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Reviews For: COLLINS REBUILDERS - Collins S-line Repair by K2LRC

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

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Review Summary For : COLLINS REBUILDERS - Collins S-line Repair by K2LRC
Reviews: 129MSRP:
Description:
We repair and repaint Collins S-line radios with many years of experience with over 40 years as an active Ham.

Our services include complete Laboratory testing of all the gear using HP and Bird equipment. We use all original documentation and maintain a stock of parts and an excellent selection of replacement tubes. This is now a full time operation now located in Penryn CA.

See the web site for more details and contact information.

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.k2lrc.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001295
WA4WDV Rating: 2016-12-31
The Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Thanks Peter for keeping my Collins station going during 2016. Peter not only provided me with repair and advice for my KWM-2 and 30L-1 during the year, but also got to re-wire a couple of microphones. It was comforting to know that he was always there, ready and willing to assist in whatever was necessary to keep me on the air. It shouldn’t be hard to figure out that I highly recommend him for any of the above plus friendly conversation about the old days shopping on NYC’s radio row if that’s what you need.
Alex
WA4WDV


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Earlier 5-star review posted by WA4WDV on 2015-02-10

Peter brought my KWM-2, 30L-1 and 516F-2 power supply all back to life after years of being dragged around the world in military household goods shipments or idle in storage. He even rewired my Collins MM-1 mobile microphone that was disabled by a curious six year old. It’s great to be back on the air with lots of signal compliments from stations worked. He has answered all my questions about operating my rig and even offered tips one wouldn’t normally think of - for example “Use a power strip to turn on the rigs and leave each switch in the on position. This is done to protect the very poorly made switches on the rigs. When one of them goes... Forget ever finding a replacement.” Super service from a very knowledgeable and personable K2LRC. Thanks Peter.
K3MKB Rating: 2016-07-21
Highly recommened Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Courteous, informative, and a great communicator detailing problems and the corrective measures needed to repair your S-Line. A positive experience dealing with him. Thanks Peter!
WS0T Rating: 2016-07-15
Peter/K2LRC will always be my Go-To for any Collins repair! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
47 years of lust for my 1st S Line came to fruition in January. It was evident this wonderful old time gear needed some work though & after some research, despite having to ship half way across the country, it was evident Peter, K2LRC was the BEST choice.
To my dismay, the shipper TRASHED my new, beautiful, old-time gear! Peter to the rescue. He took photos & wrote brief summaries of the damage to each piece of equipment & amazingly, I was TOTALLY reimbursed by the shipper for what I had paid on initial purchase.
Peter worked his magic getting things restored. I ended up having to purchase another transmitter as the original one was totaled but the 75S3B/C receiver is incredible. Beautiful audio & wonderful sensitivity after Peter got done with it. He did the work in a very timely manner at very fair price. I certainly will not got anywhere else with any repair work involving my Collins gear. Peter, K2LRC, is Top Notch!
KD9BWP Rating: 2016-07-03
30L-1 Refurbishment Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Over the last 2 years, Peter has refurbished for me two S-Lines, a RE KWM-2A, two power supplies, and most recently, a RE 30L-1. Every experience with Peter has been consistently excellent. In each instance, Peter took radios that were either not working, poorly performing, or seriously out of alignment and brought them back to original performance specs.

My most recent experience with the 30L-1 was no different. After Peter painstakingly cleaned a very dirty inside chassis, installed a new power supply board and replaced some capacitors and resistors, I'm now getting 650 watts out on 20 meters, great reports, and similar results on other bands. As always, Peter was very patient with my questions and communications back and forth were effortless and timely.

Thanks for another great repair, Peter!

Dave
KD9BWP




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Earlier 5-star review posted by KD9BWP on 2015-05-26

After previous great experiences in which Peter brought my WE 75S-3 and 32S-3 back to life (see prior reviews), I recently sent Peter my RE KWM-2A and 516F-2 power supply for cleaning and realignment. Among other tasks, Peter cleaned all of the switches and pots, replaced six tubes, installed a new matched set of finals, replaced a bad crystal, performed a full alignment, and completely recapped the power supply. Everything now works as if it were brand new. On receive, the KWM-2A now rivals my 2014 Kenwood transceiver and I'm getting more than 100 watts out on all bands. I couldn't be happier with Peter's work.

As always, communication with Peter was timely and effortless. I highly recommend Collins Rebuilders for all of your Collins needs.

