Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
Well, Here's my 2 cents worth... DON'T SEND IT TO IFR!!! YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT... They're ridcualously high on themselves... I recommend Auburn Metrology Labs. They're quick and fair. thp Rich Garcia wrote: Would like to hear from other IFR owners as to where you would suggest I have my own IFR repaired. I do not run a business so cost is a major factor but I would like to have my IFR-1200S repaired properly. Thanks, Rich K4GPS Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
http://www.amtronix.com/ - Original Message - From: "Rich Garcia" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2004 11:54 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ? > Would like to hear from other IFR owners as to where you would suggest I > have my own IFR repaired. I do not run a business so cost is a major factor > but I would like to have my IFR-1200S repaired properly. > > Thanks, > Rich K4GPS > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
Rich, Although the 1200S is no longer made, the IFR factory in Wichita still supports repairs and calibrations. If you were to send your service monitor to any of a number of instrument repair firms, it is likely that any parts needed (other than common ICs and similar components) would be ordered from IFR and a percentage added to their cost. The last time I sent my 1200 to IFR for a full calibration, several parts had to be replaced- at cost of $700. I winced at that bill, but I now have a service monitor that works perfectly. Before the repair, the synthesizer would unlock randomly after the unit was on for a few hours. The IFR 1200S is a complex and costly instrument, and I personally would not think of sending it anywhere but the factory for repair or calibration. Unfortunately, almost any replacement of a major component on this unit is likely to run into big bucks! 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY Rich Garcia wrote: > > Would like to hear from other IFR owners as to where you would suggest I > have my own IFR repaired. I do not run a business so cost is a major factor > but I would like to have my IFR-1200S repaired properly. > > Thanks, > Rich K4GPS > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
I deal with HP, Agelent and Anritsu test gear every day. Big corporation so all I do is pull out the credit card and pay for it, in man hours it is not worth me searching for another appropriate test facility. What I do see is a lot of abuse because of "approved vendors" and "corporate rates". For instance the replacement of a switch on a HP Power meter is $1244.33, why ? because they change out the entire front pannel instead of replacing the switch. This has become way too common and I have found that smaller companies can still do a quality job if you pick the right one. Another example is Kenwood... sky high rates for repairs but I can go to Cliff at Avid and have a quality job done quicker at 1/2 the price or less. I agree that if no one out there is capable or qualified to repair the IFR's then the factory even at their inflated prices are the way to go. Sure some parts need to be bought from them, some parts may not even be available anymore from them while a depot may still have them but bottom line is if someone can do the job at $50 instead of $80 an hour or "flat rate" of $2000 to change a fuse I would be interested in hearing about it. I really agree with your thoughts Eric but I have been burned way too many times from the big ones at work to be able to accept it for my personal gear. $700 for a calibration and several parts is one thing but I know my power supply is shot, been using it with a Astron on the bench, the signal generator seems to have problems and I know that someone I lent it to exceed the input power on the Antenna port by mistake. I can live with the power supply problems but I am afraid the factory would kill me on the other repairs and not agree to repair the unit without the power supply repairs. I only have $1K now for the repairs and would not want to spend it all if possible, I don't think $1K would cover it at IFR! Rich -Original Message- From: Eric Lemmon [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 12:19 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ? Rich, Although the 1200S is no longer made, the IFR factory in Wichita still supports repairs and calibrations. If you were to send your service monitor to any of a number of instrument repair firms, it is likely that any parts needed (other than common ICs and similar components) would be ordered from IFR and a percentage added to their cost. The last time I sent my 1200 to IFR for a full calibration, several parts had to be replaced- at cost of $700. I winced at that bill, but I now have a service monitor that works perfectly. Before the repair, the synthesizer would unlock randomly after the unit was on for a few hours. The IFR 1200S is a complex and costly instrument, and I personally would not think of sending it anywhere but the factory for repair or calibration. Unfortunately, almost any replacement of a major component on this unit is likely to run into big bucks! 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY Rich Garcia wrote: > > Would like to hear from other IFR owners as to where you would suggest I > have my own IFR repaired. I do not run a business so cost is a major factor > but I would like to have my IFR-1200S repaired properly. > > Thanks, > Rich K4GPS > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
