Electronics Projects For Dummies

These projects are fun to build and fun to use Make lights dance to music, play with radio remote control, or build your own metal detector Who says the Science Fair has to end? If you love building gadgets, this book belongs on your radar. Here are complete directions for building ten cool creations that involve light, sound, or vibrations -- a weird microphone, remote control gizmos, talking toys, and more, with full parts and tools lists, safety guidelines, and wiring schematics. Check out ten cool electronics projects, including * Chapter 8 -- Surfing the Radio Waves (how to make your own radio) * Chapter 9 -- Scary Pumpkins (crazy Halloween decorations that have sound, light, and movement) * Chapter 12 -- Hitting Paydirt with an Electronic Metal Detector (a project that can pay for itself) Discover how to * Handle electronic components safely * Read a circuit diagram * Troubleshoot circuits with a multimeter * Build light-activated gadgets * Set up a motion detector * Transform electromagnetic waves into sound Companion Web site * Go to www.dummies.com/go/electronicsprojectsfd * Explore new projects with other electronics hobbyists * Find additional information and project opportunities

Introduction 1 Part I: Project Prep 5 Chapter 1: Exploring the World of Electronics Projects 7 Chapter 2: Safety First 17 Chapter 3: Assembling Your Electronics Arsenal 31 Chapter 4: Running Down the Skills You Need 59 Part II: Sounding Off! 85 Chapter 5: Making Light Dance to the Music 87 Chapter 6: Focusing Sound with a Parabolic Microphone 115 Chapter 7: Murmuring Merlin 139 Chapter 8: Surfing the Airwaves 165 Part III: Let There Be Light 185 Chapter 9: Scary Pumpkins 187 Chapter 10: Dancing Dolphins 215 Chapter 11: Controlling a Go-Kart Infrared Style 239 Part IV: Good Vibrations 279 Chapter 12: A Handy-Dandy Metal Detector 281 Chapter 13: Sensitive Sam Walks the Line 301 Chapter 14: Couch Pet-ato 343 Part V: The Part of Tens 361 Chapter 15: Ten Great Parts Suppliers 363 Chapter 16: Ten Great Electronics Resources 369 Chapter 17: Ten Specialized Electronics Resources 375 Glossary 381 Index 391