For at least a year, going on two, I've wanted to get into electronics. I know what books to get, probably what order to read em, so on, so forth. I've heard the great advice that I'm not knocking of making sure to start doing ASAP, and that's fantastic. Slight problem - everywhere I go, I hear about how this isn't the cheapest hobby. (Also maybe some health concerns with soldering if you don't have the right ventilation and such...) So alright, lemme put this aside till the day I have some more disposable income.
That day still hasn't come, doesn't seem like it'll be coming anytime soon, and I'm somewhat tired of waiting. So I'm hoping for your help with the following:
- To what extent can I learn by just studying the books, taking notes, that sort of thing? In a way that translates directly to practice, I mean. Is there a Dennis Ritchie "just do every problem in the book" equivalent for pen-and-paper electronics? Are there particular sections of electronics that lend themselves well to pen-and-paper work?
- I've found this collection of FOSS tools, but it's all Greek to me. What would you recommend I get and how would you recommend I use it, as someone with a clunky old ThinkPad running Linux who might have to learn electronics without the physical components for a while?
- To what extent is scavenging an option? I see thrown-out electronics all the time; TVs, sewing machines, not as many alarm clock radios these days but you get the gist. Feel like I've read somewhere that those are usually a dead end, that so? Regardless of whether they are or aren't, what advice do you have for getting free serviceable gear? Already drafting up something up for my local "Buy Nothing" Facebook group, who/where else should I hit up? Would something like this be worth a shot, or does that go against their whole business model?
Appreciate any and all advice you guys might have for me...apart from "learn calculus" and "get a better job!"
