Dick Smith Kits

[David L. Jones]

According to the Wikipedia thing athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Smith_Electronics:

Ultimately owned by Woolworths Limited

Key people Alvin Ng (General Manager)
Dick Smith (until 1982)

Which seems to mean that the answer to your question is "Not since
1982". :-(

Yes, even after 25 years we STILL get people going on about how DSE
has gone down hill since Dick himself left, as if it were yesterday,
or last week, or last month, or last year, or last decade!
*yawn*

Dave

 

[Bob Parker]

Yes, even after 25 years we STILL get people going on about how DSE
has gone down hill since Dick himself left, as if it were yesterday,
or last week, or last month, or last year, or last decade!
*yawn*

Dave

Some would say that it's been a constant gradual decline for the
last 25 years....

Bob

 

[David L. Jones]

Some would say that it's been a constant gradual decline for the
last 25 years....

It has for at least the last 15 years, and I would not argue with 25
years. Anyone who hasn't noticed that needs a checkup.
There was that brief spurt when the powerhouse stores opened, with
their "massive" range of components, fully stocked data library you
could browse, a work bench you could use, demo and kit building
classes etc but it died in the arse.

I recon we must get at least a couple of people a year complaining
about the "recent" decline of DSE, and another couple a year
complaining about the "decline" of Jaycar into a farting/novelty toy
seller, both of which are absurdly incorrect.
Classic material for an FAQ!

Dave

 

[budgie]

A growing number of people are speculating about that....

Taking DJ's lead, I checked up on a kit I had been thinking about for a while.
All stock here in WestOz was a zillion miles away, so I rang the nearest store
and asked if they could rope one in for me. Happily arranged that. I then
asked if this was a sign that DSE were getting out of kits. No way, he said,
just some shinybum over east decided to "rationalise" their range, and to have
kits only carried at certain stores in future as well. He said his store sells
a veritable shiteload and was earmarked as a "will carry kits" store. Still
wondering if that was the real story or just the H/O shite that he was fed.

 

[atec77]

Taking DJ's lead, I checked up on a kit I had been thinking about for a while.
All stock here in WestOz was a zillion miles away, so I rang the nearest store
and asked if they could rope one in for me. Happily arranged that. I then
asked if this was a sign that DSE were getting out of kits. No way, he said,
just some shinybum over east decided to "rationalise" their range, and to have
kits only carried at certain stores in future as well. He said his store sells
a veritable shiteload and was earmarked as a "will carry kits" store. Still
wondering if that was the real story or just the H/O shite that he was fed.

With some junk box and a faulty multimeter for a case I built this
total cost $1.00


http://ludens.cl/Electron/esr/esr.html

 

[Mr.T]

I recon we must get at least a couple of people a year complaining
about the "recent" decline of DSE, and another couple a year
complaining about the "decline" of Jaycar into a farting/novelty toy
seller, both of which are absurdly incorrect.

"Absurdly incorrect" ???
Yes it's not recent, that's true, otherwise perfectly correct from the
perspective of anyone actually interested in electronics!

MrT.

 

[David L. Jones]

"Absurdly incorrect" ???
Yes it's not recent, that's true, otherwise perfectly correct from the
perspective of anyone actually interested in electronics!

Why would anyone care about the demise of DSE as a hobby electronics
outlet?
Jaycar & Altronics (+others) have been happily filling (and improving
on) that niche for the last 20 years.
The only benefit of DSE was that they have more outlets.

Dave

 

[Boozo]

Don't go to DSE for electronic components. That's a lesson that everyone
on this ng
should have learnt ages ago. Consequently you're not going to get any
sympathy.

Jaycar's a good alternative for what you wanted.
Penrith
199 High Street 2750
Ph: 02 4721 8337
Fax: 02 4721 8935
Mon-Fri: 9.00 - 5.30, Thu: 9.00 - 8.30, Sat: 9.00 - 4.00, Sun: 10.00 -
4.00


Rockby may have some wire wrap ones in their surplus inventory. Their
phone number is
03 9562 8559

http://www.rockby.com.au

Well I disagree. Depending on who you get, Jaycar isn't much better.

I had some stupid bitch in the Adelaide city store who was in the middle of
her
monthlies and on a really short fuse.
Seriously, she should've been locked away that day, and to
be in customer service as well !!! I wonder how much business
was lost that week.

On the other hand I've had some excellent service there over the years.

They sell a lot of toys for big prices too considering the cheapo stuff that
most of it is.

Jimbo.

 

[Peter Smerdon]

That Altronics one is only 64 way (rows A&C only).

If it is indeed the DIN 41612 Eurocard connector you're looking for, in
wirewrap, try RS Electronics or Farnell.
Do a search in...
http://www.rsaustralia.com
and
http://au.farnell.com/jsp/home/homepage.jsp


They are always good for that hard-to-find component - but you'll pay
top price for it. It'll be top quality too...

Cheers,

Peter S.