FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/17/news...reut/index.htm

A pity, *perhaps*: they still did carry one or two items of use to radio
amateurs, and without requiring a long drive or paying more for shipping
than for the item.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

I sent an E-mail to their CEO and told them that being as how they no had
anything in their stores that was actually related to *RADIO* of any
discription, that perhaps they needed to re-think their name....."Cheap Junk
Shack" comes to mind.

-n6ojn

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/17/news...reut/index.htm

A pity, *perhaps*: they still did carry one or two items of use to radio
amateurs, and without requiring a long drive or paying more for shipping
than for the item.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

On 02/18/06 11:52 am Percival P. Cassidy wrote:

http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/17/news...reut/index.htm

A pity, *perhaps*: they still did carry one or two items of use to radio
amateurs, and without requiring a long drive or paying more for shipping
than for the item.

Hey! I just noticed that in the subject line I wrote "Radio SChack"
(note the extra "c"). Perhaps my subconscious was telling me that it's
really "Radio Schlock."

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006, Noon-Air wrote:

I sent an E-mail to their CEO and told them that being as how they no had
anything in their stores that was actually related to *RADIO* of any
discription, that perhaps they needed to re-think their name....."Cheap Junk
Shack" comes to mind.

-n6ojn

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/17/news...reut/index.htm

A pity, *perhaps*: they still did carry one or two items of use to radio
amateurs, and without requiring a long drive or paying more for shipping
than for the item.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)


Well I for one can understand partly the reason why. It was nigh
impossible to get a Radio Shack catalog in any way shape or form. This was
and is a big part of why we dont use Radio Shack much any longer.
I managed to get one or 2 old catalogs by asking each Radio Shack
if they had old ones under the counter they could give me. This
is why I petitioned "Mouser" for a catalog and they put me on their
list so I should be getting an updated catalog every quarter.
Joe

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Well, at least Radio Shack doesn't sell the "Trash 80" anymore.

"Joseph Fenn" wrote in message
a.net...
[stuff]
Well I for one can understand partly the reason why. It was nigh
impossible to get a Radio Shack catalog in any way shape or form. This
was
and is a big part of why we dont use Radio Shack much any longer.
I managed to get one or 2 old catalogs by asking each Radio Shack
if they had old ones under the counter they could give me. This
is why I petitioned "Mouser" for a catalog and they put me on their
list so I should be getting an updated catalog every quarter.
Joe

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

In article ,
"Noon-Air" wrote:

I sent an E-mail to their CEO and told them that being as how they no had
anything in their stores that was actually related to *RADIO* of any
discription, that perhaps they needed to re-think their name....."Cheap Junk
Shack" comes to mind.

-n6ojn


The parts I've bought have been good quality. The alternative is to buy
on the internet from Mouser, DigiKey ect. You will pay postage and
shipping and it will be far less handy. If I need a phono jack or plug
now, I can drive a mile and a half and have it here in 20 minutes. From
a mail order place the shipping will cost more than the part and it will
take several days. I also like their scanners.

I hope they don't close the R/S near me.






"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/17/news...reut/index.htm

A pity, *perhaps*: they still did carry one or two items of use to radio
amateurs, and without requiring a long drive or paying more for shipping
than for the item.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

"Spirit&Opportunity" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Noon-Air" wrote:

I sent an E-mail to their CEO and told them that being as how they no had
anything in their stores that was actually related to *RADIO* of any
discription, that perhaps they needed to re-think their name....."Cheap
Junk
Shack" comes to mind.

-n6ojn


The parts I've bought have been good quality. The alternative is to buy
on the internet from Mouser, DigiKey ect. You will pay postage and
shipping and it will be far less handy. If I need a phono jack or plug
now, I can drive a mile and a half and have it here in 20 minutes. From
a mail order place the shipping will cost more than the part and it will
take several days. I also like their scanners.

I hope they don't close the R/S near me.

I guess I must be blessed as I have a "real" electronics parts house only
about 10 miles away... there are 4 RS stores between here and there. For me
its well worth it to drive the extra miles to get quality parts and
connectors. The last batch of PL-259s I got from RS were all garbage. Every
last one BROKE when screwed down even "finger tight". Their coax is *maybe*
50% shielded.... yeah, real top quality stuff at twice the price of Beldon
RG-8 foam at the "real" supply house. No I don't have a lot of use for RS
anymore.

