I was lucky as my Father and Uncle passed on their experience to me when I should have been chasing girls around the oval. I completed a "Basic Electronics Certificate" and then an "Advanced Electronics Certificate" at RMIT over 3 years. I loved the course - I think it is a diploma nowadays. But it sets the foundation of the basics - AC, DC, Amplifiers, Op Amps, power supplies, digital - I really enjoyed it. But these courses need the experience you get from tinkering. I broke a lot of things and copped my fair share of electric shocks - all part of the learning process !
When RGP and Marvin's site came along - it REALLY opened the doors to home repairs. I think Clay and Steve Young did a lot to get the home market going. The Marvin Repair Guides were the holy bible.
The best way to learn is to get your hands dirty and ask questions here. I'm still learning new things every day, and that's what keeps it interesting for me !
