QSO Today with Ron Demcko WA2TBQ

WA2TBQ

7/14/2025

Episode 527 - Ron Demcko - WA2TBQ

Ron Demcko, WA2TBQ, found his way into electronics—and later amateur radio—thanks to the early influence of his older brother, John, KD7JR. From a young age, Ron funded his growing passion for kit building and radio experimentation by buying and reselling surplus electronic gear, a resourceful start that helped pave the way for his formal education. Today, Ron is a recognized expert in the field of radiation-resistant passive components, essential for military and space applications. On the air, CW remains his favorite mode. We cover all of this and much more in this episode of QSO Today.

Show Notes

Transcript

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Summary
Eric Guth and Ron Demcko discussed Ron's background in ham radio, his profitable surplus business, and his education in passive components. Ron shared his expertise in radiation-hardened and automotive-grade passive components, advising amateur radio operators to use reliable sourcing for parts, while Eric inquired about the use of self-healing components in CubeSats. The speakers highlighted the importance of hands-on technical skills and discussed the challenges and opportunities in nurturing technical hobbies among younger generations.

Older Brother: John Demcko, KD7JR
First License: WN2TBQ
First Rig: : Heathkit HW101 Transceiver
Upgrade to: Yaesu FT101E Transceiver
Hometown: Ridgefield Springs, NY
Go to Rig: Icom IC7300 HF Transceiver

Terms
GE Microwave, Utica, NY
Dayton Hamvention, 1978
Yaesu FT-101E
Heathkit Company, Benton Harbor, MI
Heathkit HW7 Transceiver
Heathkit Depth Finder
Corning Electronics
Clarkson University
Straight Key Night
Bencher Straight Key
Vibroplex Bug
Electronic Parts for the Auto Industry
Mgb - Mg Automobile
Mazda Miata
ECU Engine Control Unit
Radial Capacitor
Polymer Electrolytic Capacitor
Tantalum Capacitor
Terminal 30 Part Orientation
Black Night Pinball Machine
Collins S Line
Radio Shack HTX-10, 10 meter Transceiver
Geocron Atlas 2

Details

Introduction and Professional Background Eric Guth began the podcast by explaining the interview format and mentioning his research into Ron Demcko's professional work, especially regarding components, as he believes it would be helpful for amateur radio enthusiasts. Ron expressed interest in sharing stories about purchasing parts from China, highlighting the issues with counterfeit components.

