Electronics > Beginners
I've caught the disease! I'm a single-payer (bench equipment)
vinito:
Hi folks.
I have been puttering with electronics for decades and not learning much. I need a more systematic approach with hands-on lab play along with some kind of workbook thing I can solve problems on paper and actually learn something. You know, like classes in electronics used to offer but seem to be long gone these days. But this is kind of a tangent (though advice on it is welcome)
Anyway, I've collected some cheap stuff over the years and have a modest bench - a couple power supplies, basic cheap old signal generator, couple cheap decent handheld multimeters, good soldering stuff and boxes & shelves of components, modules and the like.
Earlier this year I got a great deal on a new GWInstek 2072A oscilloscope (~$300) and that might have tipped the load off balance. Ever since then I've been watching reviews and reading a bunch about other equipment I don't need. But much of the modern stuff is SO much better than what I've got, I guess I simply got envious.
A few weeks ago my main bench power supply started acting up and was never that great to begin with, so I started looking into a new one rather than try to fix it (not yet anyway). That story ends with me receiving a Rigol DP832 today. Holy cow that thing is sooo much nicer than what I'm used to! I imagine that I'll use 1/4 of it's capabilities on my path, but you never know I guess. I couldn't fight off the nagging bug and I ended up ordering a Siglent SDM3055 bench multimeter a couple hours ago. It's another thing I don't see myself actually needing much (at least yet) but I couldn't help it. Plus when I do use the thing, I'm sure it will be such a pleasure to experience compared to what I'm used to. I'm not positive yet, but I think I've caught that electronics buying bug I've heard you guys talk about. My wallet isn't totally empty yet so maybe I don't have an acute case of it, but then again the day is young.
I accessorized my purchases with some various connector odds & ends, plus more significantly a couple books that sound like they might fit what I need for actually learning some electronics. Honestly I do OK now and then, but my knowledge in the area is spotty and shallow and I always wanted to have a much more solid ability in the field, though always as a hobbyist.
The books I ordered are "Practical Electronics for Inventors" (Scherz and Monk) and "All New Electronics Self-Teaching Guide" (Kybett and Boysen). Hopefully they'll be a good fit for where I'm at. Winter is knocking at the door and this stuff might be a really good way to rationalize this winter's atrophy and weight gain ;)
I'm currently upgrading my physical bench from a thrift store desk to a 12' long built-in wall thing. So with the new bench, new equipment and a couple good books, I hope to crack the egg if only a little over the next few months. I have a couple dozen ideas I'd like to experiment with and implement eventually, but I always run into the brick wall of ignorance so quickly and I'm gonna try my best to push that wall back at least a bit.
So I don't quite know what this post is. I either need help with this addiction or just encouragement. FYI, encouragement will experience less resistance.
rstofer:
A systematic approach would include "The Art of Electronics" (textbook) plus "Learning the Art of Electronics" (lab manual).
I have the DP832 and it's a great supply. I also bought a Siglent SDG 2082X Arbitrary Waveform Generator and a Rigol DS1054Z.
I have been messing around with this stuff for 60+ years and it's just lately I have bought pretty nice equipment. I bought a Tektronix 485 scope a long time back and it still works.
I really like the Digilent Analog Discovery 2 as a handy bench device. Dual channel scope, dual channel arbitrary waveform generator, 16 digital signals (input or output) that work as a logic analyzer, etc. It is truly a workbench in a box. I could use that gadget plus my laptop and not miss out on much.
Have fun!
vinito:
Thanks for the quick reply!
I saw those books and considered them too, but I can only read one page at a time so figured I'd start where I did. They're on the reading list though.
I ain't too far behind you regarding vintage. But I didn't take advantage of the times and boy do I regret it. There's no telling what I'd be able to do had I dove in and started learning this stuff when I was a wee lad. I feel pretty stupid... well I AM pretty stupid. Is knowing you're stupid a good or bad thing? I can't remember what the philosophers verdict was on that score.
I ran across that Digilent device a few months ago too. Looks pretty clever. I have a skepticism about things that do everything so didn't look at it very closely. I'm probably wrong about that too. ;D
ArthurDent:
Vinito, you seem to really be checking into what equipment will work for you and will eventually end up with a lot of good stuff. The only thing you need now is a second job to help pay for all the goodies. Good luck!
vinito:
Thanks.
Yeah I've been trying to read and watch lots of reviews. The stuff shown slowly rose to the top. Frequently it seems like some stuff looks good at first then further diving exposes problems, while other stuff that shows weaknesses at first gets fixed over time (via firmware updates or hardware changes, etc.), so a guy really has to spend a bit of time before pulling the trigger. Both the PS and Siglent multimeter had show-stopping problems at first, but looks like they are both pretty slick now (for the price).
As I get older, I've settled into the notion that buying cheap and possible broken "projects" are OK for a while, but whether you're talking carpenter tools, yard equipment or electronics metrology, etc., burning a bit more money up front both saves time spent being frustrated as well as making the user experience more enjoyable along the way. I did phase one for a couple decades, so thus begins phase two I guess. I won't blame my lack of learning on having sub-standard equipment - that's totally my own fault. But as I move forward I'm sure I'll enjoy the time spent a little more having a bit nicer equipment to fondle.
I am just a little scared though. The money has been flowing outward pretty fast the past couple weeks. I haven't proven to have the discipline to put nose to grindstone for my education in this, but I need to come to my senses and put the brakes on, at least for a while.
"I can do it!" :box:
We'll see. :popcorn:
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version