Electronics For Dummies

Electronics for Dummies is a wonderful book for people interested in understanding and considering getting into the field of electronic component repair (not computers, but repairing components such as radios, stereos, amps, etc.).Unlike college text books (which I have recently used), it is not dependent on math, then more math. You can get through most of the book before having to fool with math, with most math being basic algebra. For basic component repair and hobby's, you'll rarely use math, so that is where this book excels.The book teaches the reader about the individual components and how to identify them, what they do individually and how they work in conjunction with other components in a circuit, learning schematic and schematic symbols, using multimeters and other testing equipment. Again, this is what most of us want and need, not tons of math that would be needed if you were considering an "electrical design" path, but not needed otherwise.Again, I recommend this book for anyone that is flirting with a career path or retirement income towards "electronic component repair" or just wanting to better understand how the components work.

I got this book after shopping for a good electronics text. I am studying for my Extra Class Amateur Radio exam (#3 of 3 levels). I will evaluate it from this perspective. I just didn't feel like I was understanding the electronics enough to answer questions which are in-depth and rather technical. Plus some of them contain the math formulas that I am admittedly weak in. Given that the exam covers over 700 possible questions, every bit of knowledge is good. I passed my Technician and General Class exams, but Extra is very difficult to people who don't have much of an electronics background. I have none, thus I basically tried to memorize the prior electronics questions for the exams. This time around, I want to actually understand what is happening.Anyway, I like this book because it presents the information in a different manner than the textbook by American Radio Relay League. Don't get me wrong--ARRL writes books that teach the material word-for-word to match the questions. But, it isn't really explained to me. I didn't feel like I was getting it to the point I felt comfortable with.Looking at them from different perspectives helps me understand it better. One reviewer commented that he didn't think it was much help on his workbench. I don't think it was meant to be a technical reference for practitioners per se. I think it serves the purpose it was written for quite well. As someone wanting a different perspective on the material, and as a pseudo-hobbyist, I really like the format. It will be the 4th book in my dummies/idiots series. I already have the GPS and Ham Radio for Dummies books, and found them quite easy to read, but also very enjoyable. That is the problem with my ARRL study books. The facts are stated in a very dry method. The Dummies book puts it in a bit more user-friendly perspective. I saw another book that specifically covered how R-L-C interactions affect different types of antennas. I wish it covered that in solid detail. However, the other book was much more dry in the approach, and had the same approach of just stating facts. Oh well...fortunately, there are lots of books on antenna design and theory.The last chapters which have shopping lists for setting up your station, and ideas for projects is a nice add-on. Being able to read exactly what to get is very helpful, as I do want to tinker with some projects, especially with my son helping me. In the end, I felt like this was the right book for me.I also bought the Gordon West Extra Class study manual as a companion to this one and my present ARRL book. The exam questions change on July 1, 2012, so knowing the few changes can make a difference. And, correlating the two together, reading the material from different perspectives helps with the learning curve. Hopefully, between this book, ARRL's and Gordo's book, I'll pass the exam in July with a great score. In any event, I'm enjoying reading it.

This book is great, but at times it is a little complicated because i skip around, but that is mostly my fault. I've been using it to get started with a research project that is outside of my field and I need to build boards. This has helped me to understand the basics and dynamics of what is really going on. I bought the electronic pdf version, but kind of wishing i had just got the real book. Either way it i s helpful.Cons: PDF/Ebooks are not for some people (me)Pros: Its got everything I need so far and I didnt know anything about electronic components starting up and now i can generate PWM signals using an Arduino Uno board

I have read and own many "Dummies" books. I had come to depend on their authors to explain something I know absolutely nothing about in a manner that is easy to understand, having a managable amount of information included in them and a expressing a "can-do" attitude. This book is amazing and it is very detailed and very easy to follow. This book was read in a day! After reading it, I explored the internet for a specific project I have in mind. What I found was schmatic drawings for those projects and I now know how to read and understand them because of this book. It was a pleasure reading it too! I'm no longer a "dummy" about electronics!

I figured I would probably just use this book as a reference more then a tutorial but the problem was once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It is like a funny novel in some way but your learning. (Though I don't like to admit it.) This is a very cleverly written book that I know you will enjoy as much as I have. Simple to understand and funny... yeah funny! Five stars for sure and I am normally a tough when it comes to star ratings. And I didn't know much about electronics before I read it!

I like Dummies books,They always anticipate that the reader of the book is at the start line, (Read the Foolish Assumptions just to be sure)I read this book on the summer last year, and I got 90%+ (Grade 10) in PhysicsIt gave me a lot of knowledge- Informed me with the very basic components of electronics- I could have calculated the resistance in a very nasty looking circuit diagram in class- I could read circuit diagrams from the internet for projectsWhat it lacked- Although it physically explained how transistors worked such as a PnP and NpN, I still did not know how to manipulate the component in order to "invent" or understand why the component is in that location in the circuit- How to program a IC xD not really a drawback since it is an advanced topic, just a recommendation to include some other books for startersIf you are a beginner start from hear,

it was exellent!!! .Thank You very very much.JAN

Um livro com linguagem simples e que dá um boa introdução a eletrônica. Recomendo para todos aqueles que precisam de uma visão geral e que gostam de se aprofundar um pouco sem uma teoria profunda.

I've only read a few pages and i already i'm loving it, my fav book at the moment, the wealth of knowledge is immerse you gotta love the author i'll be back to leave a proper review when i'm done. its great so far.

My son is going into the Electronic program at local community college. He wanted something to prepare him for the course. He hasn't complained yet.

I thought this was an excellent book for anyone who wants an introduction to electronics and who wants to get designing and constructing a.s.a.p.I was surprised how little the basics had changed since I first learned electronics 40 years ago.It enables people who want a refresher course or a reference book to dip in and out as required and is written in down to earth language with pointers to more advanced texts.On the down side some of the diagrams were too small even when expanded so I think I would buy the paper version if I was to choose again despite the advantages of price and portability