Hollow-State Designs Mission
Our mission is to preserve, revive, and pass on the art and engineering of thermatron (vacuum tube) technology by making homebrew electronics accessible, understandable, and achievable for hands-on builders.
We exist to remove barriers to entry for radio amateurs by providing clear explanations, practical recipes, and complete kits that empower people to build real, working equipment from fundamental principles. We believe thermatron technology represents a uniquely human form of engineering: visible, tactile, skill-based, and deeply instructive.
Through education, kits, books, and storytelling, we aim to reignite curiosity, confidence, and craftsmanship—helping builders move from interest to action, from intimidation to understanding, and from consumption to creation.
Our vision is a future where accessible technology once again invites curiosity, hands-on learning, and creative ownership—across generations.
This site and the products on it were created by Grayson Evans, KJ7UM. He was first licensed as WN4GVM in 1962 (yes, that old). He has spent much of his life in electronic product development, and operating a video production company. He got interested in restoring old thermatron amateur radio equipment in the early 1990’s and has been doing it and teaching it ever since.
He is also the author of two books in the home automation field and hundreds of industry magazine articles including numerous articles for Electric Radio magazine on thermatron related topics.
“My work focuses on preserving and reviving thermatron knowledge in a practical way—through clear explanations, real circuits, and kits that remove the barriers to getting started. The goal isn’t nostalgia; it’s accessibility, understanding, and empowerment. I want hams to feel confident building again, not just assembling or buying.”
Grayson’s contact Info:
gwhizz@duck.com
