Introduction 1
Book I: Getting Started with Electronics 7
Chapter 1: Entering the Exciting World of Electronics 9
Chapter 2: Understanding Electricity 21
Chapter 3: Creating Your Own Mad-Scientist Lab 37
Chapter 4: Staying Safe 59
Chapter 5: Reading Schematic Diagrams 69
Chapter 6: Building Your Own Electronic Projects 83
Chapter 7: Uncovering the Secrets of Successful Soldering 115
Chapter 8: Measuring Circuits with a Multimeter 127
Chapter 9: Catching Waves with an Oscilloscope 141
Book II: Working with Basic Electronic Components 153
Chapter 1: Working with Basic Circuits 155
Chapter 2: Working with Resistors 197
Chapter 3: Working with Capacitors 227
Chapter 4: Working with Inductors 249
Chapter 5: Working with Diodes and LEDs 261
Chapter 6: Working with Transistors 287
Book III: Working with Integrated Circuits 313
Chapter 1: Introducing Integrated Circuits 315
Chapter 2: The Fabulous 555 Timer Chip 327
Chapter 3: Working with Op Amps 363
Book IV: Getting into Alternating Current 383
Chapter 1: Understanding Alternating Current 385
Chapter 2: Working with Mains Voltage 397
Chapter 3: Supplying Power for Your Electronics Projects 409
Book V: Working with Radio and Infrared 421
Chapter 1: Tuning in to Radio 423
Chapter 2: Building a Crystal Radio 437
Chapter 3: Working with Infrared 449
Book VI: Doing Digital Electronics 467
Chapter 1: Understanding Digital Electronics 469
Chapter 2: Getting Logical 483
Chapter 3: Putting Logic Circuits to Work 505
Chapter 4: Interfacing to Your Computer's Parallel Port 535
Chapter 5: Getting the Hang of Flip-Flops 567
Book VII: Working with BASIC Stamp Processors 591
Chapter 1: Introducing Microcontrollers and the BASIC Stamp 593
Chapter 2: Programming in PBASIC 615
Chapter 3: Discovering More PBASIC Programming Tricks 641
Chapter 4: Adding Sound and Motion to Your BASIC Stamp Projects 661
Book VIII: Having Fun with Special Effects 679
Chapter 1: Synchronising Sight and Sound with a Colour-Organ Circuit 681
Chapter 2: Unearthing Hidden Treasure with a Handy Metal Detector 693
Chapter 3: Making Light Dance to the Music 713
Chapter 4: Hacking a Toy to Make a Talking Puppet 741
Index 767
