How sick are we anyway? [Archive]

ae4fa

12-12-2003, 01:39 AM

Don't you find it interesting that so many folk lately are "allergic" to certain smells. Most recently it has led to the "smoke-free facility" laws.

I am finding among my co-workers a rising discontent with perfumes. And, I must confess, I find many of them unpleasant.

One of my co-workers wears a significant amount of perfume. Another, who must work in close proximity to her, complains that it smells like "bug-spray."

Another, this one a male, must bathe in aftershave (a marketing phrase invented in the 50's to improve profits for perfume companies). Others who work near him constantly have red eyes and runny noses.

Just an observation, but I think in a couple of years we'll see some legislation on this brave new frontier.

KB9YCO

12-12-2003, 03:38 AM

"...stopped in to Radio Shack..."

There's your first mistake right there. No offense, but every Radio Shack I've been in has over priced and low quality crap sold by some nitwit that doesn't know a diode from the hole in his pea brain that really wants you to buy a cell phone, right now! No offense to those people in the minority that may work at Radio Shack while actually having a clue. I was so glad when Radio Shack stopped asking me my address because I wanted to purchase a 9 volt battery. Although it was fun to see the look on their faces when I'd tell them that I didn't have an address because I sleep in my car.

ky5u

12-12-2003, 04:05 AM

Yes I agree with Uncle Bob. #I had a woman harangue my wife for smoking and her perfume was so powerful it made your eyes water. #How could she even smell the smoke? Same for the guys who shower in cologne.

Its the next PC thing to legislate. #Sorry for always agreeing with you Bob, but I guess you're just right alot! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

w5alt

12-12-2003, 04:05 AM

Bob,

You ought to try trekking through the altiplano in CP-land. I don't think the people there have ever taken a bath in their entire life. One of them can clean out a whole restaurant, bus, or any other place not well ventilated! No need to worry about perfume. If they used it, you'd never tell the difference.

I also work for a French company and some of the fellows that visit here don't know much about French perfumes. The local YV's are always trying to get the French guys to stay down in one corner of the office and out of smelling range. Although they won't admit it, we won a contract from a French competitor mainly because we have mostly gringos and YV-types around who all know what the shower and soap are for, especially in the heat here. (It's still up in the 90's F everyday - typical winter. Last week saw a couple of 100 F days, as usual.)

Sometimes perfumes do bother me, but I think the "natural" odors are far worse!

73,

KB1JCY

12-12-2003, 05:03 AM

RadioShack: You have questions. We have apathetic employees.

K3DAV

12-12-2003, 09:27 AM

RadioShaft: You have questions, so what.
RadioShaft: You have questions, go back to school.
RadioShaft: You have questions, don't ask our idiots.
RadioShaft: You have questions, kiss my @$?
RadioShaft: You have questions, ask the kid at Mickey D's. He knows more than we do.
RadioShaft: You have questions, and your point?
RadioShaft: You have questions, we have cell phones.
RadioShaft: You have questions, and you always will.
RadioShaft: You have questions, we pay our employees with batteries.

And my personal favorite;

RadioShaft: You have questions, go ask a ham. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

12-12-2003, 10:13 AM

Anybody who buys batteries from Shack--------- http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

TOM K8ERV

12-12-2003, 03:03 PM

They have a real "softer side of Radio Shack" thing going. first Sears and now them. Sheesh...

KC9CEW

12-12-2003, 03:26 PM

www.radioshacksucks.com

K7ELP

12-12-2003, 03:43 PM

My reply is in regards to the price of the tuner cleaner at Radio Shack. #I'm not surprized at the cost. #In 1985 I went to work for a electronics distributor as a parts counter salesman. # At that time a large can of electro-wash by Chemtronics was about $6 wholesale. #When I left there in the mid 90's it had more than tripled in price because of #such things as HFC's CHFC's. #Such things that were claimed to cause problems with the atmosphere, or depleat the ozone layer or such. #One of the things that caused the price to increase was that it had to be shipped special because now it was hazardous material. #Unfortunately I didn't keep up with all the changes, but I remember we went from a small file of material data sheets to a large file.
I don't think any of the changes had to do with smell, who knows.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

KB3GUT

12-12-2003, 04:57 PM

Stop by your local computer store: it will charge you $7 for a can of air. Makes $9 for a can of contact cleaner seem a bargain.

