Electronics and Creation

Hi,

My suggestion is to start off with something simple such as this kind of thing: 200 in 1 Electronic Projects Lab Kit - RobotShop

No soldering or tools are required beyond a pair of wire cutters and wire strippers. You start off by building simple circuits and you can try changing component values to see what happens. No previous knowledge is assumed and you will build up your skills gradually in a structured way. I wouldn't get into Arduino just yet until you know about current, voltage, resistance, the difference between analogue and digital etc. It really does help to have the basics nailed!

It may also help to subscribe to a monthly magazine on the subject. Choose one that caters for beginners.

Good luck with your adventures and above all: have fun!

Regards,

Alan

Excellent advice alanwood if Jae is at the absolute beginner stage with no electronics background then going this route will avoid a huge headache going forward as the basics will be understood and therefore trouble shooting once you introduce software will be easier.

The nice thing is this community can help either way as many of us are already seasoned Electronics Engineers so even starting with the basics does not mean were not there for you, we can be

Regards

peter

Excellent advice alanwood if Jae is at the absolute beginner stage with no electronics background then going this route will avoid a huge headache going forward as the basics will be understood and therefore trouble shooting once you introduce software will be easier.

The nice thing is this community can help either way as many of us are already seasoned Electronics Engineers so even starting with the basics does not mean were not there for you, we can be

Regards

peter

I loved those x00-in-1 kits, they were awesome. Mine was a 160-in-1 kit. Good old Tandy/Radio Shack : )

Peter,

Thank you for responding to my post. Though seemingly irrelevant to this topic, my ultimate desire for pursuing this discipline is to help and serve people in the future. And I mean helping and serving people in a significant sense. So, assuming that you understand the capacity of what electronics can do, is this a good means by which to do this? Because if it is not, I, personally, do not think it is a sensible thing for me to invest my time, energy, and resources to this discipline. But from what I have heard, it is very beneficial meeting the needs of others.

Furthermore, I want to invest in a 200 in 1 Kit and just to confirm one more time, this will give me a good foundation for electrical engineering?

Also, in your opinion, what is the difference between an electrician and an electrical engineer? Does the 200 in 1 Kit prepare me for an engineer or an electrician? Or both?

Best, Jae Kim

Well, I am glad your pursuing your dream. as far as electrician or electrical engineer, I learned my trade way back in the mid 1970s and then it was Electrician or Electronics Engineer.

The way I used to explain the difference was the Electrician dealt with everything from the wall socket out to the power station, the electronics Engineer dealt with everything from the wall socket into the various appliances be it a washing machine to a Laptop and more.

these days the distinction is a little blurred with the advent of micro controllers and the like showing up everywhere and more cross skill learning going on.

Another way of looking at it in simplistic terms is the electrician deals with the high voltage stuff and the electronics engineer the low voltage stuff (Less than 100V for example) but as I said, these days thts a little too simplistic

Helping people with the trade is an admirable thought and objective but please bear in mind, electrician or electronics can be used for good and evil (Bombs to prostheses) so its how you choose to use what you learn but i digress

In your case, the electronics side I would think will enable you to better help people, designing medical aids, sensor equipment for the infirm and disabled, even home automation to help people save money and the environment

The 200 in 1 kit will help you with the electronics primarily but the actual learning about electricity will serve both . The kit is geared toward electronics and in my opinion is a good choice for you based on your goals, even if you change your mind in a few years and want to change track, what you will learn will not be wasted

Hope this helps

Oh, Im of the Electronics Engineering variety

Peter

Peter,

I understand that it does get confusing when things get posted twice. I appreciate your telling me so I do not do this in the future. Thank you again for all your help.

God bless, Jae Kim

no problem, still here to help when needed

Peter