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Topics - crystaltech56

#1
I'm operating on the assumption that every one knows about www.goldmine-elec.com. I've had good service from them. Their selection is wide/varied/weird but some excellent prices on some items that we in particular are interested. I'd avoid their "tools"(probably from China,UGGH!), and as always,shop comparatively;but look at their semiconductors and cap's and switches, excellent! Downloadable pdf catalog and update flyer every two months. I am in no way associated with their business, other than as a customer(neutral party). Also check out www.allelectronics.com. I use to work across the street from them in L.A. ; it was hard not to spend the whole paycheck there sometimes; a weird and wonderful selection, but shop comparatively, they ain't saints. Never shop RadioHack again. We should create a list of vendors recommended/rejected or also put an alert section when some vendor has a chip we would all want. Check 'em out. Crystaltech56
#2
I've been away from electronics and the web for several years, so I am out of touch. While surfing I found two guys who know much more than me; so if you want to know "where to begin?" be sure to check their sites out and download appropriate info. www.drewdaniels.com and //myece.ucsb.edu/bobsclass/2C. on the last site, download all datasheets( from the datasheet section ofcourse!) and read them over and over, like 100 times apiece. This will get you in the frame of mind you need for learning to compose the questions that you don't know how to ask yet. Crystaltech56
#3
The Newcomer's Forum / BOOKS SECOND HAND
April 12, 2008, 08:55:14 PM
You want books, cheap, secondhand and good condtion; but HOW? Well, whenever you pass a second hand store(Goodwill, Salvation Army and now there are so many Thrift Stores that benefit a particular Charity) go in and look at their bookshelf Books to look for are any ARRL Manual (why? because trons are trons and if you get the yearbook(no matter the year 1952-2008) It will be full of circuits and Tutorials on soldering, construction, power supplies, audo preamp, compressors, etc. (year boo is approx 2.5 inches thick) The one published each year is about $45 bucks(search ARRL website), but you CAN pickup one at a second hand store, charity event Ladies Auxiliary once a year event lawn sale, or any yard sale for probably under 5 bucks. And ARRL has Many other publications including one on op amp design. Also remember while you're ant the yardsale/second hand store to look for RadioShack's build a 35. or 101 or 301 electronics projects kit. It's a big seller at Christmas for $40.00 (see the radioshack website), but you can get it for $2.00 at a yard sale;Quite The Bargain for prototyping! Also, Most Large Public Libraries sell off books that don't circulate much; sometimes once a year at a bookfair, sometimes the have a room set aside that is taffed by a volunteer. I recently picked up what would have been $100 new or near new (second hand book store charge high prices) for $10. Remember tron theory that YOU wan to Learn hasn't change in 50 years, so these reference books WON'T ever become obsolete for you( the librarians think they are that's why the get rid of them). More Later, crystaltech56
#4
Do most of you realize that all manufacturers have their products with Data Sheets and Application Notes ON THE WEB, DOWNLOADABLE in pdf, for absolutely free! The only one they would charge for are stuff less than two years old. AN Application Note is a printable form of documentation that gives you several( if not MANY) schematics and parameters for the use of each chip. As an Example go to the Home page for Analog Devices (I'm leaving for you to Google it as part of this exercise, you want to learn, right?) and look at every category. Learn to use this manufacturer's website. Do a search on AN-347, AN-937, and AN-131. DO NOT BE AFRAID OR INTIMIDATED. YOU CAN LEARN TO READ AND USE THE DOCUMENTS! All manufacturers have the Application Notes(or AN's). It's how engineers pick and choose an item to put in a prototype product to show to management to see if they want to mass produce. Learn to use this! Crystal Tech
#5
The Newcomer's Forum / Help from Your Government
April 09, 2008, 10:05:19 PM
Yes folks Your Government wants to help You! You may not realize it but there is a series of Publications available from the U.S. Navy called NEETS(Navy Electronics Education Training Series); gotta love those acronyms! At any rate, I was a Navy Calibration and Repair tech for ten years, and I have to admit this series is very good for many things including a general introduction to soldering, use of test equipment, and general theory. It's best if you download them at  www.phy.davidson.edu/instrumentation/NEETS.htm. You know the routine; it's in Adobe Acrobat, so shrink your browser down to just show the speed of the down load to make it faster. You can go to several Navy sites too, but they seem very slow. Really, you owe it to yourself to try it, because you already paid for it with your taxes. The series is also available on CD; your local Navy recruiter (both Active and Reserve(there is a difference)) might have a few copies laying around( so call and ask). If you're in highschool, call and ask them to send a recruiter to speak to your ham radio club(why doesn't your school have one? tied into your computer/electronic music club?) and say," ... by the way when you come to speak could you bring 20 copies of that NEETS Module CD? I know alot of guys want to see what Navy electronics traing is really like....", and don't be embarassed because it doesn't cost them. No lie G.I. Real Deal. CrystalTech 56
#6
Okay, maybe this the wrong place to request this :Schematic for Marlboro Soundworks CA-12 Combo Amp, late Seventies vintage. I've only found one users group where I guy admitted he worked for them but then didn't want to talk about it. He said they were a portion of Music Instrument Corporation of America(now probably defunct as well). I apologise if this is the wrong forum; I'll do better next time. I also have some schematics to post, but I'll wait until I see them requested. Gerry Mac(the crystaltech56)