The AM Forum

a little road trip the next 2 weeks.. mostly surplus places of the west, picking up a transformer (I hope), and visit my brother.

If there are more surplus places in the area, I'd be interested in knowing where they are. Not all the ones on the route are worth it but together they might be. I like the kind with a yard and lots of old junk.


http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=4718+Kildare+Avenue,+Dallas,+TX+75216&daddr=3095+STERLING+CIR+STE+1,+BOULDER,+CO+80301-2306+(JB+Saunders+Co)+to:MT+Rushmore,+13000+Highway+244,+Keystone,+South+Dakota+to:electronic+dimensions+surplus+424+Puyallup+Ave,+Tacoma,+WA+98421+to:17513+Dusty+Court+Southwest,+Tenino,+WA+98589+to:West+Coast+Shoe+Co-Wesco,+52828+Northwest+Shoe+Factory+Lane,+Scappoose,+OR+97056+to:surplus+gizmos,+5797+NW+Cornelius+Pass+Road,+hillsboro,+or+to:90377+Boeing+Drive,+Eugene,+OR+97402-9536+(Oregon+Air+%26+Space+Museum)+to:apex+electronics,+8909+San+Fernando+Road+Sun+Valley,+CA.+91352+to:Murphy%27s+Electronic-Industrial,+401+North+Johnson+Avenue,+El+Cajon,+CA+92020+to:Grand+Canyon,+Village+Loop+Drive,+AZ+86023+to:4718+Kildare+Avenue,+Dallas,+TX+75216&hl=en&sll=39.97712,-110.039062&sspn=52.252517,43.505859&geocode=FUvR8gEd4gY7-ik3vADiCpdOhjFsTRl9BywEew%3BFfzSYgIdwVa6-SFLtv3_WXNBlQ%3BFVt8nQIdKG7V-Skb6_2M1zV9hzEZ-b3GpeOD1Q%3BFQvV0AIdmeSz-CEA1nx1ljXaPil7H1oneVWQVDHFhGpgRtAQsg%3BFfqbygIdSg-s-ClLPGZEtmWRVDEBRPCSki3kwg%3BFfpFugId9OKs-CErHjWJMA-6XA%3BFWI3twIdObys-CHC-W7WGn44wCkrhCmB6gWVVDF53GJF45by7Q%3BFVEloQId0e2n-CmX7e8V1gLBVDGukU2AaP8dJw%3BFVVQCgId3pbx-CGR3nUvhbvz6imZTX9FBJTCgDH0rbblZ-E8oA%3BFcx69AEd2CoH-SHbLMbsDqrrSSmNJWofzVnZgDE4T1_nvSbxUw%3BFcAoJgId7eFQ-SlxsfIttBAzhzEMpzaY2MIOcA%3BFUvR8gEd4gY7-ik3vADiCpdOhjFsTRl9BywEew&vpsrc=0&mra=pd&t=m&z=4


or
http://g.co/maps/954yt

BTW with Geiger counter in hand... any hot rocks in the region? Non-rad is OK too, I like interesting looking ones too.

Patrick,

Now THAT'S what I call a road trip. I'm headed out Sunday for a week in Greensburg KS to direct a video about the sustainable rebuild after the EF5, but my 900 mile trip pales in comparison to your epic trek.

When you're in Riverside CA, check and see if J&T Surplus is still there. Jurupa Ave north of Van Buren on the west side of town. Out Van Buren off 91 like you're going to Pedley, then right on Jurupa. Big building about 300' long. When I was there it was painted woodland camo. Yep, the entire building.

I heard they changed ownership, so no guarantees, but back when I managed the place years ago, we had all kinds of weird electronics in there. It's about an acre under one roof, so there's plenty of room for all kinds of exotic, fun stuff. At one time, we had two SR-71 start carts on the floor. The ones with two Buick V-8s in them.

It's been a long time, and I have no idea what they're doing now, or if the place is still open. But if you're close, it's worth a look.

