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 »
learning about invisible waves is very interesting. loved the video!
R51 is silly and loves lady Pajet.
How much information can your brain take in a day?
Interesting about Morse code. I didn’t know they used it still. Radio waves are amazing how they work.
Great live!! I have always been very curious on how that works!
A pilots class would be AWESOME!!!
This episode was interesting i would like to learn more about morse code.
Pilot and HAM radio class sounds really fun to have as a course class.
The more I learn about science the more I believe in a divine creator behind it all, thank you for these science lives! Off topic: I’d really be interested in an intro to mechanical engineering class
Science live is fun and interesting.
I never even thought about having to have a special watch for being up in space. So cool
coral reef is colorful
R•51 is a funny guy who makes me laugh. I like that guy. He had a big antenna on his house. When he pressed the button a lizard buzzed out. That’s so funny.
I would like to build a radio. It would be interesting to learn more about radios.
Loved this week’s episode!
R 51 is so funny
Morse code is cool. These ways communication have helped during wars to help send messages without others being able to see what was being said.
I didn’t know Radio Waves worked like that.
That consistent daily study is much. Much ore effective than spaced-out cramming Sessions.. Lasers can make things very hot. But we can use lasers to cool things down.
The Omega Speedmaster is a beautiful watch. I didn’t realize it played such a big role in Apollo 13’s mission.
I think it’s really cool how high he climbed in the tower
Can you do an episode on Telsa’s (Nikola and Elon) wireless power?
I enjoyed learning how radio waves help bridge long distance communication gaps.
Neat to learn the difference between AM and FM frequencies and why FM radio sounds better
I love Science Live!
A Piloting course would be interesting
Today’s science live was amazing. Morse code sounds so cool.
My dad was in the navy and did morse code. He taught me 3 dots then 3 dashes then 3 dots means sos.
Learning how a watch can work in outer space was crazy. It made me wonder if they would work in other places within the galaxy also
It’s amazing to think that a simple watch could operate in outer space. During the Apollo 13 mission, the Omega watch played a crucial role because it was the only one that still worked beyond Earth. The crew relied on it to time a 14-second engine burn — and if they had been off by even one second, they might not have made it back home.
“CQ, I’m seeking you.” Establishing contact with other ham radio operators, morse code is so cool! Learning on science live!
I was sick with covid and just got to watch this episode. Radiowaves travel fast, AM radio towers, high frequencies, Managing radio waves….so much to learn.
Catching up with these lives has been so fun!! Watching from South Florida!!! 😀
Wow, the Omega watch is awesome. Is that a watch that anyone can buy or is it specific to NASA?
Wow! That is amazing how the Omega watch worked in space and on the moon. I always wondered if a watch would be able to work in space. When I was younger my Mom gave me a G-Shock watch since I was really active with boy scouts and sports. I used to think that watch was a space watch because it worked everywhere. I wonder how much an Omega watch would cost.
I enjoyed learning about HAM radios and how they work. I also didn’t know that astronauts needed watches so badly, I’m sure the Apollo 13 crew were grateful for the extensive tests NASA did for the OMEGA watches.
Morse code was created by a painter named Samuel Morse.
I love watching science live and learning new things!
My dad said he learned a little bit about HAM radios while in the Marine Corps
This was very motivational.
I absolutely love you Doctor Billings you are inspiring me to do great.
I love these Science Live videos!
What could be the next new element that could be inside semi-conductors?
NASA needed a watch that could handle being in space and keep track of time for them.
Makes me want to get an Omega watch! Not that. I will be going to space though.
Thank you Dr. Billings!!!!
Related to the Radio Waves Science Live, does the conductivity of the wire change the radio waves distance ?
My parents grew up only listening to Radioes
Those corals are so cool! It would be amazing to someday visit the Great Barier Reef. I read a book on it and it does some pretty cool stuff.
Coral is so cool, I learned about it in an environmental science class I took at a different school!
Thank you so much for this wonderful video, loved it so much! It would be lots of fun to use morse code to communicate with your sibling.
I am interested in learning more about radio waves and seeing how they are still pertinent today. It seems like the traditional use of radio for news, music, and entertainment may be going by the way side.
I love Acellus academy and watching these videos connects me to the group!
Can the laser have any side affects.
I have always wanted to learn Morse code.
if you do homework in chunks to get smart i am doing it in the morning, the afternoon, and at night.
Thank you for another great video! I really enjoy seeing my teachers share about science and the love of learning.
My great grandpa let me talk on his HAM radio!
Science is my favorite
Acellus today was really fun. I thought it was cool talking a bit about power lines as well as the watches.
What is the relationship between the frequency and wavelength of a radio wave?
Thank you for doing science live I really like the episode about radio waves. I Want to be an inventor when I get older. That coral you showed us was really cool!
Message to R-51.. there ain’t lizards on mars😆
That must have been terrifying climbing up there to adjust the rotator! The view must have been beautiful though!
When a radio is transmitting sound, why and how come it can become fuzzy and sound if its blurred?
Science live teaches me so much! I look forward to it every week.
I learned that radio waves can go very far. I thought that in area 51 he was talking to the wrong person on mars was funny. He also said he would make a portal there but when he counted down instead a robot gecko came out. Thank you for making science live!
Radio Waves are pretty neat and how they work. I’m learning something new everyday. Thanks
The coral was beautiful! I loved this science live!
That’s crazy they almost missed Earth!!
Breakthrough moments with Dr. Tobias has to be one of my favorites in these episodes.
Thank you so much for all that you do. I love watching Science live every week and learning new things. Acellus has changed my life and I feel like I’m exceeding my expectations for how I do in school. Love the program and love you guys!
Science is so amazing. Thanks Science Live team!
R-51 is so funny.
A watch for a space mission? Wow!
I would love to do a morse code class through Acellus!!
I love learning new amazing things. Science has too be one of my favorite subjects! Great Episode!
When I fly with my dad we use the radio but then when were away from air traffic we turn to a radio channel that only people around us are on to talk but no one else can hear it
I want to be a pilot
To start, I enjoyed learning about the best way to study. It’s been proven that consistent studying over time is much better than cramming overnight. This is because of something called Neuroplasticity, which is the neural connections we make with learning topics. So, by learning in smaller chunks, it strengthens the plasticity in our brains and allows for better retention.
I also liked learning about cold lasers. Unlike the lasers we typically think of, which cut into strong materials with their heat, there are some lasers capable of cooling objects. It does this by absorbing low energy and emitting high energy instead of absorbing high energy and emitting low energy. With this type of technology, it could become another way to cool computer chips and open the possibility of quantum computers being created.
Finally, I loved learning about a crucial aspect of the Apollo mission. One important part of traveling to the moon was keeping everything perfectly on time, which became a problem because most watches would stop functioning when faced with extreme heat or pressure. This led to a series of experiments to determine which could handle the extremities of space. The first experiment instantly determined two out of three watches to be unsuccessful, leaving only one: the Omega Speedmaster. Despite everyone believing that the watch wouldn’t survive the remainder of the tests, it turned out to be perfect for the mission.
Morse Code is so interesting and I love its involvement with history!
Science is one of my favorite subjects and I love watching science live!
Lasers and light frequencies are very interesting. I would love to learn more about how the cooling works.
Morse code is honestly very interesting.
Science live is something that when a day has been rough I can sit down and enjoy it and still keep my brain going in a healthy manner. I enjoy the moments I learn something knew or the moments where they just enjoy a good time with science so thankyou.
Dr. Tobias continues to bring Science Live great stories and thanks for the watch story in this episode.
I find studying is so much easier if I review my notes every night rather then just before the test.
Thank you to the Science live team! Radio waves are very interesting, I learn so much from Science L!ve! Thank you all so much!
I want to learn Morse code and how to use the HAM radio. It’s so cool.
Hello from Kentucky! I loved the episode! I thought the morse code was pretty interesting!
I love Roger billings!
I didn’t know the difference between AM and FM and now I do!
every week science live gets better and better
I love Acellus.
Thank you for Power Homeschool!
Love watching Science Live, so much fun!
how do I transmit radio waves?
liked the corals color
Radio waves is a signal that travels to one place to a another.
I loved learning about radio waves! Awesome video!
Comment I like to hear your stories from growing up. It reminds us your human and that hard work (summer jobs) pay off.
My Papaw has used a ham radio and I think that’s really cool
If the sun didn’t power up enought energy for the waves would we still be able to see the northern lights? Even if there isn’t enought power for it to get powered up from the sun would the lights still be visiable?
I would like to dive and see the coral in person! So cool!
I love coral its so pretty!
Hey it is chloe I love science live!
My Grandfather was a HAM radio operator!
