Quote:
Originally Posted by yash101
or is RadioShack just expensive? I have seen no better performance in their products, but they cost a few times the cost as different resellers.
|
That's no accident. RadioShack makes their money off convenience.
For example: in northern NJ there are now basically 2 places you can go grab loose electronic parts. Wayne Electronics and Greenbrook Electronics. There used to be more. Lashen Electronics for example. However there was more money to made with telecommunications so many of the old hobby stores changed to telecommunications parts. Telecommunications parts are not like the old HeathKit amateur radios. These are not kits at all.
RadioShack takes loose, sometimes poorly quality tested parts, puts them in a neat little packaging kit and sells them at a good markup. Now if you ever need to buy quantity on those parts they'll still try to hit you for that markup when you call Texas.
Surplus is your friend if you have no budget and need stuff to play with: All Electronics, Marlin P. Jones, Herbach Rademan, Surplus Sales of Nebraska.
Also you should find your local Ham radio clubs and if possible visit the Dayton Hamvention.
Look up your local college. See if they offer courses to high school students (I took several college courses while in high school). Look up your local vocational-technical school. If you can find the course books the college uses and buy them used at a good discount (it's the same information after all).
Also a little business tip: since I was 9 years old (yes I worked when I was 9 in electronics mind you) I have spent a portion of my income every month on stocking up electronics. As a result I have a selection of: resistors, capacitors, inductors/transformers (and cores to wind my own), diodes, rectifiers, TTL logic, CMOS logic, MCU, CPU, motors, wires, lugs and tools that is at least as large as any hobby store had (just I don't have as much quantity).
Don't just rush out to buy stuff and pile it up. If you are committed to this budget yourself and have a plan.