[PCR-1000] *pathetic* PCR1000 servicing from Icom

[Gary]

Mark,

Call your state Consumer Protection Agency,
whatever it's called, and see what they say.
Also the BBB.   If they provide links, then they
should be on the hook.

Good Luck, and keep us informed.

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark L. Hammond" <hammond@surrealnet.net>
To: <pcr-1000@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002 4:54 PM
Subject: [PCR-1000] *pathetic* PCR1000 servicing
from Icom


> At 08:17 AM 1/31/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >Well, as a direct result of trying out the
WXSAT stuff, I've determined
> >that my PCR1000 is very, very deaf.  The
receive of the wx sats is
> >horrible.  The sensitivity is just not up to
par.
> >//Okay, that having been said--I just boxed up
my PCR1000 and mailed it to
> >Icom for warranty repair.  Has anybody on the
list seen something like
> >this?  Or had to send their unit back to Icom
for repairs?  How was their
> >repair service?  Just wondering what kind of
receive sensitivity others
> >are seeing....the tech. specs are "okay"
meaning, I don't expect to do EME
> >with it.  But by golly it should hear the
wxsats on a directional array!
>
> Update time.
>
> I called Icom support today (the one in
Washington).  They had determined
> that my PCR-1000 would require 2 hours of
service to realign the unit, and
> the charge would be $150.    I said the unit was
under warranty.  They said
> "the EPROM was corrupted by using 3rd party
software, the ICOM software
> won't do that.  It won't be covered by the
warranty."
>
> Discussions about me using Windows2000, how it
wasn't supported, etc.
> progressed.  I preceded to tell them how it was
a really sad thing to be
> only supporting an OS (Win3.1 or 95) that can't
be purchased on a computer
> anymore is excusable, and they shouldn't even be
selling the thing anymore
> if they can't support current OS.
>
> I asked how much to NOT fix it--just the
"estimate".  It would be $25, plus
> return shipping.  That is what I've opted for.
>
> After the fact, I decided to read the
literature---the manual, the warranty
> card, and their webpage.  I cannot see ANYWHERE
where it says "do not use
> 3rd party software or you void your warranty."
In fact, their web site has
> LINKS to 3rd party software now!!!!  It says
they don't support the
> software, but it doesn't say it voids the
warranty.   So, I called them,
> and spoke to a technical guy.  He really
couldn't answer my question: "How
> am I, as a consumer, to know NOT to use 3rd
party software, because it will
> be bad for my unit and/or void my warranty."  He
couldn't answer it.
>
> I have an backup image of my EPROM that I made
right after I bought the
> unit.  Guess I try to load that once I get it
back.
>
> One thing I *do* have power over---I will NEVER
buy another Icom product,
> period.  I own others now, and have in the past.
Never again....
>
> Anyhow, I'm really upset over the ordeal.  This
is the stuff of class
> action lawsuits (which is NOT my game).  I just
wanted to vent.
>
> FWIW,
>
> Mark L. Hammond  [N8MH]
>
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