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Author Topic: ameritron!?  (Read 1387 times)

VE7REN

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ameritron!?
« on: February 06, 2022, 01:36:55 PM »

i recently needed some parts for 2 of my 811 series amplifiers. did some digging on the internet . found the ameritron/mfj site,and it was pathetic! you casnnot order parts nor look up many parts,as the older site. using my manual and websites,i got the part numbers together and made the phonecall to them! the phone rings and i get a real deadbeat on the phone.no charisma,sounds like a couch potato video gamer!we go over some parts,along with his grammar,uhh,mm,ok,yea,etc. it was a pretty ammusing,yet dissapointing experience. just plain unprofessional. as a person answering the phone,you should be upbeat and personable,but this left me feeling like i was talking to either beavis or butthead.
! overall,i got the parts,but what a poor run website,business persona,and just weak skillset!
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AC2EU

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2022, 01:59:19 PM »

 It's MFJ you're talking about! Why are you surprised? I wouldn't expect anything but that experience.
Lower expectations = less disappointment   ;D

DL9BDM

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Re: ameritron!? - Service not so bad as always claimed
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2022, 03:22:04 PM »

Some time ago, I have twice ordered various components (Carborundum resistors and ceramic insulators; the part numbers I have taken from the downloadable catalog on the MFJ website) for Ameritron power amplifiers - but via email. The service was impeccable, in each case within two weeks I had all the desired parts here in DL. The prepayment was done with Paypal. So I can't complain about anything.
« Last Edit: February 06, 2022, 03:42:02 PM by DL9BDM »
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K6AER

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2022, 05:11:26 PM »

Don't expect Mercedes service from a Chevy dealer.
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VE7REN

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2022, 06:02:22 PM »

my point is the company should be striving for better. bottom line!
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W9FIB

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2022, 04:56:33 AM »

...sounds like a couch potato video gamer!

Hmmm, what does that sound like?

Plus, you could have made your complaint with proper spacing, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Looks like it was written by a couch potato video gamer!

Lower quality products sold at low prices does not equal paying a high-level staff.
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

N2SR

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2022, 06:56:04 AM »

my point is the company should be striving for better. bottom line!

People have been saying that for years....to no avail. 

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Elect a clown.  Expect a circus.

VE7REN

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2022, 04:18:01 PM »

W9FIB -nice comment!  there always seems to be a guy like you lurking the forums with NOTHING good to say!
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KA5IPF

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2022, 07:49:12 PM »

Gripe and groan, mumble etc. Whens the last time you tried for service on your Hallicrafters, Heathkit, etc.

Learn to fix it yourself and/or keep a current model in the shack.
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W9FIB

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2022, 04:22:55 AM »

W9FIB -nice comment!  there always seems to be a guy like you lurking the forums with NOTHING good to say!

Someone had to make the point. Others didn't so I did. And you never did answer the question!
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

KA4DPO

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2022, 09:30:59 AM »

Ameritron/MFJ, is a true American success story.  Ameritron has sold more amateur radio amplifiers, and amateur equipment over the past 40 years, than any other manufacturer in the United States, possibly the world.

The notion that Ameritron amplifiers are low quality is simply not accurate.  There are plenty of them still working fine after 20 years or more.  Certainly as many, or more than any other brand.  They build simple, sturdy amplifiers at a reasonable price.

As far as the disappointment with their customer service person goes, that is not, unfortunately, unique to Ameritron or MFJ. 

I have received excellent customer service from them in the past, but I suspect that due to the pandemic, they, like everyone else are reducing service as a cost cutting measure.

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VE7REN

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #11 on: February 27, 2022, 05:49:48 PM »

Someone had to make the point. Others didn't so I did. And you never did answer the question!

and i wont. bye!
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AC4RD

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2022, 04:17:24 PM »

Ameritron/MFJ, is a true American success story.  ... As far as the disappointment with their customer service person goes, that is not, unfortunately, unique to Ameritron or MFJ. 

I have received excellent customer service from them in the past, but I suspect that due to the pandemic, they, like everyone else are reducing service as a cost cutting measure.

The first piece of new ham radio gear I bought, in 1991, was an MFJ antenna tuner.  It still works perfectly well.  Almost everything I've bought from MFJ over the years has been good quality at an attractive price, and it puts Americans to work on top of everything else.  People love to sneer at MFJ but they have filled a real niche in ham radio over the years, and I admire Martin Jue and his whole company.

The last time I needed something from MFJ I did have trouble getting help on the phone, but that was since the Great Plague (tm) began.  And MFJ is in a place that needs jobs for locals, but that part of the US is legendary for poverty and poor education (sorry, Mississippi, but it's true!), which affects their staffing.
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AC7CW

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2022, 08:25:54 AM »

MFJ is an ongoing phenomenon of Mighty Fine Junk. I'm stunned that they stay in business, I've had a few of their products that I was happy with until they failed and a few that I hated and ruined my station.. I had sworn off MFJ until  I couldn't find a loop tuner that did what I wanted from anybody else. The cheap-junk pl-259 self-destructed first time I removed the coax so; true to form. Mighty Fine Junk made from distressed merchandise parts and put together by nobody with experience or training... buy nice or buy twice
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Novice 1958, 20WPM Extra now... (and get off my lawn)

KA4DPO

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Re: ameritron!?
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2022, 09:48:20 AM »

MFJ is an ongoing phenomenon of Mighty Fine Junk. I'm stunned that they stay in business, I've had a few of their products that I was happy with until they failed and a few that I hated and ruined my station.. I had sworn off MFJ until  I couldn't find a loop tuner that did what I wanted from anybody else. The cheap-junk pl-259 self-destructed first time I removed the coax so; true to form. Mighty Fine Junk made from distressed merchandise parts and put together by nobody with experience or training... buy nice or buy twice

That hasn't been my experience, I have had very good luck with MFJ and Ameritron products.  I did have a problem with the balanced tuner, someone forgot to install the 1:1 input Balun, but all it took was single phone call to MFJ and I had the part 3 days later.  Installation was a simple soldering task.  Frustrating for sure, but not anything to get fired up about.  As for that cheap PL-259 ( I think you meant SO-239), your a ham, solder in a new, high quality one and move on.
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