Seems about 12-13 years ago, when I was looking to purchase a service monitor for my use, I asked around for opinions and I visited several 2-way radio shops. Some shops were quite friendly "Here is the instruction manual and the service monitor..." so I could try it out myself and others weren't. Since I was getting older and my uncorrected vision for reading wasn't all that good anymore, I also looked at view ability of the service monitor. Finally I had it narrowed down to the IFR 1200S and the CT Systems 5100S. Then I got the bad news: if I were to send an IFR 1200S to the factory for warranty repair, the repair would be free and recalibration, if needed, would be $700. My choice was the CT Systems unit. I haven't looked back. A few weeks ago, the frequency accuracy seems to have drifted (using the National Bureau of Standards 10 MHz transmitter as a fairly accurate frequency source) it has worked very well and reliably for me. Just my opinion here. 73, Neil - WA6KLA Rich Garcia wrote: > > I deal with HP, Agelent and Anritsu test gear every day. Big > corporation so all I do is pull out the credit card and pay for it, > in man hours it is not worth me searching for another appropriate > test facility. What I do see is a lot of abuse because of "approved > vendors" and "corporate rates". For instance the replacement of a > switch on a HP Power meter is $1244.33, why ? because they change > out the entire front pannel instead of replacing the switch. This > has become way too common and I have found that smaller companies > can still do a quality job if you pick the right one. Another > example is Kenwood... sky high rates for repairs but I can go to > Cliff at Avid and have a quality job done quicker at 1/2 the price > or less. > > I agree that if no one out there is capable or qualified to repair > the IFR's then the factory even at their inflated prices are the > way to go. Sure some parts need to be bought from them, some parts > may not even be available anymore from them while a depot may still > have them but bottom line is if someone can do the job at $50 > instead of $80 an hour or "flat rate" of $2000 to change a fuse I > would be interested in hearing about it. > > I really agree with your thoughts Eric but I have been burned way > too many times from the big ones at work to be able to accept it for > my personal gear. $700 for a calibration and several parts is one > thing but I know my power supply is shot, been using it with a > Astron on the bench, the signal generator seems to have problems and > I know that someone I lent it to exceed the input power on the > Antenna port by mistake. I can live with the power supply problems > but I am afraid the factory would kill me on the other repairs and > not agree to repair the unit without the power supply repairs. I > only have $1K now for the repairs and would not want to spend it all > if possible, I don't think $1K would cover it at IFR! > > Rich > > -Original Message----- > From: Eric Lemmon [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 12:19 AM > To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ? > > Rich, > > Although the 1200S is no longer made, the IFR factory in Wichita > still supports repairs and calibrations. If you were to send your > service monitor to any of a number of instrument repair firms, it is > likely that any parts needed (other than common ICs and similar > components) would be ordered from IFR and a percentage added to > their cost. The last time I sent my 1200 to IFR for a full > calibration, several parts had to be replaced- at cost of $700. I > winced at that bill, but I now have a service monitor that works > perfectly. Before the repair, the synthesizer would unlock randomly > after the unit was on for a few hours. > > The IFR 1200S is a complex and costly instrument, and I personally > would not think of sending it anywhere but the factory for repair or > calibration. Unfortunately, almost any replacement of a major > component on this unit is likely to run into big bucks! > > 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY > > Rich Garcia wrote: > > > > Would like to hear from other IFR owners as to where you would > > suggest I have my own IFR repaired. I do not run a business so > > cost is a major factor but I would like to have my IFR-1200S > > repaired properly. > > > > Thanks, > > Rich K4GPS > > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
