Posted: 7/20/2011 11:53:43 AM EDT
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Interested in learning a bit about electronics, ICs, etc from a hobby standpoint. Would like to be able to incorporate lights, actions, etc. into scale modeling projects and that type of things. Also online have seen some pretty interesting DIY projects that involved electronics. But, while reading about them is interesting, it's pretty easy to get lost once they go into details and start dealing with microprocessors and controllers. So, what's the best way to go about learning some of that type of stuff? Any good places to read up on it? Get a breadboard and some components and start experimenting? Just not sure where to start or what I need. Thanks for any input. |
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Quoted: Step by step lectures & labs http://www.learnerstv.com/Free-Engineering-Video-lectures-ltv052-Page1.htm Virtual breadboards and circuits so you can mess around on the computer before actually physically doing anything Cool. Thanks. |
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Berkeley Webcasts has some really good, free video lectures on EE, computer science and, well, just about everything. MIT, Harvard, Stanford all have similar programs, I believe. I learned more from these sources than I ever did in college. |
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Quoted: Very cool, thanks Raven.Step by step lectures & labs http://www.learnerstv.com/Free-Engineering-Video-lectures-ltv052-Page1.htm Virtual breadboards and circuits so you can mess around on the computer before actually physically doing anything OP I had a post a while back on the same thing. Heres a bump for ya!!! |
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Quoted:
Berkeley Webcasts has some really good, free video lectures on EE, computer science and, well, just about everything. MIT, Harvard, Stanford all have similar programs, I believe. I learned more from these sources than I ever did in college. I like to watch the physics lectures. ETA: I have some link bookmarked that has gobs and gobs of videos. Physics, electronics, etc. I'll have to see if I can find it. |
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Loads of good online resources but picking up a breadboard kit will get you hands on now! You do need to do the reading and studying, but nothing will get you inspired more quickly than making your first "button that makes the LED turn on" circuit, which you will then proudly show to everyone you know, who will all look suitably impressed that you made something with a button that makes an LED turn on. Eventually one of them will ask "It's very good, but does it do anything useful besides... turning on that little LED?". At this point, you will be ready to learn more. Learn to read datasheets. That's very useful. |
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Navy Electronics Technician, Fire Controlman, Electricians Mate. All these rates (jobs) get extensive training in electronics. I'm a recruiter.... let's talk about your goals.... Just kidding. I am a Navy recruiter and all of the rates listed above do revolve around electronics but I suppose if you just wanted some basic knowledge about electronics you could probably just buy a book and live on youtube for a while.
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I misspelled his name, its Forrest Mims. Here is a link to his books on amazon. I used to have most of them, lost them in my last move.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_12?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=forrest+mims&sprefix=forrest+mims |
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I'm also getting around to learning some electronics. Let me tell you a mistake I made. I bought the TI MSP 430 development kit. Not a huge mistake, since my total outlay was about $16 for two kits, but there's not a lot available on-line for learning how to use it. Needs a lot more concentration than I have put into it. There are some more beginner oriented kits out there, for more $. This seems like a good source for beginner's kits: http://www.nerdkits.com/ I haven't ordered anything from them yet, but I've read through their tutorials. |
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Quoted: Thanks for the replies, serious or otherwise... Not looking to go back to school, join the Navy or be a furry at this time.  Just looking to build some knowledge and play around a little bit. Looks like there's some good info to go through, though. Thanks! |
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Tagged...for furtherb research
Believe it or not I learned quite a bit taking an electrical course here at the mine. Most of the course was troubleshooting mining equipment but the basics were covered....ohms law, and a few theories, single phase 3 phase low voltage,high voltage etc.. One thing I like and you may too if you can get the programming is ladder logic for microprocesors..I have a basic knowledge of the "ladder logic and can do some basic stuff with ours. And we got to do the "make a program to run a motor on" which was cool..also had a few leds to light up.. |