MER Clinic: Intro to Basic Electronics for Model Railroaders

If you would like to know the basics of how those mysterious little devices called ?solid state electronic components? work this is the clinic for you. In the first part, the presenter will explain in easy to understand language just how diodes, resistors, LEDs, transistors, capacitors and all the other basic devices of the space age do their things. Digital logic, the science of ?ones and nones?, will also be presented. The presentation will be based on a power point presentation, but will also include interactive material and audience participation. The second part of the clinic continues with designing and building some fairly simple electronic circuits that can be very useful on your model railroad. You will be shown how to design a circuit, transfer that design to a printed circuit board and actually create your own printed circuits. Examples of useful circuits included are crossing signal flashers, optical occupancy detection, three aspect semaphore drivers, and traffic light controllers. Finally, tools, materials, techniques, and sources of supply will be presented.

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