IFR started a flat rate pricing minimum for repairs this last January. The minimum repair is now $1125 including a calibration. I sent my 1500 in for the repair of three major problems one of which you described on your 1200s. They fixed everything. After I saw the invoice I realized the parts alone would have cost more than their fixed minimum they charged me. You know that old saying, "you get what you pay for..." Well, this time I got more than I paid for. -Steve -Original Message- From: Eric Lemmon [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 12:19 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ? Rich, Although the 1200S is no longer made, the IFR factory in Wichita still supports repairs and calibrations. If you were to send your service monitor to any of a number of instrument repair firms, it is likely that any parts needed (other than common ICs and similar components) would be ordered from IFR and a percentage added to their cost. The last time I sent my 1200 to IFR for a full calibration, several parts had to be replaced- at cost of $700. I winced at that bill, but I now have a service monitor that works perfectly. Before the repair, the synthesizer would unlock randomly after the unit was on for a few hours. The IFR 1200S is a complex and costly instrument, and I personally would not think of sending it anywhere but the factory for repair or calibration. Unfortunately, almost any replacement of a major component on this unit is likely to run into big bucks! 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY Rich Garcia wrote: Would like to hear from other IFR owners as to where you would suggest I have my own IFR repaired. I do not run a business so cost is a major factor but I would like to have my IFR-1200S repaired properly. Thanks, Rich K4GPS Yahoo! Groups Links Yahoo! Groups Links Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
Flat rate pricing and minimum confuses me a bit. If it is flat rate then $1125 may not be that bad with the included calibration in my case. I have heard that the power supply repair is expensive. But minimum is a different story, minimum means that it is not a flat rate repair. I guess I will start calling a couple of places and see what they all say. Rich -Original Message-From: Steve Smith [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 11:59 AMTo: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comSubject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?IFR started a flat rate pricing minimum for repairs this last January. The minimum repair is now $1125 including a calibration. I sent my 1500 in for the repair of three major problems one of which you described on your 1200s. They fixed everything. After I saw the invoice I realized the parts alone would have cost more than their fixed minimum they charged me. You know that old saying, "you get what you pay for..." Well, this time I got more than I paid for.-Steve -Original Message- From: Eric Lemmon [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 12:19 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ? Rich, Although the 1200S is no longer made, the IFR factory in Wichita still supports repairs and calibrations. If you were to send your service monitor to any of a number of instrument repair firms, it is likely that any parts needed (other than common ICs and similar components) would be ordered from IFR and a percentage added to their cost. The last time I sent my 1200 to IFR for a full calibration, several parts had to be replaced- at cost of $700. I winced at that bill, but I now have a service monitor that works perfectly. Before the repair, the synthesizer would unlock randomly after the unit was on for a few hours. The IFR 1200S is a complex and costly instrument, and I personally would not think of sending it anywhere but the factory for repair or calibration. Unfortunately, almost any replacement of a major component on this unit is likely to run into big bucks! 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY Rich Garcia wrote: Would like to hear from other IFR owners as to where you would suggest I have my own IFR repaired. I do not run a business so cost is a major factor but I would like to have my IFR-1200S repaired properly. Thanks, Rich K4GPS Yahoo! Groups Links Yahoo! Groups Links Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
Neil, The current fee charged by IFR for a full calibration of the 1200 series service monitor is $250. If you want an NIST-traceable certificate to be provided, the calibration fee is $500. My employer had the latter calibration done about eight months ago. Like most of our precision measuring equipment, it gets an annual calibration. I know most of the techs in the radio servicing shops in my area, and it seems that not one of them has ever sent in his service monitor for calibration! A few of the techs sincerely believe that all they need to do is tune in WWV and tweak the reference oscillator. That does nothing for the deviation, power, distortion, SINAD, and signal level functions. All instruments drift over time, some more than others... 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY Neil McKie wrote: > ... Then I got the bad news: if I were to send an IFR 1200S to the factory for warranty repair, the repair would be free and recalibration, if needed, would be $700 Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