There is a reason for the dye: it helps you see where you are spraying, how much you have sprayed, and where it has run. You may not think this essesential, but I think it's a nice touch. (At $9 a can I would expect some "nice touches.")

I can't think of a reason for the perfume, unless it gives you a hint when the concentration of the contact spray in the room is a little high. We didn't have this problem when contact cleaner was carbon tetrachloride: you knew when the concentration was getting up there.

KB3GUT

kc7jty

12-12-2003, 06:06 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ae4fa @ Dec. 11 2003,18:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just an observation, but I think in a couple of years we'll see #some legislation on this brave new frontier.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I've got my fingers crossed.

KD5KUF

12-12-2003, 07:13 PM

I guess I am one lucky ham. I have a Radio Shack just about 2 miles from here that is family owned and operated, and has a ham employed there. They have components and know what they are. They also stock items that hams need. When you need a pl259 or a bnc connector or a transisitor and diodes to build a packet soundcard interface, that is the place to go. I can have it today, not next week from mailorder.

It would not be so, if I and every other ham around here continued to bypass them and go mail order. I won't stock what I can't sell in my business either. I always check with them first for what I need, and only mailorder what they can't get for me. And that is not much.

If you find a store that does cater to hams, give them your business, stop in and browse and if you don't need anything that week at least say hi. When we became poor customers and went to mail order, to save a couple bucks on what they had, stocked on their shelves, we got what we deserved. So quit yer bitchin' and be a better customer and go in, say hi, and ask them to get you what you need. IF its too late to change your local store, don't blame them. WE did it to OURSELVES. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Ham radio was their original reason for being, and we turned our backs on them first. And listen to how we treat them now. You don't deserve a good store like I am fortunate enough to have here. Radio Shack is where they know my name when I walk in (they don't have to ask for their records, they know), and will bend over backwards to help me anyway they can. If you weren't such a stranger, your Radio Shack people would know you too. But to them you are faceless nobody, just as you treat them. You get either what you pay for or what you deserve from your own behavior. Get over it. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

AG3Y

12-12-2003, 07:31 PM

No, Joe, with all due respect, I believe it has just been a natural progression of the industry that has done it to us.

Once upon a time, radios were composed of tubes, leaded components such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc. These parts were large enough to wrap your fingers around, and grasp with long nose pliers, twist with screwdrivers, and solder with the good old Weller soldering gun.

Now days, radios are a chassis with dozens of microprocessors, VLSI, SMD and other ultra-miniature devices that not one person in a hundred ( thousand ? ) would have the know-how or ability to turn into a working radio, no matter how available the parts might be.

Radio Shack just discovered that there are hundreds ( thousands ? ) of people out there that would rather purchase an assembled computer, Home Theater System, or Cell Phone to every one that was interested in a Ham radio !

It is pure and simply a matter of economics that led RS and other companies to steer away from the Amateur Radio community toward the "greatest common denominator"!

The only thing we "did to ourselves" was to have a different, and unfortunately the least widespread, interest in electronic devices than did the vast majority.

73 from Jim AG3Y

w5zzq

12-12-2003, 07:36 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kb1jcy @ Dec. 11 2003,22:03)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">RadioShack: You have questions. We have apathetic employees.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You are exactly right and we still have questions... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

w5zzq

12-12-2003, 07:37 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K8ERV @ Dec. 12 2003,03:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Anybody who buys batteries from Shack--------- http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

TOM K8ERV[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Tom - that's Radio Shac! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

w5zzq

12-12-2003, 07:38 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc7jty @ Dec. 12 2003,11:06)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ae4fa @ Dec. 11 2003,18:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just an observation, but I think in a couple of years we'll see #some legislation on this brave new frontier.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I've got my fingers crossed.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
We can only hope!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

K9STH

12-12-2003, 08:10 PM

KUF:

Radio Shack did start out being a store that was by, and for, amateur radio. Unfortunately, as they began expanding from the Boston, Massachussets area, they were bought out by Tandy Leather Corporation of Fort Worth, Texas, which became Tandy Corporation. This buy out by Tandy started the change from amateur radio to consumer electronics to now pushing cellular telephones.

