Blame it on Wallmart, Part II
A week later, I ordered the parts I needed to fix my computer monitor. I ordered a few more than I needed because the shipping cost was a flat rate of $13. I also ordered more connectors than I needed because, well, why spend $13 shipping a $2 capacitor? So, some of the parts arrived – two were backordered! I installed the critical capacitor and the monitor fired up and is working well. I only ended up with one extra screw!! I did not take digital pictures, as was suggested by my online video tutor, to better track the parts. I didn’t think it would take a week to get back to the work! The toughest part was removing the old component. Needed to add a little extra flux to get the part lubricated enough to get the solder to flow. Anyway, it was so easy – and it cost me almost as much as I would have paid for a professional service!! (Well, that’s my fault for not having a complete set of electronic components on hand.) Anyway, it was thrilling to put the monitor back to work…even if the entire process was a bit painful. I like bucking the system and fixing something rather than throwing it away and buying new. So, while I blame the ugly part of this story on the just in time mentality that has taken hold of the earth, for the solution, I embrace the Internet – and Google. Just type in your problem and you get thousands of interesting responses. I will have to try this one day when I am short of money …Google: “broke – need money.” And see what comes up!
So I do have a new problem now. As a part of this enlarged order, I bought a bag of PL259 connectors that have a chrome finish. I wonder what that will take to solder? My good neighbor, Mr. Ed, N9VTU, did just that and tells me there is quite a trail to follow on eHam on the subject. Hey, the learning never ends around here.