Table of Contents

Introduction. Part I: Getting Started in Electronics.

Chapter 1: From Electrons to Electronics.

Chapter 2: Keeping Humans and Gadgets Safe.

Part II: Aisle 5, Component Shack: Stocking Up.

Chapter 3: Outfitting Your Electronics Bench.

Chapter 4: Getting to Know You: The Most Common Electronic Components.

Chapter 5: Filling Out Your Parts Bin.

Part III: Putting It on Paper.

Chapter 6: Reading a Schematic.

Chapter 7: Understanding the Basics of Electronics Circuits.

Part IV: Getting Your Hands Dirty.

Chapter 8: Everything You Need to Know about Soldering.

Chapter 9: Making Friends with Your Multimeter.

Chapter 10: Getting Down with Logic Probes and Oscilloscopes.

Part V: A Plethora of Projects.

Chapter 11: Creating Your Own Breadboard Circuit.

Chapter 12: Building Your Own Printed Circuit Boards.

Chapter 13: The Exciting World of Microcontrollers.

Chapter 14: Great Projects You Can Build in 30 Minutes or Less.

Chapter 15: Cool Robot Projects to Amaze Your Friends and Family.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 16: Ten (Or So) Cool Electronics Testing Tool Tips.

Chapter 17: Ten Great Electronics Parts Sources.

Chapter 18: Ten Electronics Formulas You Should Know.

Appendix: Internet Resources.

Glossary.

Index.

About the Author

Gordon McComb has penned 60 books and over a thousand magazine articles. More than a million copies of his books are in print, in over a dozen languages. For 13 years, Gordon wrote a weekly syndicated newspaper column on personal computers. When not writing about hobby electronics and other fun topics, he serves as a consultant on digital cinema to several notable Hollywood clients. Earl Boysen is an engineer who, after 20 years in the computer-chip industry, decided to slow down and move to a quiet town in Washington. Earl lives in a house he built with a wonderful lady and finds that he is as busy as ever with teaching, writing, house building, and acting.