good resorces for builder beginners help?

[darklordchris]

i've been at building a bit on and off for about a year without much success. could you guys possible point me in the direction of some good resources for a person who as far as electronics goes has some basic knoledge but in real life can only constantly reattach loose wirers, replace bad componients on pcb's , and wire together electric guitars from scratch.

[Deleted]

For RF, there's no better than the ARRL Radio Amateur's Handbook, IMO.

Head to the library and take out a copy (older ones aren't usually in reference anymore).

Peace!

[Kage]

Jun 17, 2010 0:29:49 GMT -6 @cmradio said:

For RF, there's no better than the ARRL Radio Amateur's Handbook, IMO.

Head to the library and take out a copy (older ones aren't usually in reference anymore).

Peace!

I strongly agree with this. That's how I started out learning radio electronics. The earlier ARRL books from the 80s seem to have the most fundamental learning blocks towards the beginning of the book and also seem to have more schematics/projects than the newer issues.
Most of the ARRL books start at basic electronic theory then get more complex towards the end of the first few chapters. Once you get through that much then move on to tinkering with some actual circuits.

Also there are many companies now that sell basic kits you can solder together that describe in the instructions how it works so you can learn a bit that way. Ramsey Electronics comes to mind since they have a good collection of AM/FM transmitter kits and even a few 80/40 meter ham transmitter kits that can be converted for the shortwave pirate bands.

Don't forget about your local towns library. Most will have a section of books on electronics theory and design. The older books like 100 Transistor Projects for Beginners and other titles like that along with the fat books with tons of simple circuits are handy and can teach a lot.
Too bad Radio Shack didn't suck so bad today. They used to carry some good books on theory and even RF design back in the days when they actually sold radios

[Deleted]

To add on to what Darklife said about the 80's issues of the Handbook, as one who has at one time owned every copy from 1946 to 2001, IMO, the 1963 and the 1984 editions are the perfect teaching tools for tube and SS RF goodness.

Peace!