View Full Version : Things That Just Don't Belong @ Hamfests
kc2gow
06-04-2003, 06:53 PM
Well, I have been to many HamFests and over time you start seeing things that just need to find a nice home in a flea market. Some hams will agree that what I list is definitely out of the ordinary. Just take a look:
1) Knives
2) Violins
3) Electric Guitars
4) Sinks
5) Broken Record Players
6) Toy Robots
7) Action Figures
8) Cigar Boxes
9) Cigarette Lighters
10) Couches
11) Birds
12) Bird Cages
13) Bird Feed
14) Other Assorted Pet Care Items
15) Car Doors
16) Jewelry
17) Pottery
18) Bedroom Sets (mirrors etc...)
19) Kitchen Sets
20) Clothes
21) Luggage
22) Expensive Lamps
23) Fortune Tellers
24) Palm Readers (more than 1 @ same hamfest)
25) Paint Sets
26) Golf Clubs
27) Grass Seed
28) House Doors
29) Door Knobs
30) Plants/Vases
31) Windows
32) GOOD FOOD!
The list can go on and on. These items are just out of the ordinary. Please feel free to add more...............
73's
Andy KC2GOW
KB1GYQ
06-04-2003, 07:29 PM
WAITAMINUTE. Good food is NEVER out of place, unless I'm not eating it!
K9STH
06-04-2003, 07:38 PM
Well, let us see!
1: Knives. You need one to strip coax!
2: Violins. Necessary to play soothing music when your rig suddenly goes "south".
3: Electric Guitars. Joe Walsh would probably disagree with not having them around.
4: Sinks. You got to wash up somewhere after working on your antenna all day long.
5: Broken record players. Good source of parts for the "junk" box.
6: Toy Robots. Good for pulling coax through conduit.
7: Action figures. Necessary to keep the harmonics busy while you operate.
8: Cigar boxes. Man, what better things to put the parts in that you got from item 5!
9: Cigarette lighters. If you don't smoke, they do work fine to activate heat shrink tubing.
10: Couches. A necessary item in many shacks, especially for taking a break during contests.
11: Birds. Having one in the shack definitely lets you know if the air gets too foul from smoking.
12: Bird cages. Got to have a place to put the bird (after all you don't want bird "do do" all over your equipment).
13: Bird feed. The bird has to eat sometime!
14: Other pet care items. Have you seen some guys after a weekend of contest activity. You wife wants you to use the hair brush, etc., that the rest of the family uses?!!
15: Car doors. Need a new one after the one on your car got smashed while you were installing your new mobile rig.
16: Jewelry. Hey, what better thing to buy your wife to sooth her feelings since you spend too much time in the radio shack!
17: Pottery. A plant or two livens up the shack.
18: Bedroom sets. A bed is nice in the shack to take a nap on during contest breaks.
19: Kitchen sets. Having something close by for food during contest activity is definitely nice.
20: Clothes. Well, most amateurs don't operate in the nude.
21: Luggage. Just in case your wife gets too upset that you are working too many contests (you can make a "fast exit").
22: Expensive lamps. Well, the ones that have your call letters on them are nice.
23: Fortune tellers. They are just as good at predicting propagation as anyone.
24: Palm readers. A sure way to tell how you are going to place in the contest.
25: Paint sets. Great for restoration of boat anchor equipment.
26: Golf clubs. Needed for when the bands are completely dead and you need to get out of the house.
27: Grass seed. Definitely needed to reseed the lawn after digging it up to install a counterpoise for your new vertical.
28: House doors. They make great tops for workbenches and operating benches.
29: Door knobs. Great paper weights to hold down those log sheets during contests.
30: Plants/vases. Covered that above in pottery.
31: Windows. A lot of operators do like to see if it is daylight or dark (know when to change bands during a contest).
32: Good food. A man (or a woman) has to eat, you know!
Thus, I don't see anything at all wrong with having these items at a hamfest!
Glen, K9STH
kf4pth
06-04-2003, 08:24 PM
That has to be the best, and most thought out, reply that I've read of late in the QRZ forums! #I had a great belly laugh and I still chuckle! # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Glen, We definitly are NOT keeping you BUSY ENOUGH !
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
73 from Jim AG3Y
KD7UKT
06-04-2003, 09:10 PM
Quick! Someone get K9STH a day job! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Great reply, Glen... I especially liked the use for the robot. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
w0tdh
06-04-2003, 09:16 PM
Golf Cart ! #
I get tired by the third trip through the tailgate section looking for that bargain D-104 http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Tom K0PJG
W0LPQ
06-04-2003, 09:17 PM
Glen has done a superiour performance of injectiong some serious well thought humor into this thread..!
