Where to start as electronics hobbyist?? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: allantaylor342
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 04:18:45 am
content: Hi I am a 22 year old interesting in learning more about electronics by doing my own projects......is it too late to start??Any advice on what kinds of projects to start with?? I have some experience with soldering, and I have been reading electronics books(if that means much).Only ideas i have had for projects as of last day so far is make a few guitar pedals with my favorite sounds, a portable n64, etcc...thats all i got for now haha.,Any other suggestions??

author: singapol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 04:34:42 am
content: The wise will say do something that you love or have a passion for, that way it does not seem likeWORK.

author: allantaylor342
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 04:37:48 am
content: well i guess i'll start on what i already planned on doin in the first place......

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 04:41:42 am
content: Quote from: allantaylor342 on October 02, 2015, 04:18:45 amNope, never!QuoteWhatever type of project interests you.QuoteNo need for another suggestion, go with that.Just build stuff and have fun doing it. You'll learn along the way.

author: allantaylor342
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 04:44:22 am
content: Thanks,I'll just go with that for now then...

author: Kappes Buur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 06:28:21 am
content: When I started out with electronics I wished I had something like this at handhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/electronics-primers-course-material-and-books/msg595164/#msg595164After that, if you are really serious about learning electronics, something like thishttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/electronics-primers-course-material-and-books/msg587685/#msg587685would be in order. But it also goes heavily into Calculus and LaPlace.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 07:23:16 am
content: Go with what interests you, read a bit, buy a bit of stuff, make a bit, test it, repair it (well that's what I do, HiHi) keep going. Audio and power supplies are a good place to start.

author: rjeberhardt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 09:20:27 am
content: Just dive in. Learn from your mistakes. It is never too late (or too early) to start.I started at eleven years old by following a children's television programme on building a one valve radio. Fortunately it didn't work! That led to reading to find out why and a lifelong hobby interest and career.Russell.

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 11:25:56 am
content: For experiencies and knowledge stick to forums, soo many wise people sharing what they know and think. Use and abuse of the manufacturers applications notes, its like a zip package of knowledge and very pratical way oriented but never leave the good books like Microelectronics from Sedra and The Art of Electronics

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 11:51:08 am
content: It's never too late.Like others have said, dive right into it. Start experimenting with circuits, blow something up and learn from your mistakes.When you get the hang of things, dig into the details. Your age might even be an advantage here, because you probably already know quite a bit of maths (speaking from personal experience, when I was given better mathematical tools in college, I suddenly found that certain subjects - that baffled me in the past - suddenly started to make a whole lot of sense).Lots of people like to start with simple audio amplifiers or LED lightshows, but that may not be your cup of tea. Search the web for simple electronics projects and pick whatever tickles your fancy.Last but not least: Don't be afraid to get in way over your head. You learn most when you push yourself into the unknown.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 12:10:22 pm
content: VK5RCs daughter here, I am 12yo, I have built a few kits from Jaycar myself and find it's loads of fun-except when I burn myself with the solder!!!!!! I enjoy mucking around with electronics, I hope you also enjoy it!

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 02:45:37 pm
content: Quote from: VK5RC on October 02, 2015, 12:10:22 pmIf only I had a $ for every time I've burnt myself!I have a scar on my right hand near my wrist when I managed to burn myself 40 years ago when I was bout your age. Back then, a soldering stand was a luxury item, my iron had a hook so you could hook it onto a desk drawer... with the inevitable consequences that that brought!To the OP, don't be afraid to jump in doing things practically with a simple project, even if all it is is making an LED light up. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. And when you buy parts, order a spare or two, nothing worse than blowing something up (or thinking you have) and not having a spare.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 04:56:16 am
content: Quote from: Howardlong on October 02, 2015, 02:45:37 pmI'll second that. Always good to have spares. Hardware isn't as forgiving as software. If you don't use the spares on the current project, they'll probably come in handy on a future one.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 05:19:19 am
content: I would say, pick something you care about, like pedals. Set a goal for something you would like your creation to achieve. Make the first few goals pretty simple so you don't get discouraged. Maybe you just want a volume control, or you want to filter out high frequencies, or low frequencies, or you want a tone control like a basic equalizer.Do some research specific to the task. Find some other people's designs and study them. Build one up. Modify it. Add on to it, etc.Do this a few times and then do some reflection on what parts you don't understand. Study those further. Learn a little bit at a time.Take some time to do simple experiments. An oscilloscope helps you visualize things. If you don't yet have one try to get one (you can often get a decent analog scope for cheap or free). If you still can't get one then use the "visualization" tool you are likely familiar with... Sound. Hook up a cheap speaker (don't test things on a good amp) and play with how things sound, etc. Use the sounds circuits make as a way to understand them.Keep playing and learning. Have fun!

author: rjeberhardt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 12:35:38 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on October 02, 2015, 02:45:37 pmYes, but after automatically catching it when it falls you don't repeat the mistake!Russell.

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 04:22:56 pm
content: Quote from: allantaylor342 on October 02, 2015, 04:18:45 amNewer too late. I was away from electronics more then decade and im having blast being back...Just enjoy the ride, theres lifetime worth things to learn...

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 05:40:52 pm
content: I fiddled with electronics projects most of my life - building pre-made kits and light weight repairing things. When I turned 40, I got serious and made it a total career change. Even though I started college as an EE major, I only got through year one which barely gets past ohms law.Two years ago, I did not know know enough to make an LED blink. I did not know what a MOSFET was. I had no idea why an oscilloscope was so useful. From all my more youthful efforts, I had learned the terminology but had no real foundation to understand the relationships. I had become quite masterful at soldering fine pitch connectors, but not fine pitch surface mount components on a PCB.After a year, I had learned what I needed to release my first commercial product. It had a few hundred parts - all surface mount spread over many interconnected PCB's. I was able to design the circuits, test them, layout the PCB, and hand assemble the PCB. This was based on 99% internet education and taking the time to experiment. I broke and burned many things along the way - but I learned a LOT in a short amount of time. I had a mission - I knew what I wanted to build and spent a year learning what I needed to know to make that happen. Step one: I made a mission. Step two: I learned how to break the mission down into bite sized chunks. Step three: Dove in and did not come up for air until the mission was accomplished. When the first one was sold after a demonstration - the feeling was what I imagine getting an Olympic gold medal feels like.Now that I am two years in, I have a knowledge that I never dreamed of. I can think of something, design it, and build it all at my house. This is a golden time to learn anything on your own - quickly. The amount of information at your internet fingertips is over the top. When I was younger (1980's), it was a major thing to get the basics. I had the public library where I could study college textbooks. They were sorta helpful, but not for a very young kid. A simple question could take a month to get an answer and I was not typically able to confirm the correct answer. Today we have the EEV Blog and a million other resources to learn and to follow along experiments.

author: smaulz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 10:36:30 pm
content: rx8, Thanks for that. As another 40+ year old contemplating a massive career change, that was a very helpful bit of motivation. I've been struggling for a while wondering if I was crazy for taking on EE at this point in my life, but seeing I'm not alone helps more than you could know.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 05:05:48 am
content: Well done, rx8! Do you have a post here about it? I'm curious what you built.