Best Magazine for beginners - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: adri123
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 31, 2014, 06:36:58 pm
content: Hi.I want my 13yr old son to get into electronics. We've done a couple of projects together but I'd like him to receive a monthly magazine (preferably a real printed magazine) to build on his interest.I'm in the UK and have seen that there's Everyday Practical Electronics.Can anyone recommend this or another mag?Many thanksAdri

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2014, 06:58:41 pm
content: Quote from: adri123 on October 31, 2014, 06:36:58 pmErm... "Razzle" ? !(jk)TBH Vids on the internet can be a really good source of info, especially ones like Daves and Mikes.PhotonicInduction's vids are parental guidance, he is the gansta rapper of the EE world, mess wid' him an he bust a cap, not in yo ass either!Aside from the joke about Photonic's great vids, there are some real piles of crap vids, so you have to sort the wheat from the chaff or you risk taking the edge from the thirst for knowledge IMHO.Basic and maths can be taught by yourself.

author: atferrari
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2014, 08:41:40 pm
content: Quote from: Yago on October 31, 2014, 06:58:41 pmFor a 13 years old kid, a source they can be. But appealing?

author: Tandy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2014, 11:01:11 am
content: Everyday Practical Electronics is the only UK published electronics magazine, It is a pretty good magazine with quite an indy feel to it compared to things like computer magazines published by the big publishers. Many of their projects are re-produced from Silicon Chip magazine an Australian publication. The down side of this is that sometimes the parts to complete the kit are only available from Jaycar in Australia with high postage costs.The other magazine not published in the UK but available from magazine distributors is Elektor, published by a company in the Netherlands, My criticism of this magazine is it feels very commercial, they seem to try and push products that they sell on their own web site or tie ins with advertisers. This is OK of corse but I kind of resent paying for a magazine that feels like a catalogue for their web store. In that respect EPE is much better as apart from some books and a PCB service they don't try and sell to you.Two popular magazines from outside the UK are Silicon Chip (Australia) and Nuts & Volts (USA). The obvious disadvantages are higher subscription charges for international post and not being a local publication a lot of the products advertised and project parts may not be easy to find locally. Silicon Chip has some good projects although they do tend to be largely PIC based. It is a fairly traditional style electronics magazines with plenty of electronic circuit projects. Nuts & Volts is somewhat more of a modern Maker/Hacker style with things like robotics and computer stuff as well as traditional electronics.It might be worth picking up a couple of issues of EPE & Elektor over the next few months from WH Smiths or other similar large newsagent to see what you think of them, if neither of them seem quite what you are looking for then take a look at Nuts & Volts or Silicon Chip magazine.Hope that helps, and I hope your son has as much fun with electronics as I did at 13.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 01, 2014, 11:14:21 am
content: Another method other than a magazine may be encouraging him to get his amateur radio licence, the Foundation level licence can be attained by many 13-14yo (and their parents too) . Most Amateur radio operators are members of a radio club which have meetings and often have talks about elementary topics such as inductance and resistance etc, and can be a social way into applied electronics.If you are interested, the Radio Society of Great Britain RSGB can give you the name of your nearest club, the clubs often run courses to pass the Foundation licence for very little expense or free. I am sure they would welcome a visit.Regards Rob VK5RC

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2014, 11:50:23 am
content: Havent been to a news agency in a long time.I think the 4 above are popular ones.Alternative might be robotics, such as Servo magazine. I think might be too advanced? But would keep interest.I just find that with these project magazines, the cost of bits and pieces are out of reach for a kid with no job.http://www.servomagazine.com/The other area, where some might rub on him, would be RC cars. Again another expensive hobby, but will teach some basic stuff, voltages, batteries, rf, frequency; plus mechanical concepts, gears, suspension, nitro engines. Leading onto planes/drones perhaps.

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2014, 03:14:05 pm
content: I would suggest to check also if there is any hackerspace in the neighbourhood. Some of those run even educational programs dedicated to younger guys.

author: orion242
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 02, 2014, 07:07:43 pm
content: Not sure if they mail this overseas but here is another to check outhttp://www.nutsvolts.com/The offer an online version also.

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 02, 2014, 07:37:23 pm
content: Quote from: Tandy on November 01, 2014, 11:01:11 amIt is the magazine that I started with in my teens (the dutch version). I still find it valuable enough after 30 years to keep on buying and reading it every month.I'd like to kindly disagree with your comment that it is merely a pusher for their on-line store. Articles are of good quality in my opinion.

author: electrophiliate
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2014, 01:04:41 am
content: Everyday Practical Electronics also published a "Teach In" series which may be useful.