I've been a lurker of this forum for a long time.
Please forgive my grammar and the way I write. I've been told by medical experts I have severe neurological issues. Most likely as a result of working with fiberglass resins at work, later working with advanced aircraft composites, and the associated production solvents. I was employed at a major aircraft manufacturing plant in Everett for 22 years. I'm 62 now and been medically laid off, retired with full benefits. For the time being my medical issues are managed with medications.
Last week I bumped into Mr Cotton at the Safeway in North city. He's the retired owner of what was once ABC communications. One of my favorite businesses. At the time I was also obsessed with Radio shack, Lafayette, Radar electric surplus, Vetco and a few other now defunct electronics and parts stores.
I grew up in North king county. In my youth I was an overly obsessed electronics geek. Later in my teens I'd ride my little sears stingray banana seat bike from Lake forest park all the way up 178th street hill to ABC communications on 15th ave NE. This was at the old store on the west side of 15th. I'd buy electronic HEP brand parts, components and other related parts to build small electronic projects. My interest later progressed to monitoring police communications. I purchased several scanners, antennas, cables, etc, from ABC communications. One of several scanners I purchased was a Regency Act10r.
http://rigreference.com/en/rig/3705-Regency_ACT_10R. My first actual police radio receiver was a realistic patrolman AM/FM with VHF tune-able. I would listen to the KCP 154.965 repeater I'll guess for many hundreds of hours. This was with occasional bleed-over from nearby 155.010 which I later figured out was my neighbor LFP PD KFN508.
http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/catalogs/1972-a/Mr Cotton was the business owner of ABC., his wife usually worked as cashier. As they both got to know me, Both would greet me by my first name whenever I entered their store. Dave and Bob also worked there during the time and were very friendly.
While at Safeway last week, Mr Cotton and I talked awhile of old times. He's of advanced age and hard of hearing.
I just want to relay for those who know or may have known Mr Cotton, With much respect, He's still above the dirt.
I'd just like to say, Mr Cotton with his business, and the employees working there made a significant and positive impact in my electronics education during my youth and young adult life.