Wealthy Amateur Radio Operator Wants To Buy Out Radio Shack!

                        
                            Feb. 2008
                          
                            Wealthy Amateur Radio Operator Wants To Buy Out Radio Shack!
                          
                          Radio Shack stores are always taking heat from the Amateur Radio community for what they have evolved into. They have evolved into what was necessary for them to remain profitable. Could they have dedicated a few stores here and there to be real electronic gear & parts? Probably, but they chose not to. But when Amateur Radio operator N5FEJ won the big lottery last year, he knew he could set things right again!
                        
                          Here's N5FEJ's story:
                        
                          Having been a frustrated Ham for years, I had many times pondered the thought of what I would do with Radio Shack if I was the Top Dog, the Man In Charge, the Captain of Capacitors, or whatever. When I won the Mega Millions lottery, I knew I had my chance! So, now I'm going to buy out the Radio Shack stores and here's what I'm going to do with them. 
                        
                          First, I'm going to close 100% of them and sell the buildings. I will then enter a rebuilding phase where I will construct new facilities for the limited number of stores that the specialized hobby of Amateur Radio can reasonably be expected to support. A serious market research effort will be the order of the day. The stores that manage to rise from the ashes will be renamed Amateur Radio Shack.
                        
                          Now, these will not be mere electronics stores, mind you. These stores will have full-featured, all-mode, all band stations for local and traveling operators, repair and installation shops, restaurants, a residence hall for travelers, lounges, covered hamfest/swapfest area and much more. 
                        
                          Depending on the results of the market survey, all new Amateur Radio Shack Stores will most likely be located in cities with a population of 1,000,000 or greater. Also, all stores will be located on an easily accessible major U.S. highway frontage road. Now, you might initially be dismayed at what may be a long distance from your QTH to the nearest Amateur Radio Shack store, but don't be. You may not get there often, but believe me, you'll want to make an all-day event out of it. So, start compiling your list of essentials and goodies! And, if you have to travel a really long way, we'll leave the light on for you at our Residence Hall!
                        
                          THE STAFF - All Amateur Radio Shack staff members will hold a current Amateur Radio License and will have passed a pre-employment technical exam that will make the FCC exam look like pre-kindergarten! Now, when you have questions, they will have more than just answers. A staff member will be assigned to the Electronics Store, The Communications Room, The Hamfest Area (when applicable), and other areas as needed.
                        
                          THE ELECTRONICS STORE - Think back over the last 20 years about the parts and gadgets and gizmos who needed to keep your shack in operating condition. We'll have those parts and gadgets and gizmos in stock for you at Amateur Radio Shack. Plus we'll be fully stocked with all the latest Amateur Radio gear from Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, MFJ and other major suppliers. Antennas and towers? We've got 'em all!
                        
                          RADIO REPAIR & INSTALLATION - Got a little careless with the screwdriver? Let the smoke out of a component that requires a full load of smoke to operate? We'll bail you out at our state-of-the-art repair and installation facility. And, if you buy a mobile radio, antenna or other accessory, we'll install it free, while you wait at our 10-bay installation barn.
                        
                          COMMUNICATIONS ROOM - As you can probably guess, there will be several radios for each band and mode of operation. For example, two radios for each band 160 - 10 meters, and also 6M, 2M, 220, 440, 1.2Mhz. Each radio will have a dedicated antenna - tuner - amplifier, etc., and appropriate tower systems. VHF-UHF would have it's own 1,000 Ft. tower with stacked everything's at the top, and several types of verticals as you make your way down. We would not have a repeater. Who needs one with a 1,000 Ft. tower? Antennas for satellite and moon bounce work are also on site. Guest operators of our "Talk-In" stations are always welcome!
                        
                          HAMFEST / SWAPFEST AREA - Each store will have a dedicated indoor hamfest/swapfest area with 100 tables. The tables will be free so there will really be no need for a "tailgate" area. Items allowed to be sold will be directly related to Amateur Radio. No decorative iron, dog food, and other non-ham items I've seen at so-called hamfests. I've been to many arts & crafts shows with my wife and I've never seen a Ham Radio being sold at one. The ladies would throw a fit. So, it's only fair to keep a hamfest a hamfest.
                        
                          RESIDENCE HALLS - Rooms will be available for traveling hams who need them. Not every ham has a motor coach, you know. Each room will be equipped with an all-band HF radio and all-mode VHF-UHF radio. Balcony mounted screwdriver HF antennas and dual-band VHF-UHF antennas are supplied. In order to help avoid interference, please coordinate frequency use with your Residence Hall neighbors using one of our dedicated chat rooms. A complimentary breakfast will also be served and each guest will receive a free copy of vintage edition of 73 Magazine.
                        
                          RV PARKING - Each RV slot has a 40 Ft. tower with an HF vertical antenna, and also a dual-band VHF-UHF vertical antenna attached. Coaxial cables are conveniently stored at the bottom of the tower in a protective box. The coax is of sufficient length to reach any communications area in any RV. There will also be a small generator at each position for those who are in need of one! Plus, we provide complete services for any make of RV. 
                        
                          WALK-IN / DRIVE THRU AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE TESTING - Take the Technician, General or Amateur Extra test from 8 - 5, Monday through Saturday at any Amateur Radio Shack store. Just bring a copy of your license, a photo ID, one other form of ID, and the requisite testing fee (see our website for current fee) and we'll get you in and out in minimum time. 
                        
                          THE GIGA BITE RESTAURANT - When you've had enough bytes and need a bite, this is the place to flip the switch to "stand-by". We'll be serving everything from HAM burgers to Blue Steam Fizz with Flakes. 
                        
                          WEATHER STATION - Miss your storm spotter duties? Fear not as we will have a complete weather station, including the latest digital doppler radar. We'll also have a meteorologist/ham on duty to assist you and answer any questions. 
                        
                          CLASSES - We'll offer daily classes covering various Amateur Radio topics to include soldering, using test gear, RFI, stealth antennas, proper appliance operation, zoning commission etiquette, and many more. Guest instructors are always welcome if you have expertise in a popular topic. 
                        
                          LIBRARY - Our library will contain a copy of every issue of every Amateur Radio magazine and newsletter ever published. You'll be able to enjoy Wayne Green's 73 Amateur Radio magazine, QST, CQ, The W5YI Report from the 1980s, plus vintage electronics catalogs like Lafayette, Allied, Burstein Applebee, Heathkit and others.
                        
                          AMATEUR RADIO MUSEUM - And last, but not least, is our Museum. Here you'll find a working example of every radio, accessory and gadget made by and for Hams since the beginning of Amateur Radio.

                          ……………………..
                        
                          Now, I'm going to count backwards from five. When I get to one, you will wake up from this silly dream. N5FEJ was the first call issued to the 73se.com editor and is currently unassigned. 

                          73,

                          WF5TX