Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies

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 ARRL’s Amateur Radio license study guides and numerous other articles. He developed the ARRL’s 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.

• Introduction 1Part I: Working Basics for Electronic-ers 5Chapter 1: The Toolbox 7Chapter 2: Basic Techniques 23Part II: Building Circuits 41Chapter 3: Using a Solderless Breadboard 43Chapter 4: Building a Printed Circuit Board 59Chapter 5: Building a Prototype 73Chapter 6: Building from a Published Schematic 95Part III: Cables and Connectors 127Chapter 7: Terminals and Connectors 129Chapter 8: Wiring for Wireless Radio 159Chapter 9: Mastering Power 185Chapter 10: Audio and Sensitive Connections 205Part IV: Measuring and Testing 231Chapter 11: Meet the Test Equipment 233Chapter 12: Measurements That Test Your Circuits and Projects 251Part V: Maintaining Electronic Equipment 287Chapter 13: Who Let the Smoke Out? 289Chapter 14: Maintaining Your Cool (Stuff) 307Chapter 15: Getting a Charge Out of Batteries 317Chapter 16: Electronics in Motion 329Chapter 17: Getting Rid of Interference and Noise 337Part VI: The Part of Tens 347Chapter 18: Ten Circuitbuilding Secrets 349Chapter 19: Ten Circuit First-Aid Techniques and Supplies 353Glossary 357Appendix A: Circuitbuilding Resources 365Index 373