Homebrew in north Seattle/Everett area? Or a FAQ?
 

I've just gotten into Amateur Radio, and am setting up a workshop for
homebrew. I understand my local radio club isn't much on homebrew.
Anyone in this area available to give me some pointers? Or maybe
there is a FAQ for this newsgroup?

I've already gotten some designs from ARRL sites and books, plus some
general web searching. I have Digikey, Allied, and Radio Shack
catalogs, but need "used parts" sources.

I've just gotten into Amateur Radio, and am setting up a workshop for
homebrew. I understand my local radio club isn't much on homebrew.
Anyone in this area available to give me some pointers? Or maybe
there is a FAQ for this newsgroup?

I've already gotten some designs from ARRL sites and books, plus some
general web searching. I have Digikey, Allied, and Radio Shack
catalogs, but need "used parts" sources.



Don't forget to look on e-bay for some items. I have bought large ammounts
of components for a few dollars.

I've just gotten into Amateur Radio, and am setting up a workshop for
homebrew. I understand my local radio club isn't much on homebrew.
Anyone in this area available to give me some pointers? Or maybe
there is a FAQ for this newsgroup?

I've already gotten some designs from ARRL sites and books, plus some
general web searching. I have Digikey, Allied, and Radio Shack
catalogs, but need "used parts" sources.



Don't forget to look on e-bay for some items. I have bought large ammounts
of components for a few dollars.

Wim Lewis writes:

In article ,
Harry George wrote:
I've just gotten into Amateur Radio, and am setting up a workshop for
homebrew. I understand my local radio club isn't much on homebrew.
Anyone in this area available to give me some pointers? Or maybe
there is a FAQ for this newsgroup?

Whoops. I wrote most of my reply, below, before noticing that the FAQs
do in fact have this information in them. These links ought to get
you started:

http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_surpl...#SURPLUSUS_012
http://www.qsl.net/pnwvhfs/resources/vendors.htm

Since I've already written my own version of this information, I'll
include it:

I've already gotten some designs from ARRL sites and books, plus some
general web searching. I have Digikey, Allied, and Radio Shack
catalogs, but need "used parts" sources.

Let's see. You'll probably want to know about Vetco, in Bellevue; they
sell surplus parts of all kinds. Their stock got a bit smaller and less
eclectic when they moved into their current space, a few years ago, but
they're still worth visiting.

There used to be a Radar Electronics in dowtown Seattle, on Western,
which had quite a good selection of "electronics for industry"
(think a retail version of Mouser/DigiKey) as well as surplus
in the back. I gather they've moved up north and dropped the surplus
section, but they're probably still a good source for when you want
something today and are willing to pay the retail price.

I'm told that the surplus guy from Radar opened his own store, which
some googling reveals to be "House of Science"[1]. Also in that general
area is "The Old Technology Shop", which tends more towards vintage
audio gear, but can be good also[2].

A place not mentioned in the FAQ links above is the University of
Washington Surplus Property Auction[3]. Extremely variable, even moreso
than Boeing Surplus, but occasionally some good stuff.


[1] http://houseofscience.com/ (horrible page design, though)
[2] 7712 Aurora Ave North; I can't find a website for them
[3] http://www.washington.edu/admin/surplus/


Thanks, I'll check them out. I used to go to Vetco and Radar a lot.
I went to the old Vetco place (just off 520 past 405) last weekend and
found nothing (I see from the qsl webpage that it has moved, I'll try
to find it). Also, I went down to Radar on Western, saw their sign
saying moved to Bothel, went there, and found as you said that it is
no longer a surplus shop.

I go to Boeing Surplus sometimes for sheet aluminum, and to Everett
Steel and Pipe for mild steel. Hadn't thought of UW Surplus (I used
to work for UW Equipment Inventory Accounting -- wonder if any of the
old gang is still there).





--
Wim Lewis , Seattle, WA, USA. PGP keyID 27F772C1

Wim Lewis writes:

In article ,
Harry George wrote:
I've just gotten into Amateur Radio, and am setting up a workshop for
homebrew. I understand my local radio club isn't much on homebrew.
Anyone in this area available to give me some pointers? Or maybe
there is a FAQ for this newsgroup?