-n6ojn

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006, Noon-Air wrote:


"Spirit&Opportunity" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Noon-Air" wrote:

I sent an E-mail to their CEO and told them that being as how they no had
anything in their stores that was actually related to *RADIO* of any
discription, that perhaps they needed to re-think their name....."Cheap
Junk
Shack" comes to mind.

-n6ojn


The parts I've bought have been good quality. The alternative is to buy
on the internet from Mouser, DigiKey ect. You will pay postage and
shipping and it will be far less handy. If I need a phono jack or plug
now, I can drive a mile and a half and have it here in 20 minutes. From
a mail order place the shipping will cost more than the part and it will
take several days. I also like their scanners.

I hope they don't close the R/S near me.

I guess I must be blessed as I have a "real" electronics parts house only
about 10 miles away... there are 4 RS stores between here and there. For me
its well worth it to drive the extra miles to get quality parts and
connectors. The last batch of PL-259s I got from RS were all garbage. Every
last one BROKE when screwed down even "finger tight". Their coax is *maybe*
50% shielded.... yeah, real top quality stuff at twice the price of Beldon
RG-8 foam at the "real" supply house. No I don't have a lot of use for RS
anymore.

-n6ojn

About the one who mentioned the expense of shipping vs Radio Shack
local stores. Dont forget the "sales" taxes in most states can
override that factor. We call them "Excise" tax in Hawaii and
believe me shipping from USA will be much cheaper than our
Excise taxes specially on the higher priced items.
KH6JF

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

For sure Nearly 10% sales tax here in Tenn.

I go to KY for much of my shopping and I plan on buying all my new radio
gear
via catalog OUT OF STATE. Free shipping most places.


"Joseph Fenn" wrote in message
va.net...


On Sat, 18 Feb 2006, Noon-Air wrote:


"Spirit&Opportunity" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Noon-Air" wrote:

I sent an E-mail to their CEO and told them that being as how they no
had
anything in their stores that was actually related to *RADIO* of any
discription, that perhaps they needed to re-think their name....."Cheap
Junk
Shack" comes to mind.

-n6ojn


The parts I've bought have been good quality. The alternative is to buy
on the internet from Mouser, DigiKey ect. You will pay postage and
shipping and it will be far less handy. If I need a phono jack or plug
now, I can drive a mile and a half and have it here in 20 minutes. From
a mail order place the shipping will cost more than the part and it will
take several days. I also like their scanners.

I hope they don't close the R/S near me.

I guess I must be blessed as I have a "real" electronics parts house only
about 10 miles away... there are 4 RS stores between here and there. For
me
its well worth it to drive the extra miles to get quality parts and
connectors. The last batch of PL-259s I got from RS were all garbage.
Every
last one BROKE when screwed down even "finger tight". Their coax is
*maybe*
50% shielded.... yeah, real top quality stuff at twice the price of
Beldon
RG-8 foam at the "real" supply house. No I don't have a lot of use for RS
anymore.

-n6ojn

About the one who mentioned the expense of shipping vs Radio Shack
local stores. Dont forget the "sales" taxes in most states can
override that factor. We call them "Excise" tax in Hawaii and
believe me shipping from USA will be much cheaper than our
Excise taxes specially on the higher priced items.
KH6JF

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

Mr Fed UP wrote:

I go to KY for much of my shopping and I plan on buying all my new
radio gear via catalog OUT OF STATE. Free shipping most places.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just bought an IC-756PRO III at GigaParts. Best price of anyone, no
sales tax (I'm in CA) and free shipping. Can't beat that.

73, BIll W6WRT

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Yes, just like all Hoosiers do the same in Indiana!

"Marco S Hyman" wrote in message
...
"Bill Turner" writes:

I just bought an IC-756PRO III at GigaParts. Best price of anyone, no
sales tax (I'm in CA) and free shipping. Can't beat that.

Technically, defefred sales tax. You are supposed to declare such
things on your state tax return where it is called a use tax. I'm
sure all Californians do just that :-)

// marc

Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

John, N9JG wrote:
Well, at least Radio Shack doesn't sell the "Trash 80" anymore.

