[Elecraft] Parts availability

[Alan Bloom]

Recently I tried to order some electronic parts for a project I am 
working on.  In the old days (like, a year ago) I would just get on the 
Digi-Key web site, order what I want, and it would arrive in the mail in 
a few days.

These days, there are a LOT of parts on the Digi-Key web site that show 
no availability.  I wanted to buy 10 standard, run-of-the-mill LM358 
op-amps in an 8-pin DIP package.  This is a 25 cent part that has been 
around for decades.  They had none in stock in that quantity, from any 
manufacturer.  I ended up ordering a couple in the old-fashioned TO-5 
metal can package for *10 bucks each*. At least they did have some of 
those in stock.

I also wanted to buy a ceramic capacitor assortment.  They listed 6 
assortments that would have worked for me, but all were out of stock.

Manufacturers with "just in time" parts ordering systems are in a world 
of hurt these days.  Fortunately I don't think Elecraft ever went down 
that path.

Alan N1AL