Hi,

just found out the Gary Johnston passed away in February this year.
While a Dick Smith manager, he arranged to purchase a small electronic components outlet in the Sydney CBD called " John Car and Co" - aka Jaycar. This was in 1891.

He later bought Bill Edge's Electronics Agencies ( formerly "Edge Electrics" ) in Parramatta Road and made that into his headquarters.

For a few months in the early 70's I worked for Bill Edge in Burwood Road - then moved on to "Pre-pak" for a short while.

Bill was the son of Norm Edge, long time manager of "Radio Dispatch Service " in Broadway. I worked there for just one day, filling in for a missing staffer.

See news item re Gary:

https://www.smh.com.au/national/jaycar-founder-gary-johnston-dies-after-a-short-illness-20210311-p579x3.html

Last time I saw anything of Gary he was on Sky News complaining about the shit awful submarine deal Australia made.

....... Phil

On 29/06/2021 7:40 pm, Phil Allison wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> just found out the Gary Johnston passed away in February this year.
> While a Dick Smith manager, he arranged to purchase a small electronic components outlet in the Sydney CBD called " John Car and Co" - aka Jaycar. This was in 1891.

1891?

> He later bought Bill Edge's Electronics Agencies ( formerly "Edge Electrics" ) in Parramatta Road and made that into his headquarters.
>
> For a few months in the early 70's I worked for Bill Edge in Burwood Road - then moved on to "Pre-pak" for a short while.
>
> Bill was the son of Norm Edge, long time manager of "Radio Dispatch Service " in Broadway. I worked there for just one day, filling in for a missing staffer.
>
> See news item re Gary:
>
> https://www.smh.com.au/national/jaycar-founder-gary-johnston-dies-after-a-short-illness-20210311-p579x3.html
>
> Last time I saw anything of Gary he was on Sky News complaining about the shit awful submarine deal Australia made.
>
>
> ...... Phil
>

Phil Allison wrote:
--------------------------
" This was in 1891. "

** Haha - 1981 of course.

On 29-Jun-21 7:40 pm, Phil Allison wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> just found out the Gary Johnston passed away in February this year.
> While a Dick Smith manager, he arranged to purchase a small electronic components outlet in the Sydney CBD called " John Car and Co" - aka Jaycar. This was in 1891.
>
> He later bought Bill Edge's Electronics Agencies ( formerly "Edge Electrics" ) in Parramatta Road and made that into his headquarters.
>
> For a few months in the early 70's I worked for Bill Edge in Burwood Road - then moved on to "Pre-pak" for a short while.
>
> Bill was the son of Norm Edge, long time manager of "Radio Dispatch Service " in Broadway. I worked there for just one day, filling in for a missing staffer.
>
> See news item re Gary:
>
> https://www.smh.com.au/national/jaycar-founder-gary-johnston-dies-after-a-short-illness-20210311-p579x3.html
>
> Last time I saw anything of Gary he was on Sky News complaining about the shit awful submarine deal Australia made.
>
>
> ...... Phil
>

I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.

<https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>

Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
people stocking up during the pandemic?

Sylvia.

Phil Allison wrote:
==============
> Hi,
> For a few months in the early 70's I worked for Bill Edge in Burwood Road - then moved on to "Pre-pak" for a short while.
>
> Bill was the son of Norm Edge, long time manager of "Radio Dispatch Service " in Broadway.
>

** Forgot to mention:

Norm Edge served in the Australian Army in WW2.
Driving a tank.
Told me he didn't like it much.

....... Phil

Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>
> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>
> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>
> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
> people stocking up during the pandemic?

12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
smart phones these days, no idea why.

--
__ __
#_ < |\| |< _#

On 01-Jul-21 8:34 am, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
> Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>>
>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>>
>> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
>> people stocking up during the pandemic?
>
> 12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
> their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
> all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
> smart phones these days, no idea why.
>

Yes, I hadn't noticed the voltage.

Sylvia.

