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 »
Thank you, Acellus.
Comment How many people in the world use ham radio? world wide and Can we do videos or classes on the NORTHERN LIGHTS?
How long does it take to learn Morse code on average Is there a realistic way it can be used in modern time by many people if wifi internet went down?
I like a lot of things that are fluorescent, l like how fluorecent lights look in my desk and the coral picture looks really cool I wish I had one for my fish tank. Thank you for teaching us about how lasers and fluorecent lights work together.
I am going to start studying daily! I love the pace that Acellus implements for my learning. It helps me not feel too overwhelmed. It also helps me to retain the information.
Radio waves are really cool to me!
The ham radio is cool we use it as part of our communications merit badge. I’ve been able to use it while participating in the badge and communicate all over the world. Do you plan on offering speech or communications?
Thanks for the very interesting Science Live this week! I just wanted to say that after Dr. Billings encouraged us to clean our rooms to create a better study space a couple weeks ago, I actually started organizing my room! I still have some work to do, but it’s already helping.
Lasers are awesome, but what’s even more awesome is the outfit Dr. John is wearing for this week’s Science Live! Lovely ensemble he has on!
I love learning more about science every time I watch!
I would have never thought a laser would be able to cool something.
How are quantum computers different from normal computers?
I love Acellus it’s the best school ever
how far can radio waves travel?
I would love a pilot class
Love learning all about science through these videos!
Love learning about different parts of science through these videos!
I want a NASA snoopy award
NASA should keep giving out awards that’s awesome.
i love learning new thing with science live
I love how much effort you guys put into these Science lives, it really shows how much you guys care for us students!
This was a very fascinating science live! Loved learning about the radio waves.
We learned from Dr. John how zoanthid corals and laser cooling both use fluorescence to absorb one color of light and give off another to control energy. Dr. Tobias told us how the Omega Speedmaster played a pivotal role in saving the Apollo 13 astronauts by giving them the precise timing they needed for the critical engine burn that helped guide them safely back to Earth. We loved learning about Roger Billings’ ham radio experience and seeing photos of him when he was younger. There were more great t-shirt designs; we especially like the one with Ms. Pajet in a UFO! R51 and his “microphone” were hilarious! And yes we’d love to see a course on piloting.
The shirts look even better in person!
Acellus and sciene live are such cool programs! I’m so glad that they exist!
Radio waves are some type of electromagnetic radiation with one of the longest wavelengths and one of the lowest frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum, primarily used for talking and broadcasting.
Really enjoyed this episode. It’s amazing how radio waves travel so far and keep us all connected. Thank you for explaining it.
Acellus is so cool!
This is so fun to learn about
never stop making science lives!
I find the cooling lasers really fascinating and interesting!
wow! it seems even what most would call a safer job (radio host) is not absent its perils, given that climb.
you have one crazy history!
Wow. this episode is so cool! thank you acellus for teaching me about how lasers can cool things down too!
R-51 talking to mars was so funny!
the helicopter course sounds really good!
This is so cool!!
I’m excited about the new shirts!
Can sound waves generate heat?
Radio waves are very interesting.
Yes i want to be a helicopter pilot one day. I will impress my friends with this knowledge. i thought the info about the cooling with lasers was interesting.
I wonder what other uses lasers could have, especially when it comes to renewable energy.
I always learn something new after watching a Science Live! Thank you Acellus for all you do.
How long does it take to get a radio license?
Acellus is a one of a kind program.
I liked when R51 called mars
I think lasers are awesome! I would want to join the flying class.
I remember learning the history of morse code in one of my social studies classes.
Acellus is very fun!! These videos are the best! I love learning.
The radio wave section was very interesting- would love to learn more!
Is there still such thing as a Snoopy award? Or is it called something else now?
I learned that lasers can cool items like computer chips.
Please please please add a pilot course! I’ve always had a huge interest in aeronautics. I do prefer planes in particular, but would still absolutely love a helicopter course.