Whoops. I wrote most of my reply, below, before noticing that the FAQs
do in fact have this information in them. These links ought to get
you started:

http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_surpl...#SURPLUSUS_012
http://www.qsl.net/pnwvhfs/resources/vendors.htm

Since I've already written my own version of this information, I'll
include it:

I've already gotten some designs from ARRL sites and books, plus some
general web searching. I have Digikey, Allied, and Radio Shack
catalogs, but need "used parts" sources.

Let's see. You'll probably want to know about Vetco, in Bellevue; they
sell surplus parts of all kinds. Their stock got a bit smaller and less
eclectic when they moved into their current space, a few years ago, but
they're still worth visiting.

There used to be a Radar Electronics in dowtown Seattle, on Western,
which had quite a good selection of "electronics for industry"
(think a retail version of Mouser/DigiKey) as well as surplus
in the back. I gather they've moved up north and dropped the surplus
section, but they're probably still a good source for when you want
something today and are willing to pay the retail price.

I'm told that the surplus guy from Radar opened his own store, which
some googling reveals to be "House of Science"[1]. Also in that general
area is "The Old Technology Shop", which tends more towards vintage
audio gear, but can be good also[2].

A place not mentioned in the FAQ links above is the University of
Washington Surplus Property Auction[3]. Extremely variable, even moreso
than Boeing Surplus, but occasionally some good stuff.


[1] http://houseofscience.com/ (horrible page design, though)
[2] 7712 Aurora Ave North; I can't find a website for them
[3] http://www.washington.edu/admin/surplus/


Thanks, I'll check them out. I used to go to Vetco and Radar a lot.
I went to the old Vetco place (just off 520 past 405) last weekend and
found nothing (I see from the qsl webpage that it has moved, I'll try
to find it). Also, I went down to Radar on Western, saw their sign
saying moved to Bothel, went there, and found as you said that it is
no longer a surplus shop.

I go to Boeing Surplus sometimes for sheet aluminum, and to Everett
Steel and Pipe for mild steel. Hadn't thought of UW Surplus (I used
to work for UW Equipment Inventory Accounting -- wonder if any of the
old gang is still there).





--
Wim Lewis , Seattle, WA, USA. PGP keyID 27F772C1

Don't forget to look on e-bay for some items. I have bought large
ammounts
of components for a few dollars.

What category is used for components? I see Radio Equipment, and
specific big ticket items.

Look under"Business & Industrial" and subcategory of "electronic Components"
Then simiconductors or passive components or whatever you are looking for.
You can get individual types of items or there are some things you may want
to get such as power cubes or asymblies to strip out for parts.

YOu can also find some test gear and tools under the same catagory.

Don't forget to look on e-bay for some items. I have bought large
ammounts
of components for a few dollars.

What category is used for components? I see Radio Equipment, and
specific big ticket items.

Look under"Business & Industrial" and subcategory of "electronic Components"
Then simiconductors or passive components or whatever you are looking for.
You can get individual types of items or there are some things you may want
to get such as power cubes or asymblies to strip out for parts.

YOu can also find some test gear and tools under the same catagory.

wow, thanks for tip! best junk i've seen in meny moons!
"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
...

Don't forget to look on e-bay for some items. I have bought large
ammounts
of components for a few dollars.

What category is used for components? I see Radio Equipment, and
specific big ticket items.

Look under"Business & Industrial" and subcategory of "electronic
Components"
Then simiconductors or passive components or whatever you are looking for.
You can get individual types of items or there are some things you may
want
to get such as power cubes or asymblies to strip out for parts.

YOu can also find some test gear and tools under the same catagory.

wow, thanks for tip! best junk i've seen in meny moons!
"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
...

Don't forget to look on e-bay for some items. I have bought large
ammounts
of components for a few dollars.

What category is used for components? I see Radio Equipment, and
specific big ticket items.

Look under"Business & Industrial" and subcategory of "electronic
Components"
Then simiconductors or passive components or whatever you are looking for.
You can get individual types of items or there are some things you may
want
to get such as power cubes or asymblies to strip out for parts.

YOu can also find some test gear and tools under the same catagory.

On 04 Jul 2003 08:19:50 -0700, Harry George
wrote:

Don't forget to look on e-bay for some items. I have bought large ammounts
of components for a few dollars.

What category is used for components? I see Radio Equipment, and
specific big ticket items.

All Categories Business & Industrial Electronic Components
http://listings.ebay.com/pool1/plist.../category4659/

note the sub-categories on left (semiconductors, passives, wire, ...)

