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Reviews For: The Radiosmith

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

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Review Summary For : The Radiosmith
Reviews: 81MSRP:
Description:
Expert repairs and restoration for all brands (Collins, Drake, Icom, Kenwood, Ten-Tec, Yaesu, and Others) of vintage and modern ham radio equipment including linear amplifiers, station accessories, OEM power supplies and Astron power supplies by a degreed Electrical Engineer who has been a licensed ham (20 WPM Extra Class) for over 38 years. For more information, contact The Radiosmith via email at: radiosmith@tampabay.rr.com
Product is in production
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# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
55815
WJ2L Rating: 2021-07-05
Ten Tec Omni 7 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Steve Yudell is a great professional EE with much experience in the repair of Ten Tec equipment. I explained the problem of having a variable response in the the AF/RF CONTROLS. Also had problems dialing power up or down on this 100 watt rig. He explained that the encoder controls needed to be either cleaned or replaced. He cleaned them and now they work like a charm. Also questioned if I was a little off frequency. He addressed this as well changing out a part. I have yet to check the frequency but I have not been having a problem since the rig was fedexed back yesterday. If you own a Ten Tec and need service I fully endorse this service. Steve is not costly as well. I count myself blessed. Bill Hopkins WJ2L/4
RADIO2021 Rating: 2021-07-03
Drake R8 repair Time Owned: more than 12 months.
First class repairs. Excellent communication. Costs are discussed before doing needed work. I’d send Radiosmith all of my radio equipment that needed repair. 73….
W2CA Rating: 2021-06-14
Excellent Ten Tec Omni 6+ Repair Experience Time Owned: more than 12 months.
About a month ago my TenTec Omni 6+, that have owned as new for 21 years developed a problem on 10 meters. Over the years I've been able to service this radio myself but this problem had me vexed. With the overwhelming positive references on this site for the Radiosmith's services, I decided to give Steve a shot. I sent him an email describing the problem, my troubleshooting efforts and asked about his experience with this particular radio. I received a prompt reply and his comments regarding the possible causes indicated that he had intimate knowledge with the radios circuitry. Steve indicated that he was very busy at the time, so as not to be without the radio till he could work on it, I waited about 10 days until he let me know he was in a position to work on it. I was informed in advance of his Terms and Conditions, evaluation charge and hourly rate. I was given instructions on how to best pack the radio. I sent out the radio via FedEx (Double boxed by FedEx and Insured. There was significant shipping damage to the outer box when it arrived but the original TenTec inner box was unscathed) and within a day of arrival, it was on the bench. I received an email confirming my complaint and the most probable cause from his evaluation. Within 2 days I received another email confirming the cause was found, repaired and the radio was being operationally cycled to insure that it was indeed repaired. During the time on the bench the radio was calibrated and aligned to factory specs and was returned to me. Steve's return shipping packaging was much better than I paid FedEx for. The boxes / radio arrived in perfect condition. I put the radio back in service and it functions as new. With Steve, you get great communications so there's no anxiety about what is going on, his service is fast and his rates are more than fair. I'm a happy camper. I'm not looking forward to more radio problems, but knowing Steve is a reliable source of service is comforting.
KF4BAN Rating: 2021-05-17
Expert Professional Rig Repair - Ten Tec Argonaut 509 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When my 509 developed problems well out of my scope to diagnose, I searched and found Steve. I described the issues and soon had the radio on its way. Turned out the main problem was a hairline crack in a trace on a board that Steve found and repaired. Along with a few needed components the 509 was up again. Steve also did a well needed cleaning/relube of the tuning assembly and a dial restring. After a final alignment it was ready to return. Got it home and with 5 watts out on a homebrew 20m loop, had a fine 59/59 QSO with a ham in TN transmitting at 600w. Back in business. I really appreciate the time and effort Steve put in it. He treated it probably better than his own. Its one of my favorite HF radios. I will be keeping and using it for along time to come. Great work, great communication, very persistent with unusual repair problems and a fair and honest rate. Highly recommend The Radiosmith.
N7BB Rating: 2021-05-08
My Drake R-8 is like a brand new receiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I sent my Drake R-8 to Steve after I noticed some audio distortion & an alarming smell which made me think the caps were leaking. Steve promptly replied to my email inquiry. Rates were provided, as well as an honest detailed timeline based upon the work he had in front of mine. I boxed up the R-8 and shipped it out. When Steve finally took a look at my receiver, my suspicions were verified: very bad leaking caps in the audio amplifier, which are located in a hard to reach spot. Nevertheless, Steve tackled this tough job with confidence. Steve always communicated with me during the course of the repair. Some parts needed to be ordered. It took a few weeks, but when I finally got my receiver back, I was nothing short of amazed. He even polished out a few scratches I had on the display! My radio came back not only working to factory spec, fully aligned, & sounding great, it even looked better than it had before I shipped it out.

If you have a Drake R-8, R-8A, or R-8B, and you plan on keeping it, you might want to have Steve take a look at it & replace any caps that might otherwise leak and cause damage to the boards (like mine did). Nevertheless, he carefully scraped away the corrosives so as to not cause any further damage.

I give Steve my highest recommendation. I plan on sending future radios to him. This was the best experience I've ever had with getting a radio serviced.
W2PP Rating: 2021-05-08
Expert Repair with superb communication Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had Steve rehab my 49 year old Kenwood TS 520. I thought the radio was in good shape but knew it was time for a deep dive. Steve replaced the electrolytic caps, reformed others, updated this and that, fixed a broken run and replaced my incandescent bulbs with NEW incandescent bulbs. The original ones well one died the other one kept on going! I didn't want LEDs I wanted to keep it original if possible and it was possible.
Steve is the go to guy with your gear period.
KQ7I Rating: 2021-03-21
Exceptional craftsman!! THE MAN for Ten-Tec repair Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My Omni VI, which saw great contests and DXpeditions in the 1990s, languished in a box for well over a decade. Steve had the difficult task of bringing back to life a radio with multiple failed components. He performed superb work and kept me constantly advised with excellent communication. I am so delighted with his work and the performance of this 30 year-old radio, which is at least equal to my new TS-890S. Shipping my baby 3,000 miles to Steve was a great decision.
KR4EE Rating: 2021-03-12
Went Above And Beyond Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Steve overhauled an HW-101 for me and installed the Hayseed Hamfest recap kit on a PS. He went above and beyond for me, as the radio needed a lot of work.

Highly recommend his services for any radio equipment work that you might require. Do not hesitate.
KC3QLV Rating: 2021-02-24
Sears Yaesu FRG-7 Repair Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Dipped my toe into the Ham Radio Hobby with my acquisition of a very clean Sears Yaesu FRG 7. Didn't seem to receive so well, especially on USB. So, after reading the reviews here, I sent it out to Steve. Thorough, knowledgeable, patient with my less than informed questions. He did a great job. Definitely earned a spot in my Rolodex.
N4UCM Rating: 2021-02-15
Ten Tec Century 21 Repair Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Sent Steve my Ten Tec Century 21 after reading the reviews here on eHam. The rig had the normal PTO issue, a power supply issue and was in need of re-alignment.

Steve did an excellent job repairing the radio and communicating throughout the process. He identified problems I was unaware of and charged a fair price. It's amazing how much better the radio performs now.

I would not hesitate to send my other Ten Tec radios for repair or recommend him to other Amateurs.

Excellent, professional work.