🚀 go-pugleaf

Here's a list of questions that I see over and over again.  So
I'm starting a frequently asked questions list for sci.electronics.
I'll gladly turn this over to anyone who has a strong interest
in maintaining it, but I'm willing to get it started.

So here are a few questions.  I'll merge in answers sent to me, and repost.

BUILDING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

1.   How do you make PC boards?  (Answers should be aimed at small volume
     low-cost applications).

2.   What public-domain software is available for laying out PC boards?

3.   Where do you buy electronic parts in small quantities?

4.   What magazines should one read to keep up in the field and where do you
     get them?

5.   Where can one get electronics kits?

6.   What public-domain tools are available for electronic design and
     simulation?

7.   How do you work with surface-mount devices?

SPECIFIC COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS

1.   Where do you get info and parts for the Motorola 68HC11 series 
     microcontrollers?

2.   Where do you get info and parts for the Intel 8051 series 
     microcontrollers?

3.   Where do you get ultrasonic sonars?

4.   Where do you get BSR/X10 controllers and accessories?

THEORY

1.   How does spread spectrum radio work?

This is just a beginning.  Questions and answers are welcome, and I will
collate the results and generate a new FAQ message around 1 September.

Questions concerning ham radio, telecommunications, networks, encryption,
and legal issues should probably be dealt with in the newsgroups more
specifically aimed at those subjects, so if questions on those subjects
come up, they'll probably be handled by reference to another group.

					John Nagle