Since this is the general off-topic area -

[kattz]

IFF - ON
TFR RIDE - HARD
MASTER ARM - ON
DOGFIGHT SW - AIR TO GROUND

This is what I've learned this week - let's start with the positive:

I've met many wonderful people in this hobby, including one this week.  Hi, Jim!
A friend in this hobby can be a huge help - Thanks, John!
A few members have provided invaluable help - Thank you, Mick!
I made some forward progress on my sim this week thanks to Mick!
Some more NG OEM items arrived this week.  Thanks, Boy Bruin!

OK...

RANT MODE SW - ON

"Precision" brass tubing from Amazon is anything but precision.
"Oh yeah, it works" and then doesn't when it shows up.
"Hey, when are you going to give me a price for that NG RMI I asked you for when I was in the shop?"  "Oh, that's gone, we sold it..."  <expletive deleted>
85 lb 28VDC power supply packed in a crappy box and then looks like it suffered re-entry from the ISS when it shows up.  Thank YOU, eBay seller.
"Dude, where is my CAT III legend plate that you shipped from the UK a month ago?"
"Our products look and feel like the real thing" (737 stuff, not a pocket p***y) but actually don't...

RANT MODE SW - OFF
ECM - QUIET

[blueskydriver]

Hey Kevin,

Everything you say is so true and throughout the years many members have dealt with these same "bumps in the runway" so too speak.

Knowingly, I don't need to tell you this, but for all the new members who are coming onboard to the website. Take things with a grain of salt, if you hit a setback when purchasing items for your simulator, as you will hit them for sure from time to time.

Just remember to hang in there as one bad setback usually means three good jumps ahead for the better in this hobby....

John