Have a great trip,
ldb
K5WLF

Pat there is one in Alberquirky.  The name escapes me right now and I am not sure it exists in past form.  However they had lots of stuff from the lab there.  It is on Central Ave. between San Mateo and Louisana on the South side of Central.  Maybe John, K5PRO will know.  You might PM him and ask.  There is also a big one up near where he lives. 

If you return on the South passage, I-10 there is a place in Las Cruces that has stacks and stacks of stuff.  Neither of these places are good for ham equipment but you will find parts galore.  If my memory hasn't failed it is South of Lohman on Solano about 5 blocks down on the West side of the road

I know of only these from the Big Capacitor/Roswell trip of June 2010. They are big on junk and parts and electronics, not really ham stuff, more scientific if anything:

Jones Surplus Barn Inc 10921 Central Avenue Northeast Albuquerque, NM 87123-2729 (505) 298-9295 This is an Army Store with bonus electronics items and worth stopping at - I recall that they were a little pricey on some items in my opinion. I do not need to revisit that one.

Surplus City 10805 Central Avenue Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87123-2727 (505) 292-7131 If you like electronics or chemistry this is the best place in Albuquerque and has a large yard and good prices. There were things in the yard of interest but the owner was away and the staff would not price them. This one is worth revisiting. If its a choice, this one.

There was also another place, even better, but it was closed and the guy moved all the junk to his place and is ebay only. I spoke with him, he does not allow anyone to shop and seemed worried about being stolen from, and said being stolen from was why he closed the storefront. The street there Central is a 'bad' street with many bums, which I saw a few idlers around even early in the day.


I found this on Solano, no website. I'd say the 1005 address is the closest thing to the 5 blocks location. Computer Surplus Outlet 1005 S Solano Dr Las Cruces, NM 88001 505-647-0926 definitely a used computer store. Could not find anything else, and looked with street view as well.. Can you recall anything further?



I usually refer to http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_surplus_us.html but it is not always up to date.



About J&T Surplus in Riverside, I think it has gone south.
Here's a whining and comical review written by an unhappy and possibly confused person. Or it would be comical if it wasn't so sad. Left me thinking, why did she even go in a military surplus store if she was so fussy about... things and conditions that might be found in a military store!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/j-and-t-military-surplus-riverside
And a bunch of references to paintball stuff. This is from 2010, so it doesn't look too good. A shame if it was once great and has been spoiled by devotion to paintball.


I wish more of these places would maintain websites, or had customers that would put something up, but I guess that's not for everyone.  I-10 is interesting because it is close to the border and there's a nice INS inspection station on it and I was glad to have my military ID as the people ahead of us were scrutinized. Also the Deming Truck Terminal in NM which has a recently re-opened restaurant "Desert Sky Cafe" and that was really good.

I need to meet up with Dennis on this trip, will save a lot of shipping!

I'm open to more suggestions and corrections!

Yeah, looks like J&T has gone paws up for all practical purposes. That's really too bad. It was a great store when Jan and Tim Ruof had it back in the 80s. It was a fun place to manage and Tim and I were both nuts about weird stuff so the stock was strange and varied. We'd hit every military auction we could and came up with some great equipment. China Lake was one of my favorite auctions to go to. Edwards AFB was good too.

That's the only one I can think of, Patrick. Have a great, and safe, trip.

ldb
K5WLF

I went thru Albaturkey about 6-7 years ago and got to check out the e-bay sellers storefront then. He is big on audio goodies but does come up with some interesting old
stuff in his listings. Surplus City was real interesting but got there too late in the day to really give it a proper explore. Defiantly recommended! The outdoor yard reminded me of a Surplus Dealer in the W.B. PA area that I used to visit in High School. Was too busy with studio work when in CA to check out anything there but on the way back did stop at Mendelson (Parts Express) in Ohio and got several lbs. of real useful mil grade hardware. Wanted to check into FRS but it was too late in the day.
 Have a good trip !
Bill

Apex was a great place the back of the S.F. valley I have not been there in years but bought some cool stuff. I think one place you listed is across the street from Murphy Surplus in El Cajon. I always buy something when I visit Mike Murphy. He is a good guy to deal with.

