N00b trying to understand electronics on a small budget.

[neocopernicus]

I'm new here and am actually unable to afford the funding for some of the projects recommended here or in the book. But I would like to learn the skills, nonetheless.

Short of a college degree in the area, how can I learn electrical engineering? Some small, simple projects (below or at the $100 range, if possible) that I can look at? They don't even have to be video game related. Just looking to acquire knowledge and to eventually "graduate" up to the tougher projects.

Thanks.

[neocopernicus]

Its targeted at children, but would something like this work?

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-electronic ... 02913.html

[Neildo_64]

Yes, definitely. Something similar is how I learned most of what I know about electronics, but that was years ago. They are VERY helpful if you are starting out, not to mention tons of fun. I would recommend something like that.

[neocopernicus]

Yes, definitely. Something similar is how I learned most of what I know about electronics, but that was years ago. They are VERY helpful if you are starting out, not to mention tons of fun. I would recommend something like that.

Thanks. I was also looking at a book, but I lost it. Anyone recommend any good books? The simpler, the better (but not so simple as to be simplistic). And are there any of those labs that people recommend above the other?

I thought about getting a simpler soldering lab, as I thought that would be my major concern. I've never soldered in my life so some experience would be nice, but I'm wondering if I should seek to understand electronics theory first before worrying about soldering?

[neocopernicus]

Here's the book I saw:

Getting Started in Electronics by Forrest M. Mims III

[17daysolderthannes]

from what I understand, many of the people on here that have made portables have no engineering background whatsoever and just learn to solder and follow guides made by more knowledgeable people. I myself am in mechanical engineering so I've taken an electrical circuits class and one of two electrical instruments and measurements classes, and, To be honest, neither one really taught me anything that would be useful to making a portable because its really more of a technician type thing than an engineering thing. Making a portable would be more akin to doing an engine swap (mechanic/technician) than designing an engine from the ground up (engineer), its just moving stuff around and following some sort of guide to know what to put where and improvising where you need to. Only if you were trying to custom design your own NES on a chip or something would you need an electrical engineering background (really more computer science).

[Sparkfist]

Even though most have made their portables by following guides, a lot of people have learned a lot about electronics. Knowledge enough to go into unfamiliar areas and figure out solutions on their own.

Learning electronics is like anything else it takes time and effort. If you invest yourself in it enough, you can learn a lot. Many of the older members (time on the forum) and moderators are self taught on this subject, and know quite for learning in that style.

[schmellyfart]

oops

[schmellyfart]

Its targeted at children, but would something like this work?

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-electronic ... 02913.html

I have that and it is geat! The 2 inculded books are very helpful about enectronics in general.

[neocopernicus]

from what I understand, many of the people on here that have made portables have no engineering background whatsoever and just learn to solder and follow guides made by more knowledgeable people. I myself am in mechanical engineering so I've taken an electrical circuits class and one of two electrical instruments and measurements classes, and, To be honest, neither one really taught me anything that would be useful to making a portable because its really more of a technician type thing than an engineering thing. Making a portable would be more akin to doing an engine swap (mechanic/technician) than designing an engine from the ground up (engineer), its just moving stuff around and following some sort of guide to know what to put where and improvising where you need to. Only if you were trying to custom design your own NES on a chip or something would you need an electrical engineering background (really more computer science).

Even though most have made their portables by following guides, a lot of people have learned a lot about electronics. Knowledge enough to go into unfamiliar areas and figure out solutions on their own.

Learning electronics is like anything else it takes time and effort. If you invest yourself in it enough, you can learn a lot. Many of the older members (time on the forum) and moderators are self taught on this subject, and know quite for learning in that style.

Thanks guys.

Right now, I'm looking at this from the hobbyist perspective, but would eventually like to make it a full-time thing. Truth is, I want to be involved in the video game industry and try to understand it from every perspective (that and the polymath in me prefers to be taught in many areas, hence my identification with Copernicus ). I would eventually like to learn to program my own computers (be they gaming systems, robots, etc.) for the fun of it. I also would like to be able to modify old systems so I'm considering system modification an "introductory course" of sorts.

I have that and it is geat! The 2 inculded books are very helpful about enectronics in general.

Then I will consider this a recommendation and get it when I have the funds.