In this video, we sit down with Chris Nelson—RF enthusiast and repeat DEF CON competitor—to break down what RF hacking is, what to expect at the DEF CON RF Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, and how newcomers can get started. Whether you're a seasoned hacker or just RF-curious, this conversation pulls back the curtain on one of the most exciting and mysterious parts of DEF CON. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: What is RF hacking? 00:52 - Meet Chris Nelson 03:25 - What is DEF CON RF CTF? 05:40 - Tools and gear used for RF hacking 08:15 - How the competition works 10:05 - Learning resources for beginners 12:42 - Chris’s past experiences at DEF CON 15:10 - Advice for first-time attendees 17:08 - Hacker culture and community 19:20 - Final thoughts + where to learn more 📡 Want to try RF hacking yourself? Start with tools like an SDR (Software-Defined Radio), practice decoding signals, and follow the DEF CON RF Village. Resources below! 2600: The Hacker Quarterly: Proxmark3: Flipper Zero: r/DEFCON (Reddit): DEF CON RF Village (RF Hackers Sanctuary): Blacklisted! 411 (Internet Archive collection):