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.


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About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program »

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7,449 Comments

  1. Layla

    Are there certain things that can block radio waves?

    Reply
  2. Natalya

    well you see were just waiting for Elon musk to come and save us – mars R 51 is the best!!! Definitely a yes on the pilot classes too! LOve ACEllus so much! XD

    Reply
  3. Taiheir

    I have appreciate for coral more now then ever. This was very informative and interesting!

    Reply
  4. Karina

    How do you make a radio wave current stronger?

    Reply
  5. Ian

    My favorite part was discussing how radio waves truly move and work.

    Reply
  6. Eli

    The Omega watch was really cool because it actually worked in space.

    Reply
  7. Abraham

    The omega watch was really cool and saved the astronauts lives.

    Reply
  8. Andrew

    I did not know that the astronauts brought the omega watch to the moon. Thank you for the video.

    Reply
  9. Tatyanna

    That is so cool how an Omega watch helped our Astronauts get back home.

    Reply
  10. Noelle

    Thank you for the live!!

    Reply
  11. Jade

    Bioluminescent coral 🪸 looks so beautiful up close! I would love to see one in real life…

    Reply
  12. Jade

    Man I LOVE 💗 SCIENCE LIVE!!!!!! THANK YOU ACELLUS!!

    Reply
  13. Autumn

    The coral is so colorful.

    Reply
  14. Cristopher

    I never knew the northern lights were so affected by radio waves, great episode!

    Reply
  15. Raegan

    the coral is really pretty and its neat that you can exercise your brain

    Reply
  16. James

    Learning about good ways to study will help me in life thank you

    Reply
  17. Shannon

    That coral was so pretty! My dream job is to be a marine biologist,and I find that type of stuff so fascinating.

    Reply
  18. Hunter

    Coral is so neat with its colors and the fact that it is actually alive

    Reply
  19. Alexander

    I would like to learn the morse code, it would be nice to have an activity on it

    Reply
  20. Ayah

    How do radio waves travel through space without wires

    Reply
  21. Julia

    I found that the difference between AMand FM to be interesting besides the sound quality.

    Reply
  22. Colin

    I would like to learn how to do Morse code.

    Reply
  23. Khai-minh

    I never imagined that something as simple as a watch can even work in space!

    Reply
  24. Colton

    I never knew about how many things you had to put those watches through, that is so cool!

    Reply
  25. Phoenix

    Radio waves are so interesting, considering they are invisible, but yet they can travel so far!

    Reply
  26. Alexander

    My favorite part of this episode was Dr Billings as a young man on the HAM radio tower!

    Reply
  27. Oliver

    I wish I had seen the Northern Lights. I did not know radiation and the sun were part of how they are seen.

    Reply
  28. Mia

    So excited to watch Science Live !!!

    Reply
  29. Erin

    Can you imagine only having 14 seconds, no more or less, to be able to do something so critical such as making it back to Earth? That is so crazy and definitely scary. I loved the movie “Apollo 13” since it gave you an idea of what the astronauts went through.

    Reply
  30. Elisha

    I never knew all that information about the Omega watch! That is very awesome.

    Reply
  31. Alice

    This week, R51 tried calling aliens from “Planet Pajét”, but instead, he accidentally called the aliens from planet Mars. Next week’s episode of R51 should involve R51 landing on “Planet R51” and meeting the aliens there.

    Reply
    • River

      Lol. I like your idea! That would be AWSOME! Also, I love your name!

      Love,
      💜River💜

      Reply
  32. Le

    I really enjoyed this episode! I found the concept of radio waves very cool and interesting, and knowing how important they really are! I love this video so much.

    Reply
  33. Davyd

    Wow, so interesting about the first watch to make it to the moon!

    Reply
  34. Zaynab

    The study of radiology is extremely interesting to me. Thank you Dr. Roger Billings.

    Reply
  35. Major

    Hello from Texas. I think it is amazing you can hear someone’s voice on radio, using the radio wave

    Reply
  36. Nguyen

    I wish r.51 exists because I can actually ask him to get me a mars lizard🤣

    Reply
  37. Alice

    R51 got the wrong number, that part made me laugh hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha🤣

    Reply
  38. Dmitri

    Hi, thank you for this episode! My favorite part was when Dr Billings explained what means AM and PM. It was very interesting !

    Reply
  39. Omar

    Roger Billings, you are my hero!! I think you are so smart and cool and a great inventioneer! I want to be just like you when I grow up

    Reply
  40. Osman

    I didn’t know radios were so cool!

    Reply
  41. Clayton

    i love science like it really teaches us a lot of things*

    Reply
  42. Colten

    Radio waves are pretty interesting .