Early Life and Introduction to Ham Radio Ron Demcko shared that his interest in electronics and ham radio began at age 10, inspired by his older brother, KD7JR, who was pursuing an engineering degree. By age 13, Ron obtained his license, WN2T TBQ, in Richfield Springs, Upstate New York. They regularly visited a surplus facility in Utica, an old GE microwave facility, where they acquired components cheaply.
Surplus Business and Heathkits Ron and his brother engaged in "surplusing" on weekends, which involved acquiring electronic components at low prices and reselling them. Ron mentioned that this venture helped him through college and enabled them to earn enough money to purchase a Yau FT 101E radio in 1978. Ron also developed a love for building Heathkits, ranging from small transceivers to depth finders.
Early Business and Education Latitude Eric inquired about the nature of Ron's surplus business during their teenage years, which Ron confirmed was profitable. Ron clarified that as a young entrepreneur, they resold items like oscilloscopes and keyboards, often acquiring them for very little and selling them for significantly more. Ron credited this early practical experience, including learning about magnetic core memory, with providing a strong foundation before college.
Test Bench and High School Choices Ron Demcko described their initial test bench setup, which included a couple of reliable old scopes and ohm meters. They would seek assistance from a friend whose father was a commercial repairman when encountering complex issues. Eric noted the significant income Ron generated from their surplus business in the 1970s. Ron indicated that high school offered considerable flexibility, allowing them to pursue their interest in electronics as long as they passed tests and did not cause problems.
College Education and Passive Components Ron Demcko attended Clarkson College of Technology, now Clarkson University, for a four-year engineering degree. During college, Ron became interested in passive components, a field they explored further through an internship testing components under high transient fields. This interest in passive components, particularly capacitors, inductors, and resistors, blossomed into their professional career, starting with an internship at Corning Electronics, which focused solely on passive components.
Amateur Radio Rigs and Operating Ron Demcko's first rig as a novice was an HW 101, provided by their brother. They spent considerable time on CW and later upgraded to an FT 101E. Ron continues to be an active CW operator, aiming to increase their speed. Ron’s current main rigs include an IC7300 and a Yau FT DX1200 and FT950, in addition to vintage Drake and Heathkit equipment used for events like Straight Key Night.
Test Equipment and Workshop Setup Ron Demcko considers their TDS784 oscilloscope, acquired surplus for $300-$400, to be their most valuable piece of test equipment. Ron mentioned that a new living situation would result in a smaller workshop, only 8x8 feet, compared to their current 12x22-foot heated and cooled garage bay. Ron also utilizes a friend's shop for projects, which is equipped with 3D milling equipment, 3D printers, and a home pick-and-place machine.
Radiation Hardened Passive Components Ron Demcko discussed their expertise in radiation-hardened passive components, a critical area for flight electronics in satellites. They explained that radiation resistance is achieved by selecting stable dielectric materials and designing systems to minimize the impact of radiation, rather than shielding components. Ron explained that in conventional systems, components degrade and become resistive when exposed to radiation, causing high leakage current.
Component Sourcing for Amateur Radio Ron Demcko advises amateur radio operators against using the cheapest passive parts but also suggests that radiation-resistant components are not necessary for typical amateur radio work due to their smaller capacitance values and higher cost. Ron recommends using automotive-grade parts, which are slightly more expensive than consumer-grade parts but offer incredible consistency and reliability. These parts, identified by the AECQ200 specification, exceed data sheet expectations and maintain consistent performance over time.
Automotive Grade Parts and Consistency Ron Demcko emphasized the consistency of automotive-grade parts, explaining that manufacturers cannot change materials or designs without customer approval, leading to highly reliable and predictable components. Ron highlighted that while consumer-grade parts meet specifications, parameters crucial for designs like switching power supplies, such as equivalent series resistance or resonant frequency, can vary significantly. Ron explained that they opt for automotive-grade parts in their projects due to this consistency and their access to a reliable, affordable source.
Miata Repair Story Ron Demcko recounted a story of acquiring a water-damaged Miata with only 31 miles on it. The car's engine control unit (ECU) was affected by water, causing the electrolytic capacitors to pop off the board. Ron repaired the ECU by ultrasonically cleaning and baking the board, then replacing the faulty electrolytic capacitors with more reliable tantalum components. This repair successfully got the car running for many years, showcasing the practical application of their electronics knowledge.
Capacitor Failure and Replacement Ron Demcko agreed with Eric Guth's observation that electrolytic capacitors are often the first components to fail in older equipment due to drying out. Ron typically upgrades old wet electrolytics to polymer electrolytics, which offer higher reliability, better dry-out resistance, lower ESR, and cooler operation. Ron also mentioned that they do not necessarily go to tantalum capacitors for replacements in older equipment because they are typically surface mount, preferring leaded polymer parts for such applications.
Advanced Component Techniques Ron Demcko explained that ceramic capacitor failures are often due to physical stress from board flexure, which can cause micro-cracks and eventual degradation. To mitigate this, Ron uses two capacitors in series, oriented 90 degrees opposite each other on the board, so that if one fails due to flex, the other provides a backup. Another technique involves using a single capacitor with two internal electrode stacks and a conductive epoxy termination to absorb board flexure and thermal expansion mismatches, significantly improving reliability.
Capacitor Mounting and Derating Ron Demcko shared a technique for mounting radial capacitors to prevent hydrogen propagation from impurities on the board. By bending the leads and laying the electrolytic capacitor on its side, hydrogen would escape along the leads instead of entering the capacitor and causing failure. Additionally, Ron discussed derating components by choosing larger case sizes and higher voltage parts, which can lead to a 10,000 to 100,000-fold improvement in reliability even with commercial parts.
Sourcing Parts and Obsolescence Ron Demcko advises amateur radio operators to purchase components from reputable sources like DigiKey, Mouser, or Arrow to avoid counterfeits. Ron highlighted that obsolescence is a significant issue in the electronics industry, with many active devices having a lifespan of less than five years. Ron also mentioned that visual inspection, checking for misprints or unusual markings, can often help identify counterfeit parts.