Tandy made a definite choice by going away from the amateur radio and hobby radio business into what they believed would make more money for their stock-holders. For a while this worked. But, in today's business world every "Tom Dick and Harry" is selling cellular telephones, radio controlled toys, etc. Radio Shack has had to cut back in their company owned stores (which comprise the vast majority of their operations) and they have chosen to do this by eliminating the small items (like parts) and items that were of special interest to amateur radio and "CB" radio operators.

Tandy has also tried to eliminate as many of the privately owned and "joint venture" stores as they possibly can. A good example of this is when a major mall was built (local to me) just a few hundred feet from a strip mall which contained a "joint venture" Radio Shack store. Even though Radio Shack was contractually obligated not to build a store within so many miles of the existing store, they opened a factory owned store in the mall. Of course that store cut well into the sales at the outside store. However, they refused to do anything to make compensation to the "joint venture" partner until he took them to court. Tandy Corporation had to "pay off" the "joint venture" store partner to the tune of over $1,000,000 and then they closed down the strip mall operation for good.

In most, if not all, metropolitan areas the Radio Shack outlets are company owned. In the smaller cities and towns there are still some privately owned or "joint venture" stores. However, as time goes by, Tandy is attempting to eliminate as many of these as possible and convert to company owned facilities. The reason is simple: More money to Tandy if they own the operation!

Tandy has also suffered some financial reversals and have closed down the Tandy Leather operations in most of the country. They have also closed down some of the Radio Shack operations that have not been producing up to expectations.

A while back the Tandy employee who had been in charge of their amateur radio section visited me (he lives in the Fort Worth area and I am in a suburb of Dallas). Actually he was trading a 2 meter FM radio to me for a piece of test equipment! We talked about various things including back when Tandy had originally bought out Allied Radio (now Allied Electronics) and Radio Shack had started selling the AX-190 / SX-190 receivers that were built by Trio (now Kenwood). The original expectation had been to come out with the matching transmitter (the receivers were already set up to transceive with the matching transmitter) but that idea was "scrubbed" by Tandy executives. The trend had been towards eliminating the radio hobby interests in favor of the consumer electronics sales. This has continued until now when most of the radio hobby items are no longer found at Radio Shack.

As for supporting a Radio Shack store that supports amateur radio, I am definitely all for it! But, the vast majority of these few Radio Shack stores that do support amateur radio are privately owned, and, unfortunately, few and far between. Most of the company owned Radio Shack stores don't employ anyone who has any interest in amateur radio and even fewer employ anyone that really knows anything about amateur radio. Thus, the reactions that come from most amateur radio operators towards Radio Shack.

Glen, K9STH

KC5JSR

12-12-2003, 09:32 PM

I went into a raat shackk about two weeks ago, to get some PL-259's.. Another ham and I were going to help a handicapable ham get his stealth antenna up.

This guy walked up and said, you gots questions, we gots answers. So I axed him, where the PL259's might bees? He said " come with dat agin"

I'm serious as a heart attack, that's how the dialog went. Just sumthin to ponder in these here times http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

73'
John C.

KD5KUF

12-12-2003, 09:37 PM

Thanks Glen for the in depth look at Radio Shack, but still, look at all the mom and pop businesses that have failed simply because everyone started going to wally world and MegaloMarts and mail order while mom and pop starved and shut the doors for good. We deserve the monster marts who run us through chutes like livestock to be milked and sent out to pasture until it is time to do it again.