    Reply
  43. Ralph

    I loved hearing about the watch testing that NASA did for their mission to the moon.

    Reply
  44. Colt

    My favorite thing about radio waves is how much they have helped society, they have saved so many lives through emergency communication.

    Reply
  45. Alexandra

    Coral is super colorful and beautiful! It’s one of the ocean’s many treasures.

    Reply
  46. Aidenlawrence-sweet

    Hearing about Amplified Modulators and frequency modulators was my favorite part. I would love to learn how to fly

    Reply
  47. Madison

    I love Acellus and I love the science videos

    Reply
  48. Merijane

    It is really shocking that Morse Code has helped advance our modern day technology so much when it seems like just a regular thing.

    Reply
  49. Lina

    Thank You Acellus

    Reply
  50. Gizelle

    Thank you for explaining why the amplitude and frequency modulation impacts the radio waves. Now I see why the AM radio sounds static at times.

    Reply
  51. Ellysetta

    How much did the omega watch cost? I would love to learn how to create a ham radio.

    Reply
  52. John

    I enjoyed learning about neuroplasticity and cognitive overload. I now understand how important it is to study consistently.

    Reply
  53. Daniel

    Thank you for this cool information we receive every week.

    Reply
  54. Anthony

    Always a wonderful show, keep it up.

    Reply
  55. Jonathan

    My favorite part was the story about the omega watch that the astronaut’s got to wear in space that also, saved their lives.

    Reply
  56. Riley

    Hello from Nevada. Area 51 is really funny. The gift he got from Mars was cool. I hope I score a great score on my ACT test when the time comes.

    Reply
  57. Dustin

    Why does AM radio travel farther at night?

    Reply
  58. Brooklyn

    I never knew that coral was alive!

    Reply
  59. Melody

    This episode was so interesting! I learned so much about radio waves.

    Reply
  60. Jennifer

    hello Jennifer here from Texas, i think having Morse code is an awesome idea

    Reply
  61. Alyssa

    I loved learning about how coral is alive. Thank you for doing science live every week, I really love doing them!

    Reply
  62. Otis

    This was a great science live

    Reply
  63. Shawn

    I want to visit mars one day and explore it.

    Reply
  64. Rhett

    I never knew that you needed a license to do radio.

    Reply
  65. Mia

    Thanks Acellus!

    Reply
  66. Stella

    How does gravity affect people when returning from space?

    Reply
  67. Stella

    It is so amazing that you can go to space and breathe and live.

    Reply
  68. Isaiah

    I liked learning about radio waves! Area 51 is so funny.

    Reply
  69. Taylor

    The great Barrier Reef is something that I would love to see in person someday!

    Reply
  70. Luna

    I love learning about radio waves, I did a project about them a couple years ago!

    Reply
  71. Tryleigh

    It was so cool learning about everything with radio waves, I’m so excited for next weeks video!

    Reply
  72. Mckinley

    Thank you for the studying tips! I will start using those!

    Reply
  73. Alana

    I love space, so learning about the omega watches was really cool!

    Reply
  74. Tajha

    I loved hearing about radio waves.

    Reply
  75. Colby

    I found using codes to be very interesting, along with being able to read it which is maybe a little like learning to read a new language. Do you think you would ever have a course on Acellus to learn codes? morse code more specifically, I would be very interested.

    Reply
  76. Donavan

    I would definitly be interested in a flying course, my brother would also be interested

    Reply
  77. Harlie

    How old is Dr. Billings? He is so smart! Where do all the teachers find their information?

    Reply
  78. Hailey

    I can’t believe Dr. Billings climbed up an electricity tower! How did he not get electrocuted from the electrical waves?

    Reply
  79. Jason

    I would love a morse code and a pilot class

    Reply
  80. Gabriela

    I love these lives they help me learn a lot and they are fun and very good explained.

    Reply
  81. James

    Radio waves are interesting. Crazy discovery.

    Reply
  82. Liam

    I never know coral came in so many colors. and i love hearing about the moon the moon fascinates me and i love learn more about it

    Reply
  83. Iyanah

    Radio Waves are fascinating! Learning morse code would be cool, my grandpa was a linguist in the Army so I’m going to ask him about it.

    Reply
  84. Lena

    I would love to be a ham radio operator.

    Reply
  85. Robert

    thank you Dr. B. Interesting show!

    Reply
  86. Kaylyn

    learning about the brain processing info and the different ways to study so you remember the material your learning is very interesting

    Reply
  87. Karson

    I liked learning about the radio waves

    Reply
  88. James

    I would love a course on ham radio!

    Reply
  89. Vivian

    I think the HAM radio class and the aviation class are EXCELLENT ideas. I am an aviation nut and just watching this I became interested in HAM radio 🤣

    Reply
  90. Adiellah

    I’ve never thought about the fact astronauts needed watches until now!