Amazing.....
Well Done....!!
Chris, ZDY must be working....cannot wait to see what he thinks..!!
73
Bill, WØLPQ
W5KRM
06-04-2003, 09:48 PM
Here you go Glen, have a bit o fun with these suggestions:
1). Knives: Always come in handy when up on the tower and you need to trim some eletric tape or coax.
2). Violins: Can use a broken one as a coil form.
3). Electric Guitars: Well said, can't add to your post!
4). Sinks: Great base for a vertical or roof mount antenna.
5). Broken Record Players: Great for winding coils manually.
6). Toy Robots: Great for testing amount of RF in shack by how the robot responds when you key down that homebrew linear.
7). Action Figures: I just place them over teh equipment (see them in shack photos all the time).
8). Cigar Boxes: Great for parts storage or QSL card storage
9). Cigarette Lighters: Great for heat shrink tubing, sure, but what about antenna work when the flashlight batteries poop out on Field Day?
10). Couches: You will need one if you DX alot. XYL will probably not let you back into the bedroom.
11). Birds: Can use them to detect key chirps of that old Harvey Wells CW transmitter
12). Bird Cages: You can load that up as a discone!
13). Bird Feed: Great snack food on those long contest nights!
14). Pet Care items: Although not specific, I would assume brushes, trimmers, etc. Ever see guys on DX-peditions after about the 5 day? Could come in handy!
15). Car Doors: Great if you want to practice installing on glass antennas without using the family vehicle first.
16). Jewelry: Great to bribe the XYL to let you go to field day on a honey do weekend!
17). Pottery: Great place to store pens, screw drivers, thumb tacks, etc.
18). Bedroom Sets: You might need one if you DX alot and the XYL complains of being a "ham widow"
19). Kitch Sets: Great for field day
20). Clothes: After a hot weekend at Field Day or a hot hamfest, might be usefull!
21). Luggage: Great for that QRP rig, or leaving when the mother in law shows up.
22). Expensive Lamps: every shack needs a good lite plus a little class now and then.
23). Fortune Tellers: Great for predicting A-Index, DX Openings, DX Spots, etc.
24). Palm Readers: Same as 23 above
25). Paint Sets: Use for color coding coaxial cable runs behind the desk/rigs.
26). Golf Clubs: Great for getting a line over a tree: Just hook the line to the club, swing, and let it fly!
27). Grass seed: How did that get in here? (Suppose you could use it at the hamfest site where all the hamfesters have trampled the grass).
28). House Doors: Come on now! Shack desk tops!
29). Door Knobs: Long Wire antenna weights for the far end over the tree. If porcelain, great insulators
30). Plants/Vases: Dresses up the shack so the XYL wont' complain as much!
31). Windows: How many of us have knocked out a basement window to feed coax into the house. Great to use when you have to sell your house.
32). Good food: Something you won't get if you stay on the radio when the XYL tells you 30 minutes ago, that dinner was ready!
73 all
Chris
K9STH
06-04-2003, 10:28 PM
I admit it! #The Devil made me do it! Sock it to me! Sock it to me! Sock it to me!
Glen, K9STH
(being an "educated donkey")
WA2ZDY
06-04-2003, 11:33 PM
Heh heh heh, yes Bill, I work 0600-1400 local, Fri/Sat off every week. So yes, I was indeed playing make believe I'm helping keep society safe.
I can't think of anything better than Glen did. I too was thinking Joe Walsh for the guitar. Have you guys SEEN his website? Goodness. One of the all time ultimate hamshacks. Then again, if I were a well to do super famous guy, I'd have a decent shack too!
As for the kitchen sink, I recall a picture in a Qstreet mag one day long long ago of a gentleman washing what appeared to be a triband beam with a bucket of soapy water and a rag. The caption had something to do with "ensuring a CLEAN signal." I always got a chuckle from that one.
Ah well, Glen, your answers take the cake. I love it!
W0LPQ
06-04-2003, 11:39 PM
Thanks Chris...I thought I felt safer..!!
73
Bill, WØLPQ
Geeze, the things I learn on the Internet. Wonder what Glen does in his spare time. tom k8erv
K9STH
06-05-2003, 12:08 AM
I manufacture various reproduction items for boat anchor equipment, repair boat anchors, and fight with Hartford Insurance Company over long-term disability benefits!