Fire video thanks guys!
I love watching science live
How far can radio waves travel?
radio waves are very interesting!
Morse code is cool!
I’ve wanted to learn Morris Code for a while now. I find it very interesting along with the shorthand that’s so similar to today’s texting abbreviations.
Your radio tower was cool!
I really enjoyed this weeks’s science live. I agree that cramming studying is not an effective way to learn and I also liked learning about the radio waves. I also think the radio class would be interesting.
Acellus is awesome!
I love Acellus!
I think that the laser cooling something is really really cool!!!!!!
I oove science live! I think a radio class would be awesome! A helicopter class would be cool too, but I dont have a helicopter or the money to get one. Both would be cool though!
What was the name of the lizard from Mars?
I’m looking forward to Todd Edmond’s new course!
I think morse code is such a innovative and genius idea, and just how radio waves progressed into what we have today is so interesting!
I really love the shirt designs. I can not wait to get one! Also, Area 51 needs his own show!!
I really liked the idea of doing classes dedicated to piloting! I’m 13 years old, so it will still be a few years before I can take flight lessons, and a piloting course on what is already my favorite learning platform would certainly help me get the education I need early on, should I go into flight lessons later on. I am all for it!
How different is the time in space than the time on earth?
This podcast has really inspired me to dive deep into new classes and try new hobbies. I also really hope that Morse code class comes out before my senior year.
Thank you for giving tips on how to study.
How different is time in space than on Earth?
Thanks for making these!
I liked looking at the shirts at the end of the video.
Science is cool! So much to learn
Wow that’s so cool i didn’t know that radio waves would be so cool
It’s crazy that people were able to make a watch that is useable up in space, and that it even helped apollo 13 come back to Earth safely!
Its amazing how radio waves carry sound !!! i listen to music all the time and its cool to know how it happens! this episode was awesome 🙂
Acellus is the best!!
How many people listen to the radio now since phones are everywhere now?
How does a vacuum room suck all of the air out of it?
From lasers to Snoopy to Cognitive overload. We love science live!
The corals looked so cool.
Do you think hand radio and Morse code ar important skills to have in this day and age?
I got one of those robot lizards for my birthday! Its awesome
I’m new to Acellus and I really like science!
I wonder what things the quantum computers could be used for in outer space.
The laser can cool items? That’s cool!
I find it very interesting how lasers can also cool things, rather than just warming them up. I would like to learn about more interesting discoveries like this.
I enjoyed this episode and would like to use a ham radio some day.
I had no idea lasers could cool things. I always thought lasers were only hot and burned through things.
I will say the fact that a watch was able to survive all the testing it had to go through to be used in space is rather imoressive.
This was awesome!
How long does it take to learn Morse code
THX for the advice on consistent study Dr. Joshua!
A radio class does sound really cool!
I really like the thought of being able to take a morse code class.
How many radio frequencies are there?
I really appreciated this live I thought it was so interesting and amazing to watch and learn about.
i did not know radio towers had different heights for different radio frequencies. That was interesting that looked like a very tall radio tower at Dr Billings house!
I Loved the part where area-51 called planet mars!
Dr. Billings is so inspirational. Lazer’s are so fascinating and intregeing.
I think it would be cool to have a class on ham radio. My dad had a teacher who did ham radio and my dad would stay afterschool to learn about it.
Thank you, that was very interesting!
I like to see the coral at our local sea aquarium.
This video was so cool I learn so much I really love learning about new thing like it was so funny about mars and I love the lasers. And the new tech. Thank you so much Acellus Academy have a good night.
It would be so stressful being an astronaut!! Also, thank you for the studying tips.
I am really interested in both the aviation and radio class!
Do astronauts still use the watch OMEGA Speedmaster?
WiFi and Bluetooth always amazed me how it works
Learning how lasers can cool things including computer chips is very fascinating.
