Electronics Knowledge and Skill Level of This Forum

[John R Retired]

True, those kits are mainly just to assemble a useful device.
Those kits I referenced are for learning, not making a permanent product.
Look for advanced kits for adults or engineering students.

But you remark about a "Throw away" society is a caution, since there is not a lot of electronic consumer electronic repair done anymore.
There is still repair done for industrial electronics, since many of those devices are too expensive to trash.

Yes that is what I wonder about concerning fixing broken electronics as you say for consumers. I'm only considering part time if I could
qualify Servicing industrial equipment sounds too much like a full time job that would make you liable for any equipment used by a company. The key to learning with the kits you describe would be how the instructions and accompanying books would coordinate
for some real learning and education with the hands on projects in those kits.

Also the microscopic and practically unaccessable components used today in computers, smart phones etc. Just too tiny to bother with.

The TV and audio repair man is long gone as you know. Anyway, I would need to learn more even to get to that level if it still existed.

 

[bertus]

Hello,

You can also have a look at the education section on AllAboutCircuits:

Electronics Education

Latest online textbooks, video tutorials, tools worksheets and more, covering electricity and electronics.

www.allaboutcircuits.com

Bertus

 

[crutschow]

The TV and audio repair man is long gone as you know. Anyway, I would need to learn more even to get to that level if it still existed.

Yes.
Electronic consumer repair is now mostly limited to factory warranty service, and that usually consists of replacing whole modules or circuit boards in the device, so not a lot of electronic knowledge is really needed for that.

 

[John R Retired]

Yes.
Electronic consumer repair is now mostly limited to factory warranty service, and that usually consists of replacing whole modules or circuit boards in the device, so not a lot of electronic knowledge is really needed for that.

So what do you think is still available? What niche of ET do you work in?

I'm not looking to work in a full time job anyway. I had a part time business in mind, sort of like the old TV repairman that doesn't exist anymore, but my skill level is not even that high. I suppose "hobby" or"experimenter" is about the only position I could aim for.
The other option is to just forget it because it's too late to pursue such an endeavor in retirement years. However, I have taken some
electronics courses as I said, so I know something. I just don't have the experience or complete basic knowledge and time is running out.

 

[Martaine2005]

Do you have a 3D printer?.
A niche market could be with model railway or slot cars.
Making simple street lights or flood lights in scale do sell surprisingly well. All that’s required is a resistor, LED and wire along with the style of light you design.
Or of course light kits for any kind of scale model or diorama.

 

[John R Retired]

Do you have a 3D printer?.
A niche market could be with model railway or slot cars.
Making simple street lights or flood lights in scale do sell surprisingly well. All that’s required is a resistor, LED and wire along with the style of light you design.
Or of course light kits for any kind of scale model or diorama.

I don't have a 3D printer.
Is there a market for what you describe?
I happen to be familiar with model trains. There are a lot of companies already making small electronics devices for that hobby including flashing LED accessories. I don't think that hobby is widespread and popular at this time due to high cost of model trains as far as I know but I could be wrong.
Thanks for the suggestion nevertheless

 

[shrtrnd]

I was a tech most of my life. My input is to find-out what you want to do, or work on, find yourself some broken gear of that variety, and see if you can figure-out what makes them tick, and if you can make them work again. As a tech, experience hands-on, is how I learned.
Book learning can get you started, but actual experience is what makes one competent. Go ahead and school yourself on the basics, but get your hands dirty while doing that to become 'competent'.
Like everyone here has already explained, there are some highly competent people on this site who will try to answer any questions you come up with on the journey. I know you want to make some side-money now, fixing electronics that are broken will get you going.
2-cents worth from a guy who flew into this field by the seat of my pants.

 

[John R Retired]

I was a tech most of my life. My input is to find-out what you want to do, or work on, find yourself some broken gear of that variety, and see if you can figure-out what makes them tick, and if you can make them work again. As a tech, experience hands-on, is how I learned.
Book learning can get you started, but actual experience is what makes one competent. Go ahead and school yourself on the basics, but get your hands dirty while doing that to become 'competent'.
Like everyone here has already explained, there are some highly competent people on this site who will try to answer any questions you come up with on the journey. I know you want to make some side-money now, fixing electronics that are broken will get you going.
2-cents worth from a guy who flew into this field by the seat of my pants.

