My learning lab - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: watchmaker
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 02:29:01 pm
content: Not only have I been made to feel very welcome here, but some have PM'd me about my lab needs and such. UFB!!!I wanted to send them a pic of my learning lab, but apparently, the PM system does not provide for that.The only thing that is going to change very soon is I will be replacing the BK function generator with a Sony/Tek 320G AWG. Seemed like a better deal than a Siglent AWG.FWIW, and I am serious, the only things I paid in excess of $150 are the Analog Discovery 2 and the Siglent 1104 (now 1204) XE. I know the BK scope is long outdated, but it brings back memories. That is the one that arrived with the front panel and controls all pushed in 6mm and the Vert Position knobs at sick angles. Seller did not feel like dealing with the PO and gave it to me for $50USD. Took 6 hours to get a clean shot at the subframe, but I knocked it all out, pressed the front panels and used contact cleaner on everything that moved.BK even sent me the user manual and schematic gratis! Did find the relevant service manual if anyone needs these things.I am using the Diligent course, MIT course, and Heathkit courses and labs concurrently. I started with Art of Electronics but it is too Zen like for my learning style at this stage. I need to know as many of the steps of how to get there as possible.I am a bit put out that I have to learn yet another programming language (Python). I was competent in many of the dead languages and OSs, Fortan, Cobol, Basic (ehhh), CPM, DOS, punch tape, hollerith cards! But at least I do not have to hand my deck of cards over to the priest in the temple! Amazing what is available for the PC.Thanks to you all!

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 04:21:47 pm
content: Welcome. Love the teapot and mug. Got to get the priorities right, and tea (or equivalent favourite beverage) is essential.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 04:31:25 pm
content: The AD2 is excellent for learning. Sometimes the problem needs to be scaled (mA not Amps, mV not kV) but that's no big deal. The add-ons are quite useful.I prefer MATLAB as a solver but I also write the code such that it will run on the FREE wxMaxima. wxMaxima is a great solver but it doesn't have anywhere near the features of MATLAB.FWIW, MATLAB now runs on Apple silicon. It has found a home on my Macbook Pro M2.If you haven't run across them, desmos.com for graphing and symbolab.com for solving.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 04:51:13 pm
content: Quote from: watchmaker on November 05, 2023, 02:29:01 pmFortran, Cobol and C will last forever but of the newer languages, Python seems a clear winner. Not so much for the language but for the libraries. A lot of effort has gone into things like AI and ML.

author: luudee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 04:54:29 pm
content: I too am in love with the Tea Pot and Mug !!!Happy electron hunting !!!Cheers,rudi

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 07:17:56 pm
content: DEAD PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES ;How about 6502 straight assembly language (Commodore64)!With bit mapped graphics and moveable 'Sprites'.A.I. just feels 'stupid'...

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 07:58:27 pm
content: Bravo for the initiative. Your WS is not optimal for construction nor ergonomics.Open face insulation will shed particles and dust over time and give poor insulation.Add driwall facing over the bare insulation.The open wire shelves are not as good as solid.Small stuff falls thru and not a stable surface.lighting and chair can be improved.Just my thoughts.Jon

author: watchmaker
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 08:36:31 pm
content: Quote from: jonpaul on November 05, 2023, 07:58:27 pmThanks for the encouragement and I agree with your critique. Space is only 4 weeks old. Below are pics of how I LIKE to work. When we moved in, had surgical room flooring installed, no floor to wall cracks, etc. My bench is against the window, Mary's is the nice aluminum bench. She is now doing marine chronometers.Usually I create a space before I start using it, but I wanted to get going. When the inverter gets installed to the right of the space, I will tear everything down and redo.Regards,Dewey

author: donlisms
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2023, 04:48:32 pm
content: Wire shelves work great for test equipment racks and storage bins and boxes and such. No, they're not a good work surface, so generally, you wouldn't put little bits on them. Maybe put the little bits in boxes. If you do need to keep little bits from from falling through, or you need a smoother surface to slide things on or something, just add a shelf liner of some suitable material. Doesn't have to be thick or heavy; the shelf does the work.

author: watchmaker
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 06, 2023, 06:30:07 pm
content: I do like the wire shelves for instruments because they do not collect dust. I am still figuring out my workspace needs; this is where I do not create a permanent space until I figure out what annoys me. It works for learning, but not for work. I bought a $70 usb monitor that I use for for a second screen while reading or listening to lectures and then doing the labs. Makes a world of difference.I just realized (can get really stim bound) that I can take the AD2 upstairs; duuuuh!. But we only have one kitchen table although I suppose I could get permission to use the dining room table. I have a couple portable meters I could use upstairs.The watch shop is the result of 40 years of annoyances and make do's. Compare the NH shop with the old shop tour on my non updated website atwww.historictimekeepers.com. When we moved to NH we made sure the house was adaptable to our desires and we set up the shop areas using all our lessons learned.The joke is you create the perfect layout the day before you die.I do not yet know if I will sell the watch shop and move the EE lab there. My wife enjoys the work and I think she would rebel.FWIW, I did the rookie thing and bought a grab bag (box) that apparently was the treasure obtained during the RS closeouts. A ton of MPS 42s, and diodes of course (at least some were still in strips, about half are loose and there are thousands; only a couple marked zeners though).A number of obscure ICs, including at least a dozen package marked as "speech". Gotta get some test tube holders to rack up my bottles of transistors.As I do labs, I will substitute things to see what goes on. But I am procrastinating from learning matrix alg. and differential calc.Back to studies.