What is a good hobbyist's starter kit? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 11:48:29 am
content: A friend of mine is interested in getting started on EE (he also have a CS background like I do) so he is asking me for suggestion of a starter kit. How does this look?Tools* UNI-T UT61D (autoranging true RMS DMM while not too expensive)* Some second-hand 20MHz CRT oscilloscope with two channels minimum (e.g. Luyang YB4325)* Arduino Mega 2560 (5V MCU with lots of support) or* Arduino Due (3.3V MCU with lots of support)* AutoElectric TL866A universal programmer* Breadboard* A cut USB cord or USB Micro-B Breakout* FTDI modulePassive components* Assorted leaded resistors* Assorted leaded capacitors (ceramic for 10uF and less, aluminum electrolytic for 22uF or more)* Assorted crystal resonators* Assorted low-power and medium-power inductors* Assorted trim pots* Jumper wiresDiscrete semiconductors* Schottky diodes: 1N5819, 1N5711 (Those can be drop-in replacements for 1N4001 and 1N4148 respectively, be much faster, and have less loss if used in power supplies)* Assorted LEDs* Audio-frequency NPN bipolar transistors: SS9014, SS9013, SS8050, TIP31C* Audio-frequency PNP bipolar transistors: SS9015, SS9012, SS8550, TIP32C* RF bipolar transistors: SS9018 (1.1GHz GBP typ. part)* N-channel MOSFETs: 2N7000, IRF540N* P-channel MOSFETs: BS250, IRF4905Analog integrated circuits* Linear power: AMS1117, LM317, LM337* Switch-mode power: TPS562200 (on adapter board,) MC34063* Op-amps: TL084, TLC2272 (RRIO,) OP07* Reference: TL431* DAC: TLC5615* D-pot: MCP41010Digital integrated circuits* GAL16V8 or ATF16V8 - a SPLD as an infinte box of 74HC's* some DIP microcontrollers (ATtiny85-20PU/ATtiny2313A-20PU/ATmega328P-20PU/ATmega1284-PU for AVR, IAP15W105-35I-DIP8/IAP15W403AS-35I-DIP20/IAP15F2K61S2-35I-SKDIP28/IAP15W4K61S4-30I-PDIP40 for 8051 or PIC16F72/PIC18F4550 for 8-bit PIC or something like that)* HD44780-compatible LCD* AT24C512 I2C EEPROM* AT45DB641E SPI DataFlash* 74HCU04 (unbuffered CMOS inverter for quick-and-dirty crystal oscillator)* 74HC14 (CMOS Schmitt trigger inverter for quick-and-dirty RC oscillator)

author: Maxlor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 12:56:57 pm
content: * Get two multimeters, even if the other one is a cheapie. Being able to measure two things (voltage/current, or input/output of an LDO) is very useful.* If your friend is coming from the digital side of things (knows programming, will probably start with those MCUs first...) an analog scope is not going to be all that useful.* Have some things to connect to these arduinos. A small I2C/SPI flash chip, an LDR, a temperature sensor, an LCD, something like that.* All these different MCUs... I know the TL866 can program then, but using an in-circuit programmer is going to be a lot more comfortable.* How about some prototyping PCBs, wires, a soldering iron and the associated tools?* Potentiometers and LEDs! Trimpots are usually even breadboardable.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 01:13:22 pm
content: Quote from: Maxlor on November 13, 2016, 12:56:57 pmSo one of those cheapie D830's? Or should I suggest him get two UT61D's (or one UT61D and one UT61E?)Quote from: Maxlor on November 13, 2016, 12:56:57 pmDigital ones can be fairly expensive. Nothing on this list costs over $150 so far however.Quote from: Maxlor on November 13, 2016, 12:56:57 pmWhat is LDR? For flash chips how do you think AT24C512 and AT45DB641E are good candidates? About the temperature sensor, DS18B20 or LM35? LCD is probably a good idea. How does a DS3231 RTC module sound? (code compatible with DS1302, fewer components, better long-term and short-term stability)Quote from: Maxlor on November 13, 2016, 12:56:57 pmThe Arduino can be loaded with the ArduinoISP sketch to be used as in-circuit programmer for AVR. Those IAP15 (STC 8051 MCU) ones are programmed directly off serial port so a FTDI module will work.Quote from: Maxlor on November 13, 2016, 12:56:57 pmWires, yes; soldeing, not so fast.Quote from: Maxlor on November 13, 2016, 12:56:57 pmOh yeah. I forgot.

author: station240
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 02:38:36 pm
content: Forgot the 555 timer.Why not one of the Pi series boards, given your friend has a CS background. Raspberry Pi Zero is really cheap.I'd also get one of those USB power meters, so your not connecting untested stuff direct to USB ports.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2016, 03:51:20 pm
content: Quote from: station240 on November 13, 2016, 02:38:36 pmI can output a clock from MCU, so n 555 for now.He already have a Pi 3 and USB power meter.

author: Maxlor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2016, 01:56:15 am
content: Quote from: technix on November 13, 2016, 01:13:22 pmMaybe two UT136Cs? I don't really see much reason for buying an UT61D to be honest. But yeah, even an 830D would do I guess, as long as it's one with a continuity tester.Quote from: technix on November 13, 2016, 01:13:22 pmSomething to let him figure out for himself then, maybe? If he gets interested in the field, tries things, starts watching videos, he'll soon see how a scope will be useful. And if he doesn't think he needs it, money saved!Quote from: technix on November 13, 2016, 01:13:22 pmLDR = Light Dependent Resistor. These:.For Flash/Eeprom, 24AAxx are ubiquitous. Both DS18B20 and LM35 are a common choice for playing around, there are others like the DHT11 which is rather cheap but not all that accurate, still, fun to play with. A RTC chip could be nice, if you're building something that requires a clock...I wonder whether maybe you're overwhelming your friend though. Part of the fun of this hobby is discovering things, and everyone's ideas and plans are different. Maybe he'll want to build a radio, maybe a clock, or maybe an IoT thingie. You could just buy one of these Arduino starter kits for him (I think they're rather good value for money) then let him find his own path from there...

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2016, 02:41:27 am
content: There are some good ideas herehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/from-no-parts-to-decent-stockpile-best-approach/

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2016, 03:38:21 am
content: Quote from: Maxlor on November 14, 2016, 01:56:15 amHe is asking me for suggestions on how to get started, and my mindset is to give him a solid starting point with a set of versatile tools where he can experiment and explore new components and concepts.I went straight for SPLD instead of the more traditional 74HC chips for its versatility - he won't have to get familiarized with the entire standard logic family to get started, as he can just write CUPL for the logic he want to use and get it compiled into a GAL16V8 and run with it.I have also updated the parts commonly found in starter kits - diodes 1N4001, 1N4148, op amps LM324 and LM358 with more modern alternatives, Schottky diodes 1N5819, 1N5711, op amps TL084 and TLC2272. This gives him a higher starter point to experiment with, yet traditional tutorials can still work.