Glen, K9STH
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WA2ZDY @ June 03 2003,17:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">As for the kitchen sink, I recall a picture in a Qstreet mag one day long long ago of a gentleman washing what appeared to be a triband beam with a bucket of soapy water and a rag. The caption had something to do with "ensuring a CLEAN signal." I always got a chuckle from that one.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Just outta curiosity, does anyone know of someone loading up a kitchen sink? I've heard of loading up bedsprings (did it myself, oncet), but howabout the old "stationary tub" as my 95-year old grandmother still refers to it?
w9ass
06-05-2003, 03:49 AM
"Things" that don't belong at hamfests:
1: 500 lb. sweaty guys in sweat pants with dual whip antennas mounted to the side of their ICOM hats who are seen riding Rascal scooters with a Big Thunder monobander mounted on the back.
2: Anyone who has their callsign done up in Old English on ANY kind of clothing.
3: The Norwegian fire giant wearing the blue hard hat with a magnet mount on top;
4: Any guy with a 24- inch waist that increases to 48 when he straps all 23 of his HT's on;
5: People who try and eat a chili dog and use the talk-in frequency at the same time;
6: The two weirdos in the food court tapping CW back and forth to each other;
7: The wife of the overzealous ham that only wishes she could go shopping or re-kindle the intimacy of their marriage, which died sometime in late 1982;
8: The guy with the white Icom shirt that smells.
I could go on, but I think it is more of a people watching game if anything...
73,
KC9DGM
K9STH
06-05-2003, 03:50 AM
XU:
Don't know how well it would work if the plumbing is metal. However, in a newer house (or newly remodeled one), with PVC pipe, it might just work fairly well!
Back in 1959 and 1960, there was a guy who lived in a high-rise apartment building in New York City that had a pair of twin beds in his room. Each of these had the old "trampoline" type springs. He hooked the center of a piece of coax to one and the shield to the other. Frankly, he had a pretty good signal on 15 meters running a Heath DX-40 with controlled carrier AM.
Anyway, I know that the original post was a bit more serious than what I made it out to be. But, I just couldn't resist!
Glen, K9STH
KC8QMU
06-05-2003, 03:52 AM
This weekend I was at a hamfest in nearby Western PA. I seen many things that were not related to ham radio. But then I thought about it and realized that maybe a lot of ham's significant others were there, and this might be the market for things such as flowers and other types of potted plants I seen there. In a way, it may not be such a bad thing; as long as it doesnt grow too big. Think about it, you can go shopping for radio stuff, have fun with your local buddies, and the better half can check out thing that may be more interesting to her; and there is no nagging about "are you ready to go yet?"
N7VQM
06-05-2003, 04:55 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K9STH @ June 04 2003,12:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">28: #House doors. #They make great tops for workbenches and operating benches.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Good thing I decided to read this thread...I hadn't thought to use an old door as a benchtop!
tommyl
06-05-2003, 05:41 AM
This is petty. #Powerline broadband is about to destroy #the hobby and we get this.
The stuff is there because the seller didn't have enough items to make it worthwhile to pay the 10-15 bucks to set up at a flea market. #
I have bought knives, books, model airplanes, a photo enlarger, doorbell cover etc. at hamfests, what is wrong with that? #The majority of stuff at hamfests is ham radio related so I don't see the problem.
Good food! I would like to see more of that!
I hang doors from the basement ceiling for high shelves, uses available space. Also to floor part of my attic. Never saw one at a fest tho. TOM K8ERV
N0FFA
06-05-2003, 11:11 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc2gow @ June 04 2003,11:53)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">3) Electric Guitars[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Hey! Electric guitars have a place in every shack! Everyone should own at least 3 of 'em.
They make for a lot of fun while listening to OF's on 80m argue about who's the drunkest.
They also give you a good excuse to learn about vacuum tube circuits.
Well, I was going to say Tube Socks because I have seen them for sale at several hamfests........
But hey...... they make real good desk microphone covers http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
73
George
K3UD
K9STH
06-05-2003, 02:58 PM
tommyl, whoever you are:
All is not "gloom and doom" with the latest power line suggestions. If you spend all your time brooding over this one thing that you soon will degenerate into a helpless blob. Hey! Lighten up, enjoy a few "off the cuff" remarks. Get back into the world!
Glen, K9STH
Matt KC9DGM --- Heh, good one!
Hey, I once got a VERY good deal on a clarinet (I'm a part time professional musician) at a hamfest. So you don't see me complaining. But yes, there is a lot of tacky sh*t for sale at hamfests.
