I can relate to Andy's frustration and bad luck. I fortunately have
had good luck with my Elecraft purchases and any difficulties were
result of inadequate knowledge or lack of reading over the manual sufficiently.
I recently installed the KXAT100 in my KXPA100 prior to taking a
month-long trip out of Alaska to pick up our recently purchased
5th-wheel travel trailer in Seattle. I tested it with the KX3 remote
control on my bench but after install in the truck it would not work
properly (Not power-on from the KX3 menu). I discovered that the
power-pole connector had to be in the proper jack (not the auxiliary
power-pole jack) for that to function.
I used it mainly on 6m with a base-loaded whip.
I have one of the beta-test 2M transverter modules and it partially
failed in power output. Elecraft got that repaired for me. I ran
120w 2m-SSB on the trip driving a 2w/25w driver PA for the TE1410
final amp. It only required 0.8w drive to produce 10w drive into the
final, but I worked a VE7 outside the Vancouver area into northern WA
while mobile. KX3-2M receives quite well even in marginal mobile conditions.
I recently traded my DEMI 222-28 transverter for a new 30w FM mobile
as there is no CW/SSB activity up here. The new Bridgecom BCM-220
looked like a nice substitute and I excitedly set it up upon arrival,
but it would not transmit. After much head scratching I decided
maybe a call was needed to their "tech dept". I actually got the CEO
of the company and after a couple questions determined I was trying
to transmit out of the band. Well the VFO indicated in band so I
was confused. He then walked me thru checking if duplex offset was
in play...and it was. I didn't program that? He explained they
pre-program the radio with that and a couple repeater frequencies
(apparently to aid the new operator in setting up repeater use). I
had never experienced a new radio with any programing so didn't look
for any. Radio worked fine once I reset offset to zero - which was a
big "duh" moment for me! I can say I was impressed with Bridgecom's
response (so maybe they learned from watching Elecraft?).
This is still unusual in my experience with OEM's. I spent 30 years
working as two-way radio tech with a lot of the "other" kind of tech help.
I tried to emulate Elecraft in my small kit making business; I
recently closed the doors and no longer build kits on contract. At
72 I am finally retired.
73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
[email protected]
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