> the biggest limiting factor is not really skill, but cost Can we put a number on the cost? Seems to me like if you want a "serious amateur" electronics lab

> the biggest limiting factor is not really skill, but cost Can we put a number on the cost? Seems to me like if you want a "serious amateur" electronics lab for doing things like prototyping boards with BGA components then you need a budget of around $300 - $1500. Price depends on whether you want cheap-and-cheerful starter kits that will eventually be replaced verses professional stuff that ought to last for decades. On the one hand that's real money but on the other hand that's also what it costs to buy a new laptop or travel to a conference.