This is mildly off-topic. I just got a robot, motor shield and and Arduino for my 8 year old niece. In about 10 mins, we put the robot chassis together. The software was a different story. She had used code.org with its scratch-like blockly-based programming language. This made her think processing was too complicated and generally unappealing. Anyone else have ideas on how to deal with this?
Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
81–90 of 117 posts
Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
#82My issue with learning electronics is that there's a steep gap between "plug this into that" and "plug this into that because x ". I want to learn how to reason about the latter. Most resources I've seen like this don't give you that, they just have a bunch of prefab projects and lead you through them with the former strategy. Fortunately I've been able to learn some of the latter on my own but it would be great to s…
I think in this case The book practical electronics for inventors / Paul Scherz McGraw-Hill would be a winner.
Seconding the recommendation for Practical Electronics for Inventors as a comprehensive and self-contained book for learning electronics at a hobbyist level.
Art of Electronics is also a good book but needs to be read with a discerning eye to place everything in the appropriate context: some sections are important, some are premature optimization for hobby-level projects, and some are flat out obsolete. I feel it's better used as a reference book than read cover to cover.
Also worth playing around with the Falstad circuit simulator: http://www.falstad.com/circuit/
And there are lots of good app notes out there from the manufacturers. (http://www.ti.com/ww/en/bobpease/assets/AN-31.pdf is a classic.)
Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
#83ah, if only there were a way to learn electronics. this is the latest edition of "HN makes me feel old sometimes." kids, get off my lawn what are numbers? what is food? is there a way to learn about math? what is some nice sounding music? how to learn how to program? what is a... book? what is a... library? though I know how to use a computer and Internet and browser, and can type in queries to search, I somehow do n…
Why are you being so dismissive of this? I got my start in electronics via an electronic kit as a 7 year old.
Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
#84No pictures is just silly.
I'm not at all technical by nature. I learned from the ARDX kit (but I still don't know much). It's what I recommend to other women. Work on it like a jigsaw puzzle in front of the TV at night for as many nights as it takes to finish.
One project per kit is a problem because you can't just move on to the next project. You get stuck and frustrated. I find dealing with that frustration is a big part of technical learning for beginners that lack confidence. with a kit that gives you a lot of projects you don't go to bed feeling dumb like you can't do this. This matters. At least to me.
Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
#85Step 1: Buy Getting Started in Electronics by Forrest M. Mims, or any other book by him. Step 2: Build all the projects in his books. You'll only need a proto board and a few other cheap components. You'll build up an intuition in electronics by doing all these projects. If you want to throw a microcontroller in the mix, get the cheap TI MSP430 Launchpad- it's about $5, and you can use C or Arduino.
I have to agree...this is WAY overpriced. I could see spending $50-75 for the first kit maybe, which would include the more expensive parts that you'll be reusing later, then $20-25 a month after that, but $720 -$1080 for a year??? That's just insane. Any profit they're gaining from the high prices is costing them in lost volume.
I think what you pay for is not components, they have learning platform and tutorials and probably customer support.
Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
#86My issue with learning electronics is that there's a steep gap between "plug this into that" and "plug this into that because x ". I want to learn how to reason about the latter. Most resources I've seen like this don't give you that, they just have a bunch of prefab projects and lead you through them with the former strategy. Fortunately I've been able to learn some of the latter on my own but it would be great to s…
So, get yourself a cheap arduino and an arduino circuits book. Then look up each component and look at videos relating to them (most of them will include the technicals) These kits are more for children in the software/hardware space.
I wouldn't recommend any uC to a newbie without first giving him/her a grasp of digital electronics using basic logic chips such as the 74xx/40xx families.
My advice would be to learn the basics of binary math and how logic gates work, then get the CMOS and TTL cookbooks by Don Lancaster and start experimenting.
On the analog side I also would recommend the books by Mims and later the obvious TAoE.
Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
#87Earlier quoted context omitted.
I recommend The Art of Electronics, by Horowitz and Hill. I'm an electrical engineer and in my experience most EE courses are very math heavy. This is because the theory behind electronics is very math heavy. Many people don't enjoy doing math problems in their spare time, though. The thing is that after you get past the theory and into the practice, the math mostly drops away as you learn abstractions and little tri…
Would it pay off to get the lab book Learning The Art of Electronics too? https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Art-Electronics-Hands-Course...
Yes. I have both, they are often recommended together. Get both and start doing the Lab Course. Refer to the Art when needed. Once you've done the Lab book you can re-read the Art to fill in the gaps. I recon you need about 15 months worth of leisurely evenings to do it justice.
Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
#88All I have is a breadboard, some wire, a variety of passive components and ICs from HK ($20 total for tens of thousands of parts), a USB oscilloscope (eBay $60-$200), and maybe an AVR or STM32 development board. I'm overwhelmed by the number of analog and digital projects I can do, and I've been messing around with my kit for a couple years. I mostly do hobby filter design and audio synthesis.
I'm a EE and I do this. Source variety packs from Mr. One Hung Low on ebay and bob's your uncle.
Example: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/0603-SMD-SMT-Chip-Capacitor-Assor...
Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
#89This is exactly what I need. I got an undergraduate education in CS and biochem, and now that I'm employed it felt impossible to devote time or energy to studying electronics. The subject is simply too deep. I was worried the only way I'd ever be able to learn would be to go back to university. This looks like a solution to my problem! The only thing I worry about is a lack of mathematical rigor, but I suppose as lon…
I recommend you get the Thomas C. Hayes "Learning the Art of electronics - a hands-on lab course" book and doing the work. Source components of ebay from China, stuff is dirt cheap. Get a $400 Rigdol scope and your set.
Re: Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits
#90I've been thinking about trying to build a radio from scratch lately. Any chance a kit like that's in there?
I recall WWII PoW stories of 'foxhole' radios[1] made from rusting razors and paper clips, I always thought replicating that would be quite fun. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxhole_radio
Yea man, crystal radios are great. Many books, vids and material on the subject. Think I built my fist set in primary school, winding and mounting the coils are delightfully steampunk-esqueish, building a sweet box for the thing from aromatic hardwood is a trip in itself.
Hell yes, make you some crystal radio magic, highly recommended.