I've got a fairly well-equipped electronics bench and I've done quite a few tube projects over the (many) years. My SS experience is limited to populating PCBs and plugging them in.
I don't really have a clue about solid-state electronics (beyond diode rectifiers).
Any suggestions for a 'lab book' with experiments to teach me some basics?
I've got scope(s), multimeters, suitable lower voltage variable power supplies, breadboarding stuff, lotsa caps and resistors, etc..
I'd prefer a book/course that included a shopping list for transistors and ICs, etc..
Thanks!
I don't really have a clue about solid-state electronics (beyond diode rectifiers).
Any suggestions for a 'lab book' with experiments to teach me some basics?
I've got scope(s), multimeters, suitable lower voltage variable power supplies, breadboarding stuff, lotsa caps and resistors, etc..
I'd prefer a book/course that included a shopping list for transistors and ICs, etc..
Thanks!
Hi,
You can do nearly all of it in a simulated environment.
TinaTi used to be a student teaching tool, its pretty good.
SPICE-Based Analog Simulation Program - TINA-TI - TI Software Folder
http://www.ti.com/lit/ug/sbou052a/sbou052a.pdf
Horowitz and Hill - The Art of Electronics : is is old but good.
Try and pick up an early edition cheap, the basics don't change.
rgds, sreten.
You can do nearly all of it in a simulated environment.
TinaTi used to be a student teaching tool, its pretty good.
SPICE-Based Analog Simulation Program - TINA-TI - TI Software Folder
http://www.ti.com/lit/ug/sbou052a/sbou052a.pdf
Horowitz and Hill - The Art of Electronics : is is old but good.
Try and pick up an early edition cheap, the basics don't change.
rgds, sreten.
Look into a series of books by the late Joseph J Carr, 'Mastering _____ through Projects and Experiments'. Easy to follow style, BOMs, prolific highly-regarded author.
And/Or... Build and test with jellybean parts - 2N2222, uA741, VN10K, LM386, LM339, NE555, LM7805, etc.
And/Or... Build and test with jellybean parts - 2N2222, uA741, VN10K, LM386, LM339, NE555, LM7805, etc.
Thanks to everybody for all those suggestions so far.
I don`t quite understand what you mean.....😕
I don`t quite understand what you mean.....😕
small signal transistor, opamps, timers, amplifiers, voltage regulators...
You can get those parts everywhere and they cost almost nothing. Ideal for experiments.
How about the two power amp text books by Bob Cordell and Doug Self? It's not experimental, but have a lot of essential information and practical circuits.
They are both advanced, highly specialized analog power electronics texts. I can't see them as suitable for general solid state learning at any level of prior experience.
There is a Student Manual the accompanies the Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill. I reckon this would be just what you need.
Thanks for all the ideas.
I should have added: "Reasonably-priced, or cheap!" to my request.
Horowitz and Hill sounds good, but at over $125 with shipping (not including the student manual) is above my limit.
Buying components isn't a problem with online suppliers; I also have a bit of a spare parts collection here. Knowing what to buy and what to do with it is the issue.
After posting this request, I found an ex-library copy of 'Basic Electronics Theory with projects and experiments' by Delton Horn on my bookshelf, which might get me started.
Online, I've come across Platt's 'Electronics:Learning through Discovery' and also Scherz's 'Practical Electronics for Inventors' for sale. Does anybody have comments on those two books?
BTW, I'm not very interested in computer simulation stuff, though I know it is 'the way to do it' nowadays. I want to see those 'real' meter readings and scope traces! ;-)
I should have added: "Reasonably-priced, or cheap!" to my request.
Horowitz and Hill sounds good, but at over $125 with shipping (not including the student manual) is above my limit.
Buying components isn't a problem with online suppliers; I also have a bit of a spare parts collection here. Knowing what to buy and what to do with it is the issue.
After posting this request, I found an ex-library copy of 'Basic Electronics Theory with projects and experiments' by Delton Horn on my bookshelf, which might get me started.