Opcom said

Surplus City 10805 Central Avenue Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87123-2727 (505) 292-7131 If you like electronics or chemistry this is the best place in Albuquerque and has a large yard and good prices. There were things in the yard of interest but the owner was away and the staff would not price them. This one is worth revisiting. If its a choice, this one.<


This is the place I remembered.  If anything brings better bucks on Ebay it will cost a lot.  The equipment is scientific but a grand place for parts.  Do watch out for the bums though.  Don't know if you have a CC permit, but I would take one along if you do.  Nm is reciprocal with TX.





Opcom said

I found this on Solano, no website. I'd say the 1005 address is the closest thing to the 5 blocks location. Computer Surplus Outlet 1005 S Solano Dr Las Cruces, NM 88001 505-647-0926 definitely a used computer store. Could not find anything else, and looked with street view as well.. Can you recall anything further?<



That address sound right.  It was 99-2000 when I lived there so at my age, memory is not a priority.  I grew up in the country so I can take you there but don't remember the address.  Inside you will find parts but you may have to disassemble the equipment after buying to get what you want.  Prices are more reasonable here than one would think.  Of course the prime stuff may go to Ebay.

gee never knew about J.T.
I spent time in Fullerton 2009 and 2010

Pat, what is that parts place in NW Dallas, along Valley View (I think)?  Just off I-35 going west about a mile.  I think it is at the corner of Valley View and Senic.

Hey Patrick,
I was at Surplus City on Monday, just checking what changed in the past 2 years. They have a lot more rack mounted power supplies, literally tons of them, and plenty of motors and gearboxes, more than before. Out in the yard, well, too much for me and YL to absorb, so we left. Jones has always been a crank to me, at least the old man at the counter. Maybe he moved on. The other place, Electronic Surplus, was run by Skeeter and years ago by his old man. Hes' the guy on ebay mostly. Years ago you could walk in and buy plug ins for tube tektronix scopes, old radios, transformers, off the shelf. But the shoplifters along Rt 66 (Central) are bad along that section. Over by Surplus City its just as bad. Its all among the worst part of ABQs red light zone.

When you go through Colorado Springs on your loop, be sure to visit OEM Parts. They have a class outfit, everything is organized and binned. You'll like that one.
Give me a shout when you drive through, maybe we can visit again.

That is Tanner Electronics. Mostly new surplus parts, clean stuff for the students, but they have some 400-600V caps, etc,

I will try to call.  - OEM Parts - is it still a walk in store? They have an ebay online store, not sure what is going on. looks good though.

with Eva's..  The Grand Canyon is north of Eva's, not sure how I-8 will save miles if I am going there as well.
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=4718+Kildare+Avenue,+Dallas,+TX+75216&daddr=3029+N+Hancock+Ave,+Colorado+Springs,+Colorado+80907+(Oem+Parts+Inc)+to:3095+STERLING+CIR+STE+1,+BOULDER,+CO+80301-2306+(JB+Saunders+Co)+to:MT+Rushmore,+13000+Highway+244,+Keystone,+South+Dakota+to:electronic+dimensions+surplus+424+Puyallup+Ave,+Tacoma,+WA+98421+to:17513+Dusty+Court+Southwest,+Tenino,+WA+98589+to:West+Coast+Shoe+Co-Wesco,+52828+Northwest+Shoe+Factory+Lane,+Scappoose,+OR+97056+to:surplus+gizmos,+5797+NW+Cornelius+Pass+Road,+hillsboro,+or+to:90377+Boeing+Drive,+Eugene,+OR+97402-9536+(Oregon+Air+%26+Space+Museum)+to:apex+electronics,+8909+San+Fernando+Road+Sun+Valley,+CA.+91352+to:Murphy%27s+Electronic-Industrial,+401+North+Johnson+Avenue,+El+Cajon,+CA+92020+to:Grand+Canyon,+Village+Loop+Drive,+AZ+86023+to:eva%27s,+7087+N+Sunland+Gin+Rd+%C2%B7+Eloy,+AZ+85231+to:4718+Kildare+Avenue,+Dallas,+TX+75216&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sll=39.37493,-110.093335&sspn=30.851641,67.631836&geocode=FUvR8gEd4gY7-ik3vADiCpdOhjFsTRl9BywEew%3BFVMrUQIduNPA-SE8dgTn2zzJMw%3BFfzSYgIdwVa6-SFLtv3_WXNBlQ%3BFVt8nQIdKG7V-Skb6_2M1zV9hzEZ-b3GpeOD1Q%3BFQvV0AIdmeSz-CEA1nx1ljXaPil7H1oneVWQVDHFhGpgRtAQsg%3BFfqbygIdSg-s-ClLPGZEtmWRVDEBRPCSki3kwg%3BFfpFugId9OKs-CErHjWJMA-6XA%3BFWI3twIdObys-CHC-W7WGn44wCkrhCmB6gWVVDF53GJF45by7Q%3BFVEloQId0e2n-CmX7e8V1gLBVDGukU2AaP8dJw%3BFVVQCgId3pbx-CGR3nUvhbvz6imZTX9FBJTCgDH0rbblZ-E8oA%3BFcx69AEd2CoH-SHbLMbsDqrrSSmNJWofzVnZgDE4T1_nvSbxUw%3BFcAoJgId7eFQ-SlxsfIttBAzhzEMpzaY2MIOcA%3BFXC49AEd5wpY-SHB3JwFAin9nw%3BFUvR8gEd4gY7-ik3vADiCpdOhjFsTRl9BywEew&vpsrc=0&mra=ps&t=m&z=5


