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Radio Shack
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Feb 18, 2019 13:48:59   #
Bill_R Loc: Southeastern Wisconsin
 
dpullum wrote:
Rich1939 I recall Tandy/Radio Shack in Nashville, it was spectacular. It had a central area which was entertaining... and 8 arms for different specialties... one for Software, one for children, an Audio, a TV, Computer and so on.

If ever I was bored, it was the place to go... it was mind exciting refreshing... each month new computers, new whatevers

Let us take a moment of silence and remember the loved Trash 80 ... "The TRS-80 Micro Computer System is a desktop microcomputer launched in 1977"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80

--------------------------------------
Largobob ... wow, such excitement when the box from Heathkit was delivered. I recall sitting and working and not eating all day... building and picture wiring was a passion.
http://www.pastcatalogs.com/heath/Heathkit_1958.pdf
Rich1939 I recall Tandy/Radio Shack in Nashville, ... (show quote)


Yep, I spent many happy hours building Heathkit gear. And then there was Lafayette Electronics...........

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Feb 18, 2019 13:53:26   #
Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana
 
My first computer was a Radio Shack Tandy 48K floppy disk desktop with key board and video screen as one unit. One year later I upgraded to their 64K desktop and their portable unit as well. I purchased a real estate appraisal program out of Bellville, Illinois to run on the computer. Nice setup and it sure beat working on a typewriter for my workflow. Good memories of Radio Shack.

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Feb 18, 2019 13:53:30   #
Bill_R Loc: Southeastern Wisconsin
 
ncribble wrote:
A walk down memory lane - Radio Shack sold me my first computer, and I've been hooked ever since.
"HOW DOES THAT DO THAT"?.
It was then that I appreciated my Mother making we kids take typing in High School.
Thanks for the Ride Radio Shack.


My mother also made me take a typing class in high school (circa 1969). I was the only guy in the class and pretty self conscious most of the time. All things considered, typing/keyboarding was, by far, the most useful manual skill I ever learned.

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Feb 18, 2019 14:07:08   #
brrywill
 
Pixelmaster wrote:
The other day I was looking at some of my old photo equipment and came across these two
batteries. Radio Shack became bankrupt and it was sold to a company that filed two years
later for bankruptcy as well. In 2017 Radio Shack's stores closed down. The company did
sell off the use of its name to places in Mexico and a few other countries where it was
totally independent of the parent company in the US. I would guess that those who dabbled
in building and repairing of electronic equipment have found other sources to replace what
Radio Shack use to sell. Either that or you go to Mexico. All this is hard to believe since
the company has been around since its start of its first store in Boston in 1921.
The other day I was looking at some of my old phot... (show quote)



I remember their audio gear. Back in the 70's during the "receiver wars" they made some of the finest receivers in the industry under the Realistic name. In fact the STA-2100 comes to mind. It was innovative and to this day brings in excess of $500 on ebay in good shape. I still use one in my bedroom system and it sounds great!

One of the other posters mentioned increased pricing. I agree that in more recent years they did price themselves out of the market. I think what ultimately killed them off though was competition from online sellers. Kind of sad, the end of an era.

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Feb 18, 2019 14:15:19   #
oregon don
 
Willis53 wrote:
My mother also made me take a typing class in high school (circa 1969). I was the only guy in the class and pretty self conscious most of the time. All things considered, typing/keyboarding was, by far, the most useful manual skill I ever learned.


our typing classes were filled with guys, the teacher was very well built, every 16 yo dream fantasy

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Feb 18, 2019 14:46:31   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
brrywill wrote:
I remember their audio gear. Back in the 70's during the "receiver wars" they made some of the finest receivers in the industry under the Realistic name. In fact the STA-2100 comes to mind. It was innovative and to this day brings in excess of $500 on ebay in good shape. I still use one in my bedroom system and it sounds great!

One of the other posters mentioned increased pricing. I agree that in more recent years they did price themselves out of the market. I think what ultimately killed them off though was competition from online sellers. Kind of sad, the end of an era.
I remember their audio gear. Back in the 70's duri... (show quote)


I have - both - a 22wpc analog Realistic Receiver, and an Optimus 15wpc Digital - and they both work fine. The former had a switch, for changing the microsecond delay - which I never used. It was rewired to function as a cut-out switch for the lights, so I could use it in the darkroom, w/o fogging paper. I also have a 50wpc Optimus, with a flip-down door over the digital display, into which I inserted a masked piece of cardboard, cut to size - to black out its display. In the 90s, most of the ones in the Danbury area shut down, but there are still several - functioning perfectly, in the surrounding areas - including New Milford and Southbury. At the latter store, I bought my U/S Yamaha - a 95wpc 6.1, and a Pioneer 110wpc 7.1 - which I actually had to go and pick up in the Orange store. Other Yamaha 85wpc 5.1 units were bought at the Radio Shacks in Trumbull and one in NY State. Also, I picked up a Sony 6.1 120wpc unit in Southbury. Radio Shack has been part of my Audio purchases for the past 60 years. Not sure how I could have managed without them. You need a fuse - go to Radio Shack. Need Speaker wire? go to Radio Shack.