    Reply
  91. Lola

    Hi I’m Lola and I am new here. I really liked this video. Science is my favorite subject

    Reply
  92. Peyton

    Radio waves have always fascinated me, as to their ability to travel so far. I also have a radio tower that is very tall, probably about 400 feet tall, in the acreage behind our house.

    Reply
  93. Eva

    Crazy to think about how many details had to be planned for for the moon mission.

    Reply
  94. Ashton

    Pretty cool to learn about the Omega watches and what they were used for.

    Reply
  95. Renton

    This episode was really good! I enjoyed every part!

    Reply
  96. London

    Thank you!

    Reply
  97. Rosalee

    Learning about radio waves was very interesting. I also liked the part about learning how to use the Morse Code.

    Reply
  98. Sean

    Radio waves can travel through space, that’s how satellites send signals back.

    Reply
  99. Melannie

    I find it cute and interesting that astronauts were awarded with a Snoopy themed appreciation certificate. I know that it is most common that people use radio every day. Also how through out history, radios have been useful and helpful too!

    Reply
  100. Troy

    I love Acellus!!

    Reply
  101. Conrad

    Does ham radio run on AM or FM frequencies?

    Reply
  102. Carson

    I liked today’s science live.

    Reply
  103. Marc

    Hi dr. Roger billings!

    Reply
  104. London

    The coral was so beautiful!

    Reply
  105. Lohla

    The moon and watch story was very interesting!

    Reply
  106. Natalie

    Having a watch in space is so useful to keep up with the time flying by. I wonder if an hour to us feels like a day to astronauts.

    Reply
  107. Ariela

    I really liked this episode and learning about coral I’m definitely going to do some more research on it.

    Reply
  108. Brecken

    Diamonds may be next generation of semi conductors!

    Reply
  109. Rhylin

    Radio waves are incredibly interesting. Thank you Acellus.

    Reply
  110. Charlotte

    This was my favorite science live by far!!

    Reply
  111. Cole

    Whether people think old ham radio stuff is out dated or not I believe it holds a very important role in our worlds history.

    Reply
  112. Jesse

    Interesting info on ham radios, and I now know the difference between AM and FM radios.

    Reply
  113. Brayden

    I enjoyed the story about your first experience with the radio waves going into your neighbor’s house and coming through his stove.

    Reply
  114. Revan

    R51 called the wrong planet lol.

    Reply
  115. Aslan

    The Magnificence of R-51: A Tribute to the Golden Standard of Acellus
    Among the countless digital tools, virtual guides, and educational systems that have passed through the halls of modern learning, few figures have achieved the mythic status of R-51, the legendary Acellus teaching robot.. To call R-51 ”helpful” would be an understatement; to call him “adavnced” would be insufficient. R-51 is nothing less than a monument to academic clarity, a shining chrome sentinel dedicated to lifting students from confusion to confidence with a single, elegantly phrased explanation.
    Simply put, R-51 is magnificent, not because he is a machine, but because he is a masterpiece of educational design. A digital legend. a chrome-colored icon whose impact endures long after the lesson ends.
    R-51 doesn’t just teach.
    He elevates.

    Reply
  116. Angelina

    Hello! Currently in Europe. I would be interested in learning morse code!

    Reply
  117. Lilly

    The radio concept is cool. I learned more about the frequency and distance that the radios reach, thank you.

    Reply
  118. Abdiel

    I love this program

    Reply
  119. Khloe

    Very interesting and cool video! Thanks Acellus!

    Reply
  120. Kadence

    I think a Morse code class would be great haha. The lesson on radio waves was great! Never realized exactly how many different things they control or effect.

    Reply
  121. Zachary

    We love Acellus Academy.!

    Reply
  122. Xavier

    Radio waves are a big part of my mom’s job. She is a dispatcher and radio waves is how she talks to the officers over the radio on the road.

    Reply
  123. Jake

    This is so much better than normal school. I can wake up whenever and I’m learning a lot more!

    Reply
  124. Cp

    Really liked the history behind the Omega watch and NASA!

    Reply
  125. Sarah

    I love learning about marine life. My mom and dad took me on a cruise a few months ago and I got to see coral up close when we went scuba-diving.

    Reply
  126. Priscilla

    Wow! I love the ocean and I never knew coral was alive!

    Reply
  127. Akram

    this episode of science live is interesting talking about radio waves is a subject new for me so i learn a lot of new things It’s good to see you DR. BILLINGS

    Reply
  128. Benjamin

    The Omega watch went to the moon and received the Snoopy Award! It was very cool seeing the picture of Buzz Aldrin wearing it!

