starter kits for radios and electronics

[Trigger Mike]

My sin has interest in tinkering and I want to foster that into electronics and radios. I recall radio shack sells starter kits for children, I just do not know what to look for having never been sent in that direction myself. Any help in what to look for and buy for his birthday would be appreciated. He is 8

[BONEYARD BILL, SASS #39,030]

Sure - I remember those things - it was fun to put them together - and then - you had a little radio - that you built yourself.

 

Go to Google or Bing - and type in:

 

"do it yourself radio build kits for children"

 

That will give you some choices anyway - I recall that Heath Kit was one of the brands that was popular.

 

Good luck - 8 years old is a tough age to buy for.

 

- Boneyard

[Eyesa Horg]

Built some neat "Heathkit" thing when I was young and became a TV/Stereo tech. for many years back in the 70's-80's. The alarm clock was an easy project. Don't know if "Heathkit" still exists however.

[Branchwater Jack SASS #88854]

I have used Ramsey for kits and parts with great results:

 

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/

 

They used to have a line of kids kits...

 

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/Ramsey-Electronics-AM-Radio-Kit/dp/B0002NRJD6?class=quickView&field_availability=-1&field_browse=6290120011&field_keywords=fm+kit&id=Ramsey+Electronics+AM+Radio+Kit&ie=UTF8&refinementHistory=brandtextbin%2Csubjectbin%2Cprice&searchKeywords=fm+kit&searchNodeID=6290120011&searchPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12

 

This is a radio learn kit. Solderless. Might be appropriate for an 8 yo...

[Dawg Hair, SASS #29557]

Try www.scientificsonline.com.

 

[Yul Lose]

Trigger Mike, there are kits like you want available on ebay, but many times they are missing key components.

[Sparky Nelson]

Radio Shack has some great kits right now, but they're going to be closing a bunch of stores. Get 'em while you can.

 

Velleman kits (http://www.vellemanusa.com/products/list/?id=342509) has a bunch of kits ranging from simple to elaborate. Many involve soldering. Adafruit industries (http://www.adafruit.com/) is another great place.

 

Of course, learning to solder is always a useful skill: http://www.makershed.com/product_p/mkel4.htm

 

If you want to encourage an interest in radio, give him a shortwave receiver and let him stay up all night listening to international broadcasters. It's what my dad did for me, and I turned out okay.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

Try www.scientificsonline.com.

 

I have dealt with Edmund Scientifics for years. They always have something I want.

[Trigger Mike]

they do have some neat stuff. thanks.

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

I have dealt with Edmund Scientifics for years. They always have something I want.

 

Yup. Always have.

 

I'm still kickin' myself for not orderin' up some of them surplus tank periscopes and an aircraft sextant when I was a kid...

[Stubborn Dutchman, SASS # 61363]

Try this link,

 

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1

 

They have many kits for electronics and robotics, as well as parts.