Electronics and Creation

Question

Thank you for visiting this discussion. If you can share your wisdom with me, that would mean a ton. I want to pursue electronics/electrical engineering as a hobby to create awesome things (which things I do not know yet because I do not know enough about the subject). However, I have no idea how to start. Should I start buying books to read on electronics/electrical engineering or should I buy equipment or should I just take electronics that I find in my house and break them apart and fix them? Any advice would be awesome.

alanwood · Answer

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

Robert Peter Oakes · Answer

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

Electronics and Creation

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