Dave
KD9BWP
KC4BW Rating: 2016-04-12
Help with 30L-1 Amplifier Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I was tuning up my 30L-1 amp on 40m about a week ago and I was in the tune position tuning it on low power when something in the amp made a loud "pop." There was no smoke or any smell at all. I immediately shut down the amp and disconnected all the cables and put it over on my work bench. After taking it out of the case I removed all the covers, which activated all the interlocks, and did not see anything right off that looked burned or that had exploded. I put the covers back on and plugged the unit in and the unit showed it was drawing almost 2 amps DC plate current.
I called Peter since he is only 10 miles from me and he said to pull the tubes and make sure the plate leads are well out of the way of the chassis, and put the covers back on and turn it on and see what the amp meter read. It was still a little over 1 amp, so he told me to bring it over to his place. His eyes must be sharper than mine, and he is 8 or 9 years older than I am. He found the culprit that popped when I was tuning the amp, it was the 1 ohm meter shunt resistor in the power supply. He replaced the resistor and that took care of the problem.
Peter has treated me like a friend and with respect ever since I started dealing with him two years ago. If he treats all of his customers like he has me, then I can understand why he has a 5 out of 5 rating.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KC4BW on 2015-10-20

I gave Collins Rebuilders a 5 because Peter, K2LRC, is a fine gentleman whom you can sit down with and have a down-to-earth eyeball, ragchew, QSO. He is a top-notch radio technician and knows his way around Collins equipment like it was second nature. You don't find many like him any more. I have purchased quite a bit of Collins gear from him in my pursuit of setting up a vintage Collins station after being off the HF bands for a number of years. I cut my teeth on tube radios when I got my first license in 1971, and I have been a firm believer in "real radios glow in the dark." And, yes, I do have an ICOM radio for the WARC bands, 60 meters, and 6 meters, but when I operate on the legacy HF bands I turn on the Collins equipment! It brings back many memories.
K0GUN Rating: 2016-04-06
Ultimate Professional Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This was my first experience with K2LRC and will not be the last. He has a process that produce success. Very through and keeps you informed. Workmanship and attention to detail,very professional
KB3EPJ Rating: 2016-03-19
Fantastic Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had the pleasure of living close to Peter, and the Collins Rebuilders.
Peter did a artistic job rebuilding my 30L-1 replacing the power supply, and tubes.
Upon pick up Peter went through the entire process, and also gave me a printed copy of performace.
Old world craftsmanship still exists with Peter.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KB3EPJ on 2015-11-06

I was so fortunate to find, and live somewhat close to Peter, and Collins Rebuilders.
He totally went over, installed a new power supply, and gave me some great advice on my 30L-1 which is purring like a kitten now.
A gentleman that takes extreme pride in working on these great pieces of equipment.
"Old World Craftsmanship" is alive and well with Peter!
N7SU Rating: 2016-03-11
Continuing Excellence Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Just concluded my 2nd repair experience with Peter. He serviced my 32S-3 transmitter. Good turn-around time, problems accurately identified and repaired, excellent documentation and performance results. Very fair pricing.

If you have a service need for Collins S-line gear, give Peter a call or email. He has a very nice web site.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N7SU on 2015-11-17

I contacted Peter to service my 75S3-B receiver. Peter is listed as a Collins service provider on the CCA web site and I read all the fine reviews of his service here on eHam Reviews. If you need Collins S-line radio service this is the right place.

Peter gave me packaging recommendations for shipment. He communicated with me promptly. I understood what needed to be done and the price was very fair. I received excellent documentation of the repairs as well as the test results. I was very impressed with the turn-around time. The performance of my nearly 50-year-old receiver exceeds my expectations.

Thank you, Peter.

JIMKMILLER Rating: 2016-01-20
Purchased a Collins 30L-1 that was repaired by K2LRC Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased a Collins 30L-1 from KC9KGG and received it a week ago.

This unit was repaired by K2LRC. He had replaced a circuit board and installed all new 811A tubes and generally cleaned it up and tested it. Great quality work and a very reasonable rate.

K2LRC also helped in setting up the configuration of this amplifier after it arrived.
I am very pleased with my new to me amplifier and the craftsmanship of K2LRC and the support I received.

I would recommend K2LRC to anyone that is looking to buy any Collins equipment or needing repairs.
N7LK Rating: 2016-01-18
Purchased a K2LRC Repaired Collins 30L-1 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a K2LRC repaired Collins 30L-1 from another ham less than a week ago for a friend of mine.

Peter (K2LRC) assisted us during the installation and setup to my friends Kenwood TS-590S.

This unit operates as designed without any issues and the signal reports we receive describe sterling audio quality.

We are very satisfied with the workmanship and customer support from K2LRC, and would purchase and/or maintain Collins S-Line equipment from/with K2LRC in the future.