speaker.
I like to watch Science Live with my dad. I saw the northern lights last night also.
Cool Science Live! I especially like hearing all the stories from your time spent inventing!
its crazy hearing about how something so small as a watch, became so vital in the long run.
I would throughly enjoy a pilot class.
Favorite episode so far, love learning about radio waves.
Last night I saw the northern lights too they were so cool.
Me to! They were sooo coo, I also saw them yesterday. They are so fantastic to look at!
Your very lucky! I live in Montana. My family tried to see the northern lights but, we could’t. Wish I could see them!
Also, this was the first time I saw Science live, live!
I took a picture of the northern lights in Alabama too.
I enjoyed the video and Dr John’s explanation of cooling with lasers.
My mom was talking about how I should take lessons to fly…
It’s interesting that Omega was originally designed for race car drivers, but ended up being used as the watches for those important 14 seconds with NASA. I ended up teaching my mom something today.
I would enjoy watching both of those classes. Now I know how people play music on the radio channels AM and FM.
Fluorescent coral looks so cool, it makes me think about how there is animals that are biofluorescent that we might not even know about yet 🙂
I am ready to listen to science live on a ham radio when the power grid goes down
Can’t wait for next weeks science live!!! R-51 is always so funny!
This is my first LIVE I got to watch. (I just enrolled, so it was the recording) It was so fun. I really liked learning about the ham radio. I would like there to be a course about the radio and Morse code. Area 51 was fun to watch. Being able to talk to a whole other planet would be so cool. Can’t wait for next Wednesday.
What is the science behind the Northern Lights?
My first week in Acellus and I am loving it!
I love watching these they are so interesting and entertaining
Love the tie. I live in Texas and have been to NASA, it is super interesting.
acellus is such a good learning program for people i love using acellus ive learned alot of new things !!!!!!
I would like to learn more about ham radios.
Science Live is so interesting.
How does the wavelength of a radio wave change as its frequency increases or decreases?
One of the best wrist watches I have ever heard of
What aspect of the coral causes them to emit different florescent colors when a blue light is shined on them?
A 50,000 watt radio station can be heard from how far away?
Science has to be one of my favorite subjects, amazing video!
Loved getting to learn about radio waves today, Mr. Billings – Hello From Nevada!
I really enjoyed the new things I got to learn about AM and FM radio this live! Thank you for another good science live 🙂
You can use a telegraph to talk to people.
It was cool how the Omega watch helped get Apollo 13 back to earth. Yes!!! We would like a pilot course for highschool students
I think they do still use Morse code in the army. I’m thinking of being a helicopter pilot for the army.
Hi R-51!
Yesterday, my sister took me to town and we saw the Northern lights as we drove home! How and why do they appear at certain times in certain areas such as that?
I want to know the same thing as Wyatt, do they still use morse code in the army?
I have my great grandfathers ham radio
I’ve always found morse code interesting and how radio waves transmit communication/work.
I love watching these science lives!
Woah, those corals are beautiful.
I liked when he talked about getting to the moon, it was awesome and fun to listen to. I also liked when he was talking about the radio waves its always fun to learn new things. science lives are awesome and i really enjoy watching them every week.
I wonder how long it took to get AM and FM to work
Why are they called mega bites?
R-51 is always fun to watch, he always makes me laugh. loved his stand up of Lady Pajet. I look forward to watching r-51 every week. i also really liked learning about the radio waves, so cool. Roger billings is the best. I learn so much from him every week. I cant wait till next weeks science live.
We were able to see the northern lights in Georgia!
Learn something new every Wednesday LOL, keep it up and awesome lesson today.
I liked when it talked about getting to the moon, it was awesome and fun to listen to and the science lives are awesome to listen to every week.
I really enjoyed learning about the radio waves, I didn’t know anything about them till tonight. I learned something new. i enjoy watching roger billings he teaches me so much. I thought it was funny when he said i sound really old and lady pajet said no you sound really smart. she is right about that. I really enjoyed this weeks science live and I’m already looking forward to next weeks.
It was really cool to learn about the Omega watch!
I like how the coral glows in the sea.
Today’s episode was awesome, I liked learning about space watches. I love Science Live!
It’s amazing that a watch was the one thing that helped them to return to Earth!
I never knew how helpful snoopy was for space missions!
Just learned about FM and AM radio, I was also wondering about what causes the northern lights.
I’d love to see those classes come out! 100% would pick them both!
