<p>Hey guys I have a question for everybody. Im a full time student that does not work and looking for hobbies in electronics/software that I am able to work on at home while taking breaks from studying. A little background info from me: I have a BS In BMET, got accepted to U of H to work on my BSECE than eventually work on my MS in BME but havent decided on my specialization yet. So I have a very basic understanding of electronic circuits, circuit analysis, analog/digital signal processing, and C++. Anyways, I was wondering if anybody knows of any good electronic kit websites that I can browse through. Maybe a kit that allows me to build more than one project. I also like to learn how to use Labview and VHDL. Does anybody know of any downloads or cheap books w/CD that I can buy? Ive found MIT on iTunes and their OpenCourseWare which is really helpful w/my studying, but Ive always been the type of person that needs a book. If there is already threads about this subject its cool if you can post those too just so we dont have to repeat the same discussion. Im just looking for something to do in my spare time that I can apply my knowlege. Thanks guys.</p>
<p>You should definitely talk to your department chair and ask what research projects he (or any of your other profs, including profs in the graduate department) is working on right now. Chances are, they would be thrilled to have your help. Plus, genuine research work is invaluable on your resume. I can’t overstate this enough.</p>
<p>Does your school have a ham radio station? Ham radio is a good hobby for electronically-inclined people.</p>
<p>This is a good website/store for embedded system hobbists: [SparkFun</a> Electronics - News](<a href=“http://www.sparkfun.com%5DSparkFun”>http://www.sparkfun.com)</p>
<p>They have good microcontroller kits for beginners called Arduino’s. I would suggest googling that for more information.</p>
<p>Teach yourself how to play Theremin!</p>
<p>I have the perfect website for you.</p>
<p>[Hack</a> N Mod - Amazingly Cool Hacks, Mods, and DIY Projects](<a href=“http://hacknmod.com/]Hack”>http://hacknmod.com/)</p>
<p>If you’re genuinely interested in doing these awesome little projects then I’m sure you’ll find everything you’d want here (I know I am, and I love this website).</p>
<p>You might want to learn to use a basic microprocessor. There are a few companies that put out boards that can even be programmed in BASIC. For example:</p>
<p>[BASIC</a> Stamp Programming Kit Comparison](<a href=“http://www.parallax.com/tabid/234/Default.aspx]BASIC”>http://www.parallax.com/tabid/234/Default.aspx)
[Arduino</a> - HomePage](<a href=“http://www.arduino.cc/]Arduino”>http://www.arduino.cc/)</p>
<p>You can do some really fun stuff with those boards.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies so far. BASIC Stamp Programming Kit Comparison was a cool website to look at. Alot of info and of course I went straight to robotics lol. That website is a good example of what Im looking for. Has anybody heard of a Dragon12-Plus Board? Thats a good example of an embedded board thats good for beginners [Wytec</a> HCS12 development board/boards: Dragon12](<a href=“http://www.evbplus.com/hcs12.html]Wytec”>Wytec HCS12 development board/boards: Dragon12)</p>
<p>I have to ask, other than CC does anyone else go to places like physicsforums.com? or Any other engineering related forums. I would like to know which ones are good.</p>
<p>Are you really certain you want to stick to EE hobbies if you’re majoring in it? There’s nothing wrong with messing around with EE stuff but make sure you keep some non-EE hobbies as well. I find people who can turn off “engineering mode” are substantially more interesting, social people to hang out with.</p>
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<p>There is definitely some overlap with the PF membership. My name there is totally different than here, however, and I do not post there frequently because it is heavily geared toward physicists and homework solving.</p>
<p>I totally understand where you are coming from Purdue. I think it is essential to have outside hobbies other than what you are studying. In my opinion if you dont, you might get burned out and it might possibly affect your grades/career goals. Believe it or not I really dont have an EE hobby,thats why I posted the thread just to get some ideas. I do play guitar, take cooking classes with my fiancee’, workout etc. So I do social and always meet interesting people, which by the way is a good way of networking. Its really just something to do in my off time from studying, not for a research project for my school or anything like that. I just want to apply what Ive learned so far to something that I can do in my garage or office. Do you know of any websites or ideas Purdue? Really some kinda of kit that I can mess around with when Im bored.</p>