There might be a lot more of those mom and pop Radio Shacks if hams had brought them more of their business. But it is the nature of business to evolve with the actual local market or go out with a whimper. The business I am in (motorcycles) has changed dramatically in the quarter century, that I have been in it. Not all for the best for sure, but it is what it is. But I still work for a mom and pop, family owned business and would not under any circumstances work in a factory owned store, if such a thing existed in this industry. A company owned Shack would probably lose my business too. I hope that day never comes here.
73, and Merry Christmas
Joe KD5KUF

K9STH

12-12-2003, 11:26 PM

Unfortunately the "mom and pop" style of stores has gone by the wayside in many areas. It was a "two way street" with their demise. Although a lot of those stores did try to treat their customers "right", a lot of them also had a pretty bad "take it or leave it" attitude. Since they were the only source of that particular product in "their" town a lot of them did get pretty complacent. When the WalMart came to town, with the same products for less money, the "mom and pop" stores faded into the woodwork. Those stores that realized that they had to do something special to compete did so and quite often have survived.

Certain stores and other operations have definitely survived. For example, in Plano, Texas (suburb of Dallas just north of me), there is a very successful MacDonald's operation. Right next door is a privately owned hamburger "joint" that does mainly "take out", but has a small seating area like MacDonald's. That company has survived over 20 years next to MacDonald's. Their prices are certainly not cheaper, but, frankly, their food tastes a lot better! Thus, they have been able to prosper even with the largest hamburger chain right next door.

Per capita amateur radio operators don't amount to much and that is why the "main line" electronic stores don't cater to us. There is just too much money to be made from products that everyone can buy versus those with a very specialized attraction. Now, the Texas Towers store can be seen from my roof (it is about 2 miles away and "down hill"), at least I can see their antennas. Although the store does a reasonable amount of "walk in" business, there is definitely not enough of that to even keep one person busy full time. They make their money off of the Internet, telephone, and mail order business. Frankly, the store only serves to give a little break from the other business.

Even back in the late 1950s and early 1960s, stores that catered to the amateur radio trade were few and far between. I grew up in LaPorte, Indiana, and except for a very short period of time, the nearest place that had any amateur radio equipment was in South Bend, 26 miles east. If you really wanted to see amateur radio gear then you had to go to Chicago, about 65 miles west to get to the store (Chicago city limits was about 50 miles). For about a year, a guy opened a store in Michigan City (12 miles away) who tried to deal with amateur radio equipment. Frankly, he was barely keeping his head above water when he got cancer and died. The store lasted right at a year.

The electronic service business has gotten so that the need for parts operations are not usually needed. In this area (Dallas, Texas) most of the old parts suppliers have gone the way of the dodo bird. Mail order operations like Mouser are still in the area (south side of Fort Worth), and there are a few parts operations left (but not like back in the 1970s through 1980s). With Radio Shack reducing their parts inventory to a bare minimum, even here it is much easier to order from mail order. I just telephone Mouser and the parts are here the next business day. The prices are much cheaper than any parts supplier that is left and I don't have to fight traffic!

Thus, unless you are lucky and live near a major supplier of amateur radio equipment, you are restricted to Internet and mail-order. It isn't the best situation, but it definitely beats nothing!

Glen, K9STH

12-12-2003, 11:28 PM

I see a lotta Shack bashing going on here. Here in Montrose Co. we have a very good shack store. The people are knowlegeable, and friendly. I have bot many items from them. I don't think that all Shack stories are bad. Just my opinon. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

TOM K8ERV

KD5ZVO

12-12-2003, 11:58 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w5zzq @ Dec. 12 2003,13:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif6--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc7jty @ Dec. 12 2003,11http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif6)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ae4fa @ Dec. 11 2003,18:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just an observation, but I think in a couple of years we'll see some legislation on this brave new frontier.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I've got my fingers crossed.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
We can only hope!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
No need to wait. Many places and a few cities have set up a "fragrance free area".

http://www.fpinva.org/Access%20Issues/policies_wordage.htm

Now you just have to change jobs and move.

Now if you're talking federal, we'll all be dead first.

AE6IP

12-13-2003, 12:27 AM

I've been lucky with the shack. The one nearest me (about 6 blocks) is a corporate store, but several of the staff are hams, and all are helpful and competent. The one in my home town in Montana is similar. The one in the small town 30 miles away is a "joint" venture and consists of a counter in the back of a hardware store.

I've spent some time talking with the guy who runs the last one. He said that, basically, they've quit carrying ham stuff because hams just don't shop there.