And for the international readers:
Canada:
http://listings.ebay.ca/pool1/plisti.../category4659/
UK:
http://listings.ebay.co.uk/pool1/pli...category40000/
....

On 04 Jul 2003 08:19:50 -0700, Harry George
wrote:

Don't forget to look on e-bay for some items. I have bought large ammounts
of components for a few dollars.

What category is used for components? I see Radio Equipment, and
specific big ticket items.

All Categories Business & Industrial Electronic Components
http://listings.ebay.com/pool1/plist.../category4659/

note the sub-categories on left (semiconductors, passives, wire, ...)

And for the international readers:
Canada:
http://listings.ebay.ca/pool1/plisti.../category4659/
UK:
http://listings.ebay.co.uk/pool1/pli...category40000/
....

In article ,
Tom Bruhns wrote:
Harry George wrote in message
...
....

Thanks, I'll check them out. I used to go to Vetco and Radar a lot.
I went to the old Vetco place (just off 520 past 405) last weekend and
found nothing (I see from the qsl webpage that it has moved, I'll try
to find it). Also, I went down to Radar on Western, saw their sign
saying moved to Bothel, went there, and found as you said that it is
no longer a surplus shop.

I go to Boeing Surplus sometimes for sheet aluminum, and to Everett
Steel and Pipe for mild steel. Hadn't thought of UW Surplus (I used
to work for UW Equipment Inventory Accounting -- wonder if any of the
old gang is still there).

Try Whitesides on SR9 in the Clearview area for scrap steel and
aluminum. Lots of steel angle, etc. A few other metal and plastic
material scraps.

Vetco is now E. of where it used to be by maybe 3/4 of a mile or
so...if you go to Fred Meyer there, you will be VERY close; it's in
the FM complex, I think it's on the W. side. I guess Active is still
there next to where Vetco used to be.

Last I went on that side of the lake, (April?), Active was in the
process of becoming Mode Electronics, a chain run out of Surrey, BC.

Other places on my "check to see if they're still alive" list are
Supertronix down on the West Valley Highway (just south of where
Longacres used to be) in Kent/Tuckwila?, and the surplus place
in Tacoma, Electronic Dimensions.

I'm trying to talk myself into downsizing some, and might be able to
fix you up with some interesting things, depending on just what it is
you want to play with. There's also the possibility of loans of
equipment sometimes. I live nearby...

Cheers,
Tom

In article ,
Tom Bruhns wrote:
Harry George wrote in message
...
....

Thanks, I'll check them out. I used to go to Vetco and Radar a lot.
I went to the old Vetco place (just off 520 past 405) last weekend and
found nothing (I see from the qsl webpage that it has moved, I'll try
to find it). Also, I went down to Radar on Western, saw their sign
saying moved to Bothel, went there, and found as you said that it is
no longer a surplus shop.

I go to Boeing Surplus sometimes for sheet aluminum, and to Everett
Steel and Pipe for mild steel. Hadn't thought of UW Surplus (I used
to work for UW Equipment Inventory Accounting -- wonder if any of the
old gang is still there).

Try Whitesides on SR9 in the Clearview area for scrap steel and
aluminum. Lots of steel angle, etc. A few other metal and plastic
material scraps.

Vetco is now E. of where it used to be by maybe 3/4 of a mile or
so...if you go to Fred Meyer there, you will be VERY close; it's in
the FM complex, I think it's on the W. side. I guess Active is still
there next to where Vetco used to be.

Last I went on that side of the lake, (April?), Active was in the
process of becoming Mode Electronics, a chain run out of Surrey, BC.

Other places on my "check to see if they're still alive" list are
Supertronix down on the West Valley Highway (just south of where
Longacres used to be) in Kent/Tuckwila?, and the surplus place
in Tacoma, Electronic Dimensions.

I'm trying to talk myself into downsizing some, and might be able to
fix you up with some interesting things, depending on just what it is
you want to play with. There's also the possibility of loans of
equipment sometimes. I live nearby...

Cheers,
Tom

Homebrew in north Seattle/Everett area? Or a FAQ?
 

Bad news.... The Old Technology Shop has gone to the Old Technology Home In
The Sky. They closed up shop about 6 months ago. Thefellow who ran it
intends to keep selling from his basement, but I haven't heard anything from
him.

Sorry,

Chuck
(happy owner of Tom Bruhn's downsized QST's)