01_173428 ffirs.qxp 1/18/08 8:39 PM Page ii 01_173428 ffirs.qxp 1/18/08 8:39 PM Page i DO-IT-YOURSELF Circuitbuilding FOR DUMmIES‰ 01_173428 ffirs.qxp 1/18/08 8:39 PM Page ii 01_173428 ffirs.qxp 1/18/08 8:39 PM Page iii DO-IT-YOURSELF Circuitbuilding FOR DUMmIES‰ by H.Ward Silver 01_173428 ffirs.qxp 1/18/08 8:39 PM Page iv Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies® Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc. 111 River Street Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774 www.wiley.com Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published simultaneously in Canada No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600. 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Library of Congress Control Number: 2007943806 ISBN: 978-0-470-17342-8 Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 01_173428 ffirs.qxp 1/18/08 8:39 PM Page v About the Author H. Ward Silverhas the experience of a 20-year career as an electrical engineer developing instrumentation and medical electronics. He also spent 8 years in broadcasting, both program- ming and engineering. In 2000 he turned to teaching and writing as a second career. He is a contributing editor to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and author of the popular “Hands-On Radio” column in QST magazine every month. He is the author of the ARRL’s Amateur Radio license study guides and numerous other articles. He developed the ARRL’s online courses, “Antenna Design and Construction,” “Analog Electronics,” and “Digital Electronics.” Along with his comedic alter-ego, Dr Beldar, Ward is a sought-after speaker andlecturer among “hams.” When not in front of a computer screen, you will find Ward working on his mandolin technique and compositions. 01_173428 ffirs.qxp 1/18/08 8:39 PM Page vi 01_173428 ffirs.qxp 1/18/08 8:39 PM Page vii Dedication Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummiesis dedicated to the many technical writers whose articles in QST, Popular Electronics, 73, CQ, Scientific American, among others, inspired me to cut and solder and tinker my way through high school. Getting an amateur radio license on the way, that practical experience led directly to my first career as an electrical engineer. Another dedication is due my students and readers that make my second career as a writer equally enjoyable. If I can do for you what they did for me, I’ll be very satisfied, indeed. Author’s Acknowledgments In the early days of electrical experimentation, before “electronics” was even a word, there was no choice but to build one’s own circuits. Back then, circuits were all about motors, lighting, and simple control systems. They were built with hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, and, yes, soldering irons. Circuitbuilding was a full-body experience! For a time not so long ago, it seemed that actually building one’s own circuits was an activity that would go the way of AC-DC motor and knife switch. Electronic gadgets had become so inexpensive and easy to use, why should anyone bother to build anything more complicated than plugging cables together? The Internet and personal computer took building out of the physical world and into the realms of the network and cyberspace. That trend has reversed in recent years. People of all ages are rediscovering the thrill and satisfaction of learning-by-doing. They’ve found that “lifting the hood” is just as much fun for electronics and circuits as developing a Web site or hooking up the latest gadget from the store. Not only just building, but modifying or “hacking” equipment, is providing hours of enjoyment, too! If you’re a budding circuitbuilder, welcome to the party! Join the thousands of ham radio opera- tors, robotics enthusiasts, engineers, inventors, tinkerers, and hobbyists—people just like you. Heat up that soldering iron, turn on the voltmeter, and start building! —H. Ward Silver 01_173428 ffirs.qxp 1/18/08 8:39 PM Page viii Publisher’s Acknowledgments We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/. 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