I'm into Home Automation and currently using an RFXCom 433 transceiver with Domoticz on a Raspberry pi.
There are a few new devices I've got though and am thinking of trying RFLink which runs on an Arduino Mega with an RF 433 transceiver kit. The problem is that I'm not good at soldering and don't have a soldering iron etc, so I'm wondering if there's a way of connecting the transceiver to the Arduino without soldering?
I see that the various transceivers or transmitters and receivers have pins on them. Can I simply push the pins into the holes on the Mega, or do they have to be soldered?
Hope this makes sense, but if you need any more details or if I've posted this in the wrong place then just let me know.
It is not difficult to learn to solder, and when properly soldered, your projects will be vastly more reliable. Adafruit, Sparkfun and others offer excellent tutorials.
As a first step to connect everything you could use Dupont wires. Male to Female since you got a Mega. They are cheap and you can reuse them.
If you later on decides to use a PCB, then you need to have it soldered. There are protoboards, or you can make a layout and have a PCB house manufacture it (and even solder components if you want).
With "small connections" soldering is sometimes the only option... If electronics is going to be your hobby you should have a soldering iron, a multimeter, and a few other little special tools like wire cutters.
I don't know the details of your hardware but here are some Ideas:
I've built a few permanent projects with breadboards. (There was still some soldering.) (1) I've got a couple of gizmos that have been working for decades!
I've built a couple of power supplies, making the connections with this type of screw-terminal block.. They come in different sizes (with more terminals) and you can cut them to whatever you need with a hacksaw.
Electricians use wire nuts to connect two or more wires. They can be used with resistors & capacitors and other components that have leads. Usually you need to use shrink tubing (or other tubing) to insulate the exposed part of the leads.
Crimp terminals can also be used to connect wires and components with leads (you need a crimp tool). Or crimp-on quick-disconnects can be used if you want the ability to un-plug the connection.
(1) I wasn't trying to avoid soldering... I was avoiding making a custom PC board, which was ridiculously expensive a few decades ago.
Since then I've designed a couple of custom boards (and had them fabricated by Seeed Studios). But they use through-hole connections. I DO try to avoid surface-mount soldering!
Some really useful replies and very quickly! Thanks very much!
I've just picked the most recent post to reply to as it's easier to do a general reply than respond to each post specifically - hope this is ok?
Whilst I'd love to make a hobby out of electronics, I simply don't have the time at the moment for more than a bit of tinkering, so for now this is a one off project.
That's not to say it might grow into more, time and funds permitting
From all the advice here I think Dupont wires are the way to go - either directly connecting them to the Mega or more likely using a breadboard - I'll need to get an enclosure at some point but that can wait till I've got it up and running.
Yes it's costs more, but frustration have a price too. I've been there, and this breadboard from Busboard is a breeze to work with. The Elegoo was a suggestion from Amazon, and I like it since Elegoo are well known, and here you get 40 + 40 long female to male jumper wires.
Going with that I don't think I need a breadboard at all but will keep your suggestion in mind for the future as no doubt I'll probably want to start tinkering more
EDIT - Back to the drawing board as the NRF24L01 is only for a specific set of sensors so will probably go with the breadboard once I find the right module.
Spending the time to learn to solder will pay big dividends to you in the long run. Do not be foolish, if you are serious get a good iron, one that is temperature controlled and at least 50 watts. Also get a small assortment of tips and an extra heating unit for it. Use name brand solder in the 60/40 range that has a rosin core for starting.
Solder is a eutectic bond and it has to get hot enough to flow like water to fill the joint. If it is not smooth and shiny it is probably a bad joint. This will take several sessions to learn. Get some scrap boards and practice.
