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Author Topic: Which Manufacturer offers best long term support? ICOM, Yaesu, Kenwood, or who?  (Read 633 times)

K4BDA

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When buying a used rig one important question is...
Does the manufacturer still offer support in case the rig need repair or realignment or a software update.
In particular ICOM, Yaesu, and Kenwood.

For instance I just read a review for a Yaesu FT-290 that states that...
Quote
The processor section of the rig is no longer available, and Yaesu no longer supports the rig at all.
Absolutely shameful that if one encounters a bad processor that they must just "throw it away

So, when does ICON, Yaesu, and Kenwood stop supporting their products?
The minute they discontinue manufacturing, or what?

And what other things should one be aware of in terms of long term manufacturers support for used rigs?

Thanks for any info.

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K4GTE

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Generally, manufacturers discontinue support after the product has been out of production for 10 years.
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K1VSK

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Elecraft. And they now offer both support and parts for the K3 line for those who don’t yet know. All others can be lumped into the not so customer friendly grouping.
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K6JH

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Modern electronics become obsolete pretty fast. Even if a manufacturer wants to repair a radio many parts have become unobtanium.
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73
Jim K6JH

AK5B

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Simple question, simple answer: Elecraft.
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KC0W

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Elecraft. And they now offer both support and parts for the K3 line for those who don’t yet know. All others can be lumped into the not so customer friendly grouping.

Simple question, simple answer: Elecraft.

 Really? Can I right now purchase a complete PA section for a K3? How about an internal antenna tuner? What about something as simple as a VFO knob?

 Didn't think so..............

 


                                                        Tom KH0/KC0W
« Last Edit: December 15, 2022, 10:42:39 PM by KC0W »
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G4AON

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Really? Can I right now purchase a complete PA section for a K3? How about an internal antenna tuner? What about something as simple as a VFO knob?

Bear in mind the K3 came out in 2007, what Japanese manufacturer supports a radio that old?

Have you spoken with the Japanese factory, or their designers recently?

I just don't understand why American hams don't support American manufacturers.

73 Dave (sitting in front of a K4D and KPA500 as I type this)
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KD7RDZI2

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This means that if you can't repair it after the 10 yrs support you can only sell it for parts only or you can buy another one and use the broken one for parts. So the message is, if you really like a radio, after the production line has stopped, just buy a second radio which is the same of yours and swap the cards in case of failure.
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K7JQ

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Whenever you buy *anything* used, you have to understand there’s various risks involved. You don’t know how it was used (or abused) that might cause a failure in the short term. Hidden defects that the seller didn’t reveal. Depending on an item’s age and if it is now out of production, availability of parts if it needs repair. Otherwise it becomes a doorstop or paperweight.

You can’t expect a manufacturer to support a discontinued product for an unreasonable amount of time. What’s “unreasonable” varies by product and debatable. Low cost electronics these days are throwaways if out of warranty and repair costs are close to buying a new one.

Only you can determine your ability to absorb financial risk. IMO, if you’re considering the purchase of a fairly expensive (your definition of expensive) older used item that’s been out of production for more than five years, and you’re concerned if the manufacturer will still support it with parts and repair if it craps out, then don’t buy it.  Buy something new with a warranty and sleep well at night ;).
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K7JQ

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Really? Can I right now purchase a complete PA section for a K3? How about an internal antenna tuner? What about something as simple as a VFO knob?

Bear in mind the K3 came out in 2007

But they were still being manufactured up to 3 or 4 years ago, when they announced its discontinuance and the proposed K4. So, as KC0W shows, K3 parts are limited or unavailable now.
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KA2DDX

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I was in retail electronics for a long time. K7JQ has it dead on.

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G4AON

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K3 parts are limited or unavailable now.
This was posted by Eric Swartz (Elecraft co-owner) on 2nd Dec 2022 on the Elecraft Reflector:
“ The following boards are now in
process, and should ship close to these dates ranges if there are no new parts issues or surprise manufacturing delays.

P3TXMON  6-8 weeks
K3EXREF      8 weeks
KAT3A:          8 weeks
KDVR3          8 weeks
KPA3A        6-8 weeks
KIO3B        8-9 weeks
KSYN3A        8 weeks
KBPF3A        8 weeks
KXV3B       6-8 weeks”

There are further details of other legacy products, but too lengthy to paste here.

73 Dave
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K7JQ

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I was in retail electronics for a long time. K7JQ has it dead on.

My post was backed up by my experience of 40 years in retail, most of it in big-ticket electric/electronic products.
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K4IA

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I had a PA go bad in an Elecraft K3S, long out of warranty.
1.  I could remove the module myself
2.  Sent it to Elie
3.  They sent me a refurb
4.  I plugged the refurb in
5.  Total cost a little over $125
Now, what other company has that kind of support?
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K7JQ

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K3 parts are limited or unavailable now.
This was posted by Eric Swartz (Elecraft co-owner) on 2nd Dec 2022 on the Elecraft Reflector:
“ The following boards are now in
process, and should ship close to these dates ranges if there are no new parts issues or surprise manufacturing delays.

P3TXMON  6-8 weeks
K3EXREF      8 weeks
KAT3A:          8 weeks
KDVR3          8 weeks
KPA3A        6-8 weeks
KIO3B        8-9 weeks
KSYN3A        8 weeks
KBPF3A        8 weeks
KXV3B       6-8 weeks”

There are further details of other legacy products, but too lengthy to paste here.

73 Dave


Still 2 months out for a product that was discontinued only 3-4 years ago. The question is, how much longer after the two months will parts support still be available? I’m not knocking Elecraft, but they are just typical of manufactures’ support of discontinued products in this fast moving and ever changing electronics environment.
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