RadioShack: No Isolation Transformers Available

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the availability of isolation transformers at RadioShack, with participants sharing personal anecdotes and experiences related to electronics shopping, particularly in the context of past and present product availability.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express disappointment over the lack of isolation transformers at RadioShack, reminiscing about the store's previous utility for electronics needs.
  • One participant shares a humorous anecdote about their father's misunderstanding of gift requests related to electronics.
  • Another participant mentions a search for a specific graphing calculator, highlighting the challenges of finding desired electronics products.
  • Concerns are raised about the knowledge of store staff regarding specific products, such as Yagi antennas, indicating a perceived decline in expertise at RadioShack.
  • Some participants suggest alternative suppliers like McMaster-Carr, but express a preference for local options, reflecting on the changing landscape of electronics retail.
  • One participant shares a past experience of searching for a transformer for a coil gun, noting the difficulty in finding relevant information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the decline of product availability and expertise at RadioShack, but there are varying personal experiences and anecdotes shared, indicating a mix of nostalgia and frustration without a clear consensus on solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific products and experiences that may not be universally applicable, and there are indications of varying levels of knowledge and expectations regarding electronics retail.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in electronics, particularly those reflecting on changes in retail availability and personal experiences with electronics shopping.

Ivan Seeking
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I wanted to try using an isolation transformer for a test and didn't need anything special, so I figured that RadioShack might still stock something that I could use.

When I searched "transformer" at the RS site, I got this.

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-3799482t98.jpg

:cry::cry::cry: They used to be so handy.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Ehh, my dad had roughly the opposite problem when I told him I wanted one for Christmas 20 years ago.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
I wanted to try using an isolation transformer for a test and didn't need anything special, so I figured that RadioShack might still stock something that I could use.

When I searched "transformer" at the RS site, I got this.

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-3799482t98.jpg

:cry::cry::cry: They used to be so handy.

What? So you wanted the red one?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
russ_watters said:
Ehh, my dad had roughly the opposite problem when I told him I wanted one for Christmas 20 years ago.

:smile: That's the sort of thing my parents would have done too! My Christmas gifts were more often "sounds like" whatever was actually on my wish list than what I actually requested.
 
I was looking for the HP 50G graphing calculator lately (thanks again to you who recommented it) and thanks to some awesome search-engines I got about a hundred results of dozens of different 50g-tubes of some sort of pastes.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
I wanted to try using an isolation transformer for a test and didn't need anything special, so I figured that RadioShack might still stock something that I could use.

When I searched "transformer" at the RS site, I got this.

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-3799482t98.jpg

:cry::cry::cry: They used to be so handy.

Not long ago, I bought a HDTV and found my trusty rabbit ears were no longer OK (I'm way too cheap to buy cable). So, I went off to RS to buy a proper amplified antenna to put in the attic. I went in and said I wanted an omnidirectional TV antenna (When I'm recording one show and watching another, how would I know where to turn a directional one?). The store manager assured me that all TV antennas were omnidirectional. I said "What about a Yagi?" The guy said he had never heard of a Yagi. :cry: me too
 
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BTW, you can probably get what you want at
www.mcmaster.com
except you pay for UPS.
 
Wait a minute TVP45 - Yagi was the little alien muppet guy in Star Wars. What does he have to do with ancient Japanese antennas from 1935?
 
jim mcnamara said:
Wait a minute TVP45 - Yagi was the little alien muppet guy in Star Wars. What does he have to do with ancient Japanese antennas from 1935?

I think that they used one for the armature to build the puppet on.
 
  • #10
When I wanted to build a coil gun some time ago, I wanted a nice transformer to get some high voltage. All I could find were sites about the new movie, the toys and other merchandise. :(
 
  • #11
TVP45 said:
BTW, you can probably get what you want at
www.mcmaster.com
except you pay for UPS.

Yeah, I have accounts with Mouser, Digikey, and Allied, but I was hoping for something local. I guess those days are gone. The other day I had to red-label in a part from S Carolina - a stinking DIN 8 connector!

RS is down to a selection of about 4 transistors.
 
  • #12
Did you ahve to give them your phone number when you used their search engine? :rolleyes:
 
  • #13
No, I always check for the item as general stock before checking local stock. If I know they carry it, then I call and check the shelf.

Or do you mean for the connector? That was a stock issue. And that was from Alllied, not RS. :smile:
 
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  • #14
Moonbear said:
:smile: That's the sort of thing my parents would have done too! My Christmas gifts were more often "sounds like" whatever was actually on my wish list than what I actually requested.
No, it worked out ok. He asked for a clarification. I think it was something like "what's wrong with the one we have?" He had a nice old electric train set.
 
  • #15
Danger said:
I think that they used one for the armature to build the puppet on.

I guess I should have been glad he didn't tell me bears don't watch TV.:rolleyes:
 

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