Velleman Kits

[phaeton]

Say,

Anyone ever assemble the Velleman Kits from Jameco? Namely stuff like
radio transmitters and receivers:

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...toreId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=117604

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...toreId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=211772


While it seems that assembling each kit will provide a working (and
useful) device, I don't know that it will really *teach* anything.
Each link above also has a link for the manual, but after looking at
the pdf, it seems like it's just a matter of "solder this, then solder
this, then solder this, and you have a device. If it doesn't work,
then try these couple of things, but after that, you're on your own.".


Might be up to the ARRL manual to learn about radio stuff, eh?

 

[Lord Garth]

While it seems that assembling each kit will provide a working (and
useful) device, I don't know that it will really *teach* anything.
Each link above also has a link for the manual, but after looking at
the pdf, it seems like it's just a matter of "solder this, then solder
this, then solder this, and you have a device. If it doesn't work,
then try these couple of things, but after that, you're on your own.".


Might be up to the ARRL manual to learn about radio stuff, eh?

It's really up the assembler to go beyond the kit. If the desire to
experiment is there, the kit provides the play ground.

You lean to imagine what could be if you change this or that, none of
which is in the kit manual.

 

[Jon Slaughter]

Say,

Anyone ever assemble the Velleman Kits from Jameco? Namely stuff like
radio transmitters and receivers:

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...toreId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=117604

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...toreId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=211772


While it seems that assembling each kit will provide a working (and
useful) device, I don't know that it will really *teach* anything.
Each link above also has a link for the manual, but after looking at
the pdf, it seems like it's just a matter of "solder this, then solder
this, then solder this, and you have a device. If it doesn't work,
then try these couple of things, but after that, you're on your own.".


Might be up to the ARRL manual to learn about radio stuff, eh?

I'm not sure but the one vellman product I have tried(an oscope) is crap.
(although I guess you get what you pay for)

 

[Jasen]

Say,

Anyone ever assemble the Velleman Kits from Jameco? Namely stuff like
radio transmitters and receivers:

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...toreId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=117604

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...toreId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=211772


While it seems that assembling each kit will provide a working (and
useful) device, I don't know that it will really *teach* anything.

You learn to solder, (and to inspect your work if the kit doesn't)
two essential skills before you start designing your own stuff.


Bye.
Jasen

 

[phaeton]

I'm not sure but the one vellman product I have tried(an oscope) is crap.
(although I guess you get what you pay for)

(learningness aside)

Well, FWIW... Using the pdf manual/schematic, I built the Super
Snooper Big Ear some time ago. I didn't order the kit, but I had all
the parts available so I built one exactly to their specs. Mine
worked, but not exactly as they advertised theirs to. I have a set of
sound-insulated headphones that I plugged into it, and the sound level
was about the same as what my naked ears would pick up, sans any bass
frequencies (that's a condensor mic for ya). I tried tubes, parabolic
reflector/collectors, all that. Went over the schem a couple of times
and it's same as what they've got.

Even when first looking at the schematic I thought it was kind of a
goofy set up. I socketed the ICs so I was able to switch out the
LM1458 they were using as the 'preamp' for some less noisy dual op amp
choices. The NE5532 and JRC4558 seem best. Maybe the 1458 is more
available in Europe?

They also could have gotten so much more out of the 386. I guess
they were trying to err on the side of caution and not destroy
anyone's hearing.

(learningness returns to forefront)


Are there, or were there, other kits (of various projects) in the
olden days that would come with a somewhat informative manual? I
realize radio is a pretty comprehensive subject, but even a quick
overview would give you an idea of what to go looking up at the
library (Forrest Mimms books were good for that). It doesn't seem
like this kit gives you anything.

Btw, I'm not whining or complaining. Just discussing

Google Is My Friend.

 

[AJ]

Say,

Anyone ever assemble the Velleman Kits from Jameco? Namely stuff like
radio transmitters and receivers:

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...toreId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=117604

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...toreId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=211772


While it seems that assembling each kit will provide a working (and
useful) device, I don't know that it will really *teach* anything.
Each link above also has a link for the manual, but after looking at
the pdf, it seems like it's just a matter of "solder this, then solder
this, then solder this, and you have a device. If it doesn't work,
then try these couple of things, but after that, you're on your own.".


Might be up to the ARRL manual to learn about radio stuff, eh?

I kind of agree, I have purchased heaps of kits in my younger years that
have mentioned every part of the circuit and what it is doing but doesn't
break it down enough to have a full understanding of how it actually works.

Regards


AJ