R-51 is always fun to watch, he makes me laugh. loved his stand up of Lady Pajet. I always look forward to watching R-51 every week. I also really liked learning about the radio waves, so cool. Roger Billings is the best. I learn so much from him. Cant wait till next weeks science live.
Thank you for the daily knowledge Mr. Billings! I look forward to your next installment of Science Live.
Why in some areas can you only see the northern light on the phone camera but not with the naked eye?
I love how we got to learn about the radio, especially because I have one at home 😁📻
I think the Ham radio class or activity would be super fun!
My personal opinion, i think it was extremely fascinating how they made little watches on the astronaut suits, so if the power goes down they have a watch to tell the time, that was pretty cool. Also, i thought it was funny how they used Snoopy from the peanuts comics as a way to stop astronauts from getting too worried.
Do they still use morse code in the army?
My dad said yes, he had to learn it, Served in the light Infantry, 99-08. He said there was nothing light about it.
My parents had a CB radio and Ive played with it before. Its really cool. This was very fascinating.
I think they actually do, I just think they might use it for emergency situations versus normal day use
yes I think they do I have 3 family members in the army
In WWII I know that radio operators used morse code to send messages between ships, aircrafts, and command centers. This was a very interesting topic!!
I love the idea 😉☺️
Yes it is still taught but not a primary form a communication now. Normally used for Special Forces during radio silence.
Do you want to join SF when you get older I’m trying to go in to the 75th Ranger Regiment and hopefully I get a shot at delta lol.
Hi, Wyatt, I looked it up and it says that the military actually still uses Morse code in specific situations, primarily for backup communication.
I enjoyed science live.
Same, Science live is awesome.
i love science
The story of Appollo 13 is crazy! I’ve seen the movie of it and it is amazing how they had to use only their watches and couldn’t be a second to late or soon.
Crazy how radio waves work
That’s literally what I was thinking. It’s amazing!
I LOVEEEE these videosss
My mind is blown after learning about this.
Learned something new about AM and FM.
The watch that was tested was such an amazing part of Apollo 11 and made it to the moon.
Yesterday I saw the northern lights for the first time in my area. They sometimes appear where I live but why and how do they?
I saw them where I live too, I believe they occur during a geometric storm
Radio waves are so cool even though we can’t see them!
as far as I know the northern lights are bits of plasma from the sun hitting the earth’s magnetic field
Hi the northern lights are made by the sun shooting off very large streams of plasma.
(:
I also think the northern lights are cool.
(:
i saw them too. They were very slight but we saw them here
I’m sorry I can’t answer your question but I also saw the northern lights last night. I love seeing them. I rarely see them though.
i dont know how the northern lights apear but i saw the northern lights last night as well 😁
LUCKY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WISH I COULD SEE THEM
My family tried to see the northern lights but, we couldn’t.
Dear Hannah.
My name is Emily. It is so cool how you got to see the northern lights, I’ve always wanted to see them:)
You have a very pretty name.🌸
Have a great day!)
Byeee🩵
I enjoy Science Live each week. You guys always keep it ineresting
It’s always a treat getting to watch these lives!
it is awesome how lasers can make things cold.
I like how Dr. Joshuah talk about study tips. and how you can study hard. I also like how acallus has daily goals where you can check your grades and much more.
I know I love R51 he is so funny
Loved this video.
i love today’s live!!-from TN
I like the subject matters of these episodes! It’s cool to see these things!
I am interested in both a ham radio course, and a helicopter pilot’s course.
During the invention process, what is the single most important step you believe inventors often overlook — why is it critical, and how would you apply it to your own innovation idea?
R51 is so funny.
Great question!
In my opinion one crucial step inventors often overlook is thorough market research. Understanding the target audience and competition is essential to ensure an invention meets real needs. Without this step, even brilliant ideas can fail. I would apply it by analyzing consumer demand and trends before developing my innovation to guarantee success.
r51 is so AWESOME!!!
Loved this episode! The way they explained how radio waves travel and connect our world was super clear and interesting. It made me appreciate how much science goes into things we use every day.
I love ham/yes to the radio
The cooling laser sounds cool.
Live from Texas
The omega watch was really neat. The ham radio story was very informative. Now I know more about AM and FM. Thanks!
I’m constantly learning something new every week during Science Live. I liked hearing about the Snoopy awards.
I like watching the science live videos
How accessible is HAM radio equipment for home use? I know many people pick it up as a hobby
Lovely science live today!
Awesome video really goes in depth, enjoy the watch.
i enjoy Acellus home school
I love Acellus and I wouldn’t want another home school program. I love Acellus. Especially the activities that you can do when you’re done with school for the day.