I also had a "Trash 80" in 1979. Loved that thing! But - it was tricky to upgrade. Finally - gave up and went to Commodore. Bought the Vic 20, the 64, then the 128, and then - when Commodore went with IBM clones, so did I. Bought their XT copy, and then their AT copy. Both are still in use.

Back to Radio Shack. I have several pairs of Realistic Speakers, and many Optimus Speakers, too. The wood version of their 40w model is a classic. I have two pairs. I also have the metal version of that one. Believe it or not, I also have some pretty good Lafayette Electrostatic Speakers, I use down here, too.

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Feb 18, 2019 14:58:38   #
brrywill
 
Chris T wrote:
I have - both - a 22wpc analog Realistic Receiver, and an Optimus 15wpc Digital - and they both work fine. The former had a switch, for changing the microsecond delay - which I never used. It was rewired to function as a cut-out switch for the lights, so I could use it in the darkroom, w/o fogging paper. I also have a 50wpc Optimus, with a flip-down door over the digital display, into which I inserted a masked piece of cardboard, cut to size - to black out its display. In the 90s, most of the ones in the Danbury area shut down, but there are still several - functioning perfectly, in the surrounding areas - including New Milford and Southbury. At the latter store, I bought my U/S Yamaha - a 95wpc 6.1, and a Pioneer 110wpc 7.1 - which I actually had to go and pick up in the Orange store. Other Yamaha 85wpc 5.1 units were bought at the Radio Shacks in Trumbull and one in NY State. Also, I picked up a Sony 6.1 120wpc unit in Southbury. Radio Shack has been part of my Audio purchases for the past 60 years. Not sure how I could have managed without them. You need a fuse - go to Radio Shack. Need Speaker wire? go to Radio Shack.

I also had a "Trash 80" in 1979. Loved that thing! But - it was tricky to upgrade. Finally - gave up and went to Commodore. Bought the Vic 20, the 64, then the 128, and then - when Commodore went with IBM clones, so did I. Bought their XT copy, and then their AT copy. Both are still in use.

Back to Radio Shack. I have several pairs of Realistic Speakers, and many Optimus Speakers, too. The wood version of their 40w model is a classic. I have two pairs. I also have the metal version of that one. Believe it or not, I also have some pretty good Lafayette Electrostatic Speakers, I use down here, too.
I have - both - a 22wpc analog Realistic Receiver,... (show quote)



Chris, some of those lower powered receivers had a wonderful sound. Add a pair of efficient speakers and you can be in audio heaven. Especially for jazz and classical. As for the Yammies, I forgot RS sold other brands as well as their own, but you are right. They were kind of a one stop shop.

Funny you mentioned Lafayette speakers. I have a pair of their old multi-driver wall mounts that sound
good in the surround sound system.

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Feb 18, 2019 14:59:23   #
Gort55 Loc: Northern Colorado
 
Willis53 wrote:
Yep, I spent many happy hours building Heathkit gear. And then there was Lafayette Electronics...........


Me too. I remember being blown away when I first heard a Heathkit stereo amp with Acoustic Research AR2a or something speakers and a Garrard turntable with magnetic cartridge. I had to have one. For some reason I ended up getting an Eico ST-70 as my first kit.

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Feb 18, 2019 15:00:40   #
sirlensalot Loc: Arizona
 
I think Radio Shack lost its way during the evolution of electronics. Quality went down, inventory continued to shrink until what was left was pretty much an all Asian stock. They tried selling toys, electronic supplies, computers, batteries, cables, electronic testing equipment, CB radios, all in stores with small footprints. In the end, the inventory was abysmal and not worth the trip. We still buy some of the same crap manufactured in some of the same countries, but when they ship for free for a lower cost, I think it rang the death knell for our once beloved Radio Shack. Years ago the RS sales staff was pretty savvy on products in the same way some of our local camera stores staff are now. That also changed for the worse.

