Multi Expansion Project

[DigiTan]

No problem. Most of the texts I got started with were very inexpesive. Probably, the best places to start are Radio Shack or Fry's Electronics. The books here contain lower-division college engineering subjects, but without the tedious math. Books like "Basic Digital Electronics" are aimed at High School audiences, but if you study the whole thing, I'll guarantee you'll get an A+ in college Digital Systems. Anyway, here are some good sources...

* Radio Shack: Basic Digital Electronics
This is probably one of the best digital systems texts ever printed. This text begins will a description of basic logic and digital vs. analog concepts. It goes on to cover things like "74-series" logic chips, truth tables, counters, timers, adders, and even an intro to basic encryption. This basically covers everything you'll see in a sophomore-level "Digital Systems" course. This one should still be available at a Radio Shack store.

* Forest Mimms: Getting Started in Electronics (Radio Shack)
This one focuses a little more on the physics behind components themselves; things like what makes semiconductors different from ordinary conductors, etc. It also explains component types--like how BiPolar transistors are diffent from FET transistors. The later portion of the book contains several 'project' schematics that are explained in detail. This one should also be at Radio Shack.

* All of the smaller Forest Mimms Booklets (Radio Shack)
These are smaller versions of "Getting Started." Each booklet contains schematics for a particular area of electronics. So far I have "Digital Projects," "Semiconductor Projects," and "Communication Projects."

* Internet: Tony Van Roon's Electronics Tutorials
I'm using this page as a source in a technical writing class. This is a good source for info on 555 timers, Op-Amps, Phase Locked Loops, and other devices. The equations used here can be applied using algebra and maybe a ~little trig now and then. The decriptions are very detailed (he even explains how some components differ from company to company.)

* Internet: Williamson Labs
The format here is a ~little gnarly, but it has really good illistraions that explain things like 555 timers, Op-Amps, etc.

* Military Stuff: Global Security.org
It won't show you how to build a Sidewinder missile (darn!), but this is an excellent site for info on non-classified military tech.

* Dallas Robotics: DPRG
This is a robotics/tech group for the DFW area. They have several articles on projects like battery-charagers, and IR tracking. There is also a "Robot News" feature here.

* Seattle Robotics: The Global Encoder
This is a really cool site for robot related projects. Also has guides for 'bot navigation, motors, and 'bot programming/AI.