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Are there any electronics parts stores (like Fry's) in or around Greenville?
Looking for a place that would have things beyond what Bestbuy or Radio Shack might, like Antenna amplifiers, electronics parts and supplies (like soldering irons, components, computer parts), wire and heat shrink, etc.
I never have found anyone local with a good selection of discreet components, but Newark has a warehouse close by, and I'm always surprised by how quickly they ship.
I never have found anyone local with a good selection of discreet components, but Newark has a warehouse close by, and I'm always surprised by how quickly they ship.
I believe their warehouse is in Gaffney, and if that warehouse has it in stock, a UPS ground shipment arrives the next day.
There are not many local stores that carry TV antennas and amplifiers. And stores such as Radioshack and Best Buy are overpriced on these items. For this market, a good High VHF/UHF antenna is best for TV reception. Medium sized models that are ideal designed are Antennacraft HBU-33 or Winegard 7696. Radioshack sells the larger HBU-55, although it is lower priced from online vendors such as Solid Signal. The Clearstream 2V from Antennas Direct is a good compact UHF antenna with a VHF dipole. Sold at Walmart and Best Buy. Best choices for preamplifiers are Winegard LNA-200, Channel Master 7778, and a RCA preamp from Walmart .com or Amazon which is a decent performer and the most affordable option. Free Walmart shipping to store. And there is a cheap RCA inline amp at Walmart for $15 which can be used indoors. If you try one of those flat panel indoor antennas, the Winegard Flatwave amplified version will perform better than the Mohu which is weaker on VHF. And 13 is a problematic VHF signal. There is also an Alphaline branded version of the Winegard Flatwave at Sears and Kmart, but the best price on the Flatwave amped antenna is at Costco. For an indoor antenna, the Terk HDTVa Log antenna at HHG is best, as it has the rabbit ears for VHF, as well as a good UHF element. But ask them to price match Amazon. Also, Newark, as mentioned previously, has a sister company in Ohio, MCM Electronics, which has a much wider and cheaper selection of TV antennas and amplifiers. See MCM online site to order. But I recommend a good outdoor or attic antenna and amplifier for more reliable reception, which will guarantee stable reception of the local channels, as well as several Charlotte channels such as WBTV-3.
Yeah, Newark sent me some bad power supplies (twice). They let me exchange them but it was a hassle and delay.
Adafruit and Maker magazine has some good references too.
A few of the things you can get at Home Depot and Lowe's electrical aisle(wire, some parts, tools).
Amazon might surprise you, too, as a lot of the independents can list stuff there for sale now.
Second Adafruit along with sparkfun and robotshop (although they all have a very specific line of products, aimed at a particular market).
I tend to go to Amazon first for pretty much everything, as we have a prime membership, and I'd definitely recommend starting there for tools and consumables (soldering irons, tips, solder, etc).
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