Ours comes from Mouser, between two part #s they have over 7,000 74LS04s in DIP packaging in stock. Didn't check ACT, HCT, or ALS. I don't think we've had a 7400 series part that we couldn't just order off Mouser in recent history, and we're usually buying QTY 100. Thanks, Jonathan

On Sat, Mar 30, 2024 at 5:11 PM Jonathan Chapman via cctalk < cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: Yeah, I don't see much issue with 74LS right now. Genuine 74F is getting hard to find. utsource used to be my reliable Chinese goto but a few years ago they moved to this Amazon model where they allow other sellers to list items including a lot who use names like "genuine utsource" and "real utsource store" with no way to filter them out. My last order with them just before Xmas was very poor (obvious remarks, shipped items from cheaper sellers other than the seller I selected, claimed a specific brand I needed but then sent totally different which had known timing issues). Their CS was maddening. I ended up getting a partial refund via PayPal.

Been lurking for a while, but this topic hits true with some recent experiences. I would not hesitate to buy most common digital ICs on Amazon or ebay, but I usually will not buy analog ICs other than from trusted sources, such as Mouser. I have bought LM2596 voltage regulators that oscillate at the wrong frequency (which breaks all the calculations for selecting the inductor), and I have bought MAX202/MAX232 serial drivers that burn up in circuit. Switching to official sources cured both of those problems. You also have to be careful of things like SRAM (for example AS6C4008) as I have found the cheap ones don't meet the performance of the ones from Mouser, even though the silkscreen says they're the same manufacturer and speed. If you're paying more than an order of magnitude less for something than it sells for on Mouser, it's probably not the same part. UTSource used to be good, but I found now commonly engages in bait and switch. A week after I submit an order, I would get some email claiming a supply issue and demanding that I submit additional paypal payment for my order to ship The last order, this happened on two different part numbers, one went from $14/IC to $50/IC and another part went from $5/IC to $12/IC. This had happened several times over the last couple months with them. Maybe they really are having issues with their suppliers (though I swear this was happening on items where UTSource itself was listed as the supplier) but that's not really my concern. They were becoming a huge waste of time and source of frustration. I put them on vacation Aliexpress is full of fakes, on anything and everything, and sometimes you have to repeatedly argue to get your money back. eBay is better at siding with the buyer. Scott On Sat, Mar 30, 2024 at 6:22 PM ben via cctalk &lt;cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote:

On 2024-03-30 8:23 p.m., Jonathan Chapman via cctalk wrote: Well the pal programmer I have does test TTL, a handy option, for junk box stuff. I tend to have a bad habit of putting in parts upside dowm or the wrong programmed part, for the simple fact DARK plastic hard to read in most homes with dark gray labels.

I am very happy to buy from Amazon and Digikey even if sometimes they are a little more expensive. I want them to be around for the long term, so I support them as much as possible. Their range is amazing. On Sun, 31 Mar 2024, 10:53 am Glen Slick via cctalk, &lt;cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote:

On 3/30/2024 10:49 PM, Tom Hunter via cctalk wrote: Whew! I was playing that Sesame Street "which of these is NOT like the other" song in my head reading your earlier post. :-) Since Digikey/Mouser/RS don't always have some of the more esoteric ICs I need, I do sometimes have to hit the secondary markets. I can confirm there are reputable places to do so, but I agree there has to be a compelling reason to forego places like Digikey. I find it telling that my non US PCBA buys all the actives from Digikey or Mouser and will consider only passives from local sources. Of course, that means I pay a US outbound tariff on the active parts and then an inbound tariff on the completed products, thus paying tariff costs twice. Jim -- Jim Brain brain(a)jbrain.com www.jbrain.com

My problem with DigiKey is tacking on the additional “tariff” charge on invoices. Granted it’s not an extreme amount, but still… I contacted Mouser about imposing additional tariff charges, and was told a resounding no. Thanks to our past president for increasing the cost of doing business, and thanks to our current president for not caring enough to roll it back. Getting off soap box. :o) Don Resor Sent from someone's iPhone

On 3/31/2024 3:03 PM, Adrian Godwin via cctalk wrote: I've not, but I have used https://www.utsource.net/ with good luck. Jim

On 2024/03/30 7:53 p.m., Glen Slick via cctalk wrote: Interesting, but does TI offer free international shipping with import duties & taxes covered if you order over $100US? John :-#)# -- John's Jukes Ltd. 7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3 Call (604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games) flippers.com "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out"