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Reviews For: The Radiosmith

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

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Review Summary For : The Radiosmith
Reviews: 86MSRP:
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
55865
WD4ASP Rating: 2020-01-02
OMNI-D working again Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Steve did a great job fixing my OMNI-D and external VFO. I hadn't used them for quite a while. When I fired them up I found that both the main tuning dial (PTO) and external VFO dial were not able to be turned due to the grease drying out. He cleaned off the old, dried up grease and applied new grease that should not have that problem again and realigned the oscillators. Now they are as good as new. It turns out that the OMNI-D works way better for the digital modes than my OMNI-VI so that is the one I use for them now. I'd recommend Steve for fixing any of your radio issues.
N1LQ Rating: 2019-08-04
Simply the Best! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
In May 2018 I sent Steve my Ten Tec Corsair II for some long needed TLC. What arrived back was a transceiver running in near new condition and far beyond my expectations.

Now in July 2019 my mint 27 year old Omni V.9 was sent to Steve for a general alignment and going over. Again what came back to me was a radio that has never performed so well, even when new.

Steve is a Master Technician with expert skills with all amateur radio brands. But he shines with older Ten Tec gear. If you want superb workmanship, a fair price, excellent communication and a fast turnaround time, the Radiosmith in Clearwater FL, IMO is ... simply the BEST.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N1LQ on 2018-06-09

My beloved 29 year old Ten Tec Corsair II needed some issues addressed and a full alignment. So after researching possible service options I decided to ship the rig to Steve the Radiosmith in Clearwater FLA. His many reviews on both eHam and eBay are stellar.

After two weeks in his shop, the rig arrived back home. As I told Steve, the result of his work is far greater than my expectations of what would result. Every single operating facet of this radio is now spot on, as if it were new from the factory 29 years ago. His workmanship, his price and his communications during the process were all remarkable. As a result, two more Ten Tec rigs in my collection (Steve also services other makes also) will be headed his way very shortly.

We all want quality work, fair pricing and quick turn-around. With the Radiosmith I got all three. IMO Steve is the best. 73 de N1LQ - Dave
KB7PWJ Rating: 2019-07-23
Artisan-quality service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Sent Steve my beloved Tentec Delta 580, which had developed a host of quirks since it was new in 1980. This rig gets about $300 in mint condition today, and I knew it would cost a lot more than that to completely recondition mine, but it was a sentimental thing.

Steve was great at working within the $400-odd (exclusive of shipping) that I authorized him to spend, and for that paltry sum he sent back a rig that works great. He managed to fix the stuff that was taking me off the air entirely, much of which was caused by a hamfisted "reconditioning" that was done before I bought the rig used from a dealer in 1992.

Steve's communication, his knowledge and love of old Tentecs, and his creativity as a technician make him ideal for this kind of work. I sent him my Delta half certain I was going to hear "end of the line for this one"; for a reasonable sum I got a few more years with her; maybe more.

Thanks, Steve!
AL6G Rating: 2018-09-30
FT-897D repair. Great Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Why should somebody ship their radio over 3,000 miles to get repaired?
The answer, so that it's done right.
Steve keeps you informed and explains your options. Uses high quality components and is very knowledgable with outstanding workmanship.I'm very satisfied with
my decision to ship my radio to the Radiosmith.
K1FK Rating: 2018-09-23
Excellent Service - OMNI VI/Opt 3 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I sent my 25+ year OMNI VI Opt 3 to Steve with a very unusual problem that I had been coping with for several years - excessive power output (200+ watts with PWR control full CW) and no ALC Control on all bands, incorrect PWR/SWR/Ic metering and an additional problem of NO transmit on 10m (12m was OK). Steve extended considerable time and did a yeoman’s job in returning my rig to factory specifications and performed a complete alignment. His work is top-notch professional quality and his labor rate is unbeatable for repair of TenTec and other vintage equipment. I have referred Steve to others previously and he has never disappointed any of those whom I referred. Thank you Steve.
WO4K Rating: 2018-08-25
Excellent Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Steve is indeed as good as these reviews say. I needed some assistance with my Johnson Viking II. Steve did a great job of not only fixing the immediate problem, but also diagnosing and correcting the root cause of the the issue so it doesn't reoccur. As mentioned in other reviews here, his rates are reasonable. Perhaps more importantly, Steve's work is thorough and the workmanship is excellent. I highly recommend The Radiosmith.
WB5JWI Rating: 2018-05-14
Excellent work Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Gave a 5 because nothing higher! Excellent work, best communications from any vendor, came in under estimate. Identified several problems of which I was unaware (missed by Ten Tec service btw) and sent my Corsair back in beautiful shape.

Highest recommendation if you need work on your rig. I hope I don't need him again but if I have rig problems in the future, I'll certainly call him first.
K5NCO Rating: 2018-05-04
Great Customer Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Omni VI Plus was down in the dumps and Radiosmith did a great job of bringing it back to life. Great communications, reasonable price, tenacious in his search for the problem and quick response time! Couldn't ask for more. I may be sending him th Argo 556 next! KD5GCX (former K5NCO).
W0WSA Rating: 2018-04-24
Outstanding service! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I sent Steve my FT-897D for diagnosis and it took him no time at all to get me a very in-depth explanation of what was wrong and what it needed. Ultimately the repairs would have been more than the value of the radio, and on his advice I opted-out of repairs and got a refund on the radio from the seller so I can put the money towards new rigs. Combined with all the advice and answers he's given me he has saved me from a lot of potential headaches. Definitely a great guy to deal with, his rates are reasonable, and he has been a valuable source of information. If I ever need anything diagnosed or repaired again, I'll definitely be sending it off to Steve.
K5TN Rating: 2018-04-02
The RadioSmith does it again!! This time, an Omni VI!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As promised, I sent my 1995 vintage Ten-Tec Omni VI Option 3 down to Florida for Steve to give it an alignment....after all, it is 23 years old. I was thrilled when I got it back in line. It was hotter than a two dollar pistol on receive!! I thought it had a great receiver before, but this was amazing!! Let me tell you, if you have a rig with a bug, or just think it needs an alignment, give Steve a shout, you'll be glad you did!! And so will your radio!! A week or so in Florida will do you both good!!