Pilot class sounds very interesting
I’m surprised the watch made it to the moon
Science live really helps me dive deeper into learning about science ! Thank y’all so much
I found learning about the importance of the Omega watch on the Apollo missions very interesting. I had never really considered how they could tell time in a spacecraft. I also think the aviation course would be a good idea, I know many people have an interest in it.
do you think radio waves could ever go to different planets without using satellites or anything like that, just pure range?
What are the best jobs to get as a teenager to gain experience for the work force?
Is there a difference in English and international Morse code?
Thank you, for Science L!VE this a amazing experience. I’m learning that the things we learn in science class we can take it to another level.
I enjoyed learning about lasers, getting to the moon, and all the things about radio waves. They were all amazing things to learn about. This video was very interesting to watch and learn stuff from. I loved this video. Also I only listed I few things I learned from this video about each thing.
Yes, having courses in Morse code and Ham Radio. What is your call sign, so I can keep an ear out for it. It would be really cool to talk to you on the radio.
That’s a weird alien gecko.
Acellus is great!!
Coral is very pretty
Yes I would love a hand radio and aviator program
I am interested in classes about HAM Radio!
florescent coral is cool
Science live is amazing!!!!!
I love hove the Omega watch saved Apollo 13, now I want one!
Those omega watches sound very cool and useful in times like those.
I’m glad those astronauts were able to make it back safe thanks to the omega watch and its incredible how out of everything a watch was important in their survival.
We loved the neurological reference in the beginning to building muscle at the gym and cognitive learning as our kids watch us exercise for health. This helped them understand the exercise of the brain. Also hearing you speak of repetition and step through Acellus so the information is retained as we compared public school cramming to test then forgetting. The kids laughed at the end.
This video was awesome. My Grandpa was a certified hand radio operator. Yes, I would love to see a class on being a pilot.
Coral is one of the earths most beautiful creations! So interesting how they mimic flowers!
Way to go marketing yourself to get the radio and tower!
Hello from Butte MT!
❤️ science live ❤️
Science is my favorite!
I never realized how much I love science until I started watching these lives!
I love science live, its always so intriguing, thank you very much!!
I love how you guys always have something interesting to talk about on science live!!
Thank you Dr. Billings! Incredible lesson as always!
Love the Science Live
Morse code sounds really interesting !
* I love Science Live and I am thankful for this school.
* It is important to study hard and study often :).
* The fluorescent corals in the ocean are really beautiful. Hopefully some of them will survive climate change.
* Time really matters everywhere and for everything, so let’s use it wisely.
* Lasers can be used to cool down parts of quantum computers. That is really surprising.
* Radio waves help us communicate over very long distance.
I really do appreciate the effort everyone puts into these lives every week.
I love the way coral looks! <3
I appreciate y’all❤️
I absolutely love watching these lives!
Learning about the different types of radio frequencies was cool.
I love science live this is my favorite part of doing homeschool
can the Omega watch be used to other activities such as scuba diving? or is it built specifically for astronauts?
Loved this episode! The way Dr. Billings broke down how radio waves travel through space and power everything from Morse code to modern communication really made “invisible” science click for me, thank you for making it so easy to understand!
love the science live thank you for the continuous knowledge
Yes! Pilot aviation would be cool too!
Thank you, Tobias for teaching us about the omega watch and how it had a hand in saving Apollo 13.
If the sun never powered up the waves to see the northern lights would we still be able to see it? If it was never powered up would the lights still be there or not be visable no more.
Coral is beautiful! I love it!
I like Science Live and learning new things every week.
Morce codę sounds like so much fun.
i think the activities are a amazing touch to acellus!
Since studying daily for your brain to obtain the knowledge can most likely look like practicing, it feels like the same thing as practicing your own talents.
Watching from Maine! I love science live!
I enjoyed watching this with my family
Hello From North Carolina!!!
Thanks for the tips on studying and always having intersting information. watching from sparks nv. and i had no idea that lasers could cool things
Science Live is the best!
When is the actual starting time, because there’s all different times people are commenting?
Hi from Costa Rica !
Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies
Diamond as a semiconductor is awesome.
love learning on acellus!!!
the Omega watch is truly amazing
Acellus is great.
I like the daily steps a lot often helping me understand way easier than at school.
I LOVE watching these videos.
I find space to be interesting and hearing about radio waves and how they work really makes it even more interesting.
Acellus is amazing love the show.
I loved the story about the astronauts and the watch they used on their wrists, and how those watches probably saved their lives and helped them get home to earth!
How do radio waves work?