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Reviews For: Yaesu Factory Service

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

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Review Summary For : Yaesu Factory Service
Reviews: 273MSRP: N/A
Description:
Yeasu's Amateur Radio Factory Service Center in California
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/?cmd=ContactUs&DivisionID=65
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
74.32733.5
K6BRN Rating: 2023-03-07
DOA From Yaesu Cyprus Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
SUMMARY: Upon delivery, the narrow-band DSP sub-receiver of my new FTDX-101MP was found to be deaf after installation of three optional filters at the Yaesu Cyprus, CA service center. Shipping a brand-new radio without basic functional checkout indicates a serious lapse in QA at the service facility. There was nothing at all subtle about the problem. Nor did Cyprus prioritize fixing their own “goof”, requiring me to return the radio and order a new one to expedite delivery – pretty silly.

RADIO PURCHASE AND PROBLEM DISCOVERY: The radio was purchased brand-new from HRO in Anaheim, CA during the 2022 “Black Friday” (Thanksgiving) sales event and ordered by them directly from Yaesu as a new, fully optioned FTDX-101MP “Max”. Yaesu shipped the base radio directly to the Cyprus service center which performed the upgrade and then forwarded the radio to HRO in Anaheim a short distance away, where I picked it up, about 2-1/2 weeks after submitting the order to HRO. The sub-receiver problem was found by me at initial checkout and I notified HRO the next day.

RADIO RETURN: HRO checked the radio at their store to verify the defect and be sure it wasn’t simply “Customer Ignorance”. This is a complex bit of gear, after all. Per their suggestion, I called the Cypress service center and – since I live close by – expected to be able to drop by and have the problem corrected in short order (I’m naive). However, Cyprus declined to prioritize the repair and indicated standard turnaround time would be about a month. Unless I were to return the radio and order a new one, which would take about two weeks, including upgrade of a new core radio by Cyprus.

This was surprising, since the problem had been seen before and repair appeared to involve simply plugging in a loose connector or replacing it. By returning the radio, it left Yaesu with a blemished “referb” product to sell at a reduced price and with a very unhappy customer. Not a good business decision by any means.

LIKELY PROBLEM CAUSE: Receiver “deafness” due to poor RF/IF connections between the receiver front end assemblies and ADC/FPGA assemblies appears to be a common fault in the FTDX-101 (both D and MP), especially after upgrades, as found in a number of on-line complaints. A Youtube video I discovered illustrating filter installation shows why. The radio is very tightly packed and requires board assemblies to be tilted up to access their underside for filter attach. This in turn stresses the RF micro-coax connectors between boards if they are not disconnected FIRST. The micro-coax connectors are particularly tiny, fragile and vulnerable to either damage/loosening due to stress or from poor/missing re-connection during reassembly. Perhaps this is one reason why Yaesu directs that FTDX-101 upgrades be done by the service center. It’s easy to mess up.

END RESULT: Yaesu finally delivered a working, fully optioned FTDX-101MP to me via HRO in January of 2023. And I’ll credit them 3 stars for doing the work correctly the 2nd time around.

THREE BASIC IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTIONS TO YAESU/CYPRUS:

1. Fix your own mistakes promptly rather than simply dropping them “back in the queue”. This directly demonstrates performance responsibility and professional commitment to the customer.

2. Implement a basic, standardized QA delivery checklist for every product serviced. Putting in this essential effort/cost up front avoids much more expensive rework costs and customer issues later.

3. IF pressured NOT to do this by management due to cost or schedule, remind them as often as necessary that the problems, costs and schedule slips of NOT doing 1 and 2 above are far greater than being consistent and always following them.

In the end, your very own personal, professional conduct reflects on YOU and follows you wherever you may go in the future. Do NOT let bad product out of your shop – and if an escape happens, take responsibility and fix it immediately. Your integrity will be remembered long after the “push” is over.

Been there. Done that. Worked out well for me.
N4MJG Rating: 2023-02-24
i have a good luck so far Time Owned: more than 12 months.
i had never had any problem with them. i have nothing but good luck with them when i had the mike problem of my ht VX5-R they me told to send it to them which i did, they called me back saying the mike is bad and going to send me a new one at no charge.like that great ! i no longer have the vx5R NO MORE IT DIED now i have the vx8r it too died atfer haing very long time my latest is the 70D


73
Jackie
N4MJG
WB4HUM Rating: 2023-02-23
Really Great!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Figured out that I probably had a burned out USB chip on my FTDX101MP. Called Tim at Yaesu, and he confirmed it. Had a great conversation with him, by the way. Seems like a good guy. Anyway, he sent a prepaid label by email. Got it the next day. Shipped the radio on Monday, Jan30. Yaesu got it Friday Feb 3. Got an email from Tim confirming receipt on Monday Feb 6.