    Reply
  129. Charlotte

    I love Acellus!

    Reply
  130. Landon

    this was another great live, I would love to have a lesson on morse code too!

    Reply
  131. Landon

    I really enjoyed learning about radio waves. i also think it would be super cool to have a lesson or something on morse code too! Thank you Dr billings!!!!

    Reply
  132. Aaron

    What is the easiest way to remember Morse code?

    Reply
  133. Skye

    That is cool I love SL

    Reply
  134. Samuel

    I do enjoy Acellus and watching science live every week.

    Reply
  135. Abigail

    Who is the youngest person to have received the NASA award?

    Reply
  136. Akram

    this episode talks about radio waves I’m disappointed because I can’t watch it in live but the replay is enough for me is . I like watch science live because i learn new things each time i do and it’s to see you again DR . BILLINGS

    Reply
  137. Ridley

    I really like to wach these I learn something new every day.

    Reply
  138. Aurelia

    Do radio waves travel through space, even though there’s no air or matter to carry them?

    Reply
  139. Collette

    I think a Ham Radio and a pilot courses would be so cool!

    Reply
  140. Sarai

    I enjoyed learning about the watches. The astronauts ability to tell time in space never crossed my mind haha!

    Reply
  141. Wesley

    I LOVE SNOOPY!

    Reply
  142. Colbie

    I would love some aviation classes and ham radio classes as well.

    Reply
  143. Kiara

    You learn something new everyday! I’m impressed with how smart Dr. Roger’s is haha, looking forward to the next one!

    Reply
  144. Arjav

    That was a super important lesson on time. I didn’t realize that Omega watch was such a massive deal for the NASA mission. It’s crazy thinking about how close they were to a catastrophe because of a tiny time difference. Science is seriously powerful. I’m hyped to learn more about ham radio next. Thanks, Dr. Billings and Pajet!

    Reply
  145. Liam

    R-51 is awesome!!!

    Reply
  146. Adam

    Never knew corals come with such different pretty colors, love the science behind it thank you so much for letting us know and benefit from this as well the research

    Reply
  147. Elena

    we love science live!

    Reply
  148. Asa

    Thank you Acellus!

    Reply
  149. Oakley

    I’ve always been facinstaed with radio waves!

    Reply
  150. Albert

    It’s crazy how many everyday things use radio waves without us even realizing!

    Reply
  151. Evelyn

    The lizard climbed the walls and ceiling. It made me laugh.

    Reply
  152. Haley

    never knew that coral was alive, or that it had so many colors.

    Reply
  153. Arielle

    Science live is proof that there is always something to learn! I learn something new each week!

    Reply
  154. Jaxon

    I really liked you telling the story about your radio tower!

    Reply
  155. Natalie

    I was surprised about the snoopy thing, I didn’t know how popular he was back then.

    Reply
  156. Reegan

    None of my family knew about the chocolate bar discovery. We all learned something new today. Not even my grandparents knew about that. That was very interesting.

    Reply
  157. Ashtyn

    I enjoyed the story about Omega watches.

    Reply
  158. Judah

    How was Morse code invented?

    Reply
  159. Kaylie

    yes! Do a aviation class that would be so cool to learn about

    Reply
  160. Liam

    I never realized radio waves travel so far.

    Reply
  161. Lillian

    Thank you for teaching us about radio Dr. Billings

    Reply
  162. Elijah

    That would be so frightening having to count exactly 14 seconds to make it back to Earth. That watch is truly an amazing watch to endure all of those tests.

    Reply
  163. Brady

    Learning morse code would be so fun!

    Reply
  164. Alyx

    I learned that with radio waves, you can send signals to talk to other people

    Reply
  165. Yzell

    This was such a cool episode and I loved it so much! Can’t wait for next week. Also hello from Texas!!

    Reply
  166. Jonathan

    I think Dr. Billings kept saying ham radio, but I also thing it might have been hand. Whick one was it?

    Reply
  167. Baylee

    Coral is so pretty!!

    Reply
  168. Ezra

    I like the NASA Watch

    Reply
  169. Abrianna

    I find it fascinating how far we’ve come with technology! Look at all we’ve done with the knowledge of radio waves

    Reply
  170. Gus

    I would be interested in learning more about ham radios!

    Reply
  171. Mason

    This is my first semester at acellus and by watching this episode I learned about being able to see when you are likely to finish your courses.

    Reply
  172. Brooklynn

    I Loved this! Radio waves are so interesting and cool

    Reply
  173. Krossen

    i love science live

    Reply
  174. Charles

    Science Live is really neat. I like hearing the stories every week.

    Reply
  175. Bethani

    Thank you for Science Live. It is neat to be able to learn about new different science topics each week.

    Reply

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