Do You Know Any Electronics Hobbyists?

Around 30 or 40 years ago, just about everyone knew somebody who loved electronics and was always working on their own electronic devices. This ranges from a cousin who repaired televisions, to dad building Heathkits, to an uncle who fixed radios, everyone knew someone whose hobby was electronics. There were bunches of tools, tubes, components and various other electronics laying around. There are issues of old electronics magazines all over the place. The smell of melted solder hung in the air in their garage or basement workshops. You could likely find a few PCB prototypes around each corner.

What about today?

Do you know anyone who fits that description? Probably not. The long time home for DIY electronics, Radio Shack, has even been emptying their inventories of the DIY stuff. So where did they go? How does a whole group like that just go away?

Really, they did not disappear. The old school guys who purchased all of the electronics kits are now purchasing robot kits. Those girls who used to operate the ham radios are now computer hackers. A young boy who once built RC boats and airplanes is today experimenting with embedded controllers and programming languages. Let's not forget about the old school hobbyists that are still plugging away. They're still using the perfboards, and electronic components, and purchased kits to design their homemade electronics. Don't forget about the hobbyists who use CAD software for their custom PCB designs and their goal of becoming a home made millionaire. Learn about using CAD software.

Progress or Perish

Why evolve? It's simple - to progress From the moment the integrated circuit was invented in the early 1970s, the hobby was destined to change. Circuit size was shrinking but the circuits were actually becoming more sophisticated. Weekend hobbyists couldn't keep up any longer. (Learn about making a protoytpe PCB)The inexpensive mass production also had a role. As integrated circuits were being produced on a mass scale, their prices plummeted. In most cases it was, and still is, cheaper to buy the ready-made products than the parts to build or fix one yourself. Can you remember the last time you took something to be repaired instead of buying a new one?

Advancements in computer technology and robotics have also lent a hand in depleting the amount of hobbyists. Still, hobbyists today are still doing many of the same things they would have done 20 or 30 years ago. The hobbyists still build, rebuild, and experiment with all types of electronics. They have just upgraded their tool boxes with embedded controllers, ICs, and wireless controls. Learn more about PCB prototype creation.

As technology evolves, so will the hobbies. When the electronics realm changes, so does the electronics hobbyist.

Correctly Using A Multimeter

A multimeter is a measuring instrument used to check for AC or DC voltages in electrical components and PCB prototype boards. It also checks for resistance and continuity. The multimeter is a standard tool used by all electronic hobbyists and professionals. They are available in both digital and analog models from most hardware and specialty electronic stores and Web sites.

Buying a multimeter and learning how to use it is necessary for those of us who are repairing or building our own PCB prototypes or electrical devices.

Parts of a Multimeter

Most multimeters will have the following parts and components:

- A display with level indication (analog needle or digital depiction)

- A switch for amps, ohms, and volts

- Switches or knobs for selecting a range

- A knob for adjusting ohms

- An indicator for continuity

- Positive connector and Negative connector

- Positive probe and negative probe

Using a Multimeter

While basic analog multimeters allow you to measure current, resistance and voltage, advanced multimeters allow you to also monitor capacitance and transistor gain. While analog multimeters show the necessary data, new digital multimeters have easy to read displays and also have built in safety measures that are supposed to withstand improper connections.

Depending on the type of meter used and the function you want to measure, you must do different things with your multimeter to get your measurement. At its simplest, however, a multimeter works by connecting the two probes in series or parallel to the circuit you are measuring. Some measurements include:

Measuring Resistance - After turning on your multimeter, set it to resistance mode (Greek symbol for Omega). Take the positive and negative probes and touch the two together. You should get a reading of 0. Now take the device or component being measured and touch the red and black probes at opposing ends. After you have attached to the ends, your meter should still show zero. In the case where it doesn't show a zero, you can try to lower the measurement scale. The meter is probably defective and needs to be replaced if lowering the measurement scale doesn't get you a 0.

Measuring Voltage - Now set your meter to measure DC voltage. This will let you test voltage in circuit boards, batteries, or other components. Now take both the positive and negative probes, and touch them to their respective sides of what is being measured. If you get a negative number you need to switch the probes.

Current or Amp Measurements - To measure current your meter must be placed in series with the circuit you are measuring. If it's not placed in series you will damage the meter. If you are measuring DC set the function to A=, when measuring AC set the function to A-. Find the positive side of the circuit and touch the red probe to it. You may need to cut the wire or disconnect the wire. After you have found the black or negative terminal, attach the black probe. Now turn on your meter and write down your measurement.

Finally, working with electricity is always dangerous. For the safety of you and your meter, be sure to read any manufacturer's documentation before you test something.