Stephanie sent several emails confirming several things. I asked her to throw in the 2 little screws that attach the strain relief to the power supply and radio, as they were not in my radio when I bought it.

I got back from town Wed Feb22 and found a note on my door saying the package needed a signature and would be delivered the next day. Thursday morning, it arrived.

Works as it should. Firmware was updated, so I don't have to do that. They gave me advice such as using a shielded USB cable with ferrites at each end and static precautions to prevent this from happening again. This is not in the manual as I can see.

Considering that the shipping from Alabama to California took 5 days each way, 23 day turnaround less 10 days for shipping is great. I figured a month or more. Glad to be wrong.

Oh, and the 2 tiny screws were in the box.

Great job Yaesu/
KI5BMK Rating: 2023-02-16
Yaesu Is Great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have never had an issue dealing with Yaesu...great service and tech support. Plus a free 3 year factory warranty...That is huge and often gets over looked...

KE9CK Rating: 2023-02-15
Very reluctant to buy Yaesu again. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been a Yaesu fan for many years, I recently had to return my FTdx 10 back for warranty work, after a year of service the power output dropped to zero. I return the radio on December 26,2022 for repairs, after 6 weeks the radio returned on February 13, 2023. The final assembly board was replaced. It appeared to be operating fine until i noticed the left side of the case getting very warm/hot. The fan was not running, I opened up the radio and the power leads to the fan had been pinched between the gray top cover and the fan housing, The wire was crushed and the bare wire was exposed and laying against the case. I repaired the wire to the fan and all is fine now. must not have been checked out before returning. Not much of a service department as far as i am concerned.
KB6HRT Rating: 2023-01-25
FTdx9000MP Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Sent my FTdx9000MP in 12-22 for repairs received it back 1-23 and put the radio back in service the next day, have use this radio for around 5 years, it has always been my go to radio for HF, have deminished hearing that's is age related, Yaesu did a GREAT job repairing the FTdx9000mp, I use this every day, an after 5 days plus I can say, its working better than ever, Was using a FTdx10 as the Backup radio, for 9000 a very good radio in it own right, But its not a FTdx9000mp by any means for sure.
THANK YOU so MUCH to all the people at Yaesu, in Cypress Ca USA. for making this happen........WN.Bryant............kb6hrt
N5EKC Rating: 2023-01-20
Great customer service Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had problems with a FTDX10 related to display screen and button function. I contacted tech support and received excellent response from Tim Factor and Roger ___ . I was unable to resolve my problems over the phone. I sent the unit to the repair center on December 26 and received it back in less than 4 weeks. They replaced the LCD board and loaded latest firmware. The radio works great! Tim Factor and Stephanie Fears were great about keeping me updated on the progress and shipping of my radio.
N4ECW Rating: 2022-08-06
Excellent Customer Service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Yaesu repaired my FT-897D quickly when a power surge damaged a PA and fried the eprom chip. The cost was reasonable. Due to a surge in COVID19 at the time it took about a month to get it repaired and returned. Great job Yaesu!
KP4AJ Rating: 2022-03-11
Got the Job done!! Thanks Yaesu!! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I got some problems with my FTDX10. Most serious problem was USB Port not recognized. Got the radio serviced and it is performing nicely.

I think it is a matter of PATIENCE, you have to let the technicians do their job. In my case waiting time was about 8 weeks. Also, I contacted YaesuUSA only two times. Stephanie Fears was very informative and kind.

I prefer to wait a little more and have a repair done correctly and carefully. Got this FTDX10 baby with new firmware 1.10. Fantastic.

Thank you very much YAESU USA!
K1GUY Rating: 2021-11-23
why i buy Yaesu Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I always have a Yaesu radio in my shack...and my car, with the Yaesu 120A. And for those who know how to install a mobile antenna, it's great with the Yaesu 891 Radio.

Whenever I might have a question, the Yaesu service department is always there with very very helpful advise. Only once did I send a radio to them with 3 day turn-around...nothing found, as it was a short in my coax (intermitent). Found the short as it was weather related and the radio just performs as new. Yaesu service is GREAT, and I will always highly consider buying another Yaesu radio as service is important after the sale.