covers OEM parts and Dennis in casa grande, returns on I-10.

The thing being I need to be in colorado springs (surplus) on Monday, and still get to Wesco in Scappoose, OR, on a weekday. I might have to give up a stop on the northward section.

PJ

Too bad a couple SX-28s take up so much darn space...I'd see if you wanted to pick them up in Spokane and deliver them to me in Eugene, OR.   ;)

I have a trailer but they'd have to be boxed, not sure how things might slide around unless tied down. I'll be back on the BBS tomorrow night probably, PM me and I can see if it is possible or not. I want to be at Wesco during business hours and the northern route to OR is tight on time so kind of juggling the schedule.

http://bunkerofdoom.com/travel/2011oct/index.html

In the KOA in Rapid City, now heading tor MT Rushmore. I am told there is a new head - Crazy horse.

Miles City, Montana.. with some luck may get to Ron's place for the big transformer about 9 PM . Can't find the phone # for some reason but have the adr. Pobably won't have internet again till much later. my cell is good. 214 763 4764

some updates- lots of pictures of Electronic Dimensions in Tacoma WA.

http://bunkerofdoom.com/travel/2011oct/index.html

Patrick,
           Those look like some way kool places. Man..............is sure would be nice if we has some shops like that around here! ! ! !

These kind of places are few and far between. Its a pity the better ones are so few. Maybe by showing these pictures, it'll be useful in driving a little more biz to those places as well as encouraging travelers to visit them.

Friday's update is posted - Among other things there was a CO2 laser. That is in my trailer now.

Pat, are you coming to the Texhoma hamfest the end of this month?

I would sure like to! Thanks for bringing it up.. I had forgotten. I need to, and bring stuff to sell off and some to give away. I have to find the url.



Today's the long drive across CA. We are in Redding CA now at the Stardust motel. It's in need of maintenance..

I you get over to Sunnvale, you might stop at "Weird Stuff".

They are not focused on radio, but they have lots of er... weird stuff.

http://www.weirdstuff.com/

http://www.texomahamarama.org/main.htm

Wierdstuff Warehouse is definitely worth stopping at and I regret not having time to visit this trip. I have been there before and feeling short of time I am already near LA, for the two places near there.

I visited the Oregon Air and Space museum and it was really cool. Spent a few hours there. BTW there is a 'large size' Westinghouse TSC transmitter there, sr#44. I have extremely detailed pr0n of this.

We're in "Motel San Diego" in San Diego. If you like motels  rather than hotels, this is the one to be at. Its unique, very pleasant, and on entering the room I felt comfortable right away.

Tomorrow is Murphy's Junk Warehouse, and then to visit Dennis.