Nope Just trash

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Interesting to hear all these comments about a company the US government has
provided valuable assistance from. While stationed overseas in Belgium, I
worked as a radio operator. One of the radio's we used was a Collins KWM2-A
transciever and it blew a tube and resistor on a vital communications link.
Within 15 minutes, a new one was acquired at a local Tandy store and up and
running. Our maintenance chief owes his Air Force Commendation Medal and a
great deal of thanks to them.

--
Chaplain (1LT) Lonnie J. Potter
Aide-de-Camp
Kentucky Brigade, Third Division
United States Corps of Chaplains

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

With all due respect Sir, I happy your boss got a gold plated "attaboy", but
I can't believe that your incident has happened in the last 5 years. If you
walk into a RS store in these parts(south Mississippi) and ask for a tube,
they will look at you like you are nuts.... then ask "A tube of what??".
Their employees are clueless if its not in the latest sale flier or the
catalog. Just in the last couple of weeks, I was looking for simple, basic
porcelin or glass "dog bone" insulators to build a counterpoise for a
verticle HF antenna. I walked in there with a picture of a couple of
different styles of insulators and they were totally baffled.... never heard
of them before, and never seen such. I got the same response from 4
(count'em FOUR) RS stores.

-n6ojn

USCG MK1 (ret)

wrote in message
. ..
Interesting to hear all these comments about a company the US government
has provided valuable assistance from. While stationed overseas in
Belgium, I worked as a radio operator. One of the radio's we used was a
Collins KWM2-A transciever and it blew a tube and resistor on a vital
communications link. Within 15 minutes, a new one was acquired at a local
Tandy store and up and running. Our maintenance chief owes his Air Force
Commendation Medal and a great deal of thanks to them.

--
Chaplain (1LT) Lonnie J. Potter
Aide-de-Camp
Kentucky Brigade, Third Division
United States Corps of Chaplains

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

"Noon-Air" wrote ...
With all due respect Sir, I happy your boss got a gold plated
"attaboy", but I can't believe that your incident has happened in the
last 5 years. If you walk into a RS store in these parts(south
Mississippi) and ask for a tube, they will look at you like you are
nuts.... then ask "A tube of what??". Their employees are clueless if
its not in the latest sale flier or the catalog. Just in the last
couple of weeks, I was looking for simple, basic porcelin or glass
"dog bone" insulators to build a counterpoise for a verticle HF
antenna. I walked in there with a picture of a couple of different
styles of insulators and they were totally baffled.... never heard of
them before, and never seen such. I got the same response from 4
(count'em FOUR) RS stores.

Its hard to get good help these days.
Maybe they thing there is more of a future in the
leather business.

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Guess I'm aging myself. This was back in 1983-1986. LOL

--
Chaplain (1LT) Lonnie J. Potter
Aide-de-Camp
Kentucky Brigade, Third Division
United States Corps of Chaplains
"Richard Crowley" wrote in message
...
"Noon-Air" wrote ...
With all due respect Sir, I happy your boss got a gold plated "attaboy",
but I can't believe that your incident has happened in the last 5 years.
If you walk into a RS store in these parts(south Mississippi) and ask for
a tube, they will look at you like you are nuts.... then ask "A tube of
what??". Their employees are clueless if its not in the latest sale flier
or the catalog. Just in the last couple of weeks, I was looking for
simple, basic porcelin or glass "dog bone" insulators to build a
counterpoise for a verticle HF antenna. I walked in there with a picture
of a couple of different styles of insulators and they were totally
baffled.... never heard of them before, and never seen such. I got the
same response from 4 (count'em FOUR) RS stores.

Its hard to get good help these days.
Maybe they thing there is more of a future in the
leather business.

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

plonnie wrote ...
Guess I'm aging myself. This was back in 1983-1986. LOL

Yes, that was back when they had BOTH...
1) Good help (folk who knew a resistor from their elbow)
2) Actual corporate cognizance of what the electronics
business is. In the last few years, it seems to me that
the management in Texas doesn't know (or care) whether
they are in the electronics business, or selling fried
chicken or furniture.

Interesting to see the rise and fall in my lifetime. As a
teenager in high school, I remember Radio Shack taking
over several of the local electronics stores in town (Orange
County, CA). To be sure, the ~schlock 5 resistors in a
plastic bag on a peg type places, not the really serious
electronics suppliers. RS never really had a "Golden
Era" IMHO, but they made it to Bronze there for a while.

