[TowerTalk] Cushcraft - UGH!

Lane Zeitler Ku7i zeitler@attglobal.net
Wed, 13 Oct 1999 03:46:32 -0700


Bob et al,
I had a similar problem with CC in 94 when I bought an A3WS. There was no
assembly manual with the antenna. They made me buy one!!!! They are not user
friendly. part of the problem is they sell at such a high volume, especially
to the government, that they are not hurt my sloppy QA. Personally, the next
commercial ant purchase will most definately NOT be CC. Most likely will be
F12 or Bencher. I do admire F12's rapid responses via e-mail. EVERY time I
have a question abt a product they ALWAYS reply. I like that. Sort of like
talking with Ten Tec's service department. Very helpful. Very friendly. And
most importantly, they remember why they are where they are--because of the
customer.

73s

Lane Zeitler
Ku7i
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert L. Shohet <kq2m@mags.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Wednesday, October 13, 1999 3:51 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Cushcraft - UGH!


>
>Guys,
>
>I thought that I would relate a Cushcraft experience to you.
>
>I recently bought (new in box - although it was made and packed in 1993)
>a 20-4cd and began to assemble it two days ago.  The antenna boxes had
>NEVER been opened so it was with disgust and anger that I noticed the
>following:
>
>1) Half the directions were missing - fortunately I had another 20-4cd
>   with the other half of the directions or else building it would have
>   been impossible!
>2) 5 element tips were missing
>3) Two of the 50" long element pieces were actually 49"
>4) Two of the 20" long element peices were actually 19"
>5) The gamma match to element clamp was TOO BIG and I had to use a
>"shim"
>
>I'm sure there were more deficiencies only they were not obvious since I
>only measured the pieces that were so short they caused me to change my
>design.
>
>The short element pieces were REALLY annoying since I had to reconfigure
>my design since I did not want an exposed element telescoped slit to
>allow water to get in.
>
>I remember calling Cushcraft in the Spring to tell them about the gamma
>match problem.  I spoke to the mgr. of operations. Here is what I was
>told by "Ed" (I forget his last name):
>
>I would have to write up the problem and submit it to the sales
>department.  They would review it, decide if it had merit and then pass
>it on to the technical department where they would review it and "study"
>it and decide if it was a problem.  If they did, then they would write
>it up and submit to the "quality review" department.  From there it
>would go back to the technical dept. and then someone would come up with
>a solution.  (It would take about FOUR WEEKS!)
>
>I asked why not bypass all this bureacracy so that I could get an answer
>NOW, when I needed it.  I was told that this was company policy and that
>"This is how it is done at Cushcraft".  I persisted and asked to speak
>with an engineer.  I was told that this was not allowed.  When I asked
>why, (since it ultimately would GO BACK to the tech. dept. for a
>solution to the design flaw) I was told I was "wasting his time" and
>then the SOB hung up on me! INCREDIBLE!
>
>Now FOUR element pieces each EXACTLY 1" short?  Can't be a coincidence.
>Missing directions, missing element pieces, all in the same box?
>
>Even if the production was that sloppy, isn't someone supposed to
>actually inspect the parts (BEFORE shipping) for incorrect lengths and
>missing items?
>
>I invite someone from Cushcraft to respond to this posting and to
>apologize for these inexcusable multiple negligent lapses and their
>corporate arrogance.
>
>73
>
>Bob KQ2M
>
>
>
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>


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