The list of pictorial accounts posted so far:

Monday, 2011 OCT 03 - OEM Parts Inc.

Monday, 2011 OCT 03 - JB Saunders Electronic Components

Tuesday, 2011 OCT 04 - Mount Rushmore

Tuesday, 2011 OCT 04 - The Transformers!

Thursday, 2011 OCT 06 - Electronic Dimensions

Friday, 2011 OCT 07 - Surplus Gizmos

Saturday, 2011 OCT 08 - Oregon Air and Space Museum
Saturday, 2011 OCT 08 - huge transmitter at the Oregon Air and Space Museum

Monday, 2011 OCT 10 - Apex electronics

I hate for this road trip to end (soon) with so many days left. It's really hard to plan ahead when one does not know what to expect, but that's part of the adventure. I hate to think about what I've spent, but some consolation is that I spent less on goods than gas.

Today Tuesday was Murphy's.. Mighty fine. picked up a Sencore LC meter and a gigantic dual variable cap that measured 780pF with both units meshed. It has maybe almost 1/2" spacing, butterfly rotors, and is two units ganged with slate ends. It is obviously from a large TX.

We are in AZ now just crossed the border at a Love's truck stop, glad to get out of that 55MPH CA situation with the trailer.

The roads from San Diego to the Grand Canyon are very curvy and slow and I decided to forget doing that all night. Better than missing a 25MPH curve.

lots of border patrol activity on I-8.

Proceeding tomorrow toward the vicinity of Eva's.. last minute change but we have plenty of time and days.

I would like to have a video of the scene when they stop ur truck to find that contraband!! :D

                     _-_-bear

PS. If we had all known about ur trip in advance we could have bought tickets and you could have leased a tour bus...

RVs motor homes and campers start at about $500 a week plus miles, plus plus plus...  It all makes a certain sound when it hits the wallet. Hate to think what a tour bus with a paid driver would run. Lots of 'rules' apply as well.

I would love to do the tour bus thing - everyone would have to embark from one spot or show up at a destination to be picked up. Need a video crew.. and just drop in unannounced.  real reality show.

The electric kool-aid acid test for electronics men. --buy an old 40FT school bus (with a/c) and install a full power station in the back with a big nasty tuner and a U shaped wire antenna on the roof that starts at the station, loops up to the front of the roof and back, to ground there. sort of like an aircraft setup.

Yesterday we met up with Dennis G. and had lunch and discussed 'stuff'. That was a rollicking good time before and this was no different.


Glad to be back in Texas. In NE El Paso. A 9-hour drive will put us at the Junk Farm and we will store most of the oscilloscopes and other stuff for later fun. The big transformer, laser, rectifiers, and Sencore LCR meter and certain other things will go home with me today.

As I get older, I appreciate an off-road vehicle with more amenities and here is a place to get one. This i think was in Montana, will resolve it later.

Hope you got to hang out with Mike Murphy. Last visit was a Saturday afternoon and we hung out for a couple hours. He let me roam the back room.
How was Apex? I have not been there in years. I think I will be out that way this winter.

Mike (the senior guy?) was out of town. His son and wife were there and we talked quite a bit. They are nice people. I really liked them.

Apex was very interesting, lots of things in dark corners and a big yard. Pricing seemed to vary and negotiation is possible. The owner's a reasonable guy but has bigger fish to fry than in-store traffic, as their main biz seems to be industrial or volume customers. Nonetheless, you won't regret it and his help is a good bunch and helped all the customers we saw to find what they were looking for. I suggest you make that visit and take some cash along. The stacks go to the ceiling, but there's a ladder you can use to examine items you can't reach. Hope you check out the many pics I took via the link above.

I'm home now and glad to be here. 5800+ miles I think. Jacob was wore out. Tomorrow I am going to tinker with the CO2 laser.

Yep, we had a good time at lunch, solving most of the worlds' problems at the same time. ;)

Jacob was a fine example of a young guy with real interest and knowledge for vintage electronic ways.  Pay attention to the B+ sonny, and you'll go a long way.

I suppose it is my turn next to plow through Texas to your digs. 8)

73DG

If you do, bring a truck..