Where to get parts
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Where to get PDP-11's and parts:

• keep an eye on alt.sys.pdp11 a.k.a. the info-pdp11 mailing list. Some time back there was an announcement that said, in effect: "I've got to clear all these old VAXes and PDP-11's out of here before the carpenters arrive. Somebody rent a truck and come get this stuff quick, or I'll have to toss it in the dumpster."
  
• ClassicCmp: a very active email list for all sorts of computers that are at least 10 years old. Free equipment, trade offers, and "for sales" are fairly common here also.
  
• eBay. The best general source for PDP-11 parts. In one month I bought the following on eBay:
  • KDJ11-SD for $5
  • RQDX3 for  $10
  • DELQSA for $8.50
  • MSV11-JE (2 meg PMI RAM card for my 11/83) for $8.
    
• Used parts distributors:
  • Arclight -- one of my favorites
  • Keyways -- pricey, but he has the stuff
  • US Computer Exchange -- smaller inventory, but good prices. More recently it looks like they are not replenishing their PDP-11 inventory.
  • System Resale
  • JT Computer -- sometimes cheap, sometimes expensive
  • Discount Computer Peripherals -- expensive
  • California Digital: H9281 card cage for $9 (although he can't find them, they are lost in the warehouse) (update -- he found them, but wants a larger order to make it worth his while)

  It's been a while since I've used many of these -- inventories may have changed.

  Dealers are trying to make a living by doing this, so they have to charge often more than what the hobbyist can afford. When you go to a used DEC dealer, you are competing with the likes of Lockheed, refineries, the military, and other large organizations that are still running factories and other mission critical systems with PDP-11s. But on older, less in-demand parts, and parts that are plentiful, they can sometimes be pretty reasonable. Also, you can sometimes work out a trade with a dealer. I have heard that you need to beware of sharp business practices with some of these. I have had nothing but good experiences with Arclight, Keyways, and USCE.

  Some people are located near surplus dealers where you can go browse around a warehouse of scrap computer stuff (or sometimes outdoors). I don't know anything about it, because I don't have the right location or time for that.

Use the Field Guide to tell you what's what.