S
shiftless
Hello, I've decided to get into designing/building electronic circuits
for fun/profit. I've been around electronics ever since I can remember
(I'm 21 now), watching my dad working on stuff and tinkering with
circuits myself, and I've also taken a basic electronics course in the
US Air Force. While this isn't really a lot of experience, I consider
myself to be pretty intelligent and more able and willing than most to
readily understand and learn technical things (like electronics), so I
don't foresee a problem teaching myself how to do this stuff. I've also
had quite a bit of experience with computer programming in C and many
other languages (including some assembler), so I'm not scared of
writing firmware.
As you can see, I do have some existing experience and knowledge, but I
recognize that there is a lot more I need to learn. I can think of
plenty of stuff right offhand I'll need to learn more about, and I'm
sure there is more out there I don't even know about yet. I was hoping
you fellows could recommend some good books I could pick up and other
sources of information about designing electronic circuits, using
embedded microprocessors and such, or other topics relevant to a
beginner electronics engineer. I already have books and information
about basic electronics concepts; now I'm ready for the real stuff.
I've got a whole list of projects I'd like to design and build. Most of
the items are just things I think would be neat to play with; a few are
ideas I have for commercial products. I'm going to need to acquire some
tools and set up a shop before I do anything, though. I plan to spend
no more than, say, $1500, and equip myself with some decent tools. I
can't afford to spend more than that, so I'm going for the best "bang
for your buck" tools and equipment I can find. I'm not afraid to use
homebrew solutions to save money. The problem is, I'm not sure what all
tools I will be needing. I want to do small SMT circuits; I have steady
hands and good vision, so I'm not afraid of TSSOP work. I guess I'll
need some good magnification, light, and tools for working with tiny
components (which ones?). I've also got my eye on a nice hot-air
soldering gun from MPJA for $79. I'd like to try some of the ideas I've
read about using a laser printer to etch circuit boards, so I'll need a
laser printer and related components (unless someone has a better
idea). If that doesn't work out I can always just have the boards made.
I'd also like to see about setting up some kind of cheap oven setup to
save time soldering boards, rather than having to hand solder
everything. What other tools would come in handy? Oscilloscope,
multimeters, sure, but what kind?
Any information or advice you can give to help me out is appreciated!
Now, I'm going to go back to scouring the net for information.
Nathan
for fun/profit. I've been around electronics ever since I can remember
(I'm 21 now), watching my dad working on stuff and tinkering with
circuits myself, and I've also taken a basic electronics course in the
US Air Force. While this isn't really a lot of experience, I consider
myself to be pretty intelligent and more able and willing than most to
readily understand and learn technical things (like electronics), so I
don't foresee a problem teaching myself how to do this stuff. I've also
had quite a bit of experience with computer programming in C and many
other languages (including some assembler), so I'm not scared of
writing firmware.
As you can see, I do have some existing experience and knowledge, but I
recognize that there is a lot more I need to learn. I can think of
plenty of stuff right offhand I'll need to learn more about, and I'm
sure there is more out there I don't even know about yet. I was hoping
you fellows could recommend some good books I could pick up and other
sources of information about designing electronic circuits, using
embedded microprocessors and such, or other topics relevant to a
beginner electronics engineer. I already have books and information
about basic electronics concepts; now I'm ready for the real stuff.
I've got a whole list of projects I'd like to design and build. Most of
the items are just things I think would be neat to play with; a few are
ideas I have for commercial products. I'm going to need to acquire some
tools and set up a shop before I do anything, though. I plan to spend
no more than, say, $1500, and equip myself with some decent tools. I
can't afford to spend more than that, so I'm going for the best "bang
for your buck" tools and equipment I can find. I'm not afraid to use
homebrew solutions to save money. The problem is, I'm not sure what all
tools I will be needing. I want to do small SMT circuits; I have steady
hands and good vision, so I'm not afraid of TSSOP work. I guess I'll
need some good magnification, light, and tools for working with tiny
components (which ones?). I've also got my eye on a nice hot-air
soldering gun from MPJA for $79. I'd like to try some of the ideas I've
read about using a laser printer to etch circuit boards, so I'll need a
laser printer and related components (unless someone has a better
idea). If that doesn't work out I can always just have the boards made.
I'd also like to see about setting up some kind of cheap oven setup to
save time soldering boards, rather than having to hand solder
everything. What other tools would come in handy? Oscilloscope,
multimeters, sure, but what kind?
Any information or advice you can give to help me out is appreciated!
Now, I'm going to go back to scouring the net for information.
Nathan