On 1/7/21 8:34 am, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
> Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>>
>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>>
>> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
>> people stocking up during the pandemic?
>
> 12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
> their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
> all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
> smart phones these days, no idea why.
>
A friend recently bought one of those fridges, not sure of the model,
and he was waxing lyrical about controlling it from his phone. He did
use it for a *camping trip* to Cairns from NSW so maybe he could see a
benefit in phone control. I still can't see the need.

--

Xeno

Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On 1/7/21 9:34 am, Sylvia Else wrote:
> On 01-Jul-21 8:34 am, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>>>
>>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>>>
>>>
>>> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
>>> people stocking up during the pandemic?
>>
>> 12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
>> their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
>> all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
>> smart phones these days, no idea why.
>>
>
> Yes, I hadn't noticed the voltage.
>
> Sylvia.

They also run off 240V as well though that is through a *wall wart*.
Handy, I suppose, if you are camping at a powered site.

--

Xeno

Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On 1/7/21 12:29 pm, Xeno wrote:
> On 1/7/21 8:34 am, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>>>
>>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>>>
>>>
>>> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
>>> people stocking up during the pandemic?
>>
>> 12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
>> their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
>> all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
>> smart phones these days, no idea why.
>>
> A friend recently bought one of those fridges, not sure of the model,
> and he was waxing lyrical about controlling it from his phone. He did
> use it for a *camping trip* to Cairns from NSW so maybe he could see a
> benefit in phone control. I still can't see the need.
>

If might be nice to be alerted that your battery is nearly flat and the
fridge is about to defrost.

On 01-Jul-21 12:29 pm, Xeno wrote:
> On 1/7/21 8:34 am, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>>>
>>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>>>
>>>
>>> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
>>> people stocking up during the pandemic?
>>
>> 12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
>> their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
>> all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
>> smart phones these days, no idea why.
>>
> A friend recently bought one of those fridges, not sure of the model,
> and he was waxing lyrical about controlling it from his phone. He did
> use it for a *camping trip* to Cairns from NSW so maybe he could see a
> benefit in phone control. I still can't see the need.
>

Probably won't be so happy when hackers work their way around the very
likely flawed security, and defrost all the food in them everywhere.

Sylvia.

On 1/7/21 3:52 pm, Sylvia Else wrote:
> On 01-Jul-21 12:29 pm, Xeno wrote:
>> On 1/7/21 8:34 am, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
>>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>>>>
>>>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
>>>> people stocking up during the pandemic?
>>>
>>> 12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
>>> their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
>>> all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
>>> smart phones these days, no idea why.
>>>
>> A friend recently bought one of those fridges, not sure of the model,
>> and he was waxing lyrical about controlling it from his phone. He did
>> use it for a *camping trip* to Cairns from NSW so maybe he could see a
>> benefit in phone control. I still can't see the need.
>>
>
> Probably won't be so happy when hackers work their way around the very
> likely flawed security, and defrost all the food in them everywhere.

Such a profitable target! I'm sure the Russkies will be all over it

On 01-Jul-21 5:20 pm, Clifford Heath wrote:
> On 1/7/21 3:52 pm, Sylvia Else wrote:
>> On 01-Jul-21 12:29 pm, Xeno wrote:
>>> On 1/7/21 8:34 am, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
>>>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>>>>>
>>>>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit
>>>>> from
>>>>> people stocking up during the pandemic?
>>>>
>>>> 12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
>>>> their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
>>>> all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
>>>> smart phones these days, no idea why.
>>>>
>>> A friend recently bought one of those fridges, not sure of the model,
>>> and he was waxing lyrical about controlling it from his phone. He did
>>> use it for a *camping trip* to Cairns from NSW so maybe he could see
>>> a benefit in phone control. I still can't see the need.
>>>
>>
>> Probably won't be so happy when hackers work their way around the very
>> likely flawed security, and defrost all the food in them everywhere.
>
> Such a profitable target! I'm sure the Russkies will be all over it
They'll be paid by a consortium of grocers.

Sylvia.

