FW: [sdiy] Radfio Shack

[Metrophage]

The tools are easier to get, and better. Making PCBs is easy.

I am guessing that what is annoying people (as it is myself) is that
semiconductor companies are >generally< dropping analog components from
manufacture and development, in preference of "universal" parts for
cheep digital electronics such as cellphones, MP3 players, cameras,
etc.

There are many wonderful exceptions, with a few great analog parts
still being made, even new ones. Still, will I be able to find a tempco
or OTA in twenty years? I may not want them then, but I'd like to hedge
my bets on the digital stuff. Digital can be quite a bit more flexable,
but audio itself is an analog phenomenon. Until you personally are
digitized, it all needs to come back to analog somewhere down the line.

When parts like CA3080 and LM13600 are referred to by manufacturers as
"obselete", they don't mean that they have replaced them with a better
OTA chip, rather they mean that all of the applications of these ICs
are obselete! Just an example. Of course it is better for us to have
our interests supported by those who make our parts and our tools.

OTOH, I don't mind making digital and hybrid modules for my system, I
like memories and switches. Five years ago I was using 555 VCOs and
though that CEM3340 were the ultimate, now I get psyched about discrete
transistor stuff. Maybe once somebody here makes the first
superconducting analog synth, analog will be "cool" again. >;]P

CJ



--- phillip m gallo <philgallo at attglobal.net> wrote:
> Is this the general feeling?
> 
> I think it's easier to proto today than at any time in my experience.
>  Most
> major manufacturers sample easily, and also have small order desks or
> ensure
> their part are available at Digikey/Mouser.
> 
> Adapter boards for SMD's are available at my local electronics shop
> or from
> Jameco/Digikey.  I have my choice of monolythic transistor pairs
> instead of
> having to use cosmetic rejects that my friend would give me from
> Keithly
> salvage.
> 
> Tools are more available and less expensive in real dollars.  Meter's
> are
> inexpensive and pack a lot of functionality compared to the old
> individual
> meter per function days.  Analog 'Scopes are everywhere from Ebay to
> the
> local swap meet and handy little digital LCD scopes are not as pricey
> as an
> old Tek "economy" scope was.
> 
> The power of the PC on your desk is a wonder to behold, and by 1995 i
> had
> more capability in my garage than the old Apollo schematic/layout
> workstation we all queued up to use.
> 
> Then there are all those micro & DSP eval boards desperate to sell @
> or
> below $100.00.
> 
> The internet is a wonderful research arena that compacts what was
> several
> weeks of research into a few hours of "googling".
> 
> From my experience it sure beats pressing "flea clips" into phenolic
> and
> soldering the parts i waited three weeks to get from Newark or
> Allied.
> 
> regards,
> p
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> [mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]On Behalf Of Glen
> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 1:05 AM
> To: The Old Crow; synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Radfio Shack
> 
> 
> At 04:36 PM 10/7/04 , The Old Crow wrote:
> 
> >  Of course, electronics hobbyists are all set to be left out in the
> cold
> >when through-hole parts are no longer made.  The
> intermediate/advanced
> >(and more determined beginner) hobbyists can of course adapt to
> >surface-mount, but for the beginner, the new and much steeper
> learning
> >curve it is going to suck.  They'll probably end up going to Radio
> Shack
> >and buying a cell phone.
> 
> At that point, I think the sort of people who used to become
> electronics
> enthusiasts will quite possibly become computer programming
> enthusiasts
> instead. At least it's still possible to write your own software, and
> it
> probably will be for awhile longer. Even DIY software development
> *could*
> eventually dry up. You know, the world will really suck if you have
> to have
> the resources of a large corporation to be able to make anything more
> complicated than a hole in the ground.
> 
> 
> later,
> Glen
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