IMSAI Guy · youtube.com/@IMSAIGuy

Beginner Learning Path

New to electronics? Start at video 1 and work your way down — 48 videos in 7 stages, from what a transistor does to reading a Smith chart. No math degree required. Go do!

1

Core Components

What the parts actually do — transistors, inductors, rectifiers, and friends.

  1. #834 Basics: Transistor (1 of 3) watch ▸
  2. #835 Basics: Transistor (2 of 3) watch ▸
  3. #836 Basics: Transistor (3 of 3) watch ▸
  4. #827 Basics: NPN PNP and Oreo Cookies watch ▸
  5. #832 Basics: Inductor Self Resonance watch ▸
  6. #772 Basics: Bridge Rectifier Visualized watch ▸
  7. #768 Basics: What is a Triac? watch ▸
  8. #769 Basics: Opto-coupler Opto-isolator watch ▸
  9. #727 Basics: Voltage Doubler Circuit watch ▸
2

The 555 and Simple Circuits

First real circuits with the most famous chip ever made.

  1. #729 Basics: 555 Timer (part 1 of 2) watch ▸
  2. #730 Basics: 555 Timer (part 2 of 2) watch ▸
  3. #771 Basics: Using a 555 to Control On Off Push Switches watch ▸
  4. #2227 Basics: Pulse Width Modulation PWM watch ▸
3

Power Supplies

Every project needs one. Linear, switching, regulators, and boost converters.

  1. #711 Basics: Power Supply (part 1 of 5) watch ▸
  2. #712 Basics: Power Supply (part 2 of 5) watch ▸
  3. #713 Basics: Power Supply (part 3 of 5) watch ▸
  4. #714 Basics: Power Supply (part 4 of 5) watch ▸
  5. #715 Basics: Power Supply (part 5 of 5) watch ▸
  6. #1883 Linear Power Supply Basics (part 1 of 2) watch ▸
  7. #1884 Linear Power Supply Basics (part 2 of 2) watch ▸
  8. #1090 Basics: Voltage Regulator watch ▸
  9. #1480 What is low dropout? watch ▸
  10. #772 Basics: Switching Power Supplies (part 1 of 2) watch ▸
  11. #773 Basics: Switching Power Supplies (part 2 of 2) watch ▸
  12. #689 DC-DC Boost Converter Basics (part 1 of 3) watch ▸
  13. #690 DC-DC Boost Converter Basics (part 2 of 3) watch ▸
  14. #691 DC-DC Boost Converter Basics (part 3 of 3) watch ▸
4

Using Your Test Equipment

The oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer are your eyes. Learn to trust them.

  1. #1256 Basics: Oscilloscope Probes watch ▸
  2. #1257 Basics: How to use an Oscilloscope watch ▸
  3. #1258 Basics: Oscilloscope Delayed Sweep watch ▸
  4. #855 Basics: Measure Current with an Oscilloscope watch ▸
  5. #1312 Transistor Curve Tracer Basics watch ▸
  6. #761 How to Measure Watts without a Watt Meter watch ▸
  7. #597 Spectrum Analyzer Basics (part 1 of 2) watch ▸
  8. #598 Spectrum Analyzer Basics (part 2 of 2) watch ▸
5

Op-amps

The building block of analog design.

  1. #858 OpAmp Demo Board Introduction watch ▸
  2. #1042 Input Offset Voltage in Op-amps and how to control it. watch ▸
6

Digital & Logic

Where analog meets the digital world.

  1. #2111 What is a Microprocessor vs Microcontroller watch ▸
  2. #756 Basics: PAL GAL Programmable Logic watch ▸
  3. #1107 CD4046 Phase Lock Loop Basics watch ▸
  4. #743 Basics: How Image Sensors Work watch ▸
7

Intro to RF

Decibels, Smith charts, and why transmission lines aren't just wires.

  1. #2001 What is a Decibel? watch ▸
  2. #848 What is a Bode Plot? watch ▸
  3. #903 Smith Chart Basics watch ▸
  4. #902 What is a 1/4 Wave Stub and Why Does it Work watch ▸
  5. #1490 What is a Repeater? watch ▸
  6. #599 What is a Return Loss Bridge? watch ▸
  7. #363 NANOVNA How it works theory of operation watch ▸