Whilst reading a few issues of Wireless World from the world radio museum web site, I wondered about the issue that happened on my 21st birthday month. Reading the editorial rang a very loud bell! If it reads familiar to you enjoy the feeling. JB ZS6WL
We are constantly receiving letters from private individuals who are finding it impossible to obtain supplies of certain components and whose pleas to manufacturers and distributors are met with stony silence. Even the small company, not in the electronics field, which requires a special component for a one-off job—and which has the advantage of a company letter heading—sometimes receives the same treatment.
One of our correspondents, who was starting a small company, claimed he was asked for two trade references and the name of his bankers, and that was only in order to receive a catalogue!
However, component supply is the result and not the cause of the problem, the whole attitude of the electronics industry towards the private experimenter and the amateur is one of non-co-operation to the point of scorn. Why is this, when many of yesteryear’s major innovations in radio and electronics emanated from the results of work carried out on a kitchen table?
In those days the amateur and the professional (often one and the same person) were working on similar problems and there was a mutual respect. The technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since then and industry is staffed with people who more than likely do not have an amateur background and who have no appreciation of the problems and frustrations that can face anyone trying to work on his own for interest, self-education or amusement.
Because of the great amount of publicity given to electronics, and the aura of mystery surrounding it in the eyes of the layman, more people are taking a practical interest. This has led to manufacturers and distributors being bombarded with letters requesting the solution to private electronic problems, many of which are nonsensical or frivolous, and others could have been answered easily if the writer had shown a little initiative or visited a good library.
To answer all these queries would cost a company a great deal and what would they get in return? Perhaps an order for two or three components, the value of which may be less than the cost of the handling.
By making their components generally available on the retail market, to be bought by people who may not be qualified to use them, a company feels that it is inviting the sort of costly correspondence mentioned. The reason for the reticence in this respect can be understood.
All this has led to the present ultra-low status of the amateur in the eyes of industry and the reluctance of many concerns to accept small orders.
The industry does, however, have a responsibility to the public, even if it is only to
maintain its own image, and attempts must be made to give assistance in genuine cases. Refusals because of a couldn’t-care-less attitude can never be justified and small losses should be accepted at times.
Manufacturers could easily set up machinery to ensure that their products can be sold on the retail market through a distributor. Because of the difficulty in assessing the possible quantities required perhaps some sort of sale or return arrangement could be operated with the distributor. At the present time many components are completely unobtainable on the retail market.
In addition, all private individuals seriously interested in electronics should put their own house in order, and as a first step may well think of joining a club. If there is not one in the area—start one. The answer to nearly all the problems likely to trouble the experimenter could be found amongst a group of people with a common aim. Particularly difficult problems could be made club projects. Benefits could be reaped in terms of central facilities, pooled test equipment, tools and literature.
A great deal of useful work can be done by a well-run organisation of this nature and the local community can benefit. For instance, club projects could aid local handicapped people, small electronic systems for local firms could be designed and constructed (power supplies, control systems, photo-electric switches etc.). Often these firms can advantageously use electronic equipment, but, because only a one-off is required, it is uneconomic to employ professionals to do the job.
The companies who supply components would, we feel sure, be more than willing to assist such organisations so long as things were done on a business-like basis. A good example of the sort of co-operation that can be achieved is to be seen in the components list for the Logic Display Aid in this issue.
From: Wireless-World 1969-06 pg69
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