At 03:33 PM 10/9/2009, Doug Braun wrote:
>Back when Radio Shacks had a reasonable selection of electronic components,
>they were often the only place in town. Now anybody can get anything
>mail-order from the Internet. And there are lots distributors that gladly
>take small orders, or orders from individuals.
>And data sheets? Before the Web, hobbyists had to cajole or bluff their way
>with sales reps to get a copy. Now you just download them.
>The only problem now is that you can't actually build anything,
since all the
>parts are tiny and surface-mounted...
Doug,
You can say that again. Back some 45 yrs ago, when I first got in to
ham radio
we used to have 4 electronics houses in town, besides Radio Shack. You could
get coil forms, variable caps, anything to build or fix a
radio. Today, we're down to one place, and they don't stock much,
cable, and some stuff in plastic bags. :(
I used to enjoy building Heath Kit equipment. At least you could
repair it. But
then came the ICs, computer chips, and surface mount parts. :( Now you're
lucky if you can get a replacement board for a piece of equipment.
John
John T. Blair WA4OHZ email: jblair1948@cox.net
Va. Beach, Va
Phone: (757) 495-8229
48 TR1800 48 #4 Midget 65 Morgan 4/4 Series V (B1106)
75 Bricklin SV1 (#0887) 77 Spitfire 71 Saab Sonett III
65 Rambler Classic
Morgan: www.team.net/www/morgan
Bricklin: www.bricklin.org
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