And there's a lot of radio related JUNQUE as well. I mean CRAP that I wouldn't take if it was free and the seller delivered it to my door.
A hamfest is TRULY an orgy of unusual sights, sounds and SMELLS.... True dat.
Out.
KD7UKT
06-05-2003, 03:49 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ June 05 2003,07:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">A hamfest is TRULY an orgy of unusual sights, sounds and SMELLS.... True dat.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
SY:
An ORGY? Maybe we need to advertise more hamfests like that to grab the attention of the younger set! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
WB2GOF
06-05-2003, 07:59 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (tommyl @ June 05 2003,01:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The stuff is there because the seller didn't have enough items to make it worthwhile to pay the 10-15 bucks to set up at a flea market.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Tommy-boy,
# # Obviously you haven't been to a local Hamfest lately, either. #A table alone costs $15.00 at this week's LIMARC Hamfest (not to mention all the friggin' tax paperwork & fees they now getcha for); and a table at a successful flea market, it probably would fetch even more!
# # Anyway, with the advent of eBay, why spend $15.00 for a table at a hamfest for your stuff/junk, when you can list it online for pennies, and get a feeding frenzy of bidders foaming at the mouth offering top dollar for your used equipment? #If a regular ham wants to sell gear, online, or a swap & shop net, is a lot cheaper.
# # However, if you're gonna layout $15.00, might as well bring more stuff with you so you can recoup as much as possible. #It doesn't matter if it's not all Ham gear; in todays world, the bottom line is the almighty dollar.
W5HTW
06-05-2003, 11:01 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K3UD @ June 05 2003,07:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Well, I was going to say Tube Socks because I have seen them for sale at several hamfests........
But hey...... they make real good desk microphone covers http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
73
George
K3UD[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
And I thought Tube Socks were covers for ice cold 807s.
Or protective covers for red hot 6146s??
ed
VE6DDT
06-06-2003, 05:31 PM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Very very good Glenn ! Definately gave me a few chuckles ! Thanks ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
WA2ZDY
06-06-2003, 11:07 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (W5HTW @ June 05 2003,17:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">. . . And I thought Tube Socks were covers for ice cold 807s. #
Or protective covers for red hot 6146s??[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I've had both cold 807s and red hot 6146s. I learned early on that 807s were good hot OR cold. But 6146s should NEVER be red hot.
I went through a few of them. I used to have one that had literally melted internally, and the envelope had been sucked in over the getter. It looked like it was made of play dough and had been poked with a finger. At least THAT one hadn't been mine.
Oh well.
Socks can also make good pouches for small HT's, cameras etc. There is another common item that makes a good cover for slim mics, but this is not the place to mention it. TOM K8ERV
WA2ZDY
06-07-2003, 01:58 AM
Yuck!
K9STH
06-07-2003, 05:10 AM
Obviously, ERV means an oven mitt!
Glen, K9STH
tommyl
06-07-2003, 01:36 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WB2GOF @ June 05 2003,12:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"># #"Obviously you haven't been to a local Hamfest lately, either."
# #[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Actually I was selling at Manasas last weekend and the Vienna Winterfest before that. #But you made my point, it is not worth it to pay a massive table fee at a flea market for a few items that could be presented at a hamfest, along with the radio stuff.
Glad most of the posts are light hearted, I have, however, seen some editorals in ham publications bemoaning this subject. #I think as long as hamfests still essentially sell electronic related stuff let's just ignore it.
kc2gow
06-08-2003, 02:57 AM
Glen, you summerized everything in a way that even I would not have imagined. Thanks to everyone who gave in their two cents. (Sorry about the good food add in) It all depends on how you look at something. But I guess I should have been a little more specific with things like knives meaning what you cut through butter with etc...
73's
K9STH
06-08-2003, 03:35 AM
GOW:
I think that everyone knew what you were "talking about" and agrees in principle that these things are definitely not amateur radio related. But, the opportunity to be an "educated donkey" presented itself and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to be one!
As I said before, "the Devil made me do it"! "Sock it to me"! "Verrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting"!
Now, for those amateurs who have no idea as to where the "quotes" come from, back in the 1960s there was a very popular television comedy program called "Laugh In" and those three sayings were repeated several times during each broadcast.
Seriously, there are people who sell all sorts of things that take any opportunity to market their wares. Also, they do offer an alternative to those family members who "tag along" and are not interested in things doing with electronics and / or communications of some sort.