This was so interesting to watch I learned so much!
Wow! That’s so cool!
I love the videos on Science Live!!!
Radio waves are so interesting
I had no idea that that morse code thing existed! Today, that would be a great thing to use to send secret messages!
Enjoyed learning about the AM-FM radio waves
I cant believe how far science has come along over the years! 🎉
My great-grandpa had a ham radio and he talked to people all over the world on it.
Loving the science live lessons!!
Love from Texas!
Thank you for taking time for these
wow this science live was great!
I had no idea that that morse code thing existed!
NASA tried all these watches, but I am curious to see how the new digital watches will perform in all the tests that OMEGA passed.
Omega was one of the best watches! I think this is super cool!! I use a watch myself. I love acellus.
Hi from Florida!! So excited to watch this week’s live!
The live was great can’t wait for next weeks live
I love science!!
I love science live
Thank you for teaching more about radio waves.
The lesson about radios was awesome!
i enjoyed the science live!
Radio waves are so cool!
This is the best part of my week
love this weeks science live!
Hi from Cape Cod! I loved the beginning when Dr. John Billings showed us the lasers and how they effected the different colors. The idea for a high school pilot course is very interesting as well!
I’m a highschooler and would love a class on becoming a pilot! I also think the ham radio class would be fun!
wasn’t the blue “LED” almost impossible to make?
Loveee the science lives so much! Yayyy!
I’ve always wondered how radio waves worked
Love you guys so much you are the best 🤩
watching these are so fun
What is the highest wavelength that can be reached?
It was very fun to learn about the watch that he wore to space.
I love these lives, they’re so educational!!!
This is so awesome! Thank you for this information! Haha! 🙂
Which other people or companies have earned the Snoopy award?
I wonder how many people knew about the watch in the sky before today?
Watching from Texas.
I think the class on HAM radio operation is a great idea!
Hi from Florida and I loved this!
never knew the difference between AM and FM before – thanks for the info
I like r51 he is funny
This science live was so good!
How does the moon get bright at night, and sometimes not as bright?
10 out of 10 great show
how are the corals holding bacteria? How does blue light energy make a lighter color?
I really enjoyed the story that Tobias told about the Omega speedmaster.
I cant wait to see what DrB teaches us this week
I have always wondered what was the difference from AM and FM.
A 35 on the ACT, wow, wow, wow, congratulations!!!
Now I know the difference of the AM and FM on the radio stations, never wouldnt figured that out!
How many of you guys think that the lizard will bring r51 back to mars? 😆
“The Adventures of Lizard and 51: How do I get back home??”
Both courses sound fun. r-51 makes me laugh so much
Hello! I would love to have a class on HAM radio operations. Also, R-51 has me laughing so hard. I hope he keeps the gecko as a pet and names it something like the name Ares which was associated with the planet in Ancient Greece.
R 51 is so fun to watch! I would love to take a ham radio course! Here’s to another fun science live 🙂
can you purchase one of the apollo watches?
I would love a course on being a pilot. I’ve flown a small plane a few times through the young eagles program and it’s really cool. I would like to be a pilot someday.
Thank you for creating such an engaging series revolving around science, its history, its past, its present, and what we might see in the future. The stories that Dr. B tells about his life is really engaging, especially when there is a funny or impressive outcome done by him.
i never knew the difference between AM and FM before – thanks for the info
Love the lives
An aviation class would be very interesting as as well as a ham radio class
Does Ham radio stand for something?
love the science lives
Hi from Nebraska! Today’s live is cool, I love today’s topic
The watch in space is really cool
I really enjoyed this science live
Great live this week you guys!!
I would love a course in ham radio and in being a pilot!
Courses in aviation and HAM radio operation would be amazing! Do HAM radio operators still use analog equipment?
Today’s episode was so cool! all the different colors of the corals and the radio waves tonight were super cool to learn about!
Great lesson today. The part about radio waves was so interesting. R5 10 was hilarious ! I liked watching it. thank you..
It is really interesting what you said about AM and FM radio waves. I didn’t know that.
Thank you so much for the Sceience Live, it was really cool learning about the radio waves.
I love the lesson about the radio waves!
I like learning about radio waves.
I have a close friend who is a pilot, and he’s always made me want to learn more about what he does in the sky, so please make this class! to make matters even better, he’s only a couple years older than I am, so if he can be a pilot at a young age, that’s something I want to lean about.
Such a good program I enjoy watching DrB
I liked learning about the omega watches today.
love this weeks science live!