Of course, I live on "Silicon Valley" the home of Fry's Electronics; Jameco is just up the highway a few miles; and there are two HROs within easy driving distance.

But still, I end up doing a lot of my buying on the net, because neith Fry's nor Jameco carry anything specific to ARS, and even HRO doesn't carry a lot of stuff.

In some ways, this is a good thing, since there are a lot of guys out there running cottage industry ham supply companies. My paddle, speaker, CI-V adapter, QSL cards, and rig-computer interface all come from small businesses that I dealt with directly. So has all of the software I use in the shack, even the PCR-1000 control software, since I dumped the ICOM stuff and am using Talk-PCR.

The upside of the big-box stores pushing smaller stores out of business is that the big-box stores tend to only sell the mass merchandise, leaving a big vacuum that is being filled by an upwelling of cottage industry, partially enabled by the internet.

w3sy

12-13-2003, 07:10 AM

If a well known basketball player gets his ham ticket, would he be "Radio Shaq?"

The Radio Shack is a little ol' place where... we can GET TOGETHAAAAAAAAAA....

nx6d

12-13-2003, 03:38 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ Dec. 12 2003,23:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The Radio Shack is a little ol' place where... we can GET TOGETHAAAAAAAAAA....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You think anyone's going to get THAT? <g>

signed, Rock Lobster...

kc7jty

12-13-2003, 05:56 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KD5ZVO @ Dec. 12 2003,16:58)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">No need to wait. Many places and a few cities have set up a "fragrance free area".[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That will be a good one to enforce. I can picture the cops tackling some old lady to the ground and cuffing her because she refused to leave the fragrance free zone, while knowing darn well she could gag a horse 100 yards downwind of her.

AE6IP

12-13-2003, 10:20 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WX7B @ Dec. 13 2003,08:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ Dec. 12 2003,23:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The Radio Shack is a little ol' place where... we can GET TOGETHAAAAAAAAAA....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You think anyone's going to get THAT? <g>

signed, Rock Lobster...[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Well, the guys at the SAC would if it was still around.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

w3sy

12-15-2003, 12:33 AM

It takes a lot of SACK to work for SAC!

Tin roof....... RUSTED!

AB8RU

12-15-2003, 03:06 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AG4YO @ Dec. 12 2003,02:05)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Yes I agree with Uncle Bob. #I had a woman harangue my wife for smoking and her perfume was so powerful it made your eyes water. #How could she even smell the smoke? Same for the guys who shower in cologne.

Its the next PC thing to legislate. #Sorry for always agreeing with you Bob, but I guess you're just right alot! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Michigan Law BTW has NO SMOKING policies in the following..

All State, Federal, County, Public Schools, Resturants, Public Buildings.

Maybe you will disagree on this one but I will say have fun explaining that to the Judge ! .

my Employer/ Contractor State of Michigan has had 2 building fires , and both were classed as ARSON or willful deliberate setting fire to 2 Trash containers both carry stiff sentances when prosecuted.

I also will tell you that one female was either rock stupid or ignorant .. she had a can of Gasoline front seat and lit a cigarette she thought she was right but is no longer around to tell her grand children that hazzards of Gasoline and not to play with matches.

also the Insurance saftey trainer from a dealership I used to work they have a few stories that Allstate ad was nothing compared to what really happens.

I am a non-smoker anyway I plan to enjoy myself that way.

AB8RU

12-15-2003, 03:14 AM

Had fun at Radio Shark anyway today in the mall drinking coffee, and I bought a Cell Phone 4 my XYL at the Verizon store had ALLTEL trying to sell me their 3 free day plan in the Kiosk, well guys I read contracts anyway.

blew their mind ABT G4 Technology, seen the Duh looks I got http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Its sure fun being a Licensed Amateur Radio Operator !

n0ov

12-18-2003, 08:40 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AG3Y @ Dec. 11 2003,13:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">No, Joe, with all due respect, I believe it has just been a natural progression of the industry that has done it to us. #

Once upon a time, radios were composed of tubes, leaded components such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc. #These parts were large enough to wrap your fingers around, and grasp with long nose pliers, twist with screwdrivers, and solder with the good old Weller soldering gun.