At 12:04 PM 4/25/2004 -0700, you wrote: > > At this point, I am not really sue to whom I would send it to as > I've heard CT Systems got bought out by someone ... <---Wavetek/CT Systems was bought out by Fluke of all companies! Ken -- President and CTO - Arcom Communications Makers of state-of-the-art repeater controllers and accessories. http://www.ah6le.net/arcom/index.html Be sure to see our products at this year's Dayton Hamvention! Repeater Builders spaces 707 through 710 AH6LE/R - IRLP Node 3000 http://www.irlp.net Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
Good point. My service monitor hasn't been back to the factory since I bought it in 1991? At this point, I am not really sue to whom I would send it to as I've heard CT Systems got bought out by someone ... Neil Eric Lemmon wrote: > > Neil, > > The current fee charged by IFR for a full calibration of the 1200 > series service monitor is $250. If you want an NIST-traceable > certificate to be provided, the calibration fee is $500. My > employer had the latter calibration done about eight months ago. > Like most of our precision measuring equipment, it gets an annual > calibration. > > I know most of the techs in the radio servicing shops in my area, > and it seems that not one of them has ever sent in his service > monitor for calibration! A few of the techs sincerely believe > that all they need to do is tune in WWV and tweak the reference > oscillator. That does nothing for the deviation, power, distortion, > SINAD, and signal level functions. All instruments drift over time, > some more than others... > > 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY > > Neil McKie wrote: > > > ... Then I got the bad news: if I were to send an IFR 1200S to > the factory for warranty repair, the repair would be free and > recalibration, if needed, would be $700 > > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
Hi Ken, I wonder if Fluke now does repair / certification of the service monitors? Neil Ken Arck wrote: > > At 12:04 PM 4/25/2004 -0700, you wrote: > > > > At this point, I am not really sue to whom I would send it to as > > I've heard CT Systems got bought out by someone ... > > <---Wavetek/CT Systems was bought out by Fluke of all companies! > > Ken > - > President and CTO - Arcom Communications > Makers of state-of-the-art repeater controllers and accessories. > http://www.ah6le.net/arcom/index.html > Be sure to see our products at this year's Dayton Hamvention! > Repeater Builders spaces 707 through 710 > AH6LE/R - IRLP Node 3000 > http://www.irlp.net > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
At 12:22 PM 4/25/2004 -0700, you wrote: > > Hi Ken, I wonder if Fluke now does repair / certification of the > service monitors? <---I talked to them about a month ago, regarding a replacement lever switch on my service monitor. While I didn't specifically ask about repairs and/or calibration, they do have parts. I guess it would be worth calling them about the other issues. As I remember, they were in Texas? Ken -- President and CTO - Arcom Communications Makers of state-of-the-art repeater controllers and accessories. http://www.ah6le.net/arcom/index.html Be sure to see our products at this year's Dayton Hamvention! Repeater Builders spaces 707 through 710 AH6LE/R - IRLP Node 3000 http://www.irlp.net Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
Do you have the phone number you called / connection info too? Thanks, Neil Ken Arck wrote: > > At 12:22 PM 4/25/2004 -0700, you wrote: > > > > Hi Ken, I wonder if Fluke now does repair / certification of the > > service monitors? > > <---I talked to them about a month ago, regarding a replacement > lever switch on my service monitor. While I didn't specifically > ask about repairs and/or calibration, they do have parts. I guess > it would be worth calling them about the other issues. > > As I remember, they were in Texas? > > Ken > - > President and CTO - Arcom Communications > Makers of state-of-the-art repeater controllers and accessories. > http://www.ah6le.net/arcom/index.html > Be sure to see our products at this year's Dayton Hamvention! > Repeater Builders spaces 707 through 710 > AH6LE/R - IRLP Node 3000 > http://www.irlp.net > > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
At 12:35 PM 4/25/2004 -0700, you wrote: > > Do you have the phone number you called / connection info too? <---I can do better. How about an email AND a phone number?:-) [EMAIL PROTECTED] (800) 638 2049 Ken --- Information Technology: Enabling the village idiot to become a global idiot with the click of a mouse. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Suggestions as to IFR Monitor Repairs ?
What IFR's Flat Rate Minimum refers to is the flat rate repair with calibration include all parts that are defective due to failure. The flat rate repair does not cover the battery, physical damage, power cords, or damage caused by water, liquids, or misused. I know, I just had an IFR 1000S repaired and calibrated. I had to buy a battery extra. Charles Miller C. A. P. Communications Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
