Radio Shack and HTX?

[cpsTN]

I can't find any Amateur radios at Radio Shack OR their website. Does RS still sell the HTXs or others? I am trying to find somewhere near me (Smyrna, TN) to look at radios, HTX or others.

 

[davidgcet]

i don't think they sell radios at all anymore, they should change their name to Cell Phone Shack and change their motto to "You got Questions, We have no answers other than we don't carry that".

 

[cpsTN]

i don't think they sell radios at all anymore, they should change their name to Cell Phone Shack and change their motto to "You got Questions, We have no answers other than we don't carry that".

I know. Except for Scanners, CBs and antennas, and only a small number of those, pretty much what they sell you can get at Walmart now. Back in the 80's, I used to go capacitor and Resistor shopping there. I guess not many people know a lot about barebones electronics anymore, at least while growing up.

 

[Skypilot007]

I would avoid radio shack like the plague when searching for ham radio gear. They've got nothing for you. Heck you can't even get a PL259 connector at the store anymore let a lone a capacitor!

If you need to have a rig in your hands before you buy find a ham radio store in the area (good luck) or research a rig you like on the web, read the reviews and mail order a rig. Unless you're down the street from AES, Unversal radio or R&R you're probably stuck with mail order.

 

[KR4BD]

Radio Shack has not sold Amateur transcievers for almost a decade. Here's a list of the models they offered:

Realistic HTX-100 Mobile Transceiver
RadioShack HTX-200 Mini Handheld 2-Meter FM Amateur Transceiver
RadioShack HTX-400 Mini Handheld 70-Centimeter FM Amateur Transceiver
RadioShack HTX-245 Mini Handheld Amateur Transceiver
RadioShack HTX-245 Mini Handheld Amateur Transceiver
HTX-420 2-Meter/70cm Dual Band FM Amateur Tranceiver
RadioShack HTX-10 10-Meter Transceiver
RadioShack HTX-10 10-Meter Transceiver
RadioShack HTX-202 2-Meter VHF-FM Transceiver
RadioShack HTA-20A VHF Amplifier with RX Pre-Amp and Helical Filter
RadioShack HTX-204 UHF/VHF Transceiver
RadioShack HTX-212 Two-Meter Mobile Transceiver
RadioShack HTX-242 Two-Meter Mobile Transceiver
RadioShack HTX-252 2-Meter Amateur FM Mobile Transceiver
Realistic HTX-404 440 MHz UHF FM Transceiver

I have the HTX-202 2 Meter HT and HTX-212 2 Meter Mobile rig. Although ancient, they still work well. The HTX-212, however is prone to severe overloading in strong signal areas where there are many signals in the band. The HTX-202 was a "brick", but very reliable in my opinion. A friend has, and still uses, an HTX-404, which is a 70cm HT, similiar in appearance to the HTX-202.

 

[cpsTN]

If it helps, I am very familiar with CBs (11M) and scanners, using both 23 and 40 channel CBs AND crystal and progammable scanners for years. Other than what I know from these, including listening to HAMS in my area, I know nothing about Amateur radio. All I am wanting to start - after I get the license, or course - is a good 2M radio to talk around my several county area for recreation. I would prefer mobile and used. What it looks like is not relavant. I am mostly about getting the job done and "pretty" comes second if it comes at all. I don't expect to spend $50 but I don't want to spend $800 either. I have a background in basic electronics, and this is helping me in the study for the tech license - meaning I already know what most of the terms mean. I know RS used to sell the HXTs, so that is why I asked about them. I am planning to attend the next local club meeting 02/03/11. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[KR4BD]

I am not familiar with any Ham Radio dealers in the Nashville area. There are dealers in, Atlanta, GA, Evansville, IN and Hamilton, OH... None of them very close to you (or me). Most of us acquire radio equipment via the internet, at Hamfests or the grand-daddy of them all, the 3-Day Dayton (Ohio) HAM-vention in mid-May each year. You might contact members of a local ham radio club, too.

There are some websites you might want to visit to learn more about Ham Radio. For starters, try these:

QRZ.COM Callsign Database
www.arrl.org

There are many links from these sites which will take you further into Ham Radio.

Good luck...