I have to agree with Karl and
5065 Bethany Rd., Mason,
OH 45040
Tel.: 513-459-0142;
E-mail: k8je@arrl.org
ARRL:
The reason Amateur Radio Is!
MEMBERS:
The reason ARRL Is!
-----Original
Message-----
From: Karl Bullock
[mailto:karl@bullock.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008
9:01 PM
To: arrl-odv
Cc: Cornell,Jacqueline, KB1PWB;
Inderbitzen, Bob, NQ1R
Subject: [arrl-odv:17289] Re: RE:
ARRL Book Sales on Amazon Update
Let me chime in on this one since I worked for Tandy for 5 years, and managed a
dealer store for 4. IMHO, Radio Shack has lost their way. They're
primarily a cellphone store now. The electronics parts and
"radio" business, as Dave has already intimated, is low-volume, and
RS is a high-volume/profit oriented business. They keep the parts because
they're high profit, but Ham Radio fell by the wayside after the 2MFM
era. I don't see them getting "back" into Ham Radio because of
their current focus. IF Ham Radio showed a larger market potential,
they'd be a more likely target, and that would be great. But, I wouldn't
pin any great hopes on that happening.
Having said all that, most of the people I knew, both in mid-level and
upper-level management, have moved on to other things or retired, though I
think at least one of the Fort Worth people I know might still be there (don't
read anything into that - I have NO inside contacts), plus it has been several
years now. But, knowing the corporate mentality, I'd be surprised if they
expressed any interest in things ham-related. Sure, make the overtures,
but there's a reason that, at least around here, they're known as "Radio
Shack - you have questions - we have blank stares".
73,
Karl, WA5TMC
----------------------------------------------------
"Of, By, and For..." - Not just words!
Karl Bullock, WA5TMC
ARRL Vice-Director - Delta Division
321 CR 458
Ripley, MS 38663
662 512-8053
Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ wrote:
Bill,
In the mid-'80s and
into the early days of the codeless Tech license we had a great relationship
with RadioShack. We did a special RadioShack branded version of our
introductory book (which by the way had the side benefit of forcing us to put a
realistic -- but high for us -- cover price on our basic book, which over the
years generated a lot of revenue that we otherwise would have left on the table
through our decades-long practice of underpricing our publications, but that's
another story). RadioShack stores had printed lists we provided of clubs
and licensing classes in their area, because of an agreement we worked out with
the folks in Fort Worth. Their first 10-meter monobander was a sincere effort
on their part to support our Novice Enhancement program. Later they added
handhelds and mobiles for Techs. But the size of the amateur market didn't
support stocking such low-volume items in their stores.
The situation probably
varies from place to place around the country -- in particular it may not be
true of the Dealer Stores that are locally owned and generally carry RadioShack
branded products as part of their broader business -- but the RadioShack stores
I have been in and walked past lately are not stores that cater to
do-it-yourselfers, except perhaps those in need of batteries. They sell
consumer electronics.
To the best of my
knowledge, the folks I knew at the Fort worth headquarters are retired or
have moved on. Bob or Harold may be able to provide an update on my
admittedly somewhat historical perspective, but I thought sharing it might
be useful.
73,
Dave K1ZZ
From: William
Sawders [mailto:k7zm@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thu 10/30/2008 9:29 PM
To: arrl-odv
Cc: Cornell,Jacqueline, KB1PWB;
Inderbitzen, Bob, NQ1R
Subject: [arrl-odv:17287] Re: ARRL
Book Sales on Amazon Update
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Now, if we could only get a working agreement with
Radio Shack. There isn't a town in America that doesn't have a Radio Shack
and most perspective hams stop by their local Radio Shack to pick up any
information possible about ham radio. Just a thought. Bill Sawders, K7ZM V.D. NW Div. -------Original Message------- From: Kramer, Harold, WJ1B Date: 10/30/08 13:32:06 To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17283] ARRL Book Sales on
Amazon Update Hi, Here is an exciting update from Jackie
on our efforts in improving and expanding our on-line book sales on
Amazon.com and Google. We have also just implemented a similar,
but smaller in scale, system on our own Web site. For an example:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/10/29/10415/?nc=1 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The national association for
Amateur Radio 860 594 0220 From:
Cornell,Jacqueline, KB1PWB The ARRL Operating Manual is now part of the search
in the book tool on Amazon. If you click on the book it will allow you to
search inside. It’s pretty neat. The following books were just
uploaded and should be available to search inside shortly. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual The ARRL General Class License
Manual The ARRL Extra Class License
Manual Emergency Power for Radio
Communications ARRL’s VHF Digital Handbook ARRL’s HF Digital Handbook ARRL’s Low Power Communications Once I receive PDFs for The
Handbook and The Antenna Book, those will be added as well. All the same books have been
uploaded to the Google Search tool, it just takes much longer to process. Thanks, |
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