NerdKits(http://www.nerdkits.com) sells a good simple microcontroller kit with an informative
instruction manual, along with ideas for a few projects to get started.
Maker Shed(http://www.makershed.com) is a popular site that contains alotof information
about hobby electronics, kits, microcontrollers, etc. Maker Media also publishes a number of books on books
on hobby electronics, such asMake: Electronics,Make: More Electronics, and introductory books on the
Arduino and Rasperry Pi microcontrollers.
SparkFun(http://www.sparkfun.com) is another site dedictated to electronics hobbyists. They
sell electronics and microcontroller kits and parts.
HackerBoxes(http://www.hackerboxes.com) offers a subscription service, in which they send
out a different box of electronics hobbyist components to subscribers every month.
A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a kind of general-purpose logic device that you can design
with any logic circuits you wish. For example, you could program it to be a digital clock circuit or a micro-
processor. An excellent way to learn FPGA programming is with the Papilio FPGA board, available from the
Gadget Factory (http://www.papilio.cc). You can use this FPGA board alongside the tutorialIntro-
ducing the Spartan 3E FPGA and VHDLby Mike Field, available as a free e-book on the Internet. FPGAs
are programmed in one of two languages: Verilog or VHDL. This tutorial uses VHDL, which is the more
common language in the United States.
29.3 Amateur Radio.
How would you like to try transmitting over the air with your own radio station? That’s possible, but you’ll
need to earn an amateur radio license first. You’ll study radio theory, electronics, and regulations, then take
an exam. If you pass, you’ll be assigned your own radio call sign by the FCC, and you can go on the air and
talk to people around the country or around the world by voice or by code.
Radio amateurs are involved in lots of activities today:
- Morse code.Many amateurs enjoy traditional radiotelegraphy, where you “talk” to people around the
world using Morse code and telegraph key. - Radioteletype.This usually involves a computer, rather than a real teletype these days. You can send
messages via radioteletype at faster speeds than sending telegraphy by hand. - Packet radio.This is a kind of amateur radio version of the Internet, including a type of amateur radio
e-mail. - Amateur radio satellites.You might like to get involved in working with a number of satellites that are
in orbit around the Earth, that are especially for use by radio amateurs. - Amateur television.You can go on the air with your own amateur television station.
- Volunteer work.Amateur radio operators are needed to help coordinate events like parades, marathons,
and long-distance bicycle rides. - Emergency response. During an emergency, all normal lines of communications — including cell
phones — may be knocked out. Amateur radio operators are often the only way to get communications
in and out of the emergency area. You can train to be prepared to help in case of an emergency. - Military work.Some amateurs work with the military to help coordinate radio communications.
- Experimental work. Amateurs are often involved in cutting-edge radio research, including spread-
spectrum transmission, very high- or low-frequency transmissions, or bouncing radio signals from au-
roræ, meteor trails, satellites, or even the Moon. Amateurs may get interested in radiowave propagation
in the ionosphere, and conduct their own research.