how to find or set up an electronics lab

[atcosi]

I was hoping someone can help. I am looking for access to an electronics lab or how to set up one. I was the graduate who did well at exams but had no clue about practical electronics. As you can probably gather, I'm not working in electronics or anywhere for that matter. I was hoping if I had access to a lab and some support I could get the experience I should of have gotten on my own. I just feel bad to spend loads of money on the necessary equipment just so that I can tinker with electronics.

[EEVblog]

Try and find a local Hacker Space.

Dave.

[Kiriakos-GR]

Try and find a local Hacker Space.

Dave.

It took me as 5 minutes to translate the above coded message   

Translation :  Find some one who does electronic repairs and join him as Trainee.

And the best advice so far !!

@atcosi
I will add my too :  Tell him ( The Boss ) that you do not need money at all , and that you will  even map the floor for free. 

If you need from someone to Help you , you must sacrifice some of your ego in return.
And stay humble as much as possible.   

The other way around , are to be sharp and Sparky , and be invited to join in a "local Hacker Space" .

Good luck .. 

[EEVblog]

Try and find a local Hacker Space.

Dave.

It took me as 5 minutes to translate the above coded message   

Translation :  Find some one who does electronic repairs and join him as Trainee.

Err, no.
Try http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces

Dave.

[Kiriakos-GR]

Hmm.. Dave this places do mostly stuff about software , at list the Greek one 

Any way , my suggestion still stands , even if the translation failed somewhere in the way 

[Simon]

where are you located ?

as for setting up your own, start by buying a multimeter, then if you feel the need get another one. if your serious about electronics than get a cheap oscilloscope and there are many decent analog ones on ebay or go for a cheap digital one like a rigol. get the equipment as you need it and can afford it.

[EEVblog]

The Sydney hacker space is very electronics oriented and turnout is very good and consistent every weekend. I just donated 6 work benches to the space too.
It's too far from me to attend though.

But as simon said, just buy your own gear as you need it.
Get a cheap meter or two, a soldering station, and an old analog scope and you are in business.

Dave.

[SuperMiguel]

an old analog scope.

Would you rather get an old analog scope or the DSO nano? (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9625)

[EEVblog]

an old analog scope.

Would you rather get an old analog scope or the DSO nano? (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9625)

The Nano is a toy, don't waste a cent on it.
I'd rather have a bog standard old 20MHz dual channel CRO any day of the week!

Dave.

[Kiriakos-GR]

but had no clue about practical electronics.

People ..  how in earth you promote to some one who has the balls to say ... " I do not know about practical stuff " ,  to buy  one scope ??   He is not trained even to use it !! 

I agree about the basics as multimeter and one soldering iron .. not soldering station .

The man should work as trainee , there is no other way, never was.

[armandas]

I just feel bad to spend loads of money on the necessary equipment just so that I can tinker with electronics.

You got a degree in engineering, right? If you feel bad about buying lab gear, perhaps you should consider the opposite. Who knows, you might enjoy a position in sales

On a more serious note, getting basic tools as mentioned above is a good idea. You didn't provide much information about your location or the actual level of practical skills you have. An engineering degree is usually not worthless, so you could probably try and get an internship position where the company does not expect you to have much knowledge about practical things. On the other hand, it may take you a year or two to even start getting confident in practical electronics. Such a gap will not do you any good, so I'd suggest you try to get into ANY engineering internship (even if you'll be making coffee all the time) and then tinker with electronics on your free time.

[SuperMiguel]

an old analog scope.

Would you rather get an old analog scope or the DSO nano? (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9625)

The Nano is a toy, don't waste a cent on it.
I'd rather have a bog standard old 20MHz dual channel CRO any day of the week!

Dave.

for example?

[GeoffS]

If I was looking to set up a lab/workshop on a budget, I'd consider a DSO based on one the KNJN Flashy boards.
The DSO project is here.
Not only would you get a reasonable scope (~100Mhz), you'd get an FPGA and ARM processor to play with.

[EEVblog]

but had no clue about practical electronics.

People ..  how in earth you promote to some one who has the balls to say ... " I do not know about practical stuff " ,  to buy  one scope ??   He is not trained even to use it !! 

Because that how you learn! You learn by just doing something and playing around.
He implied he has qualifications but no real practical experience. So to get experience you acquire an oscilloscope and start playing around, it's REAL SIMPLE!
What do you suggest? that he going on a formal training course on how to use an oscilloscope??