I have seen "stranger" things than what you listed at all sorts of events, even a few trade shows and even political conventions! Some of the things that show up for sale at the Texas State Republican Convention are definitely "way out". Don't know about the Democrats, for I haven't attended one of their conventions. Have attended Republican conventions every two years since about 1978 as a delegate.
Glen, K9STH
W5KRM
06-09-2003, 09:20 PM
Glen refers to Dan Rowan and Dick Martin's "Rowan and Martin's Laugh In"
Excellent humor back then!
Go-Go boots, mini-skirts, Arte Johnson, et al! Great fun!
I do think however, if a news crew were to ever video a hamfest, it would scare the public even more!
I love the guys with 10 HT's on their belt, the "big" guys with the two sizes too small smelly tee shirts, the fellas with the off loaded junk with the mud dauber's nest still on them, the boat anchors from the barn complete with rodent excrement inside the chassis, etc.
A motley crew to be sure!
How I love the smell of cooking bratwursts early in the morning with the sound of bingo and cake walks being called out over the speakers! Makes me want to find a local hamfest!
KB1GYQ
06-09-2003, 10:18 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (W5KRM @ June 09 2003,17:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">... Go-Go boots, mini-skirts ...[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That might improve hamfest attendance.
K3ESE
06-10-2003, 02:51 PM
I brought my violin to FDIM at Dayton...now I'm BUSTED! lol
N0FFA
06-11-2003, 05:49 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KB1GYQ @ June 09 2003,15:18)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (W5KRM @ June 09 2003,17:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">... Go-Go boots, mini-skirts ...[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That might improve hamfest attendance.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Depends on who's wearing 'em! Hopefully not one of those big guys with the smelly t-shirt.
KB1GYQ
06-11-2003, 09:01 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KC0OXQ @ June 11 2003,13:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KB1GYQ @ June 09 2003,15:18)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (W5KRM @ June 09 2003,17:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">... Go-Go boots, mini-skirts ...[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That might improve hamfest attendance.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Depends on who's wearing 'em! Hopefully not one of those big guys with the smelly t-shirt.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
YUCK
WB2GOF
06-12-2003, 04:36 PM
We need to lower our testing standards so we can allow a lot more of those buxom blondes into our hobby.
n6hle
06-12-2003, 04:37 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WB2GOF @ June 12 2003,09:36)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">We need to lower our testing standards so we can allow a lot more of those buxom blondes into our hobby.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Contradicting yourself from another topic???
WB2GOF
06-12-2003, 07:59 PM
Playing devils' advocate...with tongue firmly planted in cheek!
KB1GYQ
06-12-2003, 08:27 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WB2GOF @ June 12 2003,15:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Playing devils' advocate...with tongue firmly planted in cheek![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Whose tongue is in whose cheek?
kd7eze
06-13-2003, 01:37 PM
I might as well throw in my 2¢ worth, as I didn't see it mentioned. I hate seeing truckloads/trailerloads of old computer parts and computer junk, that was outdated in the 70's. Spare parts for the junkbox you say, hogwash.
New parts aren't that expensive, and are much more reliable.
Now that I have my flame-proof suit on, go ahead Glen, "sock it to me" http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
'73 de KD7EZE
K9STH
06-13-2003, 03:11 PM
EZE:
Actually, it depends on where you buy your new parts as to how expensive they are! However, I do agree that a lot of the old computer stuff is basically worthless in terms of parts that are good for r.f.
Resistors and small capacitors are useful anywhere. But, most of the IC components are not unless you really know what you are doing.
If you buy your parts from Radio Shack then they are expensive. The same thing is true for a lot of the other small quantitiy suppliers. If you buy in quantity small components, like 100 resistors at a time, 100 capacitors at a time, all of the same value, then the prices get very cheap from places like Mouser. Larger items like electrolytics vary depending on the voltage primarily, with the actual capacitance being secondary.
Another problem with old computer parts is that the components are marked with "house numbers" and not "normal" numbrs.
Now, old TV sets are still good for some components, although not anywhere near as good as they were when tubes were used!
Glen, K9STH
kd7eze
06-14-2003, 03:19 PM
Glen,
You said a bad word, "Radio Shack". http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif Anyway, Digikey and Mouser, are my preferred parts sources. I agree, about the old TV's, just don't see too many at the fests around these parts.
'73 de KD7EZE/5
Actually , Glen, I believe it was Flip Wilson's Geraldene, who "the Devil made . . . do it " ! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #
Not sure if it first showed up on Laugh-in or Flip's own TV show at about the same time.
Watching those old Laugh-in shows sure makes ME feel old ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif
73 from Jim AG3Y