Silver - Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies

Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies

by H. Ward Silver

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Copyright 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2007943806

ISBN: 978-0-470-17342-8

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

H. Ward Silver has the experience of a 20-year career as an electrical engineer developing instrumentation and medical electronics. He also spent 8 years in broadcasting, both programming and engineering. In 2000 he turned to teaching and writing as a second career. He is a contributing editor to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and author of the popular Hands-On Radio column in QST magazine every month. He is the author of the ARRLs Amateur Radio license study guides and numerous other articles. He developed the ARRLs online courses, Antenna Design and Construction, Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics. Along with his comedic alter-ego, Dr Beldar, Ward is a sought-after speaker and lecturer among hams. When not in front of a computer screen, you will find Ward working on his mandolin technique and compositions.

Dedication

Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies is dedicated to the many technical writers whose articles in QST , Popular Electronics, 73, CQ, Scientific American , among others, inspired me to cut and solder and tinker my way through high school. Getting an amateur radio license on the way, that practical experience led directly to my first career as an electrical engineer. Another dedication is due my students and readers that make my second career as a writer equally enjoyable. If I can do for you what they did for me, Ill be very satisfied, indeed.

Authors Acknowledgments

In the early days of electrical experimentation, before electronics was even a word, there was no choice but to build ones own circuits. Back then, circuits were all about motors, lighting, and simple control systems. They were built with hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, and, yes, soldering irons. Circuitbuilding was a full-body experience!

For a time not so long ago, it seemed that actually building ones own circuits was an activity that would go the way of AC-DC motor and knife switch. Electronic gadgets had become so inexpensive and easy to use, why should anyone bother to build anything more complicated than plugging cables together? The Internet and personal computer took building out of the physical world and into the realms of the network and cyberspace.

That trend has reversed in recent years. People of all ages are rediscovering the thrill and satisfaction of learning-by-doing. Theyve found that lifting the hood is just as much fun for electronics and circuits as developing a Web site or hooking up the latest gadget from the store. Not only just building, but modifying or hacking equipment, is providing hours of enjoyment, too!

If youre a budding circuitbuilder, welcome to the party! Join the thousands of ham radio operators, robotics enthusiasts, engineers, inventors, tinkerers, and hobbyistspeople just like you. Heat up that soldering iron, turn on the voltmeter, and start building!

H. Ward Silver

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