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Reviews For: Collins Radio

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

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Review Summary For : Collins Radio
Reviews: 96MSRP:
Description:
For all your Collins repair and restoration needs, please contact me.

My speciality is the S-Line and KWM-2 equipment. Collins parts on stock, both new and used - please inquire on availability or from other sources. I know that many of you are new to Collins so if I can assist you, please feel free to call me at (814) 487-4403.

Also, allow me to assist you in buying or selling your Collins.

We are located near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 70 miles east of Pittsburgh. Visitors to the Collins Radio Center are always welcome Drop off your Collins for repair/restoration if you wish.

Thank you - David Knepper, W3ST/W3CRA, editor of the Collins Journal and secretary to the CRA.

Join the largest Collins organization in the world today at www collinsra.com. Our email address is collinsradio@comcast.net

Product is in production
More Info: http://collinsra.org/home/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00965
K8FE Rating: 2017-05-21
Repair KWM-2 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Thanks to Dave Knepper for a fine job repairing my KWM-2 with a vox problem. If you are having problems with your Collins Radio, contact Dave.
K8FE

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K8FE on 2017-03-24

Dave Knepper did a great job repairing my 32S-1 transmitter which had a difficult VOX problem. I would highly recommend his services.
K8FE
AF4WH Rating: 2017-03-15
Absolutely Wonderful Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Over my 50 years + of being a member of the ham fraternity, I have had the need to receive assistance with many pieces of amateur radio equipment over the years. Recently I had the idea of recreating the rig I had when I was in college, back in the early 1970's. My old Collin S line was an absolute favorite, and I spent many hours operating and enjoying it.

However, trying to buy 40-50 year old equipment and have it function like new was not a simple proposition, at least until I discovered Dave Knepper and his Collins Radio operation. The marvelous gentleman began by warning me it would be some time before he would even look at my gear (which is typical of a truly good repair person), but graciously permitted me to send it so it would be there when he was ready. Over the next couple of weeks I received phone call and emails updating his progress, keeping me updated of the issues and the successes. In less time than I expected 32S-3, 516F-2, and 73S3-c we returned to me in excellent condition. By the way, these had all been purchased as "in good working condition" from a variety of sources, but NOT ONE of them actually functioned anything like the way it was designed to.

If you are looking for a quality repair to your Collins equipment, you owe it to yourself to be sure to check out Dave at Collins Radio.
AF1Z Rating: 2017-02-19
KWM-2A rehab Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My KWM-2A ( round, etc.) and a few other pieces of s-line equipment have been sending me a message for awhile- play me or trade me! Cant bear to let them go, so I started looking for someone who is really up on the learning curve to work on the KWM-2. Thats Knepper. If I could give him a ten, I would do that. This thing was working when he got it, but in many phone conversations, Dave identified several things I was not aware of. Long story, but over a period of several months, and I'm in no hurry, he replaced all of the ceramic trimmers, a bandswitch shaft, and lots of stuff under the PA cage which was completely out of tolerance. Now this radio sounds as it should, and tuning and general operation is as new. I'm hoping I can get in line to have at least one S-line done the same way, have to let Dave catch his breath after this one. And I also enjoyed talking politics with him!
W1ZF Rating: 2017-01-19
Excellent service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
David did a very fine job repairing my Collins 32S-3 transmitter. His turn-around-time was shockingly fast for a vintage radio repair and I was back up on the air in no time. Also amazing was the personal attention he devoted to the project, involving several lengthy phone calls and a follow up call after the repair to make sure the rig was running properly. Along the way he also gave me many good tips about Collins gear in general. This was very useful to me as someone new to Collins. A very pleasant guy to deal with and someone I would hire again. 73, de W1ZF (formerly KA1VE)
W5CL Rating: 2016-09-28
Repair of KWM-2A by W3ST David Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I sent my Collins KWM-2A round emblem to David W3ST for a going over. This was a old military surplus buy. Still had military crystals in it. I had plenty of ham crystal so I switch out to amateur crystals. I talk to David for over a hour on different phone calls. I sent David the KWM-2A just told him to go complete Thur it and try and get it clean and working like a new one. BOY did he do a good job and at a reasonable figure. ALL I can say is Thank You again over and over also the complete kit for the Collins 30-L1 worked like a charm can't return your friend call. Thank You again.
K3MEJ Rating: 2016-08-12
The Best! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I sent my KWM2a to David and found a new friend. He is great to talk with. He did a great job on my radio. He went above and beyond. It came back looking and working perfectly.
N4OT Rating: 2016-05-05
Outstanding ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the second time that I have used Dave Knepper for repairing Collins gear. Once again, his communication, explanation, as well as the actual repair was AGAIN truly OUTSTANDING. And most important to me… affordable. Not to mention, he was a pleasure to speak to and learn from. Worth the cost of repairs alone.

David, called me several times explaining the problem which he diagnosed quickly and had it repaired (with parts he had in his vast inventory) fully tested and ready to mail back to me (packed better then I sent it) IN LESS THAN A WEEK!! (I don’t always expect this kind of turn-around, but he did it this time) 110% satisfied. Again !

If you not getting this kind of service from your repair guy… Call Dave Knepper ! Check out the “Collins Radio Association” http://www.collinsra.org/home/


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Earlier 5-star review posted by N4OT on 2014-06-29

Outstanding and extremely knowledgeable Service, Outstanding communication before and after the service, and in the case of my early KWM-2 very very fast turnaround, less than two weeks. Another Collins service guy, told me it would be too old and too costly to fix, well not for David... after describing the problems over the phone, he was very confident that he could repair it and keep it under my budget, and he did just that! I am 100% satisfied. If you have a piece of Collins gear that’s needs service or needs to be brought back to life… Send it to David, I am glad I did. A++++ work. Thank you David!!!
KB0USA Rating: 2016-01-31
David Lives and Breathes Collins Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
David is tenacious in de-bugging whatever issues your radio presents. He is thorough in diagnosis and repair, stays in contact as he progresses. His fees are very fair. Save yourself time, money and aggravation by calling David at the first signs of a problem,minor or full restoration. David is a Pro!
N4TMM Rating: 2016-01-28
Great Work Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had bought a 32S1 from an estate sale and it had some problems. After some troubleshooting and comparing notes with friends, I decided the smart thing to do was put it in the hands of someone who knows the ropes. After some research, I called David Knepper and chatted with him about the transmitter and what may be wrong. I sent it to him and a couple of weeks later it came back in excellent shape. During the time he was working on it, he called and we would chat about what he was finding - very useful information for me. The transmitter, which I love like all my Collins gear, works great on all bands; even all the knobs turn more smoothly and the little bit of dust that was inside, gone. Beautiful work. I was also very pleased with what he charged. I highly recommend his work based on this very positive experience. Jim Ewing, N4TMM
W4UWC Rating: 2015-12-17
Repair of 75S-3B Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is easy to recommend Dave Knepper to repair your favorite piece of Collins. I had several issues with my 75S-3B that needed attention both mechanical and electrical. I sent the radio to Dave and he did a excellent repair job. It was returned it in short order in like new condition. Dave's charges are reasonable. So if you have a favorite Collins radio that needs to be made right send it to Dave Knepper. You will be glad you did.