How can I learn to build electronics?

Question

I want to learn to build things that run on electricity I know I would have to understand electricity and how to construct what I'm building.

Answer 1

Hey buddy, so you want to learn to build electronics, huh? Well, there a few things that will really help you out. First, visit the library and borrow a few books about circuits, electricity, and electrical engineering, just to get a basis from which to understand the way in which electronics function. Next, visit a local Radio Shack. They have kits available that help you build simple electronic gadgets. Finally, visit the site I've indexed in my sources, they have a plethora of fun do it yourself electronic projects that can help you learn what so desire. This is the poptart, signing off ;)

Answer 2

I would recommend going and finding some books about building electronics. Something that will not only describe how to solder, but how the circuits work. You probably want to learn not only how to assemble them, but also how all the different components work and what they do, so you can design your own circuits. A beginners book that starts from the ground up and is written in a clear manner for a beginner is what you want, something that will descibe everything clearly to you and help you understand and learn the basics. I am sure they must be out there.



Try out these wikibooks on electronics:



http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/LearnElectronics

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Category:Electronics

Answer 3

I started off building the electronics projects in Cub Scouts. Then I started building my own transmitters as a Ham Radio operator.



I tell my new technicians they should get a CMOS, or TTL, or OPAMP Cookbook (they are all available on Amazon) and start building the circuits they are explaining and see if they work. Or, for example there is "Electronic Project Building for Beginners " (< $6 on Amazon) or hundreds like it that walk you through the process.



There are lots of schematics and projects on the web. You should look for one that interests you and build it. There are lots of people that can help you, this format for example, so you would never be stuck.



Go to www.mouser.com and ask for their catalog. It is the best and cheapest way to buy stuff, and you can order only one, if you want.



Also, find a Ham Radio operator near you. He/she is building stuff all the time. You learn a little at a time

Answer 4

GO to yoru nearest parts store and look for simple kits and work your way up. Start with single circuits such as lights and work your way up to IC's and do you homework. You will learn a lot from trial and error. Radio Shack used to sell kits but they have been phasing these out so get your hands on them if you can. There are a lot of websites that offer schematics for projects, as long as you can get parts you can just about do anything. Heres a HUGE tip when you are working on a circuit board with multiple circuits, test each circuit along the way, you never want to invest hours into something only to learn when it is too late that one of yoru parts was bad or you overheated it with the iron. Learn to properly solder by heating the lead and not the solder.

Answer 5

Someone already answered this one but yeah go to Radio shack!! Its a lot of fun!! I learned how to do it that way!!

Answer 6

Go to RadioShack and get kits

Answer 7

Go to http://www.discovercircuits.com they have over 20,000 different circuits for different applications.