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Feb 18, 2019 15:28:12   #
pendennis
 
Lcfitt wrote:
My take on the demise of Radio Shack is a little different, though I do agree with most of the previous posts. I received a General Class (Ham) Radio license in the early 60s. I recall that the "man cave" where the equipment was kept was generally referred to as the "Radio Shack". With the decline of the hobby over time, I always wondered why they kept the original name. Today, my main hobby is amateur build aircraft. I have built two and helped on two others. When I built my first airplane, the factory was averaging 40 kits per month shipped with a reported high of 90. Today, the average is about 3 per month. My general take on both situations is a fundamental shift in the nature of our hobbies. Early on in amateur radio, we built a lot of our equipment from scratch and the customer knew about as much as the store rep did - or maybe more. Attached is a picture of the video camera mount on my most recent airplane. Cable control with about 100° vertical and 190° horizontal movement. The design is based on the one on my first airplane built in the late 90s. Lots of parts and trial and error - cost about $300 including video camera. Today for $5000 I could buy one far more sophisticated but no more effective and without the fairings - or I could buy the GoPro with all the issues that go along with fixed focus, wide angle and the nature of the sensors. I felt I needed at minimum, zoom and aperture control. In short, just not so many of us tinkerers around.
My take on the demise of Radio Shack is a little d... (show quote)


The term "radio shack" goes back to the advent of wireless communications on Navy ships, at least the early 19's. My father referred to the communications room on base as the radio shack, and every Radioman I've ever known also used the term.

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Feb 18, 2019 15:43:45   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
brrywill wrote:
Chris, some of those lower powered receivers had a wonderful sound. Add a pair of efficient speakers and you can be in audio heaven. Especially for jazz and classical. As for the Yammies, I forgot RS sold other brands as well as their own, but you are right. They were kind of a one stop shop.

Funny you mentioned Lafayette speakers. I have a pair of their old multi-driver wall mounts that sound
good in the surround sound system.


Yup!! … Bought those in Bridgeport, when they had a full-blown mall, right in the middle of the city. Both Radio Shack and Lafayette - were close to each other, at one end. Couldn't find what you wanted in one - go to the other - a few stores away. Unfortunately, due to thefts and pilfering, the entire Mall was shut down. It now houses a Community College - perhaps, a better deal for the young folk in that city …

My 15w Digital Optimus is in my U/S bathroom - powering those 40w Optimus metal speakers. It's a great set-up. Even have added both a CD player, and a tape player to the mix … you never have to leave!!!!

The 22w Analog Realistic - used to be my kitchen radio. It has now been replaced by a 40w Marantz Digital - which used to be in the bedroom. This unit creates a delay between front and rear speakers - approximating a surround system. The wood 40w Realistic speakers are the front pair, and a 50w Optimus pair are the rear ones - over the sink. In some ways, that system - sounds better than ANY of the more recent surround systems which provide 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 9.2, 11.2 etc. They rely on music which has been recorded - aimed at reproduction in those systems - which are few and far, between. The Marantz I use in the kitchen - with the Radio Shack/Optimus speakers - creates surround - with ALL music!!!!!!

The 22w Realistic Analog - is about to be installed in the Darkroom, powering a pair of Lafayette 40ws. The 50w Optimus Digital - I used to use in there, has been retired, temporarily. Am still trying to decide where to use it - whether in the front office, or somewhere else. TBH with you, that one's sound - doesn't cut it, as well as the lesser-powered Radio Shack units I have. Yamahas are a passion with me. I've lost count of how many of those I have. Far superior to most out there, except, perhaps - Onkyo. I have a 65wpc Onkyo 5.1 - which sounds fuller and better than units with twice as much power!!!!

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Feb 18, 2019 15:48:48   #
2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond
 
Singer did the same thing with their sewing machines when they bought out Friden calculators and the quality of Singer machines suffered significantly with the switching of personnel between companies. I had two Singer machines that were complete duds. Bought a Viking and never looked back.

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Feb 18, 2019 16:16:51   #
Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA
 
oregon don wrote:
our typing classes were filled with guys, the teacher was very well built, every 16 yo dream fantasy


Lucky you! My mother also made me take typing classes. I was the only guy in the class. She also had me take a shorthand class. I just couldn't get into either and found myself wishing I was in a chemistry lab, physics lab, or just simply a math class. I did at least get a fundamental level of typing down which improved when I had to spend a lot of time on an IBM 3270 terminal troubleshooting systems communications and networks. Never did used shorthand, though.

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Feb 18, 2019 16:18:39   #
brrywill
 
Chris T wrote:
Yup!! … Bought those in Bridgeport, when they had a full-blown mall, right in the middle of the city. Both Radio Shack and Lafayette - were close to each other, at one end. Couldn't find what you wanted in one - go to the other - a few stores away. Unfortunately, due to thefts and pilfering, the entire Mall was shut down. It now houses a Community College - perhaps, a better deal for the young folk in that city …

My 15w Digital Optimus is in my U/S bathroom - powering those 40w Optimus metal speakers. It's a great set-up. Even have added both a CD player, and a tape player to the mix … you never have to leave!!!!

The 22w Analog Realistic - used to be my kitchen radio. It has now been replaced by a 40w Marantz Digital - which used to be in the bedroom. This unit creates a delay between front and rear speakers - approximating a surround system. The wood 40w Realistic speakers are the front pair, and a 50w Optimus pair are the rear ones - over the sink. In some ways, that system - sounds better than ANY of the more recent surround systems which provide 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 9.2, 11.2 etc. They rely on music which has been recorded - aimed at reproduction in those systems - which are few and far, between. The Marantz I use in the kitchen - with the Radio Shack/Optimus speakers - creates surround - with ALL music!!!!!!