On 1/07/2021 10:37 am, Xeno wrote:
> On 1/7/21 9:34 am, Sylvia Else wrote:
>> On 01-Jul-21 8:34 am, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
>>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>>>>
>>>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
>>>> people stocking up during the pandemic?
>>>
>>> 12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
>>> their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
>>> all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
>>> smart phones these days, no idea why.
>>>
>>
>> Yes, I hadn't noticed the voltage.
>>
>> Sylvia.
>
> They also run off 240V as well though that is through a *wall wart*.
> Handy, I suppose, if you are camping at a powered site.
>

They are probably garbage at that price point but then again you're not
paying for a name so maybe OK.

On 1/07/2021 1:52 pm, Sylvia Else wrote:
> On 01-Jul-21 12:29 pm, Xeno wrote:
>> On 1/7/21 8:34 am, Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
>>> Sylvia Else <sylvia@email.invalid> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I was in JayCar the other day. They tried to sell me a fridge.
>>>>
>>>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/95l-brass-monkey-dual-zone-fridge-freezer/p/GH1682>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Seems on odd thing for JayCar to be into. Failed attempt to profit from
>>>> people stocking up during the pandemic?
>>>
>>> 12/24V, so looks more like something that's meant to sit alongside
>>> their range of vehicle accessories (and the wires to connect them
>>> all up). I'm surprised that even things like that are talking to
>>> smart phones these days, no idea why.
>>>
>> A friend recently bought one of those fridges, not sure of the model,
>> and he was waxing lyrical about controlling it from his phone. He did
>> use it for a *camping trip* to Cairns from NSW so maybe he could see a
>> benefit in phone control. I still can't see the need.
>>
>
> Probably won't be so happy when hackers work their way around the very
> likely flawed security, and defrost all the food in them everywhere.
>
> Sylvia.

All those commies hiding hiding under your camping bed?

On Wed, 30 Jun 2021 01:47:53 -0700, Phil Allison scribed:

> Phil Allison wrote:
> ==============
>> Hi,
>> For a few months in the early 70's I worked for Bill Edge in Burwood
>> Road - then moved on to "Pre-pak" for a short while.
>>
>> Bill was the son of Norm Edge, long time manager of "Radio Dispatch
>> Service " in Broadway.
>>
>>
> ** Forgot to mention:
>
> Norm Edge served in the Australian Army in WW2.
> Driving a tank.
> Told me he didn't like it much.

Did he really ave anything to complain about?
I knew an old pommy tank driver that 'lost' six tanks during WWII.
He figured he had used up a lot of luck during that time.

News 2021 <news21@woa.com.au> wrote:
> On Wed, 30 Jun 2021 01:47:53 -0700, Phil Allison scribed:
>
>> Phil Allison wrote:
>> ==============
>>> Hi,
>>> For a few months in the early 70's I worked for Bill Edge in Burwood
>>> Road - then moved on to "Pre-pak" for a short while.
>>>
>>> Bill was the son of Norm Edge, long time manager of "Radio Dispatch
>>> Service " in Broadway.
>>>
>>>
>> ** Forgot to mention:
>>
>> Norm Edge served in the Australian Army in WW2.
>> Driving a tank.
>> Told me he didn't like it much.
>
> Did he really ave anything to complain about?
> I knew an old pommy tank driver that 'lost' six tanks during WWII.
> He figured he had used up a lot of luck during that time.
>

The life expectancy of a tank crew in WWII was something in the order of 5
or 6 weeks. To have lost 6 tanks and *survived* the war was really rare and
lucky. No need for him to buy lotto tickets since he’d used all his luck
already.

———
Xeno

Xeno = Google Monkey Fool:

> >
> The life expectancy of a tank crew in WWII was something in the order of 5
> or 6 weeks.

** Only if you were in a Russian tank.

Allied tank crews had a very high war time survival rate.
About 80% for US, 90 % for UK and higher again for Aussies.

Air crew and foot soldiers had much higher loss rates.
Nearly half the Australian pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain were killed.
Bomber Command ( UK) had 45% death rate - 55,000 died.

..... Phil