[TenTec] repairs

[Larry DiGioia]

OK, guys, I normally consider myself a pretty patient guy. But this is 
getting to be a bit much.

I have sent my OmniVI Plus back to the factory 3 times in one year. Each 
time for (roughly) the same problem: the transmitter keeps blowing out. 
After the second time, I set myself up with the best antenna tuners that 
money can buy, just in case it was my fault. As of now, I really don't 
think it was.

Each time, I am able to operate for a short time, a few hours, before 
something gives, and the transmitter is then only able to go into some 
kind of oscillation where it pegs the current meter after advancing the 
power level up past a couple of watts. This happens while slowly and 
carefully advancing the power control in preparation for tuning up.

It happened again today. This time around, I was able to run 80m during 
sweepstakes a few weeks ago for several hours, and that is the only time 
I have had the radio on since getting it back. Then I tried to tune up 
on 20m this morning, and <poof>.

To their credit, they have replaced many components, last time at no 
charge. But this will be the second DX season that I have missed due to 
the average 4 to 6-week turnaround on repairs - (had to use my spare 
Yaesu rig for cqww, ugh.)

I really like Ten-Tec equipment, but I am rapidly losing faith. It is as 
if they are just putting band-aids on the problem, instead of actually 
fixing what is wrong. I have heard, for example, that certain parts for 
the Omni's are simply unavailable, is there any truth to that?

I would really hate to become one of the rice-burner users, but what is 
my alternative? Any others with similar experiences? Any suggestions 
appreciated, thanks.


-- 
Larry  N8KU

 w w w . l o n g w i r e . c o m
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