We've hit 1000 subscribers!
Why I started a newsletter, what content I have planned, and thoughts about the future.
We did it! This newsletter has reached 1000 subscribers in the first month. I am more excited than words can describe and I express my deepest gratitude for your support. 🙏
As a thank you, I have enabled "Subscriber Chat" that you can use to interact with me and ask questions related to posts. You will receive a separate email on how to setup and use Substack's chat feature. I am excited for you to join the community!
When I started the newsletter earlier this year, I did not know what to expect or how this experiment would go. All the positive vibes and encouragement I've received so far is more than I could have hoped for.
In case you missed it, here is a list of articles published in the last month.
In this newsletter, I'll explain why I started this newsletter, what content I have planned, and what I have in mind for the future.
Why I started a newsletter
The last year, 2023, was tumultuous for the tech industry with massive layoffs. It occurred to me that if I were next, I would be dreadfully unprepared to interview.
I decided that I would study a little bit everyday to stay prepared. My primary resources were textbooks (too terse), my school notes (poorly maintained) or YouTube videos (good option, but mostly academic and takes too long). I started putting together a few notes and soon realized that they would be helpful to a lot more people than just myself.
If I did it right, I could provide bite-sized educational content that is not overly academic, so that other engineers like myself can use for it for continuous learning.
Plus, a lot of radio communication is just black magic. I hope that by sharing my learnings, I can take some of the mystery out of how stuff works and provide insight into why it’s so amazing.
Newsletters are so effective in education these days, and I’ve learnt so much from the ones I subscribe to (check out my recommendations).
I decided to write one.
Why I don’t have a better name
I tried. I really did. Every newsletter name I came up with sounded great at first, and then utter cringe the next day. The more I tried, the worse it got. My lowest point was “Microwave Missives.”
Then I came across Lenny's Newsletter which is one of the biggest tech newsletters on Substack, and figured if he could use his name, why not me? I heard Lenny say that people spend too much time with the name, logo, design and other stuff that doesn't matter. The focus should be on writing.
That hit home. I abandoned absurd alliterations (okay, no more). Since a lot of my friends call me 'Vik', I just went with that. Also, by not tying the newsletter name to a narrow niche, I keep my options open to experiment on topics. Win-Win.
What do I plan to write about
My intention is to write about electrical engineering that can be generalized as:
Write about communication technology from an engineering point of view.
Each weekly article will take less than 10 minutes to read and provide value by:
Saving you time by providing a collection of learning resources
Leveling up your knowledge a little bit every week
Showing you the tricks behind the magic
My hope is that this newsletter helps advance your career, keeps you motivated about engineering and makes you appreciate how awesome modern technology is.
My content is intended to be educational in nature and directed towards students, professionals or enthusiasts who want to understand the science and engineering behind the technology. I cant’t help you pass specific exams. I don't know if I'll venture into business aspects yet, and I'll definitely not provide investing advice.
The topics I choose will be centered around RF and microwave engineering which I know to an extent. To push my boundaries and deliver a breadth of content, I'll explore other areas such as systems, communication standards, device technology, and other topics that I can learn and write about. Articles will range from informational to in-depth depending on the topic. I will, on occasion, write about career, productivity, and tips that I found useful.
If there is anything particular you want me to write about, do let me know! I'd love to hear from you, and humbly provide the best content I can to help you in your journey. You can reach me by replying to this email, via Substack chat or on social media (LinkedIn or X).
What are my future plans?
I’ll keep it simple. Deliver high quality weekly content that provides value.
Each article takes me 10-15 hours to write. But I enjoy every moment of it. Given my professional and personal commitments, I’m going to do my best to fulfill my promise.
If I amass enough technical content over time, maybe a self-paced online course will emerge. It could serve as an educational resource to address your immediate learning needs, whatever they may be.
Again, I thank you for being a newsletter subscriber and I hope you stay with me on this journey for a long time to come.
Please share this newsletter with others you think will enjoy it.
Word-of-mouth is a powerful way to support this newsletter!
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely mine; they do not reflect the views or positions of my employer or any entities I am affiliated with. The content provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or investment advice.
I love the dedication you've shown man. 10-15 hours/post is crazy! Proud of you.