State of Electronics

Episode 1 - Australia contributes in the field with many world changing innovations, including such inventions as WiFi, The Blackbox Flight recorder, The Cochlear Ear Implant, The Electronic Pacemaker, Ultrasound, Distance Measuring Equipment for Aircraft and the revolutionary software that would become Google Maps to mention just a select few!

Episode 2 - In “State of Electronics - Getting Started” the conversation begins … Often simply being exposed to a new skill, an idea or curiosity begins a life long passion. In this episode, people recount how they got started and subsequently hooked on “electronics”.

Episode 3 - The conversation turns to the hobby years ... Lots of funny anecdotes about dealing with hundreds of volts and being stimulated on earthen floors, kit building, Tuning the TV into the Taxi channel, early projects that while fun had questionable use and a lot more. The cast of "State of Electronics" talk about their funny moments while on the journey of personal discovery in the field of electronics.

Episode 4 - We look at the phenomenon of "kits" - the introduction to making electronic devices. Kits are produced by companies to make electronics easy for beginners. The participants of "State of Electronics" recount their experience with building kits, producing kits and how it helped shape their future

Episode 5 - In this weeks episode, we look at the role of the magazines. Magazines helped to bond the electronic community, by providing resources for people interested in learning electronics, uniting the industry leaders and provided a vehicle for those wishing to advertise products and services. Historically, magazines were critically important to those practicing the art of electronics and introduced technologies, construction methods and ideas to many. Today there is just one magazine produced in Australia - Silicon Chip Magazine. In part 2, we look at the effects of the internet and the future of magazines. Visit siliconchip.com.au and talkingelectronics.com for more about the magazines

Episode 6 - In this weeks episode, we conclude "The Role of the Magazines" and look at how things are changing. The effect of the internet, alternative sources of information such as the "Hackerspaces" phenomena, online forums such as the EEVBlog and the importance of retaining Australia's only hobby electronics magazine "Silicon Chip" are all discussed .

Episode 7 - In this episode, we look at how people acquired components, to make electronic devices. Some people were loaned components (or old radios), while others had to "dumpster dive" or scavenge on the Tip, while yet others dragged Billy Carts along their streets, picking up discarded TV's, Radios and HiFi equipment for parts. In the past, Disposal Stores sold ex military equipment, which could be stripped for components, while Junk shops and Surplus stores sold off massive back catalogues of parts to anyone interested. While new parts were expensive, used ones were plentiful

Episode 8 - This week, we look at the early years of "Electronics Retailing". "The Dusty Years" is about the struggle for early hobbyists in the field of electronics, in sourcing components. It follows on from their initial steps in scavenging for parts at the Tip, council pickup days & donation of parts by looking at how new parts were sourced pre 1970. Early electronics stores were mostly over the counter experiences, served by "dusty" people and old school professionalism. To the young enthusiast, these early retail experiences were intimidating and inefficient but were quite literally their only choices.

Episode 9 - The conversation continues by exploring the 1970's & early 80's when the retailing of electronics to hobbyists exploded onto the Australian scene. This period saw the rise of Dick Smith and his retail chain "Dick Smith Electronics" as well as many others who reinvigorated the industry. Gone were the dusty days of "over the counter" electronics and in was "self service". It also heralded the marketing of Electronics, with advertising campaigns, marketing stunts, catalogues and more. In a future "in-focus special" on Dick Smith, we will explore the techniques and marketing tricks he used in more detail, plus cover some great stories too long to include in this episode.

Episode 10 - Australia contributes in the field with many world changing innovations, including such inventions as WiFi, The Blackbox Flight recorder, The Cochlear Ear Implant, The Electronic Pacemaker, Ultrasound, Distance Measuring Equipment for Aircraft and the revolutionary software that would become Google Maps to mention just a select few!

Episode 11 - We ask the question, has there been a decline in hobby electronics since the 1970's & 80's? For the participants, it was hard to differentiate between hobby & industrial electronics and the definition between the two practices is blurred. When asked why there was a decline many stated that it wasn't really a decline but rather a shift or change within the industry. Manufacturing of consumer goods in Australia has stopped, putting many suppliers of components out of business. Those that remain feel it's shrinking state, even today. They mention globalisation, the shift overseas for manufacturing, a change in technology that creates a divergence between the kinds of parts hobbyists use and that used by industry. ……

Episode 12 - We ask, has complexity and integration made things harder for anyone interested in learning about electronics? As innovations in electronics leads to discrete components being integrated into miniaturised circuits (known as "Integrated Circuits"), the march of time sees whole IC's being integrated into even more specially miniaturised package, providing even greater functionality with less components.

Episode 13 - In 2010, we asked our participants "Australians and other people from all over the world are super keen to get technology into their hands as soon as it is released, and yet, do they understand how it works? Do people understand technology? Can you even get an education in technology (circa 2010)? Are we heading towards a technological blackhole when it comes to the youth of today? With mass consumerism, complexity and integration as major factors, kids these days appear not to be interested in learning about "how things work" ... or are they?