Online, I've come across Platt's 'Electronics:Learning through Discovery' and also Scherz's 'Practical Electronics for Inventors' for sale. Does anybody have comments on those two books?
BTW, I'm not very interested in computer simulation stuff, though I know it is 'the way to do it' nowadays. I want to see those 'real' meter readings and scope traces! ;-)
Ian:Thanks; I should have explained more clearly in my OP. I'm looking for very basic stuff with 'experiments' - the sort of thing that would have been used in a good high school electronics course 20-30 years ago, or in an introductory college course nowadays - assuming they are still using 'physical reality-based experiences' vs simulation there.
Did you look at the link I posted. That Slone book is full of little electrical projects. He has a nice wit and speaks plainly. Brand new it is less than $30 and it looks like you can get one used for a lot less. Get the paper back instead of the Kindle version so you can copy the foil patterns. As far as I am concerned, it is exactly what you say you are looking for. In case you missed the link, here it is again.
http://www.amazon.com/Audiophiles-P...Electronics/dp/0071379290/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Click on "Look inside" and you can actually view the entire thing.
http://www.amazon.com/Audiophiles-P...Electronics/dp/0071379290/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Click on "Look inside" and you can actually view the entire thing.
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Thanks for the follow-up.
The Slone book looks like it has a lot of info/opinions about 'good sound' and how to build audio gear to actually use - making PCBs and wiring up usable gear. I'm more interested in basic 'lab experiments' at this point.
I'll keep my eyes open for a cheap copy; it could be a good addition to the bookshelf.
I've browsed the Scherz book. My impression was it's a fine EE101-type book, geared mostly towards those with little to no previous experience. Your needs may be better served by finding old hobbyists' magazines online, eg here, and locating an article or series on some desired aspect... BJTs, FETs, op amps, oscillators, filters, thyristors, etc. These always include practical circuits for experimenting or use as building blocks for more elaborate projects.
This may be what you want, MAKE: Electronics
Make: Electronics (Learning by Discovery): Charles Platt: 9780596153748: Amazon.com: Books
There's also the "Engineers Notebook" series of books/booklets by Forrest Mims and published by Radio Shack decades ago (looking at prices online, these may be "collectible"). Look for a hamfest in your area - the Mims books, older editions of "Radio Amateurs Handbook" and other electronics books are usually available for as little as a dollar each.
Make: Electronics (Learning by Discovery): Charles Platt: 9780596153748: Amazon.com: Books
There's also the "Engineers Notebook" series of books/booklets by Forrest Mims and published by Radio Shack decades ago (looking at prices online, these may be "collectible"). Look for a hamfest in your area - the Mims books, older editions of "Radio Amateurs Handbook" and other electronics books are usually available for as little as a dollar each.
Noone mentioned the Bible yet ?
The Art of Electronics, Horowitz & Hill.
Don't be intimidated by the size. It starts from the very beginning, is very well written, everything is explained in a very clear way. Best book ever on the subject IMO.
After, you can get Cordell and Self's books, both also very good, but those don't include the "learning electronics from the basics" stuff.
The Art of Electronics, Horowitz & Hill.
Don't be intimidated by the size. It starts from the very beginning, is very well written, everything is explained in a very clear way. Best book ever on the subject IMO.
After, you can get Cordell and Self's books, both also very good, but those don't include the "learning electronics from the basics" stuff.
Google 'Radiotron Designer's Handbook'. You can find various editions in .pdf. It's old, contains some difficult stuff, but also some stuff that will always be true, and it's free.
ARRL or RSGB yearly handbooks all have a condensed basics section, you can pick up one that is a few years old for not much.
ARRL or RSGB yearly handbooks all have a condensed basics section, you can pick up one that is a few years old for not much.
Simulators and books are fine, but you won't understand what's really going on unless you can fault find, and nothing beats having a go at designing simple circuits yourself, building them and then working out why it's not behaving as expected - if it does then try something more difficult. This can be done on a simulator but somehow or other what you learn tends to not stick in the memory as good - especially as in the real world things blow up!
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