Jinx wrote:
> 
> I do try and get rid of useful surplus (multi-strand cable, LEDs,caps
> etc) to the local high school, as well as spare mdf. As long as I don't
> dump rubbish on them they're appreciative

When I was 10, my dad brought home some dead audio/video stuff for me to 
look at and take apart.  I learned lots of "the big picture" about 
electronics from that.  Then I set out down the street with my wagon and 
went door to door asking for old non-working radios, etc.  About 10 
houses down the street, the garage door was open and a guy comes out to 
see what I want.  Turns out he did a small business repairing radios and 
TV's in his garage and had a stack of dead stuff to take to the dump. 
He gave me enough to fill my wagon and said if I needed help to come ask.

I had just built my first transistor amplifier (used a 2N170 and a 
2N107) and took it down to him to see if it worked.  It did. His 
encouragement lasted me a lifetime.

So if you know of kids who have an interest in electronics, give 'em 
your old stuff - they will love it.

Now if I only still had that good 'ol CK722...

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