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

On 02/20/06 02:56 am Richard Crowley wrote:

Guess I'm aging myself. This was back in 1983-1986. LOL

Yes, that was back when they had BOTH...
1) Good help (folk who knew a resistor from their elbow)
2) Actual corporate cognizance of what the electronics
business is. In the last few years, it seems to me that the management
in Texas doesn't know (or care) whether
they are in the electronics business, or selling fried
chicken or furniture.

US companies (*perhaps* companies in other countries too, but probably
to a lesser extent) don't care whether their CEOs know anything about
their particular products or services. Someone can go from a fast-food
co. to a computer co., to an automobile manufacturer, to a health-care
corporation, all the while knowing very little about the specifics of
the industry and getting a salary and benefits many times (hundreds of
times?) more than the CEO of a European company who actually has a
degree in electrical engineering or whatever is relevant to the
company's products.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

wrote:

One of the radio's we used was a Collins KWM2-A transciever and it
blew a tube and resistor on a vital communications link. Within 15
minutes, a new one was acquired at a local Tandy store and up and
running. Our maintenance chief owes his Air Force Commendation Medal
and a great deal of thanks to them.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your maintenance chief did not have a spare tube and resistor on hand
for a "vital communications link"? Had I been his superior, he would
have gotten something far different than a Commendation Medal!

Mr Bill

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Ref Radio Shack. does anybody on here remember the 1st Radio shack??
The one called "Boston Radio Shack". It was the only one in the
country and it was the original one. I was told the new Radio shack
bought out the rights to the title. The old Boston Radio Shack was
truly a hams delight back in the late 30's.
They had Catalogs available for a postage stamp too something
present day Radio Shacks no longer offer.
Joe

************************************************** ********
* Ham KH6JF AARS/MARS ABM6JF QCWA WW2 VET WD RADIO SYSTEM*
* Army MARS PRECEDED by AARS (Army Amateur Radio System) *
* Hi State ARMY MARS COORDINATOR *
************************************************** ********

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

"Joseph Fenn" wrote in message
va.net...
Ref Radio Shack. does anybody on here remember the 1st Radio shack??
The one called "Boston Radio Shack". It was the only one in the
country and it was the original one. I was told the new Radio shack
bought out the rights to the title. The old Boston Radio Shack was
truly a hams delight back in the late 30's.
They had Catalogs available for a postage stamp too something
present day Radio Shacks no longer offer.
Joe

It was still a great place to shop in the late 40's and early 50's. Lots of
surplus on the ground level and then I think the ham stuff was on the
mezzanine. Somewhere in the early 50's, I remember seeing ads for the
Cosmophone desktop kw/receiver. I wonder if any of them actually were sold.

Leanne - W1WXS

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Caveat Lector this is for you buddy. If you think ham radio
and MARS/AARS/Marine Mars is out of the picture nowadays I suggest
maybe you had your head in the outhouse hole in the board.
WW2 was actually fought by COMMS guys of all kinds mostly
hams. Its still being done today in IRAQ and Afganistan
and its those same hams and descendants of Hams that are
doing the job both in the military and in the Volunteer hams
such as I am one of. So think twice before you rave on.
I have a QCWA certificate showing continuous service for 70
years as a licensed ham. So cut out the snootty attitude!
Joe/KH6JF
P.S. I dont have a cell phone and never will. I dont have
cable tv and never will. I dont have a VISTA computer
on the internet and never will. I used my head and stick with
my old Commodore 128 which is totally imune to any virus ever
created or could be created in the future. Its my internet machine
and will remain so for that reason. I have 4 laptops which I enjoy
for listening to my favorits music while I play Solitare!!
Hence I dont pay for constant upgrades of virus software every
few months either.


************************************************** ********
* Ham KH6JF AARS/MARS ABM6JF QCWA WW2 VET WD RADIO SYSTEM*
* Army MARS PRECEDED by AARS (Army Amateur Radio System) *
* Hi State ARMY MARS COORDINATOR *
************************************************** ********

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Heh!! What make you think it is only the CEO's?
This last year before Mom passed away I had to go to a
drugstore (where they are SUPPOSE to be educated)
and it took 4 trips to get one prescription filled correctly. I find the
same incompetence at nearly every turn of the consumer
trail. I am not even sure they require a reading and
writing skill anymore. If you guess you way through all
the "computer applications" the stores have, your in.
Stores with workers wearing "How may I help you" on
their work clothes and then rush past you like you
were not even there. Ok.... let me see if this spell
checker works.....






