[ScanIndiana] What kind of scanner to use?

[Duane Mantick]

 Thought I'd weigh in on Tim's comments about Radio Shack.

By and large, I have to (unfortunately) agree with the
observations below.  Interestingly enough, some time back I
interviewed for a position with Rat Shack during a period of
unemployment.  At that time, the guy who I spoke to (who shall
remain unidentified, at least by ME) was either an Advanced
or Extra Class Amateur and clearly knew his electronics.  I
do NOT think he was impressed that I hold an Extra Class
license OR that I have a degree in Electronics plus professional
certifications. Nor did he seem particularly interested in
my over 20+ years experience or authorship of articles for
Amateur publications.

Instead, he seemed more interested in things like if I was
willing to work Saturdays and evenings.  It has been my observation
that every time one of the local Radio Shacks gets an employee
who knows anything he doesn't seem to last very long.  I have
had other people tell me that they have made the same
observation.  One gets the gut feeling that this is deliberate.
I have no proof, but the guys who seem to last tend to be the
ones who either know the least or who most resemble a used car
salesman.

It therefore seems no surprise to me that Radio Shack tends
to get a black eye from the Amateur Community and by extension,
the SWL/scanner community as well.  

As for the equipment they sell, my take is that they have some
good gear.  Not perfect, but good.  It is a shame when reasonable
equipment gets slammed simply because the management refuses
to hire people who know how to use it and more to the point, how
to tell *buyers* how to use it.  Rarely do you see a scanner or
SW receiver set up for demonstration in the store and currently,
I observe that the employees wouldn't know how to use it anyway.

I have a bunch of Rat Shack gear of various types - Amateur radio,
SW radio, audio equipment, etc.  It has always been reliable gear
and reasonably priced.  No complaints from me on that side.

But I do believe that the public would be better served if Rat
Shack would hire employees with some competence WRT the equipment
and some basic electronic knowledge.  It really is a damned shame
that there is nobody out there to give them some hot competition
and then let the free market take effect.

Duane
WB9OMC
Lafayette, IN


-----Original Message-----
From: scanindiana-bounces+wb9omc=nlci.com at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:scanindiana-bounces+wb9omc=nlci.com at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
w9nes at comcast.net
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2005 9:02 AM
To: Indiana Scanning
Subject: RE: [ScanIndiana] What kind of scanner to use?

Hello,I would back up Ken's  infomation to you about a APCO-25 Scanner, Just
make sure that the scanner you purchase will receive this mode,I would stay
away from Radio Shack because I do not like Radio Shack Products nor the
people who are behind the counter and know nothing about what they sell.Stay
with Uniden, I own 15 Uniden scanners and I use them everyday for listening
to Indianapolis MECA and Indiana Safe-t. So if I was going to buy a scanner
I would by a Uniden. .As a Licensed Ham Radio Operator for over 20 years
this is where I would do.           Thank You, Tim DeLong W9NES
Indianapolis,Indiana
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