My latest video gives the basics of the varactor, or varicap diode. It discusses a little of the theory, and shows measurements of capacitance vs. reverse bias voltage. Finally, an example of how they can be used is shown, using a voltage controlled oscillator example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icw8terKP-M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icw8terKP-M