Now days, radios are a chassis with dozens of microprocessors, VLSI, SMD and other ultra-miniature devices that not one person in a hundred ( thousand ? ) would have the know-how or ability to turn into a working radio, no matter how available the parts might be.

Radio Shack just discovered that there are hundreds ( thousands ? ) of people out there that would rather purchase an assembled computer, Home Theater System, or Cell Phone to every one that was interested in a Ham radio ! #

It is pure and simply a matter of economics that led RS and other companies to steer away from the Amateur Radio community toward the "greatest common denominator"!

The only thing we "did to ourselves" was to have a different, and unfortunately the least widespread, interest in electronic devices than did the vast majority. #

73 from Jim AG3Y[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Also, in those days when a tube went out you replaced the tube instead of the radio.

Welcome to the 21st Century -- error of throw-away electronics.

ki4bgo

12-18-2003, 09:04 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WX7B @ Dec. 13 2003,12:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ Dec. 12 2003,23:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The Radio Shack is a little ol' place where... we can GET TOGETHAAAAAAAAAA....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You think anyone's going to get THAT? <g>

signed, Rock Lobster...[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
They will if they know what kind of car the girl from Planet Claire drives and how fast she drives it! ...Anyone? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

N3TTN

12-19-2003, 02:12 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">There's your first mistake right there. No offense, but every Radio Shack I've been in has over priced and low quality crap...[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

I dunno....maybe it's not the "RADIO SHACK" that the old time hams used to know, but when I need a connector/part/or whatever... in a hurry, it sure is convenient. Nuff said.

KB0IEY

12-22-2003, 07:58 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ Dec. 13 2003,01:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If a well known basketball player gets his ham ticket, would he be "Radio Shaq?"

The Radio Shack is a little ol' place where... we can GET TOGETHAAAAAAAAAA....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
...I got me a Chrysler, it's as big as a whale, and it's about to set sail... Yeah, and it can hold a full size HF rig AND amp and still have room for several legs under the dash, and plenty of room on the roof for mobile antennas of various configurations. Sorry, I couldn't resist. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

73,
KB0IEY

w3bny

12-22-2003, 08:09 PM

AE6IP

12-26-2003, 06:49 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KC0LNU @ Dec. 18 2003,13:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Welcome to the 21st Century -- error of throw-away electronics.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

luv that line. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

KD5ZVO

12-26-2003, 04:03 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KC5JSR @ Dec. 12 2003,15:32)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I went into a raat shackk about two weeks ago, to get some PL-259's.. Another ham and I were going to help a handicapable ham get his stealth antenna up.

This guy walked up and said, you gots questions, we gots answers. So I axed him, where the PL259's might bees? He said " come with dat agin"

I'm serious as a heart attack, that's how the dialog went. Just sumthin to ponder in these here times http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I did the same and got the same response from the clerk. But then another clerk pointed them out. While the first rang up my purchase, the second one and I talked 2m and homebrew antennas.

Hams gotta work somewhere.

K4KWH

01-03-2004, 06:23 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc7jty @ Dec. 11 2003,16:11)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Stopped into the Radio Shack today to pick up a can of controll/tuner cleaner. The price was $9. I got to looking at the ingredients and saw "Fragrance and Dye" at the bottom of the list. What did they do, survey a bunch of old ladies at the shopping mall as to how to make the product more user desirable?.......anyway, it went back onto the shelf.
#Stop the planet, I want off. I can't take it any more![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Can you buy "dye-hard" batteries at Radio Shack now?

(sorry, I just had to do that)

73

Jerry

W5OTR

01-03-2004, 10:01 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AE6IP @ Dec. 12 2003,17:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I've been lucky with the shack. #The one nearest me (about 6 blocks) is a corporate store, but several of the staff are hams, and all are helpful and competent...[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
At Phone Shack: #

# # # #That and 100.00 will get you a cell phone.

My local phone shack has a ham/friend employee. Still when I go there I always want to take pepper spray or a taser to keep them from shoving a cell phone up your arse. I don't even risk it when they are having a sale on satellite tv systems>>> OUCH!!! .... .. .... ..

chris _._

W5OTR

01-03-2004, 11:06 PM

Radio shack is to ham radio as a gas station is to buying groceries.

Sarah KD5PCX XYL to KD5OYH

k4dje

01-04-2004, 05:02 AM

Hey Glen, good run down on the SHACK, you must know people who work there. I forget the name of the BBQ joint across the street( R****S) but the ribs SUCK. Chicken was pretty good though.

The most profitable items for the stores to sell are force feed,.. in english,.. parts. Unfortunately the most profitable items for the stock holders are residual items, such as Sat TV, Cell Phones, Internet access..anything in which you as the customer would get a monthly bill. So bye bye parts.

Would you like a battery with that cell phone?

n0ov

01-05-2004, 09:15 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AE6IP @ Dec. 25 2003,00:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KC0LNU @ Dec. 18 2003,13:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Welcome to the 21st Century -- error of throw-away electronics.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

luv that line. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Whoops

Looks like my "error" is your humor. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Spelling is important. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

AG3Y

01-06-2004, 07:10 PM

I had a "Rat-Shack" experience just this morning.

I went to the RadioShack distribution center here in town. Walked in, asked the Store Manager for some "7805 Voltage Regulators" , and received a blank stare as if I was asking for an "illudium P-U 35 Explosive Space Modulator". ( you gotta know Marvin the Martian to appreciate that line )

Anyway, his reply to me was, " I have no idea what you are talking about, do you have the Radio Shack Part Number ? " As if it was my job to furnish him with some number other than the universally known number for the device .

I told him I knew he had a parts cabinet in the back, asked him to take me to it, pointed out the shape of the part on the front of the drawer, pulled open the drawer, and fished out 4 of the things in about 15 seconds time !

After paying my money for the items, I told him he should "learn his job", and walked out of the store with a very disgusted look on my face. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

It sure is a good thing that mail-order parts suppliers exist! Radio Shack is my absolute last-ditch effort when it comes to finding parts I need in a hurry. I try never to be in that position!

73 from Jim AG3Y

K7KBN

01-06-2004, 10:53 PM

That Space Modulator is actually "Illudium Pu-36" E.S.M.

The one you referred to has been upgraded http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Resistance is futile
Resistance is voltage divided by current

Therefore, voltage divided by current is futile.

AG3Y

01-07-2004, 03:25 PM

Well, no wonder that guy looked at me with a blank expression ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

P.S. I LOVE your "assimilation" statement !

73 from Jim AG3Y

KD5ZVO

01-07-2004, 10:06 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kd5oyh @ Jan. 03 2004,17:06)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Radio shack is to ham radio as a gas station is to buying groceries.

Sarah KD5PCX #XYL to KD5OYH[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Well, all the grocery stores around here have gas pumps so they *could* be considered gas stations too.

kc2kde

02-10-2004, 01:35 AM

Try this: "You've got questions, we've got blank stares!"

I once went into a radio shack and asked if they sold Amateur Radio equipment and I was asked what an amateur radio was! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

n0xas

02-10-2004, 02:15 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc2kde @ Feb. 09 2004,19:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Try this: "You've got questions, we've got blank stares!"

I once went into a radio shack and asked if they sold Amateur Radio equipment and I was asked what an amateur radio was! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
So that pretty much answered your question, right? See -- they've got blank stares AND answers! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

02-10-2004, 10:08 AM

Well guys a moment in the go back machine.... When I was a kid I would go with my dad to the radio shack and he would get crystals for his scanner. The guys there knew what they were talking about and they knew my dad because he always came in and no matter what he needed they either had it or once they helped him home brew something right in the store. I would walk around and look at all of the HT's and such and think this place was cool. When my dad asked me what I wanted for christmas it was usually from RS. We were poor so it was components and I learned how to home brew early. I walked into a RS recently and was sick, the kids working in there could not tell me a antenna from a bnc connector. They rarely have these items in stock and thats if they still make them. No longer can you bring your son in and start him on his way to a great hobby. but if you have a problem with your cell phone you can stand there for an hour while they fumble through manuals....