Where do folk in the UK get components in this day and age.

Do youse all use Amazon/eBay or are there more specialised sites (Farnell ?)

What about more difficult to find bits like valves, valve holders, crystals, air spaced variable capacitors, boards, boxes, transformers etc etc ?

I get all my stuff from ebay & Aliexpress

For RF stuff, mostly Enigma and Mouser, with RS filling in the gaps for discretes if the latter haven't got them. Also Farnell/CPC. I never user eBay unless it's a last resort, as most of the vendors on there will fleece you! Aliexpress for a small minority of components which actually originate in the far east.

Persona Non Grata wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 4:38 pmWhat about more difficult to find bits like valves, valve holders, crystals, air spaced variable capacitors, boards, boxes, transformers etc etc ?

I don't know but I'd try looking across the pond as they seem more interested in that kind of stuff over there.

Langrex in Billingshurstare still going for bottles and the like:
https://www.langrex.co.uk
Other items like roller coasters and variable toast racks can be had from RF parts - a lot of their items are no longer available for export and it's expensive, but we probably all have a yankee friend that will help with the delivery...
https://www.rfparts.com/
PR Golledge in Somerset and Klove in Belgium will make non standard crystals:
https://www.golledge.com
https://www.klove.nl
Standard FM stuff can be had from enigma in London:
https://enigma-shop.com
And I like the Dutch shops because I am spending Euros and paying no tmport tax:
https://dutchrfshop.nl/en/
https://display-elektronica.nl/
https://www.amateurradioshop.nl