Anyone recommend a good starter book on Electronics?

Hi there.

I've been doing a few mods to my equipment over the last few months with some really good results but my electronics knowledge is pretty basic.
I do really enjoy doing this sort of stuff but i don't want to try and run before i can walk so what i'm looking for is a book or two that teaches the fundamentals of electronics in a simple manner(although not primary school level). One that also explains how to follow schematics would be ideal.
I'd like to start building an amp soon and i'd like to understand how it all works rather than just putting the right part in the right place.

Any help would be much appreciated and a pack of jelly babies to whoever gives the best suggestion.

Andy.

 

i still use an old gsce course book

 

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/amplifier.htm

I'm in a similar boat

not brilliant i know but interesting non the less.

 

I think there are a lot of publications for Ameteur Radio Hobbyists that cover some good stuff. I believe there are magazines for this also.

Maplin used to run a range of books too.

 

I got that idea from books my Dad used to keep when we were kids..."How it works"...took you through everything from how matches are made to ....whatever. They were big thick books, well explained with clear illustrations to break up text.

WE found them very good as kids , 35 years ago, whenever.

As i say I'm in a similar position and wondered if these books are available now, in updated form.......just haven't got around to sussing it out.

I was asking my Dad about them a week or so ago....he still uses them now, despite the technology having changed more than somewhat.





regs,

David

 

Cheers fellas.
David, thats just the kind of thing i was looking for. Easy to understand and no unexplained technical terms.
Thanks very much!
I seem to recall my parents having one of those books when i was about 10. Should've payed more attention.
Snoo, i had a look in Maplin today(had to grab a few bits)but it was mostly books on computing and specific projects. My local branch doesn't have much of a selection.
Any more recommendations would be welcome.

 

My recommendation would be ' Valve & Transistor Audio Amplifiers' by John Linsley Hood (Newnes, c. £25). Apart from being really easy to read - JLH always had an engaging style - it covers a lot of ground on the historical development of amplifiers with plenty of discussion on all aspects. There are also lots of simple schematics, discussion as to why certain ideas work, and enough (simple ) maths to let you get a feel for what you are trying to achieve. A great jumping-off point.

 

A good GCSE/A-level start point is "Electronic Systems" by M. Brimicombe.

The definitive text is "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill, but your maths needs to be up to scratch for that one.

 

Thanks Felix. Looks good.
I'll get onto ordering one soon.

 

Thanks Isaac good suggestion.
I want to learn not only about Amplifiers but electronics in general.
The Amp kit i'll be putting together is merely to get a bit more understanding on the subject and to see whether or not a cheap kit amp would better 650 quid worth of commercial gear(and whwther i can assemble it without screwing it up).

Maths not up to secondary school level yet!
I think i'll start with the basics.

Cheers

 

slightly on/off topic.

just bought a loudspeaker design book from the states,soldon Amazon.co.uk as well, and even with shipping and the likely duty charge it was still less than half price.

so shop around..

 

I've noticed they also sell second-hand books.
Good news for those on a budget