Myths about Electronics
ELECTRONICS
-
is Hard
-
is Intimidating
-
takes Years to Learn
-
Needs Higher Math & Calculus
-
Hobbyists are Technicians and Engineers
-
is only taught at Technical Colleges and Universities
-
can only be taught in a classroom by someone who knows
-
is such a high tech topic and it is going to cost me an arm and a leg
-
needs specialized equipment and components that cost thousands of dollars.
The same things used to be said about computers
and programming.
Here are a few Statement of Facts.
-
Electronics is not hard. There is lots of new information but it is not
hard.
-
Like a dark forest without a path, it can be frightening, frustrating and
easy to lose your way..
-
It does take some effort and about 100 hours to get a solid base in electronics.
-
Yes, you do need some math. You need to be able to
-
figure basic ratios
-
count to 255
-
manage a basic algeba statement of A = B x C
-
multiply .001 by 1000
-
There are amateur and proffessional electronic hobbyists.
-
You need to have an interest. An interested beginner wants to build, make,
probe, play, and modify and play some more, not study.
-
Yes, it is difficult to find a beginning course in Electronics.
-
Without guidance, you will lose lots of time and get very frustrated.
-
It doesn't have to take place in a classroom.
-
It can be done with minimal cost. The Kit of components available from
www.abra-electronics.com is $55 US.
-
The only special equipment needed is your basic home computer. You do need
to purchase an "autoranging" digital multimeter (at most $50 US) and a
solder pen.
I understand how easy it is to be put off of electronics.
Just for fun and curiosity, I recently entered a large franchised "do it
yourself" electronics store at the local mall. I informed the guys behind
the counter that I was interested in “Learning Electronics.” Twenty numbing
minutes, I left the stack of 5 huge textbooks on the counter. I was told
that each of these books was used at a local tech college or the university.
Each one had several chapters at the beginning of the text devoted to Resistors,
Ohm’s Law, Series and Parallel Resistive circuits and Kirkoff’s Law.
But honestly, that's what was available. .
.
Until now! |
