Re: Setting up my "Lab" (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:41:42 -0400
From: Dave Pierson <davep@xxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Setting up my "Lab" (fwd)

Second the recommendation for Ham Radio Flea Markets, as they are called
locally.  If in New England, there is a centralized list on mit.edu I
Assume similar in other areas?  Other Manner of goodies show up.  8)>>

Likewise local, if any, electronic junque stores.

Two Cautionary, True Tales, tho:
  A friend had a box full of 'RF patch cables', bot surplus.
  He'd grab one, if it did not work, toss it in another box.
  Eventually, checking the 'no work' box discovered that 
  'many' were actually IGNITION CABLE (no shield) which had
  the RF connectors on for convenience.

  Back in skool, 'our' lab team got weird results.
  Mr Instructor advised we figger out why.  A friend
  had one of the patch cables in his hands, bannanna to bannana,
  and was idly snapping it, not hard.  Pop.  Off came one
  connector.  Systematic examination turned up 10%
  'pre failed' cables.

Moral:
 Always ponder the goodness of the equipment in use, especially
 if used...

best
 dwp