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NN5I
09-17-2016, 10:29 AM
I have two Kenwood HTs (TH-F6A) in need of repair (and one recently received that's perfect). I have been unable to find out where any of the Kenwood repair facilities are. You'd think the Kenwood web site would list some, but not that I can find. Coffee machines, yes; radios, no.

Anyone here have any experience with Kenwood repairs? Advice? Links? Locations and phone numbers?

Radio
09-17-2016, 02:13 PM
Ham Radio Outlet.

Had a radio worked on "there" some time back. At that time the Atlanta store contracted out with local people to do their repair work.

Might try there and see.

Boatworker
09-19-2016, 11:20 AM
FTH Group is the Authorized Service Center on the west coast. Their phone is 626-333-2435.

Might give them a call and see if there is a facility closer to you.

Jim
K6JEA

NN5I
09-23-2016, 11:01 PM
FTH Group is the Authorized Service Center on the west coast. Their phone is 626-333-2435.

Might give them a call and see if there is a facility closer to you.

Jim
K6JEA

Sent them an e-mail last Wednesday, no response. Since they don't want my business even enough to reply, I guess they're off my list.

electricflyer
09-24-2016, 09:25 PM
With the low cost of HT's now and high labor costs it is probably not worth fixing any of them. You might do a google search for amateur radio repair in Florida to see what's out there. I saw one called Technical Specialties in Tampa and there was another in Melbourne Beach. The Kenwood web site only has two factory repair sites for amateur radio, one was the place you already emailed with no response and the other is in Virginia Beach with not very good reviews on Eham. While you are at it you may want to check Eham for radio repair reviews.

NN5I
09-25-2016, 02:45 PM
Cool, Flyer -- thanks. These are pretty expensive radios though, $305 list, $275 at HRO -- so probably worth having them fixed. The TH-F6A is a sweetheart of a radio -- three bands, 400 memories, two receivers, easiest-to-use menu system on the planet, very compact and lightweight. On the other hand, who needs three identical HTs?

As I said, $305 list, $275 from HRO -- or you can buy one for $340 on eBay from a vendor called "PricePounder". I'm not making this up.

NN5I
09-25-2016, 06:20 PM
Of course the TH-F6A is discontinued. Have a look at the replacement! (http://qrznow.com/new-kenwood-tribander-144220440-mhz/)

electricflyer
09-27-2016, 10:08 AM
I have a Icom IC-W2A which back in the early 90's was nearly $800. Has all the bells and whistles but it has finally ceased to work. I don't know if I want to have it looked at for $100/hr or not. It may be something simple, I'll just set in on the desk as a let me ponder the issue.

NN5I
11-03-2016, 05:27 PM
I bit the bullet and sent the two TH-F6A to Kenwood's service center in Virginia Beach VA (which is actually not run by Kenwood), two weeks ago today. Got'em back this afternoon.

Both radios now work fine.

I give'em a mixed review, as follows:

Speed of repair: Seems a bit slow to me.

Communication: Poor. I called them Monday 10/31 and could get no info at all. Never did find anything out.

Price: Not too bad; parts+labor+shipping was $112 for one of them, $128 for the other which needed more parts. The radios are currently $275 new at HRO, $300 at Amazon. They were a bit more expensive before being discontinued last month.

Overall: a little better than passing. I'm glad I sent the radios, which I guess is the bottom line.