Dave has been causing me to buy better kit - oh but the money I have saved! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: VA3JME
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 02:16:33 am
content: Sigh.. the more I learn the more I realize I need to replace my "cheap ass™" multimeter with a proper one. So I just ordered one.And a scope... needed one of those too. Got one.And a proper soldering iron. Got that.So far, about a grand worth of kit, but hey, last week I managed to troubleshoot a $12 power supply!SighIn all seriousness though, at least I am having fun

author: extide
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 02:21:24 am
content: Right this waysir.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 04:03:47 am
content: That's the way hobbies go. Some people spend $15k on a fishing boat, another $30k on a truck to pull it, a bunch more on equipment when they could buy fish at the supermarket for a few dollars a pound. As far as hobbies go you could do a lot worse.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 06:41:28 pm
content: As I said to my girlfriend this weekend after I walked home with an audio system found in the street;I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I don't have a motorbike or a sports car and you're unlikely to find me with some strange woman in a delicate situation. I therefore spend my spare cash on electronics and ham radio, and you have it easy.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2019, 09:38:53 pm
content: I too am a hobbyist. I judge it as "if this amusement park ride ticket is too much money for too little fun - or not".I like to think I saved a lot of money. Imagine, instead of a $70 soldering iron, I might have purchased a $700 golf club, or might have spend $1700 off-road motor-bike... So, I am having fun and I am saving a lot of money...

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2019, 10:46:46 pm
content: Quote from: VA3JME on April 29, 2019, 02:16:33 amOnly a $12 power supply today, but what will you progress to next week, next year, or beyond? There's also new stuff that you can design and build, if that aspect of electronics meets your fancy.QuoteAnd learning, too. There are certainly worse ways to spend time and money. Welcome to the forum, VA3JME!Quote from: extide on April 29, 2019, 02:21:24 amHaha! Yes, indeed! All are welcome at theTEAhouse.Quote from: German_EE on April 29, 2019, 06:41:28 pmLikewise. Well, I do have a sports car, but I use my DMM on it, too.

author: VA3JME
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 01, 2019, 03:30:13 am
content: OK I am not alone! LOL... well, I managed to diagnose the $12 power supply, but I still have not actually repaired it... that will be a goal.I did repair a friends $80 laptop power supply last week... so I am making progress.Jamie

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2019, 11:07:09 pm
content: Only $920 to go to break even.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2019, 11:31:44 pm
content: Well what would it cost you to get the same education at a community college?Some people spend >$100k getting a whole 4 year degree in something that is not even directly applicable to the sort of jobs one is likely to find.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2019, 12:02:34 am
content: There are a LOT of really silly, vain, wasteful toys, snob priced hyped tools, and delusion fueled poor 'lifestyle choices' to blow money onfortunately (afaict) most electronics test gear is not one of them,AND if looked after you can resell to upgrade,or if you decide electronicals are not for you (for now...)