[BC] Can anyone help?

[Thomas G. Osenkowsky]

>WHERE HAVE ALL THE LOCAL ELECTRONIC SHOPS HAVE GONE?????

It's a matter of economics. Take six pieces of equipment in your
station with at least six years age between them. For example,
an Audimax/Volumax 400 series, a 4000 series, an 8100,
a PR&E console, a Starguide, Medalist console, an SX tx,
MRC-1600 remote control, an MX-5050 and an ITC Premium
cart machine and a 99B. Take the covers off these pieces.
Look at all the different components.

You probably will not find a 10M 1/2 watt resistor. Having to
stock literally hundreds of thousands of components is impractical
for a local supplier. They have minimums from the manufacturers.
Can't possibly stock every RCA SK or ECG general purpose
replacement component. Electrolytics, tantalums, with various
capacity, voltage and temperature ratings. Film, carbon, wirewound
resistors, various wattages and tolerances, linear and logic chips.
Ever realize how many variations of the 5532 chip there are?

Purchasing even the minimum from the many manufacturers requires
a substantial investment which sits on the shelf not earning any
interest while it does. Incur taxes, yes. Insurance, yes. This is why
so many local suppliers have gone under.

Many stations have equipment ranging a 40 year or more time span.
>From the old Gates/RCA/Collins tube standby tx to the modern digital
equipment the number of components is staggering.

Best advice I can give is to keep an inventory of all frequently used
replacement and maintenance materials. From fuses, chips, electrical
tape, solder, contact cleaner spray, duster spray, etc. and when faced
with a minimum order spend the excess productively.

Tom Osenkowsky, CPBE