200 electronics projects

Finished all 200 Projects? If so, congratulations but that doesn't mean you have to be finished exploring electronics! In fact, you've only scratched the surface of what you can do with electronics.

Your local Radio Shack has everything you need to continue experimenting with electronics. One very handy item you should get is a modular breadboard socket (such as Radio Shack Catalog Number 276-174). A modular breadboard socket lets you build circuits by plugging parts into holes on the socket. You add wires between the parts, much like you did with this Kit. You can build and change circuits quickly and easily with a modular breadboard socket.

You'll also find ICs, resistors, capacitors, transistors, diodes and other components at Radio Shack. Radio Shack also has books about electronics. Some of these will describe circuits you can build and experiment with. Other books will help you increase your knowledge of electronics.

As you become more involved with electronics, you'll probably want to start a collection of electronic test equipment. One of the first items of test equipment you should get is a multitester. A multitester will let you measure voltage, current and resistance in electronic circuits. A multitester will probably be the most useful piece of test equipment you can own! Another handy item, especially if you build many digital circuits, is a logic probe. A logic probe tells whether the output of a circuit is low, high or switching back and forth between low and high.

You might decide to build some circuits into permanent, finished form. This means you'll want to add a soldering iron to your tools. Soldering is the method used to make electrical connections in radios, TVs, etc. You'll also fi nd screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, etc., to be useful in your work. Your local Radio Shack also has metal cabinets - and knobs to give your finished products a truly professional look.

Finally, don't forget your local public library. It has many good books and magazines about electronics. You'll fi nd these books and magazines to be full of interesting circuits to build and play around with. This will also help you keep up-to-date with what's happening in electronics. Remember, there's always something new in electronics!
Continue keeping a notebook. You'll find it helpful whenever you need to fi nd a certain circuit or understand what effect a change will have on a circuit. (Many electronics hobbyists have several notebooks full of circuits they've created.)

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN WITH ELECTRONICS!