Radio Shack couldn’t afford to stock parts for the two of us in the county that might build something.
The build it yourself article long ago disappeared from the electronics magazines and then most of them are gone too. Look at car mags.
Between cheaper to buy than make imported gadgets and government regulations do-it-yourselfism is a rare idea in America.
Even Best Buy didn't carry it.
It was a nice store, I was in and out in 5 minutes.
Great staff, too.
It still occurred to me that I hadn't been in a RS for at LEAST 25 years.
Last time was when I was in college, building a crude EKG monitor.
They had everything I needed back then. Not so today.
Hell, had they stuck to their mid range Optimus stereos and expanded their security equipment/camera stuff it might have been enough to keep them viable. But when they went heads up in the cell phone market, it killed them.
There are several component companies thriving online to service the DYI market globally where people still do build things. they could have went that route. But I agree completely. Here, Me, you and few others are likely all thats left that even have an interest much less the ability.
Do-it-yourselfism is not dead. You can find it in the 3D printing area. Maker faires are very popular and crowded. People are building their own 3D printers and accessories. Americans are creating, while the Chinese are copying American 3D stuff. Also check out TechShop. Their shops are busy with young people crafting stuff using CNC, lathes, welders etc. There is still hope for do-it-yourselfism.