Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing okay. I'm looking for some solid advice on how to start learning electronics. I recently got an Inland Arduino kit and have been playing around with various components using an RPi Pico 2. Since I've got some basic Python skills, I find the Pico easier to use than Arduino. However, I've hit a wall—I'm feeling that Dunning-Kruger effect creeping in, and my confidence is really low. I've been trying to teach myself through online tutorials, but many don't cover the fundamental concepts I need to start making my own projects without just copying others. I've even tried getting help from AI, but that hasn't been super satisfying either, as it tends to just hand over the answers instead of promoting understanding. I'm looking for websites or resources that teach the core concepts I should grasp. I'd be open to paid subscriptions if they're genuinely helpful, but traditional college courses aren't feasible for me because of my schedule and finances. Appreciate any guidance you can share! Thanks!
5 Answers
Why not try building a simple Class A audio amplifier? All you need is a transistor, a DC power source, and a couple of resistors. It's really a fun project where you can learn how it works by getting hands-on experience, and you'll understand more about the electronics than with just the Arduino kits.
Have you heard of Ashworth College? They offer a Basic Electronics Program online that covers things like electrical theory and circuit repair at an affordable price. It's self-paced, so it might fit well with your schedule!
Check out microchip's site at mu.microchip.com, specifically their resources on syntax and structure of C programming. It's really handy for getting your head around coding in tandem with electronics!
Starting out, I remember using these classic "50 in 1" kits back in the day from Radio Shack. If you're looking for structured learning, the Horowitz and Hill book that's often recommended in university circuits courses could be a good choice. There's also a lab manual called "Learning the Art of Electronics" that many beginners find helpful! For diving deeper into specific topics like diodes and transistors, try reading "Electronics for the Physicist" by Delaney; it really helped me grasp the fundamentals around transistors better.
I got into electronics pretty similar to you, but I went a bit deeper into the theory. Learning about the physics behind electricity, like Maxwell's Equations and conduction bands, helped me tremendously. You might find concepts like resistance, capacitance, and inductance useful for grasping how components behave. SPICE software is great for simulating electronic components and can help you visualize how they work together too!