[TenTec] Post to the Amps Reflector from Dishtronix

Wed Sep 21 14:14:51 EDT 2016

While I agree with MOST of your comments, Ron, I believe you are
underestimating the population percentage. In my view, the "palms up"
entitlement crowd is a significant and growing percentage of the
population. That, and I wonder why *anyone* in their right mind would want
to sell to us hams.

Regards,

Reed / WW3A

On Wed, Sep 21, 2016 at 1:33 PM, Ron Notarius W3WN <wn3vaw at verizon.net>
wrote:

>  Ralph,
>
>
> The reality is that there are people in this world today who expect or
> demand things that they are not entitled to.
>
>
> One of those things being warranty support for items out of warranty, or
> 'free' repairs from someone who is not legally liable to provide them.  ( I
> could tell you more than a few stories from the time between IT jobs that I
> worked at several big box hardware stores, but I'd be digressing )
>
>
> That these are a small percentage of the population (and by extension, a
> small percentage of the Amateur Radio licensees) does not make them any
> less annoying.  To put it bluntly.
>
>
> Sadly, yes, there are people upset with Mike over things that he had
> nothing to do with.  Including but not limited to warranty or even
> non-warranty repair issues for items bought under previous owners of Ten
> Tec and/or Alpha.  They don't care the minutiae of what he bought (or
> didn't buy) or when.  To them, he is Ten Tec and/or Alpha, therefore, it's
> his problem.
>
>
> Yes, some people have a lot of chutzpah.
>
>
> To his credit, Mike appears to have a good handle on the issue.  (My
> response to that person would have been shorter, blunter, and probably more
> than a touch profane.)
>
>
> I think the companies are in good hands right now.  And I'm looking
> forward to the (re)introduction of new gear, hopefully in the very near
> future (and I hope it is October as has been previously indicated, but
> better that it be done right than done too soon)
>
>
> 73, ron w3wn
>
>
> On 09/21/16, Ralph Arnold wrote:
>
> Hi Jim this is KD8BTQ-Ralph I have been a TenTec fan for years being a red
> neck Electronics Tech retired USN anyway I too do not approve of jumping on
> Mike like that. I see Mike Dishop as a good guy trying to fill some really
> big shoes. I'm an old school ET Navy trained to component level repair.
> To repair that amp that you didn't make with defective 3rd world parts is a
> bit much to ask for and then complain when you come through and fix it.
> Some people have more nerve that common horse sense. Oh well I've already
> said to much But I just had to say something 73 KD8BTQ
>
> On Tue, Sep 20, 2016 at 3:46 PM, Jim Brown <k9yc at audiosystemsgroup.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Members of this reflector will almost certainly appreciate this post to
> > the Amps reflector from Dishtronix, the company that bought RKR. The
> third
> > paragraph is particularly interesting. The complaint is about service on
> an
> > Alpha 9500.
> >
> > 73, Jim K9YC
> >
> > = = = = = =
> >
> > Hello Jim,
> >
> > In reading this it appears rather negative to me, which I don't quite
> > understand. Regardless of the 95 days, you do realize that was RKR who
> you
> > had the problem with? I have more people working there than RKR had!
> >
> > The long and the short of it was this - you called me with your problem
> > and in less than a calander week you got your amp back. I didn't sell you
> > the amp, and I am not liable for any of RF Concepts or RKR warranty work
> by
> > the terms of the sale, yet I gave you two free hours of work - AFTER you
> > were so mean on the telephone to Carol that you made her cry!
> >
> > You are right - the new Alpha is not the Alpha you knew. The Alpha you
> > knew was bought by a corporate raider who didn't pay his suppliers and
> > alienated the entire supply chain for Alpha and Ten Tec, who built every
> > possible unit he could build and sold for a cut rate price, reducing
> prices
> > constantly until everything was gone, liquidated every piece of equipment
> > he could, and then moved on to do something else leaving everyone holding
> > the bag.
> >
> > The new management is putting capitol into the business, paying
> suppliers,
> > paying employees and attempting to regenerate the brand. We bought the
> > business with the express intention of finishing the tuner. When the
> tuner
> > is finished it will be even better that it would have been because I
> > personally am supervising the engineering and I'm not known for
> > compromising or ever saying "That is good enough", because good is not
> good
> > enough when you intend to be great.
> >
> > I'm not responsible for what others did. I'm responsible for what I do.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Mike
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Arthur Movius [mailto:ajmovius at gmail.com]
> > Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2016 11:24 AM
> > To:amps at contesting.com; Dave Movius<dave.movius at gmail.com>; Alpha
> Service<
> > alphaamps1 at gmail.com>; Steven M. Dishop<Steven.Dishop at Dishtronix.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Amps] FW: alpha 9500
> >
> > Hello Steve,
> >
> > For what it may be worth, here's a brief summary of my recent experience.
> > Your inquiry is timely.
> >
> > Yesterday, Sept. 16, 2016 I received an email from Alpha RF Systems, LLC
> > that my 9500 delivered to Longmont, CO on June 10 for warranty repair (RA
> > 11050) of a failed band pot, plus any upgrades, was completed. I called
> > owner Mike Dishop of Dishtronix Tuesday Sept. 13, explained that my amp
> had
> > been at Alpha for 95 days, and had a nice 20 minute conversation with
> him.
> > He said that he has been involved with Alpha a short time and that he
> would
> > follow up.
> >
> > The bill shows 2 hours warranty time and 3 hours non-warranty time at
> > $120.00 / hour for a total bill of $512.50 including $105.00 shipping
> cost
> > via Fed Ex Home Delivery back to MT. The bill also shows a $35.00 charge
> > for a Hall Effect sensor to replace the failed band pot--the reason for
> the
> > warranty repair.
> >
> > Other work: re-calibration of band positions, installation of a fuse
> > in the cathode 40v circuit, update of all firmware (5 microprocessors),
> > tested amp on all bands, checked tuning and output. The amp and tube
> > condition were reported as good.
> >
> > Conclusion: at the present time Alpha is "under resourced" regarding
> > repairs. I had asked whether billed work gets priority over warranty work
> > and was told by Carol who answers calls that repairs are done in the
> order
> > received. Glenn Pladsen their one full time tech says he has only part
> > time help.
> >
> > There are others who repair Alpha reputed to be competent, so you have
> > other options to investigate besides the manufacturer.
> >
> > Bottom line, which I will think about--no hasty decision--is that I will
> > pack up the transformer and sell this amp when it returns without opening
> > the factory carton. Good service after the sale is important and strongly
> > affects purchase decisions, and here, no criticism of Alpha employees
> > intended, Alpha disappoints--this is not the Alpha I knew when the amp
> was
> > purchased in 2013. Also, my order for the Dream Tuner placed Feb. 2013
> > might soon be cancelled. There is reason to doubt whether this good idea
> > will ever make it to market. As mentioned to Mike Dishop, the Alpha brand
> > will suffer damage if he does not take corrective action soon. Reviews of
> > the Prometheus solid state HF amp give Dishtronix high praise for a good
> > product and good service after the sale.
> >
> > GL Steve es 73,
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>