Amateur Radio Future and Digital Modes Ron Demcko is moving to a new house that has a ham radio club and no HOA restrictions on antennas. They have a vertical antenna installed and plan to put up an NFD Zap. While primarily a CW operator, Ron expressed interest in exploring digital modes like FT8 in the future once they have more time, possibly after retirement.
Noise Characterization in Passives Ron Demcko mentioned their ongoing work on noise configuration and characterization of passive components, noting that different metallization systems and interfaces can significantly impact noise performance. They explained that this research is crucial for applications involving incredibly small signals, such as quantum computing, and that minor manufacturing changes can lead to substantial improvements in noise reduction.
Arcade Game Hobby Ron Demcko shared that their interest in arcade games began with pinball machines, specifically Black Knight, which provided an inexpensive date with their wife in the 1980s. They acquired their first pinball machine, which was broken due to a large surge but was fixable with minor rebuilds. Ron noted that the prices of pinball and video games significantly increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by a surge in home entertainment.
Video Game Repair and Finds Ron Demcko also got into video games after finding a broken machine on the side of the road, which they
Rejuvenating Heathkit and STEM Education Ron Demcko expressed a desire to rejuvenate Heathkit or create a similar kit company, driven by a passion for the hobby and its potential to steer young people into STEM roles. Eric Guth supported the idea of a kit company, noting the high quality of Heathkit manuals and suggesting a significant market for such products. They discussed integrating kits with smartphones to engage younger audiences, perhaps through science teachers, and the potential for simple power sources like solar chargers for phones.
Future of Amateur Radio Ron Demcko expressed optimism about the future of amateur radio, noting an increasing interest among middle-aged people and young individuals, with the primary motivation often being global communication rather than emergency services. Eric Guth believes the internet has significantly enhanced amateur radio by enabling rapid information sharing and feedback, accelerating the hobby's progress. Ron Demcko also anticipated that AI would further accelerate the hobby by fostering more personal, one-on-one interactions.
Advice for Hams and Hamfests Ron Demcko advised new or returning hams not to feel guilty about time away from the hobby and to fully re-engage, suggesting experimentation with new modes and attendance at hamfests. He highlighted hamfests as excellent opportunities for gathering information, advice, and good deals, recounting a successful trip to Dayton Hamfest where they acquired numerous items, including a new-in-box Radio Shack 10-meter transceiver for $90.
Dayton Hamfest Purchases and Gear Ron Demcko detailed key purchases from the Dayton Hamfest, including a brand new Radio Shack 10-meter transceiver, which they planned to use on a boat, and a Geochron, noting their satisfaction with these acquisitions. They also acquired an ICOM IC-7300, a rig they highly praised, highlighting it as their second purchase of that model. Eric Guth discussed the import duty process for amateur radio equipment in Israel, noting the necessity of filing paperwork to avoid a 50% import duty.
Components for CubeSats Eric Guth inquired about the type of components used in CubeSats built by schools, questioning whether they use satellite-rated or automotive-grade parts. Ron Demcko explained that early projects often used consumer-grade parts, leading to poor mission duration, but now college programs are upgrading to automotive-grade components and even self-healing parts for improved success and longevity.
Self-Healing Components Ron Demcko elaborated on self-healing components, particularly capacitors, explaining that they can recover from failure states, though with slight changes in characteristics like capacitance or loss. He emphasized the significant importance of these parts for high-power applications like electric vehicles, high-end AI servers, quantum computing, and satellites, where a single component failure could lead to catastrophic loss. Eric Guth inquired about the ability to log or identify when a part has self-healed in an electric vehicle, to which Ron Demcko confirmed that such efforts are underway and are patentable.
Mentorship and Youth Engagement in Ham Radio Eric Guth shared a story of a young ham in Tucson who, with the help of a mentor, built a QRP Labs whisper transmitter for $60 and used it to learn antenna theory by tracking their signal on PSK Reporter. Eric Guth suggested that Hans Summers of QRP Labs could engage Boy Scouts with projects like Pico balloons with whisper transmitters, and that educational initiatives could adapt existing kits for hands-on learning. Ron Demcko proposed using press-fit technology, similar to Legos, to create simple kits for kids.
Challenges in Nurturing Technical Hobbies Eric Guth and Ron Demcko discussed challenges in fostering technical hobbies among younger generations, including over-scheduled children, lack of dedicated space for hobbies at home, and a shift in societal priorities. They noted the decline of traditional hands-on learning in schools, such as machine and metal shops, which were common in previous generations. This lack of practical experience is reflected in the current workforce, with a shortage of skilled tradespeople like machinists and linemen.
Societal Implications of Declining Technical Skills Eric Guth expressed concern about society's increasing reliance on "high priests" (experienced professionals) to maintain complex technology, fearing that a lack of new talent could lead to systemic failures if the older generation retires without passing on critical hands-on knowledge. Ron Demcko affirmed this, noting that many younger engineers lack basic practical skills like soldering, and that industries are facing significant challenges due to this skills gap.
Hiring Trends and Educational Paths Ron Demcko shared their company's hiring strategy, favoring candidates from community colleges and state schools over Ivy League institutions, as the former often provide more practical, lab-based experience. They also observed a trend of young people foregoing traditional four-year colleges due to high costs, potentially increasing the appeal of skilled trades and hands-on professions. Eric Guth shared their own experience of being denied a transfer to a more hands-on state school, which they felt would have made them a better engineer.
Personal Fulfillment and Giving Back to the Hobby Ron Demcko expressed their satisfaction with their current work, having decided against retirement due to the exciting developments like self-healing parts. They also reiterated their desire to help young people through affordable kits, noting that profit is not a primary concern for these initiatives, but rather the desire to inspire the next generation in STEM fields.

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