The 22w Realistic Analog - is about to be installed in the Darkroom, powering a pair of Lafayette 40ws. The 50w Optimus Digital - I used to use in there, has been retired, temporarily. Am still trying to decide where to use it - whether in the front office, or somewhere else. TBH with you, that one's sound - doesn't cut it, as well as the lesser-powered Radio Shack units I have. Yamahas are a passion with me. I've lost count of how many of those I have. Far superior to most out there, except, perhaps - Onkyo. I have a 65wpc Onkyo 5.1 - which sounds fuller and better than units with twice as much power!!!!
Yup!! … Bought those in Bridgeport, when they had ... (show quote)


Ahh yes, that Yammy sound. I have several of their pieces as well. Some of my favorites are the silver faced integrateds. They have the amp and preamp included, not the tuner. Kind of two thirds of a receiver. Theory is there is less cross talk without the tuner. Great sounding stuff. I use them in some of my high end setups.

I forgot to mention, but one of my most remarkable Radio Shack purchases came from ebay. I bought a Realistic (RS) STA-20 receiver, which I assumed would be just that, a simple 20 watt solid state receiver. To my utter disbelief, it turned out to be a 5 Watt single-ended tube receiver. All the other STA-20's I've seen or ever heard of are solid state units. I am wondering if it might be some sort of prototype from the end of the tube era? Anyway, I went back through all of the vintage literature I could lay my hands on, and could find not a single mention of such a piece.

The thing I miss the most about Radio Shack is their calculators. They were the best, and most reasonable. In fact I have one sitting next to the computer as we speak.

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Feb 18, 2019 16:39:56   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
brrywill wrote:
Ahh yes, that Yammy sound. I have several of their pieces as well. Some of my favorites are the silver faced integrateds. They have the amp and preamp included, not the tuner. Kind of two thirds of a receiver. Theory is there is less cross talk without the tuner. Great sounding stuff. I use them in some of my high end setups.

I forgot to mention, but one of my most remarkable Radio Shack purchases came from ebay. I bought a Realistic (RS) STA-20 receiver, which I assumed would be just that, a simple 20 watt solid state receiver. To my utter disbelief, it turned out to be a 5 Watt single-ended tube receiver. All the other STA-20's I've seen or ever heard of are solid state units. I am wondering if it might be some sort of prototype from the end of the tube era? Anyway, I went back through all of the vintage literature I could lay my hands on, and could find not a single mention of such a piece.

The thing I miss the most about Radio Shack is their calculators. They were the best, and most reasonable. In fact I have one sitting next to the computer as we speak.
Ahh yes, that Yammy sound. I have several of their... (show quote)


I had one, which had a built-in set of alarms, a calendar, and all kinds of other neat stuff. Unfortunately, I tried to go through what I thought was a simple puddle in my '70 T-Bird, and came to a halt, in the middle of it. This was a main road in Danbury. The swamp had overflowed with all the rainfall. Everything I had in the back seat, became saturated. I forgot I had the unit in my portfolio case. Should've grabbed it quick. I took it back to a Radio Shack in Brookfield, which, supposedly, was THE Repair Center for that sort of thing. At that time - there was another one - directly across the road - which only sold computers. They're both gone, now. She wasn't able to fix it, though. More's the pity. Many receivers - Technics, and Radio Shack/Optimus - used the power output, in their model numbers. My Technics SA-222 is 22wpc. My SA-350 is 35wpc. My SA-410 is 45wpc. So, it doesn't ALWAYS hold true. Can't remember the model numbers of all the Radio Shack units I have. But, don't think the Model Numbers represent power output.

The Yammies I have down here are all black. But I also have a silver-faced 5-disc DVD-A changer. Upstairs, only the 6.1 is black. All the 5.1 Yammies are silver. My old R-100 is silver, too. That has the tone controls - you can program and change according to the music - by remote. But, there does seem to be a little crosstalk with that one. Of course - the R-100 is 100wpc - but, it's only stereo. Down here, two of the black ones are surround. One is - in effect - 2.1, plus center. The other is full-fledged 7.1 (9.1.) There's also a 50wpc amp, with AV Selector, which I use to channel all sources thru the others. It also provides a center, and rear channels, as well. One of my sources - is a CD Dubber, I also bought from Radio Shack - the one surviving one in Danbury - at North St. Also, I have dual DVD-Rs - both bought at the one in Southbury. Also, dual LG Combo Decks - both bought there, too - Special Order. All this talk about Radio Shack - being dead and gone - is driving me NUTS!!!!

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