As my handle shows I am retired now (in my 70s). When I was a teenager I was interested in electronics and built a few Heathkits including an analog SW receiver. I aspired to get into Ham radio and hung around with a few Hams in my area (USA). the Vietnam war needed drafties and I ended up in the Navy. I took a basic electricity class in the Navy. After I got out I got married and took some electronics classes in college (DC some AC and digital electronics circuits. Took one class in basic microprocessors using theHeathkit breadboard learning kit back in the 90s) but there are big gaps in my education. All that being said, I did not work in electronics except in assembly for a while but I ended up making a living in aerospace mechanical manufacturing related work because that is where the higher money was. Now that I am retired, I still have the electronics inclinations and memories and figured maybe I should use what I know somehow and do something with it before I die. Time is not on my side.

I can't build airplanes in my garage, but I can try electronics in my garage, and who knows, maybe make some money in the process.
If money is not possible, then it becomes a hobby and I don't have time for hobbies. I'm on a fixed income and times are tough especially
with inflation. But it is not just about money as I could collect aluminum cans or do some menial jobs to get money. It is about the fact
that electronics has been rattling around in my brain all my life and it appeals to me say more than gardening or some other thing old
people do. The field has changed a lot since I was a teenager. There used to be the possiblity of TV repair shops and similar repair shops. Nowadays it seems to be about black boxes and throw-away electronic junk especially with the micro-miniature devices that takes a microscope to see the components. Anyway that's what I've been asking about here. I was just asking around here to see what other people more active and involved in electronics were seeing in society and the market for electronics. I tried some other enterprise but it didn't work out so now I am back again looking at electronics. Maybe I'm beating a dead horse again at my age and maybe the field is beyond my reach even for some part time income. Sorry for being repetitive but I tend to be the eternal optimist even when I read that all the electronics industry and work is going to India and the old one man repair shops (TV and Audio etc) are long gone and repair is just swapping out PC boards or even trashing the device and buying a new one.
Some here have given me some good ideas so far. I like the "model RR electronic invention" idea one member here suggested and maybe the "get some broken gear and try to fix it " idea also. If this kind of inquiry is not supported on this board just tell me and I'll leave. My advice to anyone is, whatever it is you like get it while you are young.

 

[shrtrnd]

John R Retired, You and me are kind of in the same boat, I even spent time on some of your Navy ships. We're in the same age bracket,
except I volunteered for the Marines in Vietnam, were nobody asked me what I wanted to do, they just told me what I was going to do.
I think that's where we differ. You Navy guys wait for somebody to tell you what to do, and us Marines get off our butts and do it.
Get the lead out, and look around for some broken electronics that interest you, garage sales, flea markets, surplus stores. Open them up,
see what you can see, come back here and ask questions. It'll help if you have or can get a DVM (Digital Volt Meter), and a camera to post
pictures about what you see. This website IS for you, lots of guys here will respond to your questions and give advice.
As you noted, a lot of today's throw-away electronics is just that. Very few people build electronics from scratch anymore, they all want to
just combine existing electronic devices to 'build' what they want. 1970's/80's stereo gear was build to be repaired, and is in high demand.
There's money in repairing and selling that (as an example). You said you don't think you have much time left, .... procrastinating while you
think about this ain't helping. Use them hands before arthritis gets to us.

 

[poormystic]

And that right there is the main difference, it's the difference between getting paid or not.
As Harald stated, there can be highly skilled hobbyists and poorly skilled, and I use the term loosely, professionals

A side note the term "professional" would usually entail a university degree in electronics/electrical engineering.
A person can be a very skilled tech WITHOUT having gone to uni. on the subject. And I fall into that category.
So, because of that, I dont classify myself as a professional even tho I have been a paid electronics tech my whole
working life, 10+ years.

cheers
Dave

Ahh Dave... in fact you do professional work.

 

[davenn]

Ahh Dave... in fact you do professional work.

hey buddy, good to see ya .... Merry Christmas

 

[ahsrabrifat]

Is this forum supposed to be geared towards technician or engineer level of electronics?

Or is it for any level of electronics skill and knowledge?

A related question is this a forum where actual techs or engineers would go for answers
to a problem they would run across in professional electronics work?

Or is this forum mainly for hobbyists who like to play around with electronic gadgets and projects
just for fun who have sketchy and piecemeal understanding of electronics and are self-taught?

Another question would be is there a certain level of electronics skill and knowledge one should
already have under their belt to participate on this forum?

Anyone can join this forum. Beginners, experts, all are welcome.

 

[Delta Prime]

Anyone can join this forum. Beginners, experts, all are welcome.

It is not just a forum it is a community. Why don’t you introduce yourself ?