Old analog oscilloscopes can be had for FREE or very little cost.

Dave.

[EEVblog]

If I was looking to set up a lab/workshop on a budget, I'd consider a DSO based on one the KNJN Flashy boards.
The DSO project is here.
Not only would you get a reasonable scope (~100Mhz), you'd get an FPGA and ARM processor to play with.

Yet another toy. Forget it. Get a proper dual channel analog oscilloscope.

Dave.

[Simon]

If I was looking to set up a lab/workshop on a budget, I'd consider a DSO based on one the KNJN Flashy boards.
The DSO project is here.
Not only would you get a reasonable scope (~100Mhz), you'd get an FPGA and ARM processor to play with.

in real timwe your actually looking at 20 MHz, as we've said, get a second hand analog, learn how it works and how to use it and may then consider a digital solution (and chances are you will resell your analog scope for about as much as you bought it for)

[Simon]

you can do plenty with a 20 MHz analog scope

[SuperMiguel]

you can do plenty with a 20 MHz analog scope

but a used 20 MHz used (ebay) is like $100+

[Simon]

well thats cheap, new they are close to 500, you may find that they go in highs and lows it depends on how many are available, I bought mine for £50 and sold it for £70 when I got my DSO, of course if you want to invest a bit more get a cheap DSO (there are a few) or got for a rigol DS1052E. The other question is do you really need one  now ? if not then maybe save.

[Simon]

I think the analog one is a good place to start as that way you "get to know your stuff" it is easier to not make a mistake in a measurement when you are selecting the V/Div and S/Div and get to see all aspects of the signal before looking at what your after. it is so easy to hit the auto button on a DSO and get a wave form but you can be anywhere in the scopes range (and other setting will be altered) so knowing how to use a scope before getting a fancy bit of kit is a good idea. Even hanging onto that scope after you get a DSO is wise, sadly i could not as i neede the money

[EEVblog]

you can do plenty with a 20 MHz analog scope

but a used 20 MHz used (ebay) is like $100+

Not so.
This one didn't sell at $20 for example!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LG-OS-5020-20Mhz-Dual-Trace-Oscilloscope-/290431070540?cmd=ViewItem&pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item439f0a714c

I know people who give them away for free if you ask nicely on groups like sci.electronics.design

Dave.

[EEVblog]

"in real timwe your actually looking at 20 MHz, as we've said, get a second hand analog"
reminds me... the first time i touched a Analog OSC is during in "U". Later i borrowed school's 20MHz analog, really confusing, and still is, limited application. When i found DSO, its like heaven! damn easy and lots of functionality + a whooping 100MHz and dual probes 

If you find an analog oscilloscope "confusing" then you have not really learned how an oscilloscope works.
If you use a digital scope in manual mode then it should be just as "confusing" as an analog scope, essentially no difference at all.
But if you are one of these people who just hit the evil AUTO button on the digital scope, then you are not learning a thing!

Dave.

[Kiriakos-GR]

But if you are one of these people who just hit the evil AUTO button on the digital scope, then you are not learning a thing!

Dave.

We have the same issue with the new Digital photographers .. LOL 
Only the 5%  use the divine manual mode ..

 

[SuperMiguel]

you can do plenty with a 20 MHz analog scope

but a used 20 MHz used (ebay) is like $100+

Not so.
This one didn't sell at $20 for example!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LG-OS-5020-20Mhz-Dual-Trace-Oscilloscope-/290431070540?cmd=ViewItem&pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item439f0a714c

I know people who give them away for free if you ask nicely on groups like sci.electronics.design

Dave.

you right so me as an EE student should get one of those before i get a digital one like the DS1052E

if yes you recommend the LG-OS-5020? or any analog 20 MHz like: http://cgi.ebay.com/GOLDSTAR-OS-7020A-DUAL-TRACE-OSCILLOSCOPE-20MHz_W0QQitemZ260591110323QQcategoryZ104247QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D20%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8669707153287065048

like for less than $100 which one would you recommend?

[allanw]

you can do plenty with a 20 MHz analog scope

but a used 20 MHz used (ebay) is like $100+

Not so.
This one didn't sell at $20 for example!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LG-OS-5020-20Mhz-Dual-Trace-Oscilloscope-/290431070540?cmd=ViewItem&pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item439f0a714c

I know people who give them away for free if you ask nicely on groups like sci.electronics.design

Dave.

Well, the S&H costs for that is $100, so it's not that great of a deal.