From: tcmaint@pogo.wv.tek.com (TeleCom Maintenance)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Manufactures service.
Date: 5 Jan 93 16:41:37 GMT
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville,  OR.

Netters,
	In the past people have made verious comments on Icom, Kenwood,
and other manufacturer's service of their equipment. No one had much 
experience with Yaesu so I thought I would let you know my latest exper-
ience with them.
	I have an FT-980 HF transceiver. It has a really weird heat sensi-
tive tuning problem on the VFO board that causes the tuning to start acting
like the rig has channels instead of a continuous tuning capability. When
this happens the rig will tune in a few stations but most are either too
low or too high in frequency. As I try to tune them in the radio display
shows a normal continuous readout but the radio appears to jump frequency.
Weird, huh. Probably a tuning varactor or crystal. Anyway...
	On or about November 23 I sent the rig to Yaesu service center in
Cerritos, Calif. Approximately Dec.8 I called Yaesu to find out what was what
and they told me the rig had arrived but no technician had been assigned yet.
Dec.16 approx. I called again and it had been given to a technician but `wait
a couple of days so the technician can identify the problem and give you an
accurate quote'. No problem. Just seems to be taking a long time.
	About Dec.21 Yaesu called and give me a quote of $283. I said that was
too much and send the rig back too me and I would fix it myself. I then talked
to the parts department and ordered the parts quoted to me at $71.83. The
parts arrived with a price of $31.83, not $71.83 as quoted in the bill.
The next day I got a letter from Yaesu quoting $200.83 for the price($71.83 parts)
of repair. Did I misunderstand them? I don't know for sure but it seems to me
they repeatedly said $283 over the phone when I talked to them. Oh well, when
the rig gets here I will fix it anyway although I probably would have gone for
the two hundred dollar price.
	Waiting for the rig to arrive. On Dec. 29 or 30 I called to see if the
rig had been sent. Oh no here it is on my shelf waiting for me to make out the
paper work!!!!!!! What, I told you on the 21st to send the rig back. Oh, yes
but.... Will you send the rig back to me now. Yes, right away. COD? Yes. OK,
now give me your superivisor. He is busy on the phone right now. Here is my
number, have him call me. Two hours later I left the house since I wasn't going
to wait on them. Never heard a word from them.
	It is now January 5, 1993 and I am still waiting on Yaesu to get my
rig back too me. You gather your own conclusion. Sent in on November 23. Not
back yet on January 5. 
	Oh, by the way. Judging from the two ICs, one varactor, one variable
capacitor, one crystal and one relay I would say the technician didn't really
know what part was bad and planned to shot gun the problem. Not completely with-
out justification judging by the problem. When I work on it I figure starting
with the two ICs and the varactor. I'll go from their although I probably will
use my heat gun and cold sprey with a straw to isolate it better.
	I really hate to give up on Yaesu because I have allways liked their
tranceivers. Better than Kenwood or Icom but it is only an ergonomic personal
thing with me. I allways found them more logical for my operation. SSB for
what it is worth. And their receivers were allways hot. But now I will be
looking at the other manufacturers more seriously.

Terry Burge,
KI7M
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc