How can I learn how to fix equipment

First Rule, Make sure the power is off. Practice and read.

Most kits today are designed to give you an easy-to-build quality product. Heathkits were primarily designed to teach you how the thing worked, and most of them were not of the highest level of performance. But that's how I learned about circuits, long before I took any formal EE education.

It's certainly a much more sensible and attainable goal than do it yourself neurosurgery or neurosurgery in eight weeks at home.

Thanks for the advise, I wonder if anybody knows of a home study program? Trouble shoot is what I would like to know, and maybe what I could do to up-grade a piece.

For mechanical repairs, the self-help approach might work well. For electrical repairs, look for a local community college and sign up for a course in repairing electronics. You will learn a lot faster with a good teacher than you will on your own. They will also teach you how to avoid killing yourself in the process of sticking your hands into high voltage equipment. I was surprised at the fireworks possible from a capacitor in an amp that had been off for two weeks. Good thing I did not need those parts.