A pilot class would be so cool to have
We need that pilot class!!
How many jobs have you had in you’re life?
I liked seeing how to unlock new things on Acellus.
I have never heard about the Snoopy Award in all my reading. I am going to havre to read more about it because it sounds interesting.
The Northern Lights reached some parts of Texas!
I would like to see classes on flying helicopters. Sounds interesting!
Honestly the videos are cool and i enjoy when they teach me something i didnt know
I had no idea about how we practice learning! Explaining to me how we can build our attention span throughout days and “practice” learning was so cool!
Would love a radio class!
Science Live is so cool
Radio waves are a big invention and they help us a lot today.
I would love to have a radio course! I learned so many new things. I never knew that NASA gave out the Snoopy Award; do they still hand it out or is that discontinued now?
I think i want to learn more about radio waves, they are very cool!
I like learning about light and sound waves. Are there any experiments I can do at home?
Definitely going to look up more information about the Omega Watch.
It is amazing that we can communicate through radio waves!
what is NASA planning for 2026
Are radio waves faster than the speed of sound?
I never knew that a watch went to the moon.
This topic was very interesting i was very thrilled for this to be served to my knowledge and now i can share this to friends and family so all can share this wonderful experience of knowing something thank you can’t wait for my next science live 🙂
R51 is so crazy!
A Lazar cooling something is mind blowing
i learned that its important to make regular study habit and not a irregular study routine
I think you should do the HAM radio and the aviation classes.
This is really cool!
i laughed out loud on that video where area 51 communicated with Mars. It was very funny! I learned that lasers can cool items like computer chips
Will there be any new courses in the future other than a pilot course?
I love seeing R51!
Science live is so cool and funny.
I loved the Area 51 part. The guy was so funny!I never thought a science video could be so funny. My question is does Nasa still give out the Snoopy Award?
the area 51 calling mars was so funny! I want a t shirt!
Acellus helps me so much.
A daily study routine is a great idea!
Acellus is an amazing online school.
We watched The Apollo 13, it was a scary movie, but it also reminded me that lots of brave people have gone into space and risk their own life for researchers around the world.
I’ve never thought about using lasers to cool things, especially to such a low temperature! Its incredible what we can do with science!
Acellus is the best!
If radio waves travel at the speed of light, how does a radio decide which station to play when there are tons of waves hitting the antenna at the same time?
I love the story of the watch that passed that tests!! What where the other 3 watches?
The laser thing was cool. It be awesome to learn more about lasers
I loved Dr. John’s talks on lasers! I had NO idea you can use lasers to cool things down! His talks are always so engaging and educational!!
Radio waves are so interesting and a pilot class would be super cool
i laughed out loud on that video where area 51 communicated with Mars. It was funny and intresting
those shirts are so cool!!!
I would like to learn how to fly a helicopter.
I think radio waves are very cool.
Its very cool how radio waves are used
What stood out to me in this Science Live video is the segment about the astronauts using the watch for Apollo Missions. It’s something that I never thought about but is crucial for the missions.
Wow! I didn’t know much about radio waves before but this is so cool to learn about!
I think all those courses would be a wonderful idea.
Great science live this weak, exited for the next one!
Wow! So the radio waves are invisible but they can go through walls? Does that mean they go through us too? How do they know how to reach the radio?
I found it funny how Tobias joked that he was going to talk about neck ties and then said he was talking about how to get to the moon.
Yes! I would love to have a ham radio course!
My mom told me one time she pointed a long florescent light bulb at a cb radio and it lit up when they talked on the mic!
great video! full of education, laughs and unity!
I’d love to learn morse code! *
This was super interesting. So many things I didn’t know!
I didn’t know that about studying.
This is a great one! thanks! They are always so awesome!!
I love lasers! This was interesting about the watches for space.
Hi guys. Happy to be back this week.
A radio wave class would be awesome!
Radio waves are very interesting!!