"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
On 02/20/06 02:56 am Richard Crowley wrote:

Guess I'm aging myself. This was back in 1983-1986. LOL

Yes, that was back when they had BOTH...
1) Good help (folk who knew a resistor from their elbow)
2) Actual corporate cognizance of what the electronics
business is. In the last few years, it seems to me that the management
in Texas doesn't know (or care) whether
they are in the electronics business, or selling fried
chicken or furniture.

US companies (*perhaps* companies in other countries too, but probably to
a lesser extent) don't care whether their CEOs know anything about their
particular products or services. Someone can go from a fast-food co. to a
computer co., to an automobile manufacturer, to a health-care corporation,
all the while knowing very little about the specifics of the industry and
getting a salary and benefits many times (hundreds of times?) more than
the CEO of a European company who actually has a degree in electrical
engineering or whatever is relevant to the company's products.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Well bless your head in the sand attitude!!!
I hope the terrorists don't find your long/lat location on a
terraserver and getcha. They have all of it on there except
Area 51 heh so don't feel too safe. They just haven't
mastered the launch and guidance yet. Oh, I see your
close to the airports.
BTW FWIW Osama Been Hidin has millions and can
buy all them toys you scoff at... with the software.

Cheers.




"Joseph Fenn" wrote in message
va.net...
Caveat Lector this is for you buddy. If you think ham radio
and MARS/AARS/Marine Mars is out of the picture nowadays I suggest
maybe you had your head in the outhouse hole in the board.
WW2 was actually fought by COMMS guys of all kinds mostly
hams. Its still being done today in IRAQ and Afganistan
and its those same hams and descendants of Hams that are
doing the job both in the military and in the Volunteer hams
such as I am one of. So think twice before you rave on.
I have a QCWA certificate showing continuous service for 70
years as a licensed ham. So cut out the snootty attitude!
Joe/KH6JF
P.S. I dont have a cell phone and never will. I dont have
cable tv and never will. I dont have a VISTA computer
on the internet and never will. I used my head and stick with
my old Commodore 128 which is totally imune to any virus ever
created or could be created in the future. Its my internet machine
and will remain so for that reason. I have 4 laptops which I enjoy
for listening to my favorits music while I play Solitare!!
Hence I dont pay for constant upgrades of virus software every
few months either.


************************************************** ********
* Ham KH6JF AARS/MARS ABM6JF QCWA WW2 VET WD RADIO SYSTEM*
* Army MARS PRECEDED by AARS (Army Amateur Radio System) * * Hi
State ARMY MARS COORDINATOR *
************************************************** ********

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

But at least the store clerks aren't getting multi-million-dollar
salaries plus additional multi-million-dollar handshakes when it is
found that they don't have a clue how to make the company profitable.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)

On 02/20/06 05:51 pm Mr Fed UP wrote:

Heh!! What make you think it is only the CEO's?
This last year before Mom passed away I had to go to a
drugstore (where they are SUPPOSE to be educated)
and it took 4 trips to get one prescription filled correctly. I find the
same incompetence at nearly every turn of the consumer
trail. I am not even sure they require a reading and
writing skill anymore. If you guess you way through all
the "computer applications" the stores have, your in.
Stores with workers wearing "How may I help you" on
their work clothes and then rush past you like you
were not even there. Ok.... let me see if this spell
checker works.....

Guess I'm aging myself. This was back in 1983-1986. LOL
Yes, that was back when they had BOTH...
1) Good help (folk who knew a resistor from their elbow)
2) Actual corporate cognizance of what the electronics
business is. In the last few years, it seems to me that the management
in Texas doesn't know (or care) whether
they are in the electronics business, or selling fried
chicken or furniture.

US companies (*perhaps* companies in other countries too, but probably to
a lesser extent) don't care whether their CEOs know anything about their
particular products or services. Someone can go from a fast-food co. to a
computer co., to an automobile manufacturer, to a health-care corporation,
all the while knowing very little about the specifics of the industry and
getting a salary and benefits many times (hundreds of times?) more than
the CEO of a European company who actually has a degree in electrical
engineering or whatever is relevant to the company's products.

