homebrew electronics.....

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Anyone build radio gear or little electronic circuits?

A certain type of aspi should be fascinated with the circuit diagrams, components, actual building, I know I was. It allowed me to develop, have a purpose in life, age ten to seventeen. I may have been isolated tho I never felt lonely.

Was done on a shoestring and very little encouragement, the only encouragement was one or two acquaintance radio amateurs and in particular Ian J who even GAVE me an old ex-army communications receiver, a very generous act.

I wonder what I could do to encourage others?

I leant my electronics on valve equipment and on rare occasions I have restored valve radio sets.

I would really like to build a Theremin using valve circuits (one day when I have the time LOL).

i built hundreds of electronics circuits for very diversified purposes, since ever (at age around 8 i built a circuit that would count how many time someone went in my room during my day at school lol).... i'm presently working on a miniature, but full featured, PC that will act as the brain in a small RC plane. It runs Linux, it connects to the base (another linux lol) and receive commands from it. It also stream video, captured by the small webcam installed in the cockpit.... the electronic is 75% completed.... i'm also working on a AI system....

You are very clever, way beyond my slight efforts.

I am a licensed amateur radio operator, and an electrical engineer.

What you could do to encourage others is what was done for you.

I've often thought abt a simple website for 'boy constructors' as it would be termed in the 1950's. I would have to seek permission for the circuits used as I cannot design from scratch. Yet theres much can be done with building a simple working bell or a motor, or a trf single transistor receiver with add -on audio stage.

We need to try and get kids to use their hands meaningfully,something like the 'Eagle Book of Hobbies' (UK publication) had me fascinated when I was age seven to fifteen.

I taught myself to pass the ukradio amateurs exam when fifteen, only thirty years later did I re-enter the hobby to pass the 12wpm morse exam - again self taught.

Yet all these things take a little money for materials and some basic tools, I well know from experience some kids will find that difficult.

Am I talking sense so far?

Yes, I know what a Theremin is, I even ordered a book from the library on it pre my having web access. Oh yeah, being aspi I didn't know anyone that could help me get acquainted with handling a pc or e-mail stuff when I first got this m/c two years ago.