Floyd County hams talk about their work in the community. A meeting sponsored by the Foundation for Amateur International Radio Services (FAIRS), the Floyd Amateur Radio Society (FARS), and Triad on August 26 was an opportunity to spotlight the work of local ham radio operators.
Radio prepares for war, Part 1. As the roaring twenties came to a close, radio technology would continue to evolve with significant improvements to consumer sets, particularly in the area of shortwave reception. The price of radios would continue to fall as availability continued to increase. Herbert Hoover could have added “a radio in every home” to his famous “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage” campaign slogan. This radio boom would continue right up until December of 1941, when the first bombs were dropped on Pearl Harbor. After that, new radios would be a scarcity as almost all production and materials were diverted to the war effort.
For RadioShack, the end is near. Gentlemen and gentlewomen of a certain age harbor fond memories of trips to RadioShack. In days of yore, ham radios and homemade guitar amplifiers would emerge from the mysterious jumble of wires and audio components hawked by this unpretentious electronic retailer. Among younger generations with a much different view, the business enjoys a nickname: “S–t Shack.” Definition as per the Urban Dictionary: “derisive term describing the quality of products, the prices, and the people that go there.” Whatever one’s view of this American institution with about 27,000 employees, it is near death. On Thursday, RadioShack warned that it may file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Yohei, N8YQX says
I hope RS will use this opportunity to improve their operation, but I fear the end is near. There is no way they can compete with the internet and the big box electronics stores, and their staff doesn’t have the necessary training to sell components.
It’s too bad, because RS is the only electronics store open on the weekends in my area.
Dan, any recommendations for electronics store in SE Michigan? About the only store I know of that’s open on weekends is Electronic Connection (Ford and Newburgh), and they’re only open on Saturdays.
Dan KB6NU says
Unfortunately, I don’t. I don’t think there are any electronics/hobbyist stores in SE Michigan anymore. RS Electronics is on Schoolcraft in Livonia, but they’re mostly a commercial/industrial supplier, and I rather doubt they’re open on Sundays.
Yohei, N8YQX says
Dan,
Thanks for the feedback. I’ve been to RS Electronics before. They seem to be geared towards commercial sales, and last time I checked, they are only open on weekdays, and until 5PM. :(
Maybe some other forum reader can chime in with a good store. It seems like I always need that one _last_ part for a project around 3PM on a Sunday.
Mike K8XF says
I am not surprised that Radio Shack has fallen upon hard times. One of those stores closed at the local mall a long time ago. They had nothing but overpriced stock handled by dummies. How long could a store like that stay in business?