R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Miscellaneous / Off-topic
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: I Miss Radio Shack!
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedI Miss Radio Shack!
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
fwunder View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: I Miss Radio Shack!
    Posted: 22 Aug 2017 at 8:14pm
Yeah, so now I decide to learn myself building small electronic circuits. I got my breadboards, a box full of resistors, ordered a few capacitors and even some LM317 voltage regulators. I can do a littler soldering and know how to use a multimeter. I can even read a basic schematic. Fun stuff for an old fart! 

Problem is...I'm an old rookie and sometimes I need just the right capacitor or wire or solder or pot or LED and I don't want to order ten and I want it now because, at my age, if I have to wait for mail order I will forget what I needed it for! Guy at Home Depot laughed at me when I asked where I could find some 22 gauge solid core wire so I could make my own breadboard jumpers. "You need to scale up your projects", he said.

I miss Radio Shack!

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
Back to Top
GlueGuy View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2629 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 1:23am
Out here we have a place called Fry's. They used to be a grocery store, then they morphed. One aisle is potato chips, the next is computer chips. They have pretty much everything that Radio Shack used to carry, and then some.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 7:43am
Originally posted by GlueGuy

Out here we have a place called Fry's. They used to be a grocery store, then they morphed. One aisle is potato chips, the next is computer chips. They have pretty much everything that Radio Shack used to carry, and then some.


True story.

Wish we had them back here. When I get back to my parents place, I always try to make a couple hours room in my schedule to go wander at Fry's over in Natomas...
Back to Top
DavMar View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 Aug 2017
Location: Lexington, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 592 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 2:34pm
Radio Shack hit the dumpers when it decided to nix the electronic parts and go into consumer electronics and cell phones, once they did that it was straight downhill IMHO.

I long for the days when I could just run down to the 'Shack' for a diode or capacitor I needed. Now its order from Mouser, Digikey, and so forth and wait...bummer!
Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the
wonder dog.
2017 Rpod 180
2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4
Lexington, NC
Back to Top
fwunder View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 7:34pm
I've been ordering a few things from Ebay. Mouser looks like they got the best stuff, but the shipping is crazy if you just want a couple of components. Diode is $0.50. Shipping is $5.00. Radio Shack offers free shipping for $15.00 or more, but that's like 5 solar panel voltage regulators! I just want to build one.

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 6:22am

Jameco Electronics may interest you:

Jameco

If you get on their emailing list, they offer specials and some projects.
Back to Top
Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 7:31am
Originally posted by fwunder

I've been ordering a few things from Ebay. Mouser looks like they got the best stuff, but the shipping is crazy if you just want a couple of components. Diode is $0.50. Shipping is $5.00. Radio Shack offers free shipping for $15.00 or more, but that's like 5 solar panel voltage regulators! I just want to build one.

fred
That's what I always disliked about Radio Shack.  You couldn't just get one of anything.  Who needs 5 solar panel voltage regulators??  You need one capacitor but you have to buy at least 3.  What happens to that extra stuff?  Your kids throw it away when they clean out your shop after you die.

It was better than not being able to get that stuff at all.  I miss Radio Shack too.  Sometimes.

TT
2010 176
FJ Cruiser
Back to Top
fwunder View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 7:48am
Thanks David. On the list!

TT, I started this thread with the thought there might be an old (Heathkit days) electronics geezer or two here about to go. Please pass my contact info to grandkids... Star

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 10:45am
Originally posted by fwunder


........... I started this thread with the thought there might be an old (Heathkit days) electronics geezer or two here about .........

fred

Yes, Fred, there are a few of us who grew up with 6L6s, 5Y3s, 6K7s and 5 tube AC/DC radios. We just moved back to CO and there is still an actual Radio Shack here. Haven't been in yet so don't know if it's real or just a cellphone shop, but I'm hoping.
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
DavMar View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 Aug 2017
Location: Lexington, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 592 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 11:17am
Originally posted by CharlieM

Originally posted by fwunder


........... I started this thread with the thought there might be an old (Heathkit days) electronics geezer or two here about .........

fred

Yes, Fred, there are a few of us who grew up with 6L6s, 5Y3s, 6K7s and 5 tube AC/DC radios. We just moved back to CO and there is still an actual Radio Shack here. Haven't been in yet so don't know if it's real or just a cellphone shop, but I'm hoping.


Yes, there are still a few of us around that remember the glow of vacuum tubes. I still miss working on high powered transmitters using a Klystron tube. As for Radio Shack I'm afraid you'll be disappointed and  be lucky if you find a bin with a few drawers of electronic components for sale. One thing you can always check on if your near a big town is if there still is a store that carries discrete components. Use to be they were everywhere but now there few here and there. Cry
Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the
wonder dog.
2017 Rpod 180
2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4
Lexington, NC
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz