The title of this post refers to parts sources for rare and unusual items which either can't be found available from common electronics supply sources or are far too expensive when purchased new from these sources. Some key components might not even be made currently (oboslete, but useful technology.)
Hamfests:
These great events were always my favorite and still are. They are gatherings of amateur radio operators, electronic hobbyists, propellar heads, compute geeks, etc., who sell used and new parts and components at big indoor or even bigger outdoor events. These usually happen only once per year in large cities nationwide here in the U.S. The prices are always incredibly low and the quality varies from junk to real one of a kind treasures. At least you get to see, touch and handle the stuff before you buy. Haggling over the price is always part of the fun.
To find out when a ham fest is in your area, ask a local ham radio operator, or grab a copy of "Nuts and Volts" magazine. You can also go to the ARRL website for a complete yearly listing. They usually only published ARRL sanctioned events, however and a lot of non-ARRL events are around.
Hamfests are changing with the coming of the Internet. A lot of the really good stuff is no long showing up at hamfests. I can see it creeping in like a killer plague. A lot of hamfest "regulars" are like "carnies" (carnaval people). They are strange and often rather Bohemian, but a jovial enough bunch. You see them at hamfests all up and down the East coast here. Many of them, the same vendors showing up everywhere! While haggling over price is held in high regard, a lot of hamfest buyers often offer ridiculously low amounts below the quoted prices. This sometimes irritates these old sellers.
Now they have an option, an option they are exercising more and more. E-Bay! I have seen a guy offer a pathetically low sum for a nice item at a recent hamfest and the vendor now snaps back (truthfully). "No thanks I'll put it on E-bay next week if I can't sell it here and get double what I ask here."
E-bay
This electronic warfare system has done many things. It has put some of the most unusual and specialized material up for sale before an auction throng of millions! Hamfests offer to hundreds at most. it is removing the better stuff from hamfests and has even convinced many old surplus houses to close their doors forever, many hamfest vendors to stay home on Sundays and go online exclusively. Why, Zero overhead, Zero travel, Zero Gas bills, and the customer covers every expense. Add to this they get top dollar for stuff they would never sell to the "townies" in their areas.
With the world as a bidding forum, there is always some nut job with more money than brains who will cough up twice what the item is worth new in the catalog. This hurts hamfesters, the more impoverished experimenters and the thrill of the chase is lost. Money talks, all else walks.
The hamfest carnies now stay at home, prop their feet up, sip on the Jack Daniels and just take orders without having to show anything other than an electronic image with the accursed, "unable to test, sold as is" which frees them from any complaints or obligations. They get top dollar from some yahoo in Blisterville, Iowa who has never seen a hamfest or the item offered for sale and figures it is just what he needs.
On the other hand, we are treated to things we need desparately, right now and here they are. All we have to do is accept it even it is broken and pay the postage and the nebulous packing and handling costs. We can only pray we get it for only twice what it is worth and still less that it costs new.
E-bay is good, but it is a sellers paradise and a buyers minefield.
Lab-X
This is a more professional evironment made up almost entirely of surplus places who specialize in old blown up or disgarded lab gear. The prices at auction are mostly high and the minimum bid is usually set at what they have had on the piece gathering dust in their main stores for the last 5 years which others thought too high. Some whacko will buy it, maybe. I have seen a lot of this junk get no bids due to a more discrimenating bidder crowd. Never mind, if it doesn't fly on Lab-X, It will definitely move on E-bay for sure.
Use you head and keep a sharp eye out for the best buy. If you need it now and can't afford it new, E-bay or Lab-x may be your only hope. However, several years of hamfesting can net a lot of booty for next to nothing.
Richard Hull
Created on Sunday, March 25, 2001 11:57 PM EDT by Richard Hull Last Modified on Monday, March 26, 2001 12:31 AM EDT by Richard Hull