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
On 02/20/06 02:56 am Richard Crowley wrote:

Guess I'm aging myself. This was back in 1983-1986. LOL


Yes, that was back when they had BOTH...
1) Good help (folk who knew a resistor from their elbow)
2) Actual corporate cognizance of what the electronics
business is. In the last few years, it seems to me that the
management in Texas doesn't know (or care) whether
they are in the electronics business, or selling fried
chicken or furniture.


US companies (*perhaps* companies in other countries too, but probably
to a lesser extent) don't care whether their CEOs know anything about
their particular products or services. Someone can go from a fast-food
co. to a computer co., to an automobile manufacturer, to a health-care
corporation, all the while knowing very little about the specifics of
the industry and getting a salary and benefits many times (hundreds of
times?) more than the CEO of a European company who actually has a
degree in electrical engineering or whatever is relevant to the
company's products.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)
Apparently in Radio Shack's case, they don't even care whether their
CEO's even went to college. The just-fired CEO lied on his
resume...instead of the standard MBA, he received a ThG (whatever that
is) after 3 years in some institution.

A theology degree.

Say hallelujah!

john

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

"Joseph Fenn" wrote ...
Ref Radio Shack. does anybody on here remember the
1st Radio shack?? The one called "Boston Radio Shack".
It was the only one in the country and it was the original one.

Tandy Leather in Texas bought the name from them and
the rest, as they say, is history.

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Bill Turner wrote:

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

wrote:

One of the radio's we used was a Collins KWM2-A transciever and it
blew a tube and resistor on a vital communications link. Within 15
minutes, a new one was acquired at a local Tandy store and up and
running. Our maintenance chief owes his Air Force Commendation Medal
and a great deal of thanks to them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your maintenance chief did not have a spare tube and resistor on hand
for a "vital communications link"? Had I been his superior, he would
have gotten something far different than a Commendation Medal!

Mr Bill

I agree. I was a broadcast engineer for AFRTS in the early '70s.
Even though everything was considered "Depot level only", I kept our AM
radio and VHF TV stations on the air with what parts I could get through
the supply channels, and what I could scrounge from junk TVs and other
available electronics. I don't think there was a Radio Shack within a
day's drive, and the parts house in Fairbanks carried TV repair parts.
I even made a replacement tuner for our off air "Demod" used to monitor
over the air video and audio from parts of a junked Motorola portable TV
set. I got a promotion and a letter of commendation for my efforts.

--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

I will miss them if they go away altogether.
I remember when I was 13 living in Columbus Ohio. If I could get a
ride downtown it would only be on Saturday morning. Some of the
Radio-Electronics Stores were not interested in selling a kid
anything.

IBM was five years behind Radio Shack with the PC. Some of the RS
folks are technical, some are not. I have always found them willing to
work with me. I hope for a restructure that keeps the parts available.

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 11:52:08 -0500, "Percival P. Cassidy"
wrote:

http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/17/news...reut/index.htm

A pity, *perhaps*: they still did carry one or two items of use to radio
amateurs, and without requiring a long drive or paying more for shipping
than for the item.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)
John Ferrell W8CCW

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

"John Ferrell" wrote in message
...
I will miss them if they go away altogether.
I remember when I was 13 living in Columbus Ohio. If I could get a
ride downtown it would only be on Saturday morning. Some of the
Radio-Electronics Stores were not interested in selling a kid
anything.

IBM was five years behind Radio Shack with the PC. Some of the RS
folks are technical, some are not. I have always found them willing to
work with me. I hope for a restructure that keeps the parts available.

Parts??? Your RS has parts?? The RS stores around here are doing good to
carry a switch or knob.

-n6ojn

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

A switch or knob? Phooey! The last time I was in a RS a couple months
ago...
I wanted a rubber foot for a power supply (not the stick on ones... a set
of feet with 4 screws) they said I should ask at a Lowe's or Home Depot.
RS used to have construction boxes and the works. Now all you see are
TV's Satellite and cell phone and tunes contracts.
Last year they fell short of having cleaner for switch contacts...
I guess that went with the tubes and the old mechanical TV tuners.
Sorry dating myself a bit LOL RIP RS
They also recently failed on a simple 4 prong spade lugs power connector.
If they go down the toilet,,, it isn't because Hams have let them down.
We all still go to RS and wish I think.
This last months QST had a project that built a portable mast into
a bucket of cement... all parts from Home Depot... Suppose RS has
give up masts too in favor of Sat' contracts.

K4TWO

"Noon-Air" wrote in message
...

