I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.
Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?
Much thanks,
James Foreman
Hello James,
I'm really familiar with that low budget thing, so let me tell you, a large Digikey order while
convenient is not the cheapest way to go. Mouser is usually a little cheaper.
You'd get by even cheaper by googling for some surplus parts outlets as someone else has already suggested. If
you take your time and look around you can find some really good prices. Some to checkout in the US might be
BG micro, Marlin P Jones, Jameco, Hosfelt, MECI, etc.
It's really hard to say for sure without knowing where your interests might be, but
here's a list of some basic stuff that I wouldn't want to be without.
DISCRETE:
2N3904/2N3906 or equiv general purpose NPN/PNP transistors. You'll need more NPNs then PNPs.
2N3055/2N2955 or equiv NPN/PNP power transistors
MPF102, 2N5458 JFETs
2N7000 or equiv low power mosfet
IRFXXX power mosfets - whatever you can find cheap with the voltage/current ratings you might need
1N914 or equiv low power silicon signal diodes
1N40xx or quiv 1A rectifier diodes, IN54xx if you want 3A
1N34 or equiv germanium detector diodes
1N5817 etc Schottky diodes
Maybe some 5v, 9v, 12v zener diodes
Various LEDs, gotta have lights
Various varactors if you find a deal on them.
ANALOG:
Some 3 teminal regulators
317T, 317L - adjustable 1A and .1A
7805, 7812, and 78L05 - 5v and 12v 1A and 5v .1A
Some Opamps
LM358, TL082, Tl084 etc
Comparators
LM339, LM393 etc
Audio Amp
LM386 audio porwer amp 1/2W or so
Driver arrays
ULN2003 etc Logic compatible driver for relays, small steppers etc
Timer
LM555/LM556 Can be used as an astable or monostable
Misc:
NE/SA602 VHF Mixer/Osc
74HC4046 PLL can be used for lots of stuff
As far as digital goes, I'd pick a logic family and try to stick with it as much as possible
The old 45XX series aren't too fast, but aren't real finicky on a breadboard either, or
maybe the 74HCxxx series for a little more speed. See if you can find a copy of Don Lancasters
CMOS or TTL cookbook and get some of the chips that he provides data for. That would be a good selection.
PASSIVES:
Lots of .1uf, .01uf, .001uf mono ceramic or disk caps
1uf, 10uf, 100uf, 1000uf electrolytics and a few of the higher values like 4700uf or 10000uf
maybe some 1uf and 10uf tantalum caps.
Maybe a couple small speakers and piezo beepers
A few resistor assortments 10ohm to 10Mgeg 1/4W 5% will cover most needs
Some 1k 10k 100k, and 1Meg pots
I realize that you said no micros, but don't overlook them. They open up a lot of areas that
just aren't very practical using discrete logic. Personally I use Atmel AVR and Pic micros.
OTHER STUFF:
You will want to get a "Proto board" or breadboard and build or buy a bench power supply.
Don't scrimp too much on a decent soldering iron either. A Weller is hard to beat,
but not that cheapie $39 one they make. Get one with an adjustable and controlled temperature.
A scope is really nice, but a bit pricey. If there's any way, get yourself one.
Even a cheap one is better than nothing.
Good Luck in your new endeavor.
Mike
"As we survey all the evidence, the thought insistently
arises that some supernatural agency - or, rather,
Agency - must be involved. Is it possible that suddenly,
without intending to, we have stumbled upon scientific
proof of the existence of a Supreme Being? Was it God
who stepped in and so providentially crafted the
cosmos for our benefit?"
George Greenstein - Astrophysicist