Electronics


Electronics
BSA Supply No. 35003

Electronics is the science that controls the behavior of electrons so that some type of useful function is performed. Today, electronics is a fast-changing and exciting field.

Requirements

  1. Describe the safety precautions you must exercise when using, building, altering, or repairing electronic devices.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Draw a simple schematic diagram. It must show resistors, capacitors, and transistors or integrated circuits. Use the correct symbols. Label all parts.
    2. Tell the purpose of each part.
  3. Do the following:
    1. Show the right way to solder and desolder.
    2. Show how to avoid heat damage to electronic components.
    3. Tell about the function of a printed circuit board. Tell what precautions should be observed when soldering printed circuit boards.
  4. Discuss each of the following with your merit badge counselor, and then choose ONE of the following and build a circuit to show the techniques used:
    1. Tell how you can use electronics for a control purpose, and then build a control device circuit.
    2. Tell about the basic principles of digital techniques, and then build a digital circuit. Show how to change three decimal numbers into binary numbers and three binary numbers into decimal numbers.
    3. Tell about three audio applications of electronics, and then build an audio circuit.
    Show how to read the schematic diagram of the project you chose and, to the best of your ability, explain to your counselor how the circuit you built operates.
  5. Do the following:
    1. Show how to solve a simple problem involving current, voltage, and resistance using Ohm's law.
    2. Tell about the need for and the use of test equipment in electronics. Name three types of test equipment. Tell how they operate.
  6. Find out about three career opportunities in electronics that interest you. Discuss with and explain to your counselor what training and education are needed for each position.

Resources

Scouting Literature

Computers, Electricity, and Radio merit badge pamphlets

Books

Magazines

Nuts & Volts
430 Princeland Court
Corona, CA 92879
Toll-free telephone: 800-783-4624
Web site: http://www.nutsvolts.com

Popular Science

P.O. Box 6001
Tampa, FL 33660-0001
Toll-free telephone: 800-289-9399
Web site: http://www.popsci.com

Organizations and Web Sites

Electronics Parts and Suppliers

In most places, Radio Shack stores can be the best source for electronics parts. However, most Radio Shacks have reduced their parts inventories, which means you might have to look elsewhere to find all the parts you need for a project (or check out their Web site, http://www.radioshack.com). Electronics parts and kits also can be ordered over the Internet or via mail or toll-free telephone from various suppliers.

Allied Electronics
7410 Pebble Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76118
Toll-free telephone: 800-433-5700
Web site: http://www.alliedelec.com

C and H Sales Company
2176 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
Toll-free telephone: 800-325-9465
Web site: http://www.aaaim.com/CandH

Carl's Electronics
P.O. Box 182
Sterling, MA 01564
Toll-free telephone: 800-439-1417
Web site: http://www.electronickits.com

Digi-Key Corporation
P.O. Box 677
Thief River Falls, MN 56701-0677
Toll-free telephone: 800-344-4539
Web site: http://www.digi-key.com

Electronic Kourseware Interactive
P.O. Box 1657
Kyle, TX 78640
Toll-free telephone: 800-453-1708
Web site: http://www.eki.com/default.asp

Hobbytron.com
1216 South 1580 West, Suite B
Orem, UT 84058
Toll-free telephone: 800-494-1778
Web site: http://www.hobbytron.com

MCM Electronics
650 Congress Park Drive
Centerville, OH 45459
Toll-free telephone: 800-543-4330
Web site: http://www.mcmelectronics.com

Mouser Electronics
2401 Highway 287 North
Mansfield, TX 76063
Toll-free telephone: 800-346-6873
Web site: http://www.mouser.com


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