Hi All,
I've just got into electronics, what would you say is the best way to learn, practical or theory? I'm doing lots of reading at the moment hoping it will all gel together.

Bob

 

Both.
Obtain an electronics experimenters kit and use it.

 

Yes, I got one yesterday (IR),
Slowly, slowly catchy monkey.
Bob

 

Get one of these:
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-electronics-learning-lab--pi-2102913.html
It's worth it for the experimenter's board alone, but you get a lot more than that.
Forrest M. Mims III designed the board, the experiments, and wrote the lab books.

Speaking of books, he's written some really good ones.
http://www.forrestmims.com/
His "Getting Started In Electronics" is a very good book.
Check out his "Engineer's Mini-Notebooks"
http://www.forrestmims.com/engineers_mini_notebook.html
Volumes I and IV are indispensable. They're always within an arm's reach from my desk.

 

Get one of these:
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-electronics-learning-lab--pi-2102913.html
It's worth it for the experimenter's board alone, but you get a lot more than that.
Forrest M. Mims III designed the board, the experiments, and wrote the lab books.

Speaking of books, he's written some really good ones.
http://www.forrestmims.com/
His "Getting Started In Electronics" is a very good book.
Check out his "Engineer's Mini-Notebooks"
http://www.forrestmims.com/engineers_mini_notebook.html
Volumes I and IV are indispensable. They're always within an arm's reach from my desk.

=

Good call,
I thought radio shack was maplins over here , but nothing like this on there web.
Maybe order from USA?
Thanks.

Bob

 

Oh, I had no clue where you were - it's not shown in your profile.

Put in your country at least. Since you are not in the USA, I am not sure where you could get one. Ordering online is certainly possible, but you might find a distributor where you are.

I've heard of Maplins, but I don't know that they are associated with Radio Shack.

 

Yes sorry, country edited,
Don’t quote me on maplins J
Do you know, I’ve ordered from USA and England, guess what arrived first?
Bob

 

We can be pretty speedy at times

 

OT
Sorry just noticed user name in caps( don’t mean to shout)
How would I Change the user name
Thanks

Bob

 

Well, I don't know - I've never tried to change mine!

I am not a Moderator or Administrator. Perhaps they can help you.

I would think that you would have to re-register with a different name, but I don't know.

I suggest you pose this question in the "Off Topic" forum, which is at the bottom of the list of forums. Our Administrator's name is Dave, he would know whether this could be done or not.

 

If you are older, say 50+, go with practical. If younger, say 16 to 40, don't skimp on the theory and math. Practical is still important, but theory will last you long after there are new generations of parts and new approaches. Just think of the folks who lived through the digital/MCU revolution.

John

PS: I was 39+ when I got my first PC.

 

This is true I think.
After reading alot I think I understand the basics, just to put it into pratical .
Thanks

Bob
l