Radio Shack

I generally prefer to order from Digikey, but sometimes you need a part right *now*. And, if you're really lucky, RS may even carry it (we used to have a RadioShack.com about 20 miles away, but they've folded. Ever since they went from being Tech America to RadioShack.com, they "consumerfied" their stock, and started hiring idiots, then went out of business. But I digress). So assuming RS carries this part, I'm forced to go down to my local store. Now I usually have nothing personal against the actual employees on an individual basis, but mostly as a class of sales people (just like you may know one honest used car dealer, but slam them as a whole). However, we've got "Frank". Frank is the manager of the store. There's nothing Frank doesn't know. Frank knows things he doesn't even know he knows about. Why, with what all Frank knows, I can't figure out why he doesn't have a cold fusion research grant, instead of managing a mere Radio Shack store. Frank is a genius, I tell you! A few weeks ago I went into Franks Amazing Radioshack Consumer Extravaganza (FARCE), and said "Ah, you've rearranged the store. Where might the modular handset plug crimping tools have been moved to, my good man?" What ensued was being informed that the cord between the wall and the telephone was not a handset sized plug but a RJ-11 or RJ-12, and that I didn't really want a handset crimper (which, it turns out, they don't carry), but a RJ-12 crimper. I explained that "No, I really *do* want a handset plug crimper, which would be known under the USOC, or Universal Service Order Codes, as a RJ-10, or 'Registered Jack #10', because I AM NOT CONNECTING A DAMN PHONE WITH IT!". Another time I was regaled with a story of how he and his buddies used to use the high voltage section from an old TV to charge "tubes" which they would throw at each other, counting on the "catch" reflex to catch them, and then laugh as their friend got a good shock. I enquired as to whether he meant a "capacitor", because tubes (with the exception of picture tubes, which would be a little difficult to toss across the room) don't hold a charge. He was *sure* he meant tubes. This was early on in my visits to the store, before I realized how smart Frank was. Most recently, I went in to grab a few 10uf 16V capacitors. Frank enquired as to what I was building, so I thought I would probe the range of his remarkable intellect, and explained I was building a Flux Capacitor. Frank then told me how the 16V rating on the capacitors was entirely inadequate, and that I most likely should use a capacitor with a minimum rating of 250V. I nodded my head, and said "Why, it could be you're entirely right, but since these are but a few cents, and I *really* need to get this running tonight, and his fine store didn't carry anove 250V rated capacitors, I'll give these a try.". I didn't mention that the Flux Capacitor would be installed in my DeLorean time machine, figuring I wouldn't have time for the lengthy but accurate explanation of why 88 MPH wouldn't be enough to trigger the time circuits, and that a Monteverdi might be a better choice than a DeLorean, since the Swiss know more about time, and make such damn fine watches. Frank has the most amazing ability to service 3 or 4 customers at once, also. He may be in the process of ringing up your sale, and suddenly, using his Amazing Frank Hearing, he may overhear another employee making a suggestion to a customer. Immediately, Frank will loudly interject a better suggestion to both employee and customer. For Frank is never wrong, and a Frank suggestion is the best thing you could use that day. I hate that store. It's the only around for 8 miles, though. --John