"John Ferrell" wrote in message
...
I will miss them if they go away altogether.
I remember when I was 13 living in Columbus Ohio. If I could get a
ride downtown it would only be on Saturday morning. Some of the
Radio-Electronics Stores were not interested in selling a kid
anything.

IBM was five years behind Radio Shack with the PC. Some of the RS
folks are technical, some are not. I have always found them willing to
work with me. I hope for a restructure that keeps the parts available.

Parts??? Your RS has parts?? The RS stores around here are doing good to
carry a switch or knob.

-n6ojn

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

rocky wrote:

Hams have a reputation for being frugal, (cheap) and no store such as
R/S will profit from hams alone. They have to bring home the bacon
every day or else. Mall rent keeps going up. R/S sells a couple of
resistors and a phono jack to pay the rent...guess again.


Why do they have to be located in a mall? Sure, there is a lot of
foot traffic, but the rent is high, its usually a a long walk from
wherever you can find to park, which takes more time to get to the
store, find what you need, and get out of the place. It doesn't make
sense to me. The older stores that were somewhere near a mall or large
shopping center always seemed to have more people than the stores in the
malls.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

"Michael A. Terrell" wrote...
Why do they have to be located in a mall?

Because that is the "ideal" model of modern mass-market
retailing. If that model doesn't fit your business, then change
your business to fit the model.

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Fortunately, my company is built on giving my customers top quality service
and a top quality product and does not fit the modern retail concepts. I
guess thats so I don't end up the same way as RS. FWIW, I have been in
business for 10 years. Even though the economy has supposedly been in the
dumper for the last couple of years, you couldn't tell that from my books. A
lot of people are getting a little fed up with the big box stores and their
lack of service. "Mass-market" retailing isn't all that its cracked up to
be. You might could save a few bucks, but when it comes time to service,
repair, or install..... well.... lets just say that soon they are going to
have to outsource those tasks to India... the service calls and milage
charges are gonna be a killer when that happens.

"Richard Crowley" wrote in message
...
"Michael A. Terrell" wrote...
Why do they have to be located in a mall?

Because that is the "ideal" model of modern mass-market
retailing. If that model doesn't fit your business, then change
your business to fit the model.

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

"Noon-Air" wrote ...
Fortunately, my company is built on giving my customers top quality
service and a top quality product and does not fit the modern retail
concepts. I guess thats so I don't end up the same way as RS. FWIW, I
have been in business for 10 years. Even though the economy has
supposedly been in the dumper for the last couple of years, you
couldn't tell that from my books.

The key word being "supposedly". Alas, the mainstream
media has failed us in accurately and impartially reporting
news about practically anything, the economy included.
Most of us are equally puzzled when trying to correlate
first-hand experience with what the MSM is trying to
tell us.

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

On 02/23/06 08:50 am Richard Crowley wrote:

Why do they have to be located in a mall?

Because that is the "ideal" model of modern mass-market
retailing. If that model doesn't fit your business, then change
your business to fit the model.

I've read that traditional malls are on their way out. Our local one is
half-empty, while stand-alone stores are springing up all over the place.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
On 02/23/06 08:50 am Richard Crowley wrote:

Why do they have to be located in a mall?


Because that is the "ideal" model of modern mass-market
retailing. If that model doesn't fit your business, then change
your business to fit the model.


I've read that traditional malls are on their way out. Our local one is
half-empty, while stand-alone stores are springing up all over the place.

"Perce"
(aka Alan NV8A)

My own view: we all work so hard, we don't have time for "casual
shopping". It's more like 'surgical strike" shopping. Park, go in and
buy something, get out and go home (or to the next destination: fast
food?). Thus, malls are on the downturn and single stores clustered in
strip malls now seem to dominate.
No time to just shop...destination objective reached, egress and head home.
Our economy is based upon significant consumption...I think we're
entering a new era where time management is at odds with consumption
(and spendable income is decreasing)...Americans are working harder and
longer, yet their income is stagnant or decreasing.
CEO's excepted.

watch out retailers and consumers!

FYI: Radio Schack to close up to 700 stores
 

You forgot to mention attorneys in your exception group.

"jawod" wrote in message ...
Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
[snip]
(and spendable income is decreasing)...Americans are working harder and
longer, yet their income is stagnant or decreasing.
CEO's excepted.

watch out retailers and consumers!