Learning Electronics

[DonRotolo]

Slow down a little. Transistors and microcontrollers and programming are all different planets.

OK, you say you have the basics: Resistors, capacitors, maybe inductors. E=IR and P=IE. Parallel, series, and series-parallel. OK, good.

Now move to AC electronics and see the differences. Get an oscilloscope (a cheap one, or borrow one) so you can see things. They are available for less than a week's lunch money. Wrap your head around impedance.

Play with diodes for a while. A transistor is basically 2 diodes back to back (but of course on the same die, so you can't build one from diodes). See what it does to voltage. Figure out how to use one as a switch.

Transistors are next, buy a bunch at Radio Shack for a few dollars (they sell an assortment for cheap) or PM me your mail address and I'll send you a pile. Look up some simple switch circuits on the Interweb and build them. Learn about biasing a transistor and why, to build a very simple amplifier. That o'scope will help you visualize what is happening. Look up the concept of a transistor curve tracer and get your head around some curve traces to see what they mean. It is OK to let some smoke out.

That should keep you busy until Kickoff.