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Reviews For: Burghardt Repair Service

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

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Review Summary For : Burghardt Repair Service
Reviews: 118MSRP: 75/hr Jan2011
Description:
Kenwood Authorized Service
Product is in production
More Info: http://burghardtradiorepair.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001184.2
W0ZS Rating: 2020-12-18
Reading between the lines Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had a great experience with Jim at Burghardt’s Radio Repair. Response was quick and had repaired my Ts-590s and shipped back quickly. He communicated throughout the process. I would recommend Jim for any amateur radio equipment repair.
K4FJK Rating: 2020-02-17
Excellent repair from Burghardt Radio Repair Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I shipped a IC-756PROIII on Feb 7,2020 to their new location in Hazel, SD. Shortly after receiving my radio, Jim Smith W0MJY called to advise what he had found and the cost of repairs. After giving the OK, he repaired it and shipped the day after. I received the radio on Feb 17, 2020. I used Fedex for shipping and was delighted with their prompt shipping. Jim is smart and friendly. I highly recommend Burghardt for amateur radio repair.

N7RD Rating: 2020-02-05
Two Icoms Repaired Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had a IC-756 Pro2 and a IC-7600 both repaired by Burghardt. The turn around time was as I was told and the repairs were very reasonable and both rigs worked as new when I received them back. I would recommend them to anybody needing repairs for their radio equipment.

Since this review I have sent a Yaesu FT-2000D for repair. I paid the bill, and it's now been 6 weeks and still trying to get it back. I can't believe how poor the communications are with this company. Now they say it is shipped but won't send a tracking #. I will never do business with them again. This is like dealing with the government. POOR
WD1W Rating: 2020-01-10
Should Have Read the Reviews First ... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I should have read the reviews before I sent my Yaesu FT-890 to Burghardt. I thought I had suffered the same fate as N9JR and WA1YCE. Fortunately, I got my radio back … but over a 3 week period wasn’t sure that was going to happen. Many emails / phone messages went unanswered. When contact was made, explanations were unsatisfactory and evasive. It was a simple question: where is my radio and when will I get it back? This has not been a pleasant experience. I will look elsewhere for future repairs on my ham radio equipment.
N5KBY Rating: 2020-01-04
FT-900 A/T Restoration Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Like so many Yaesu owners, referred to Burghardt by the manufacturer, I started the quest to restore my Dad's transceiver to working condition. Among other issues, the finals were shot and the VFO section was not syncing as it should.

I phoned Jim and was satisfied he would be able to handle the request. The radio was shipped in the original carton and foam. Getting this original carton back was a part of the deal.

Long story made short, the first repair and return was a struggle, time wise. Communications were difficult, and on receipt, the radio exhibited the same problems as be for. I ended up talking to the local Bank and the sheriff's office to find someone who could confirm Jim was still in the land of the living. I got a cell phone number...things improved with some firm conversations.

The radio went back and three weeks later Jim phoned to say it was fully repaired -- for sure, and with no additional charges. Original box returned in fine shape.

My Dad's rig came back in excellent shape, even capable of 150 watts out if I want. After a year and a half it still is fully functional and a slice of good times for me to use. I can find NO problems with Jim's restoration work on this radio. His charges were fair.

I think Jim is a very capable and honest guy. However, he is swamped by the amount of service work generated when the manufacturers bail out on their customers.
AD4YB Rating: 2019-08-28
repair experience Time Owned: N.A.
I had a Ft 1000mp repaired by Burghardt. It had power supply and display issues. It was returned in great shape with issues resolved. The cost was reasonable. The display problems returned months later and were resolved under warranty with just a shipping charge. Excellent repairs on the radio.
N9JR Rating: 2019-03-05
After 8 months no radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.

I too was railroaded by the manufacturer into using Berfhardt as they no longer serviced the radio. Actually the wait for service was pretty much on the expected 8 weeks.

On August 4, 2018 Jim called me telling me the repairs were complete. He then charged my credit card for $420 and I never did receive a statement. Or my radio for that matter.

After almost 3 billing cycles I called the credit card company to contest the charge. I'm glad I did because he has failed to answer emails and voice mails. If I paid him $420 to steal my radio I'd feel even worse.

I feel WA1YCE's pain. Shame on Yaesu for recommending a repair facility that engages in disreputable and unethical business practices. Not to mention out right theft.

I really don't have any expectation that Jim Smith will do the right thing. I just hope my experience, WA1YCE's experience will open peoples eyes and avoid Burghardt Radio Repair at all costs. At least if it's a radio you want to keep.

Joe N9JR


K1EXR Rating: 2019-03-04
FT-900AT Repair Issue Time Owned: more than 12 months.
2019-03-03 by Wa1YCE: My 1995 FT-900AT (Serial No: 4J050360) does not have the optional TCXO-3; I should have included that as they are apparently now unavailable. The radio has the MARS-CAP modification. The receiver was programmed with many SSB HF Marine and Aeronautical frequencies. I used the radio mainly for mobile operations since 2010 as I traveled frequently for work; the built-in tuner was critical for the mobile ops.

In November 2017, the VCO Lock failed, resulting in no receive or transmit above the 15 Meter Band.

On 5 December 2017 I sent my FT-900AT to Burghardt's Jim Smith after he confirmed that he would accept the radio. I was referred to Burghardt by Yaesu's Juan Hernandez. Jim confirmed that the radio was received OK. On 2MAR18 he replied to my eMail that he expected to ship the repaired radio back to me by 15MAR18. It is now March 2019 and I am not sure when or if the radio I sent to Burghardt will ever be returned.
N8NN Rating: 2019-02-01
Excellent Repair Service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I sent my Yaesu FT-900/AT transceiver to Burghardt for repair after a local repair shop could not find the fault -- no power out on any band. Jim repaired my radio to like-new condition in January 2019. He charged 3 hours repair time and a small amount for parts. That's a bargain for bringing a non-working 26-year old radio back to life! Jim answered my emails and kept to his time estimate for repair. I am completely satisfied with Jim's excellent repairs.

Reviewers who complain that they didn't get their radio back should update those reviews after they receive their repaired radios.

Yaesu in California recommended Burghardt to me because they no longer repair older radios. That was a good recommendation.
W9SA Rating: 2018-04-19
Very Disappointed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This should be two reviews. The first review would say that the repairs done to my Yaesu FT-1000MP MkV were done as promised and the radio works well. The second review would say that the repairs were supposedly done about 8 weeks after I shipped the radio at which time I paid for the service. That was December 13, 2017. I received the radio back April 18, 2018. That's right it took 4 months after the repairs were completed and paid for for the radio to be shipped back. During this time communication was nonexistent, no returned emails or phone calls. I understand it taking a couple of weeks to get a shipment out but there is no excuse for 4 months to take it to FedEx. If you use this repair service your radio will likely be fixed but getting it back is another story.