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Reviews For: Kenwood Repair Service

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

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Review Summary For : Kenwood Repair Service
Reviews: 45MSRP:
Description:
Kenwood factory repairs
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.kenwood.net/contact.cfm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00452.7
WA2TDE Rating: 2020-09-04
Shipping Damage Upon Return Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Shipped TS-590S from New York to California FTHgroup, double boxed with lots of bubble wrap and packing peanuts and it arrived without damage. The unit was returned after repair in a large box with very large bubble-plastic packing. Left rear corner of case had dented/rounded corners. The shipping box showed no damage but the huge bubble pack definitely allowed the radio to slide around in the box during shipping. I had a similar problem with Yaesu repair a year ago with a rotor repair and the return package was using the same large bubble pack and the rotor dented the controller case. These service groups do not train personnel or manage the shipping aspect very well and this is inexcusable in this day and age.
K2GT Rating: 2017-11-30
Shipping Gripe Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have reviewed these guys before and given them a 5 for accurate repair and 3 day turnaround. I just sent them the RC-2000 control head for my TS-2000. I mailed it from Hawaii via USPS for under 5 bucks and they got it in 3 days. They told me shipping it back was $68!. I told them to send it to family in Northern Cal. UPS site price $10, FTH Group UPS price $26. Once again, 5 for accurate repair ond 3 day turnaround, and a 2 for shipping ripoff.
W6AAF Rating: 2016-09-17
FTH won't look at 440's Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After having read reviews and checked out website, I got an online RMA and shipped my TS-440 to FTH in SoCal with every belief they'd be able to service it. After they received it and I paid the $35 evaluation fee, they contacted me one day later to say that the model's been discontinued (duh) and they will be refunding my fee and shipping back to me.

Just a caveat: please contact them first to make sure they'll work on your particular Kenwood. It sounds like some more recently discontinued equipment is still serviced there, but it's not apparent to me what's "in their wheelhouse" and what's not.
WA5RR Rating: 2016-03-17
Kenwood West Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I saw the horror stories about the Kenwood West repair service. My radio just came back to them and working just like it should. The radio had some tiny SMD resistors blow and my old eyes couldn't see well enough to replace them myself.

Their online site, when you create an RMA, keeps you up to date. I called the company on the phone to pay my bill. They even sent my radio back via UPS 2nd Day Air.

Great experience on this go round
K3NRX Rating: 2015-03-12
Vintage Rig?..Don't Waste Your Time.... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had the "dots" problem with my TS-440 back in 2000...Sent to Virginia...was fixed and worked perfectly....Now my 440 needs repair again, here in 2015...and all Kenwood Service Centers will not repair it....This is most aggravating that I now have to send my radio all the way to California to a certified tech for repair, when I could send it to Virginia, closer to me...I also find it aggravating that the Kenwood Service Centers would service vintage stereo equipment from the 1970s and 1980s, but won't service one of their ham rigs from the late 1980s....Very disappointing, Kenwood...I pray my radio makes it to CA and back safely...As Kenwood is causing me shipping anxiety over this long trip, and I will be on pins and needles until it returns safely....Be advised...if you have a vintage kenwood solid state rig that needs fixing, don't waste your time with JVC/Kenwood Service Center.....
KB2MS Rating: 2015-02-18
Poor at best!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have a new 480hx purchased in Nov, 2014 a ssb 1.8 filter was installed the end of Nov. The radio would not recognize the filter. The filter board was taken out and placed in another 480hx. That radio recognized it immediately. Therefore I was led to believe that there was a problem with the radio. Since the radio was brand new the dealer was kind enough to send it back for me to Kenwood East for repair. TheY received the radio 3rd week in Dec. I tried to find out some info on the radio, but was told since the dealer sent it back only they could question its status. The dealer called them about 2 wks later and he was told that there were some parts missing and they were waiting for the parts from Japan. Another week went by and I called my dealer and he gave me the name of a contact person in Virginia (kenwood east)to call for updates. I called and was told about the same as the dearler was told, waiting for parts. After about a month or more I called back and the contact told me they were shipping the radio now to California as their "top tech" was there. So now the radio was sent to California. I contacted Kenwood in California and was told the radio was going to be there on Feb. 5. I called again to remind them that the filter was good, don't waste time with that look aT something else. I was told a few days later that they were going to change the filter to check it, and I needed to send the invoice for the radio, as well as the filter invoice. More rederick. I called and emails were exchanged and on Feb 10 was told oh yes the filter was good. I had told them that at least 5 times to Virgina and now to California. On feb 12 they told me it was repaired and being sent bact to me. It came yesterday, ups no signature required and left at my door very late about 6pm. I found it when I left the house this morning. I couldn't wait to see the invoice on the problem. I opened the box in looked for the invoice. "R19 in final stage cold solder joint". Nice to know that 1 a new radio had a cold solder joint, but number 2 it took 7 WEEKS to find and repair it. They are truly neglegent in many aspects of customer service and their ability to find and repair a cold solder joint. AWFUL EXPERIENCE.!!!
N6HK Rating: 2014-08-09
Very good service. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Shipped my TS-590S to the FTH Group Inc., Kenwood's authorized factory repair facility. The problem I was having with the radio was no rf output and weak receive.

Via their Website, I was able to see exactly when my unit was received. In addition, I was able to track how my repairs were progressing.

I can say that from start to finish, including shipping the rig back, was handled with courtesy and professionalism.
N7FFO Rating: 2014-02-03
Won't fix older transceivers Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After email communication with Kenwood Customer Service, I was advised to send my TS-50S to the Kenwood Service Center. They refused to repair it, saying it was out of production, and they couldn't find parts. This after being advised to send the radio in by Kenwood's own tech support. I'm out $45 shipping fees to and from with nothing to show for it. This is very frustrating.
G7UZN Rating: 2013-07-21
10 out of 10 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have a TM-D710 where the ceramic filters started to fail (faulty batch) I returned it to Kenwood UK......The filters were replaced and returned within 3 days free of charge. Now you can't argue with that.
FANTASTIC
N0SIB Rating: 2013-03-23
tech support Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have used the tech support a couple of times on older, out of production rigs and everytime, they have been just great. I wish every company had such great people and the willingness to help out. They've been kind and shown me were to turn to for parts or help if they have not been able to do it. I have delt with many companies on tech support over many years of working and there's is the best. GREAT JOB GUYS.