Hi. Did you ever make the SW radio from book 2? I have just completed it on a perforated board but it will only work for a split second as I disconnect the battery. Maybe you might have some ideas as to why. I really need to learn how to troubleshoot. Thanks. Edit. I found a missing link on my circuit. Now it works.
Got my start on the Radio Shack 130 Projects In 1 kit that I begged my parents to get me, and then made a few projects from the first Funway book I borrowed from the local library. It's the AM transmitter circuits that really wowed me as a kid and most likely paved the way for me to become a ham in adulthood.
Nice video! A good trip down memory lane. Six dollars is a bargain for all those parts. Would like to see more builds please. Yes, I think you are right about the Dick Smith introduction on the original series.
That was fun. When these types of kits were first available the components in them were the same as those used in consumer products of the day. So, when I took the back off the kitchen radio in 1972 (Hacker or Roberts, I can't remember.) I could see and identify the same components - resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc. Now, with much smaller PCBs with SMD parts, it is harder to make the "connection" between smartphones, satellite TV receivers etc. and an electronics kit. I used to look forward to our TV going on the blink back in the 70s. I would annoy the Radio Rentals repair bloke with questions and stand behind him watching intently when he took the back off the set to repair it. But at least I could recognise the same parts, resistors, capacitors etc. And the city tip wasn't full of TVs and computers that were less than 8-10 years old.
It was thoughtful of the owner to package it up like that, perhaps recognising the potential value of the kit. Most would have binned it without a second thought.
Some of the later versions came in a gift box (as opposed to the book and two bags early on). That might have increased its perceived value so made them less likely to bin it.
Many thanks for the video! I think "Make: Electronics" by Charles Platt is worth mentioning as a modern equivalent book that comes with the parts. Interestingly the book was translated at least in one foreign language (Russian). Maybe there are other translations as well.
I still prefer projects on boards with screws as its easier to build and fix if you make a mistake in the circuitry. Its also cheaper and requires less contents and saves more money in my opinion. Dick Smith Projects was the main reason i got into radio as a hobby. Done this over 24 years ago!!!
@@vk3ye. Hi. I have just completed building the SW radio from book 2. I only works for a split second as I disconnect the battery. I am wondering if you have any idea/s as why this is happening. I also made the crystal set, radio booster, 1 transistor amp and 2 transistor amp from book 1 and they work. I made the CB receiver but doesn't seem to pick up anything, but maybe nobody is chatting. Would love to hear your thoughts. Cheers. Edit. I found a missing link on my circuit and now it works. I just have to make different coils and try different aerial designs.
BronsonTheCat. Do it, if you haven't already. But also make the radio booster, 1 transistor amp and 2 transistor amp. That way you can use normal headphones (or speaker) as the crystal earphone is very, very faint. Fun stuff!
Really nice - thank you. This is *so* interesting because I've noted that the Aussies/Kiwi's are quite prominent in the field of radio and electronics - maybe such books/kits provided the youngsters with the 'start'? I wonder what the 'start' is for todays youngsters? M0XYM
Although there's Arduino and robotics today, people, if they choose can still buy 1970s Tandy-style spring kits (from Altronics) or Funway style (from Jaycar).
Have this exact book as well as Volume 2. Both were a major contributing factor in getting me involved in electronics and radio as an adult.
Hi.
Did you ever make the SW radio from book 2?
I have just completed it on a perforated board but it will only work for a split second as I disconnect the battery.
Maybe you might have some ideas as to why.
I really need to learn how to troubleshoot.
Thanks.
Edit. I found a missing link on my circuit. Now it works.
Got my start on the Radio Shack 130 Projects In 1 kit that I begged my parents to get me, and then made a few projects from the first Funway book I borrowed from the local library. It's the AM transmitter circuits that really wowed me as a kid and most likely paved the way for me to become a ham in adulthood.
Nice video! A good trip down memory lane.
Six dollars is a bargain for all those parts.
Would like to see more builds please. Yes, I think you are right about the Dick Smith introduction on the original series.
WOW what an interesting Book. Please do the rest of the projects.
That was fun. When these types of kits were first available the components in them were the same as those used in consumer products of the day. So, when I took the back off the kitchen radio in 1972 (Hacker or Roberts, I can't remember.) I could see and identify the same components - resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc. Now, with much smaller PCBs with SMD parts, it is harder to make the "connection" between smartphones, satellite TV receivers etc. and an electronics kit.
I used to look forward to our TV going on the blink back in the 70s. I would annoy the Radio Rentals repair bloke with questions and stand behind him watching intently when he took the back off the set to repair it. But at least I could recognise the same parts, resistors, capacitors etc. And the city tip wasn't full of TVs and computers that were less than 8-10 years old.
It was thoughtful of the owner to package it up like that, perhaps recognising the potential value of the kit. Most would have binned it without a second thought.
Some of the later versions came in a gift box (as opposed to the book and two bags early on). That might have increased its perceived value so made them less likely to bin it.
We saw your eyes briefly illuminate when you did the "tongue test".
More projects please!
Great find 👌
👍👏👏
That’s a trip down memory lane
I credit the old radio shack kits like this for my interest in ham radio
Many thanks for the video! I think "Make: Electronics" by Charles Platt is worth mentioning as a modern equivalent book that comes with the parts. Interestingly the book was translated at least in one foreign language (Russian). Maybe there are other translations as well.
I still prefer projects on boards with screws as its easier to build and fix if you make a mistake in the circuitry. Its also cheaper and requires less contents and saves more money in my opinion.
Dick Smith Projects was the main reason i got into radio as a hobby. Done this over 24 years ago!!!
Need to give the crystal set a build.
Thanks. Yes, that will be one I'll try.
@@vk3ye.
Hi.
I have just completed building the SW radio from book 2.
I only works for a split second as I disconnect the battery.
I am wondering if you have any idea/s as why this is happening.
I also made the crystal set, radio booster, 1 transistor amp and 2 transistor amp from book 1 and they work.
I made the CB receiver but doesn't seem to pick up anything, but maybe nobody is chatting.
Would love to hear your thoughts.
Cheers.
Edit. I found a missing link on my circuit and now it works.
I just have to make different coils and try different aerial designs.
BronsonTheCat.
Do it, if you haven't already.
But also make the radio booster, 1 transistor amp and 2 transistor amp.
That way you can use normal headphones (or speaker) as the crystal earphone is very, very faint.
Fun stuff!
Like to see a vhf low power beacon build I find them interesting
None of those in the Funway kits. Nearest to that was the FM bug in Funway 2.
@@vk3ye Didn't the first Funway book have an AM transmitter in it for the broadcast band? Or was that the second book?
@@snarfusmaximus Yes, there is an AM transmitter in FW1. FW2 has the FM bug.
@@vk3ye Great. My memory isn't as bad as I thought.
Really nice - thank you. This is *so* interesting because I've noted that the Aussies/Kiwi's are quite prominent in the field of radio and electronics - maybe such books/kits provided the youngsters with the 'start'? I wonder what the 'start' is for todays youngsters? M0XYM
Although there's Arduino and robotics today, people, if they choose can still buy 1970s Tandy-style spring kits (from Altronics) or Funway style (from Jaycar).
I know you got this at the salvos but can you buy these kits today? 06/04/2021
Not exactly. But very similar kits are from Jaycar. They're called Short Circuits based on books 1, 2 & 3.
Awesome. Thank you