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eHam Forums => Amplifiers => Topic started by: N4ATS on March 14, 2023, 10:32:20 AM

Title: SPE Amps recently received
Post by: N4ATS on March 14, 2023, 10:32:20 AM
DISCLAIMER: The past 10 or 12 SPE Amplifiers that came into my shop for catastrophic repairs were already at an unknown shop that "supposedly" supported SPE amplifiers. I do not know "who" or "where" nor do I care but as result it has been noted several extremely bad repairs were performed. I am in NO WAY associated with SPE or these repairs and ONLY able to clean "some" of them up. These previously hacked amplifiers included massive solder issues (Blobs and Strands) , SMT hacks , ripped traces , white wire repairs in impedance crucial areas, 1/2 solder flowed LDMOS IC's and in most cases low heat soldering / flow flaws. Lastly roaming hardware thru out and heatsinks not torqued.

While I will try to repair some of the ones I received , I am no longer supporting SPE. Good luck to the new tech guy, should there be one, I wish him luck
Title: Re: SPE Amps recently received
Post by: VR2AX on March 14, 2023, 11:01:41 AM
Good thing we hams always keep perfect records and always retain them against all and every possible legal inspection.
Title: Re: SPE Amps recently received
Post by: ZS5WC on March 15, 2023, 07:11:55 AM
 :)Wow that is shocking and sad.
SPE makes a good product, its a pity these Back Yard techs give them a bad name.
I repaired my own, was not that easy, but it was done thoroughly and neatly.
Problem is when non solid state amp savvy people pull everything apart in order to find a fault, that could mostly be caused by operational errors.
73!.
Title: Re: SPE Amps recently received
Post by: KA4WJA on March 15, 2023, 08:47:35 AM
Bill,
Wow!
Thanks for posting this.  (it's always good to know stuff like this)

DISCLAIMER: The past 10 or 12 SPE Amplifiers that came into my shop for catastrophic repairs were already at an unknown shop that "supposedly" supported SPE amplifiers. I do not know "who" or "where" nor do I care but as result it has been noted several extremely bad repairs were performed. I am in NO WAY associated with SPE or these repairs and ONLY able to clean "some" of them up. These previously hacked amplifiers included massive solder issues (Blobs and Strands) , SMT hacks , ripped traces , white wire repairs in impedance crucial areas, 1/2 solder flowed LDMOS IC's and in most cases low heat soldering / flow flaws. Lastly roaming hardware thru out and heatsinks not torqued.

While I will try to repair some of the ones I received , I am no longer supporting SPE. Good luck to the new tech guy, should there be one, I wish him luck.

Makes me wonder if he was trained at Ameritron / MFJ?  hi hi  (As their signature seems to be flowing hardware but not flowing solder)
Okay, I'm just kidding Ameritrom/MFJ.  They do make some nice ham kits....that actually look better than the old Heathkits.


73,
John,  KA4WJA