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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
W0PL Rating: 2011-09-10
S-Line and KWM-2A Repair Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I recently had the great opportunity to send my Collins KWM-2A, 75S-3B, and 32S-3 equipment to Dr. Dave Knepper, W3ST, for service and re-alignment. I have never met a man like Dave in my 54 years of Amateur Radio who is this extremely competent in the repair of Collins equipment! Also, he is a true gentleman! Dave kept me informed continuously of the progress of the three units even though he and his family suffered a terrible loss in the death of their son during this repair process. Dave’s rates are very reasonable and his business and personal integrities are above reproach. I am very honored to call him my friend. I highly recommend Dave’s services to any Collins amateurs who need assistance in solving their S-Line or KWM problems. I would rate him a 10 if that was possible during these reviews. To see my Collins equipment, just key in my call sign (W0PL) in either E-Ham or QRZ.com… W0PL, Prescott Valley, AZ
KB3H Rating: 2011-08-29
My S-Line - Alive & Kicking!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently had the opportunity of bringing my 32S-3A and 75S-3C to Dave for repair and refurbishing. It was truly a pleasure to watch this skilled master dissemble these units, enter into various diagnostic algorithmns, and bring the rigs back to "Cedar Rapids Spec". The previously dull, fogged S-meter now sparkling-clear as it dances with the DB's of the ham bands. He possesses a treasure trove of knowledge and lore concerning these very special icons of American radio craft. He is a wonderful individual, and I'm honored to now call him a friend.
WB2ANJ Rating: 2011-06-01
great job full restoration full cleaning and aligment Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Dr. Dave Knepper is a expert with Collins radio
If you need Collins repair!! He made my KWM-2 like new,the PTO is velvet smooth the inside and the outside of this radio shine like new. Dr Dave
is very friendly and relable truely a great asset
to the Collins people

73 ED WB2ANJ
GMOSELEY Rating: 2011-04-05
Great Service from a Great Guy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I am a SWL who loves the old "boat-anchors", especially the Collins line. Recently, I was lucky enough to meet Dave Knepper through the CRA website, of which I am a member. I have a Collins 51S-1 receiver which was in need of some repair, some restoration, and some overall rejuvenation. Dave agreed to undertake this technical work and not only did he fix all my problems, he replaced some questionable tubes and a few other parts, aligned the receiver to perfection and gave the entire unit a through cleaning. When I got it back, it looked new, felt new and sounded new! I was never more pleased with anyone's work. His charges are most reasonable and Dave will not B.S. you - - he doesn't try to overcharge his customers, he fixes the problems for a nominal amount. His expertise on the old Collins equipment is unsurpassed and his love of these old beauties shows through in his work. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of service on their Collins equipment.
G. Moseley, Western Kentucky
K4QU Rating: 2011-02-22
Excellent Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Dave has worked on 2 of my KWM-2's, a 30L-1 and a 30S-1. Each was repaired in a very timely manner and returned to me in great working order. Thanks Dave for a wonderful service to the Collins community.
WA2ROC Rating: 2011-02-18
I'm a happy camper! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I acquired a 50 year old KWM2-A that had been sitting inside its Samsonite suitcase for at least 30 years. I replaced the filter caps in the PM-2 supply and got the radio to receive but the telephone type relays were sticky and several other things had to be done.

After reading all the glowing reviews about Dave Knepper and his repair services, the Samsonite was shipped up to him for repair and alignment.

Dave had been going through some serious family illnesses and thankfully all that has been successfully resolved. It took Dave no more than a week to diagnose and repair what was needed to get my radio into tip-top shape. I didn't want the case repainted or the radio to be made ready to put behind a glass case. I wanted a radio that could be used on a daily basis and that's exactly what Dave sent back to me.

It took a few minutes to get the radio back on the air and I talked to 3 other hams on the East coast that gave me excellent signal and audio reports. My 4th contact was an EA7 in Seville Spain that gave me an equally good report and this was on 40 meters in late afternoon!

Needless to say, I really am a happy camper!
VE6VY Rating: 2010-11-12
KWM-2 up and running Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I was plagued with some glitches that I could not seem to track down on my early KWM2 (has the telephone relays)and my PTO and clutch were not working well. Although there is an excellent article on how to repair the PTO on the Collins website, if you are not intimately familiar with the PTO I would not recommend doing it yourself as its quite complex.I sent the rig to Dr. Dave. He rebuilt the PTO and clutch mechanism, found some components that had gone or were about to be and realigned the rig. The rig works as it should now.
Dave is real gentleman and knows this equipment like the back of his hand.
K8MSH Rating: 2010-11-03
Don't Hesitate--Call Dave Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Great service, reasonable rates, and a tour of the Collins Museum--what else could you ask for? Dave lives about 3 hrs. from my QTH and I arranged an appointment to bring in my KWM-2 for some PTO work and a tune-up. Not only did he do an excellent job--he also provided me with a wealth of tips and info about the Collins. As a relative newbie to the Collins world, the experience was invaluable. It was well worth the trip.
W2RKJ Rating: 2010-11-02
There's a reason for the perfect score Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I was given a 75S3B and 32S3 with 516F-2 power supply that had been sitting in a garage for many years pretty neglected, not abused but ignored with a few homebrew mods that were it seemed half thought out. The good doctor's widow told me to just take them after offering her anything she named. After researching what's available for service and the closet to my location and then the reviews, I called Dave, told him what I had and shipped the gear to him and told him I wasn't in a rush. I was kept up to date with the status on a regular basis. I got the units back this Sunday and clearly the ratings are indeed the telling story here. They are clean, painted sound beautiful. My SUV smelled of fresh paint the whole 2 hours it took me to drive home. Now my shack smells of fresh paint and I'm "LOVIN" it.
Thank you Dr. Dave for your patience and time and service. Folks this is a repair you need not worry about and feel vulnerable.
WB4VMH Rating: 2010-09-20
Outstanding Job, Great Communication Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My 32S-3 went "south" on me after we moved from South Florida to the new North Florida QTH. Not having the extensive Test Equipment anymore I looked for help and saw David's Reviews. I spoke to him over the phone and felt I had found someone that I could trust. My feelings and my experience proved to be correct and the 32S-3 was repaired and returned. I am now back up on the air with the S-Line performing as if it was new. Great Job David! P.S. Reasonable toooooo.