I have to agree with Karl and Dave (and whoever else said much the same thing about RS in its current format). "My" RS store is friendly to hams, but I suspect this is only because the manager is a ham, himself. No one else at the store knows much beyond cell phone and home entertainment. Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; 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 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 <mailto:wj1b@arrl.org> Date: 10/30/08 13:32:06 To: arrl-odv <mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Cc: Cornell,Jacqueline, KB1PWB <mailto:jcornell@arrl.org> ; Inderbitzen, Bob, <mailto:rinderbitzen@arrl.org> NQ1R 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 hkramer@arrl.org _____ From: Cornell,Jacqueline, KB1PWB Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 2:30 PM To: Kramer, Harold, WJ1B Cc: Inderbitzen, Bob, NQ1R Subject: Amazon Update The ARRL Operating Manual <http://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Operating-Manual-Radio-Amateurs/dp/087259109 3/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225390007&sr=8-1> 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, Jackie