The Future Of Hobby Electronics.

[Ryan7777]

But why do we use PIC micros? I mean, I remember using tons of logic IC's that I can still get from about 10 different sources just thinking off the top of my head.. But I can do all that work in code and have just a few parts. Why mess with a 555 timer when i can code one and have it do exactly what i want? change is just part of it. Sometimes because we want an easier path, sometimes because the path changes on us. The old timers will still find a way to get DIPs that do what they need, the younger guys will grow up on surface mount and not have a bit of problem doing it. I mean guys are using wal-mart toaster ovens to reflow! the price of hot air irons have dropped way down. I can get a second hand analog scope that works fine for next to nothing now, and if i want, a PC based digital one for not much more... things change, but we always find a way... As far as HAM goes, i've never had an interest in it.. I mean sure, you get to play with electronics, but to a means to talk to people over a radio.. I like the phone myself.. So it may drive some people to get into electronics, but not everyone. and you guys should try working for the government or military, pretty much everything is old, old, old... and will remain that way for a long time (if you love tubes, you'll fit right in...) you might not get in as a GOV employee, but contractors are always in hot demand.. But.. if you are doing this as a hobby and to learn, now is the perfect time to be doing it! I love learning about new parts, I love learning about new tools and ways to do things. figuring out a way forward is the best part in my opinion!

[RussMartin]

But why do we use PIC micros? I mean, I remember . . .

I'm old enough (fortunately or not) to remember many arguments starting in the same way:

"But why do we use transistors? I mean, I remember . . . "

"But why do we use integrated circuits? I mean, I remember . . . "

"But why do we use microprocessors? I mean, I remember . . . "

I've seen the advent of SSI, LSI, and VLSI.

Yet I look around, and I still see vacuum tubes in kilowatt and megawatt applications (as well as high-end consumer audio), discrete transistors, and integrated circuits (including ASICs and PLAs).

And any old ham will tell you: There's nothing like building your own stuff, then proving it works by using it to talk to someone hundreds or thousands of miles away--wireless! It sure as hell beats a "blinky".

Electronics is an art, not a science.

[Ioannis]

In my area (I suppose this happens elsewhere too), electronics is descending amongst the people doing it for hobby.

Also every day it is getting more difficult to find parts in local shops.

Ordering by on-line shops is not an option for outside E.C. countries as there are taxes and expenses that are too much for a handful of cheap parts.

I remember the other day,I was looking for the simplest part I always used as a child hobbist in my projects: the potensiometer. It is a part under extinction here!

Take into account that soon all parts will be poduced only as an SMD type and it is easy to see that a hobbist will only use valves and power transistors to build something....

Ioannis

[Glenn]

I actually find it easier to get stuff today than it was 15 years ago.. At least here in Sweden I can go to two good shops and buy over disk (Elfa and Labb-elektronik), and I know several that gladly sell components to me online, from sweden.. and if that wouldnt do, there are many places in other EC countries, germany for example.

I buy most of my stuff from

www.electrokit.se
www.elfa.se

[Ioannis]

Hi Glenn. Long time ago I visited elfa.se and although it was interesting site it was in local language. Now I see it has english support and a wide range of products.

Nice, thanks a lot.

Ioannis

[Melanie]

Interesting perhaps, expensive certainly!

I just picked half-a-dozen products that we buy and I know the price of... the quantity price was about 400% higher than I expected to pay for that part.

[Ioannis]

Don't forget Melanie that they are end resellers and not 1st or 2nd distributors like Avnet, EBV or Arrow...

Ioannis

[Glenn]

Interesting perhaps, expensive certainly!

Yes, Elfa is NOT known to be cheap (or have a good online shop, it really sucks)

The reason companys order from them is that they have "everything" in stock, and for a looong time, I can probably take an oderlist that is 10 years old and send to them and get the same stuff today, also they have alot of stuff, so companys can order "everything" from them, and have it the next day. (or the same day if you pay extra.)

The reason hobbyists buy from them is that they gladly sell to anyone, and sell components one and one, if you look at Farnell (that I would guess is their largest competitor) they dont sell anything if you dont have a correctly registred company..


..But I buy most stuff from electrokit, they are cheap, but they tend to have only "the most common" stuff, and some odd stuff (probably surplus), but they are nice guys and also send stuff very quick.