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Reviews For: RTO Electronics, Benton Harbor MI

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

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Review Summary For : RTO Electronics, Benton Harbor MI
Reviews: 24MSRP:
Description:
Amateur Radio Repair
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rtoham.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00245
VE4AMN Rating: 2020-03-19
Very good service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Repaired an HW-8 which needed lots of work. Made some mods of which I was unaware. Very happy with the result. Recommended for all Heathkits.

Now almost 18 years later I sent Ron a HW-101 which is my nostalgia rig since this is how I started in ham radio. One day while rag chewing on 80, a puff of smoke and then nada. I opened it up, turned it on and saw the sizzling resister. I then replaced it, and the unit worked for 20 seconds and then a flash over as a cap self-immolated. I have done a number of mods on the rig and built lots of stuff, but I sensed I was out of my depth and wanted a fan control installed, so I sent on on to RTO. Communication is measured so expect some elapsed time.

But the work remains first rate with a fair price. (The shipping from and to Canada is bruuutal and the Canadian tax gnomes also take their pound of flesh!) Ron replaced many parts and added some updates. The rig works very well and I get decent audio reports from people who know my voice.

Check the website because parts availability has restricted the range of units that can be repaired.

Highly recommended
K4WQ Rating: 2015-02-06
Once Again, The Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
In the past, I've had a couple of Heathkit SB-series items in for repair by Ron. I have always been pleased with his workmanship. I still had a SB-301/SB-401 combination from my General days in the late '60s that needed a good laboratory grade alignment. Plus, I knew there were some issues that needed attention. I will say, it is a testament to Ron's workmanship and reputation that if you send an item to Ron for repair, it will take a long time to get it back. This is NOT a slam against Ron but an acknowledgement that quality takes time. I received both units back recently and have had them on the air. Operating these radios brought me back to my high school days. Both radios operated flawlessly. Not bad for radios that are almost 50 years old. There was one issue with a broken nylon part in the dial mechanism of one of the radios. With the way Ron packed these radios, there was no way that the broken part could have been caused by shipping. I emailed Ron to see if he had this part for purchase. Not only did he have the part, he offered to send it to me free and he also gave me a suggestion as to how to replace the part without tearing apart the front end of the radio. I truly appreciated what he did. If you ever have any Heathkit gear that needs upgrade/repair, please don't hesitate to use Ron's services.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K4WQ on 2003-12-06

I sent Ron an SB-101 I got from an eBay auction. I really wasn't in a hurry for it but it did take close to 2 months to get it back. However, Ron did a great job. Included with the well-packed rig, Ron included a detailed description of the work performed and the parts required. Several of the parts were labeled "update". So, I felt that Ron did a good job replacing old, obsolete parts with recent ones. The rig worked perfectly when I received it. Recommend highly for any Heath SB, HW series amateur radio gear that may need a good overhaul.
KK4JJM Rating: 2015-01-22
DX-40 Repair Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought a Heathkit DX-40 off of Ebay and quickly realized it had more issues than I could solve. Ron kept my DX-40 for several months but fixed everything. Out of spec resistors and Caps, Meter problems, etc ... He is not quick but quality wins every time. KK4JJM
W0FAV Rating: 2014-10-13
My Experience With RTO Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Ham radio was certainly different when I started in the early 1960's. Only tube radios. No digital equipment, cell phones, internet, flat screen tv, fm radio in cars, or even hand held calculators. My first rig was a Heathkit I built myself.

I fondly remember many hours spent during cold winter nights listening to the Heathkit with that wonderful sound and glowing tubes. Like many other hams of that time, I sold the old tube stuff and went digital.

Recently, however, I longed to have a Heathkit once again. So when I had the opportunity to buy an SB-102 in great condition, I jumped on it even though I knew there was no 10 meter transmit or receive.

I sent the rig to RTO Electronics for repair earlier this summer. I received the rig last week, and I can't believe what an outstanding job Ron did. Not only was the 10 meter band working perfectly, but other needed repairs were made, and 4 updates installed. Even the rubber feet were replaced!

As soon as the radio was repaired, Ron called me to explain the repairs, alignment, the total cost, and to ask if I had any questions. The cost was very reasonable, and I have a detailed printed invoice of all the completed work.

Now once again I have that wonderful tube sound and glow from a radio that is right on frequency. Even the receive is sharper than before.

So if you need Heathkit repairs, RTO Electronics is the place I recommend. Ron's services are in great demand, so be prepared to wait. It may take longer than anticipated, but certainly worth the wait.

It's like finding a good restaurant in a strange town at noon. Would you rather go to the one that is packed with local customers, or the one that's almost empty?
NB9M Rating: 2014-09-03
Excellent Work - Give Ron Time! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just received my SB-104A back from RTO. Ron did a great job, and went beyond my expectations by putting on new feet, adding the last Heathkit updates, and skillfully installing an SO-239 before a thorough alignment. The old VFO was warbly, and it is solid as can be now. Packing and shipment is excellent, with a detailed PO. Just remember: Ron is busy man. Give him time. He may not get you an email response when you expect it, but rest assured he'll get to you. Sending my HW-104 next...
K5DJN Rating: 2013-08-01
Great Work Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I sent Ron my SB-102 for repair and I couldn't be more satisfied with his quality of work. The rig works perfectly. Fairly priced for the work too. He is a busy man so it will take time for the repairs but it's worth the wait. When I'm on the air, folks can't believe that I'm talking on a old Heathkit, clean audio and dead on frequency. If you have a Heathkit that needs repair, he's your source.
WA0LSS Rating: 2013-07-10
Best of the Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
As I no longer have a shack with a bench I had to send rigs to RTO for upgrade/repair. I've sent three (3) rigs there; an SB-102, a SB-220, and a SA-2060A. Each was refurbished to better than new for exactly the quoted price. In 40 years of ham radio I've never had better service or more professional, skilled, repairs. If this guy ever retires we'll be mourning! 73 Ron,
Scott
AB3IY Rating: 2012-12-25
Excellent Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My heathkit SB-221 was in need of repair,the rectifier board smoked.I used to be able to repair these kind of things,but because of arthritis,i'ts very difficult these days to do any kind of soldering,or working with small parts.I called Ron on the phone,and he told me to ship it to him.I received the SB-221 back on time,better than ever.The communication,and the turnaround was great.Ron's prices are excellent,and so is his workmanship.So if your in need of electronic repair,you cannot go wrong with Ron's company.Truely a class act.
WB4LCN Rating: 2012-06-09
SB-102 From a Real Heathkit Expert Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I recently bought an SB-102 from Ron. Though the on/off Function switch failed on me after a few times, I was able to get the switch back in working condition.

Ron made sure the rig was tweaked, cleaned and the paint was touched up. Couldn't have asked for a more professional transaction.

Dave :)
W4JFR Rating: 2011-11-10
Excellent Service and Communication Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've sent Ron two SB-104As and an HW-104 for repair. In all three instances his communication has been outstanding. His costs are reasonable when one considers the outstanding quality of his work. I'm a very satisfied customer.