New guy here and the first post - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Planobilly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2015, 04:00:53 am
content: Hi,My name is Billy. I live in Homestead near Miami Florida. I am just learning to repair guitar/audio amps, both tube and digital. I have no background in electronics.As you can imagine I have a few questions about stuff I don't understand...a bit of an understatement ....lolI am a bit old (68) to be starting out on this new adventure but I am gona do it anyway. I am a vet living on disability and SS so I want to work at something I can do at home.I came here hoping to find someone willing to help me get started, paid or unpaid. A mentor or tutor or just someone who would be willing to spend a bit of time pointing me in the right direction.Just to be clear, I understand the issues of high voltage. I have basic test gear, Dmm, scope, Freq gen, variac...ectOh, and I can take you fishing if you come to Miami...lolThanks,Billy

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2015, 10:51:21 am
content: Billy, you don't seem to be doing too well here so I have a few suggestions:1) Contact the VA and ask them about what electronics related trade schools they either run themselves or can recommend. You need to spend some time in a classroom environment learning how to fix this stuff before you dive in.2) Look around your general area and see if you can find a TV repair shop, and make sure that it's run by someone over forty. I say this because anyone younger than this might not have enough experience of tube gear plus it helps close the generation gap. Explain your situation to them and ask if you can sit with them whilst they work on some broken kit because learning how to fix stuff requires a certain amount of 'tradecraft', a gut feeling of where to look.3) Finally, try and get in touch with the guy running a Youtube site called 'Mr Carlson's Lab' He seems to know a lot about repairing tube gear (he's even repaired a tube amp or two) and he might be prepared to help. You can also sit back and watch some of his videos because it's a useful site.Oh yeah, one more thing, watch out working alone on tube gear because it can get kinda dangerous. The last thing I want to see is the Patriot Guard Riders on another day out.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2015, 11:33:22 am
content: Actually just go to the next amateur radio meeting in your area and find someone who is into repairs, this is the easiest way to find a mentor, age doesn't matter unless you're forgetful or have learning difficulties in which case I suggest you stick to low voltage electronics.I can tell you that for mains voltage electronics and high voltage electronics you need to have a very good memory or even better a good teacher that drums it into you. Don't listen to people who tell you otherwise, getting electrocuted sucks.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2015, 11:45:36 am
content: Quote from: Shock on December 05, 2015, 11:33:22 amYes, ham radio operators are very nice folks.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2015, 03:58:15 pm
content: We are, but in forty years of ham radio I've operated one tube rig and never built or fixed a piece of equipment with a tube in it. I still find the technology fascinating though.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2015, 05:09:04 pm
content: There are still plenty of Hams around who have no problems understanding tube circuits, they can also put you in touch with others. Some clubs have classes and do electronics lessons for ARRL licensing, or have a person who helps out, a great way to also learn electronics.There are hacker spaces but it's a younger audience and a bit of a mixed bunch as far as finding electronics guys.

author: Planobilly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2016, 09:50:23 pm
content: Just an update.I made this post on the 5th of Dec. Today is the 10 of Jan.I have now repaired 20 amps or so. I am sure someone with some real experience could do that in two days...lolI have learned a ton of stuff in the last month. Got the jobs done and everyone is happy.I am learning something new everyday and it has been a lot of fun. Kinda like learning to fly, a bit scary at first and then one night you find yourself flying into LAX at 2 AM in the fog with zero room for a mistake. The only way to learn to fly is to fly. I think electronics is like that....2 AM, 440 volts of plate voltage on pin three....not a lot of room for a mistake.I would never recommend that you cross the Atlantic in a sail boat alone like I have done or fly into LAX in the fog at 2 AM or measure the plate voltage a 2 AM alone. None of this is safe. Having said that, a person could do much worse.I am going to run my little 28 foot fishing boat over to the Bahamas from Florida in a few days. If I don't get killed on the way to the dock I am pretty sure I will make it there and back...lolThanks for all the positive feed back.Billy