[Qcwa] keep the code or not or why I am chucking it in after 37 years

[Doug M]

Sorry to see you leaving...I,  like you have had frustrations as a ham at
times. But I come back to it in some form eventually.
I worked for an old established amateur radio dealer as his service tech
after I retired from the Navy as an electronics maintenance tech (CTMCS).
The new owners saw no value in having a service shop and went bankrupt in a
few years. I really love the personal satisfaction that comes from fixing a
dog. Or finding that electrolytic capacitor across the country to resurrect
a 1950s Heathkit. I had my own part time business fixing ham gear for a
while and even put a small ad in the classified section of an amateur
national publication. It was the old timers who drove me out of the ham
service business. The Heathkit rig with the bad electrolytic only took me
about 2 hours of telephoning to find and I charged the guy my actual cost of
$12.50 including shipping (not the 35% markup all businesses charge as a
minimum on parts). The fellow showed up to pick up his rig and called me
every name in the book and made references to my ancestry and my mother
being a female dog! He slammed the Heathkit manual down and showed me the
prices in the parts list and said..."there, they only cost
$1.50...see!!!!!!" I wonder if he has found a nickel Coca-Cola lately?  It
took me 45 minutes to calm him down to the point of paying the bill and he
left saying he was going to get on the air and bad mouth me to everyone.
Also the hams who ship something across county UPS ground and call the local
police three days later to complain I must have stolen their rig. No effort
to contact by me phone, email or FAX and I had never heard of the guy, or
even knew he shipped a radio in for repair. Similar experieces with the UPS
guy delivering a 2 meter FM radio when the hams wife called the police
claiming I had taken a deposit and cashed it. The police officer was there
when I opened the package and there was only a note saying "please fix" and
their return address. No sysmptoms and no deposit. Not satisfied with the
police report, she called the Better Business Bureau and said she wanted me
to send her $15 for her telephone expenses. Supposedly her husband who had
been a ham for over 40 years wouldn't talk to me on the phone himself. I
have only been a licensed ham for 45 years, and am proud to be a life member
of QCWA and also a member of the OOTC, but gentlemen, I think it is time we
stop criticizing the new comers to ham radio and spend a little time looking
at our own group. Have you had an automotive tune up done lately? They sure
know how to charge you. So quit complaining about 45 minutes labor and $ 20
for parts to fix your all mode rig. And be honest when you take it to a
shop...admit you tried fixing it, left a mess of solder splashes, etc and
then powered it up and let the magic smoke out of some devices. I use a
lighted bench magnifying glass myself to solder anymore, especially those 80
pin surface mount devices. But not giving the repair guy the full story,
such as you tried tweaking the coils in a PLL synthesizer loop, only adds to
the time it takes to fix your rig.
I do appreciate those who give me the full story about a rig brought in for
service, and who don't mind paying up front for an estimate fee which gets
credited toward the time to fix the rig. I charged 1/2 hour minimum. Yet I
still end up with "no replies" to calls, letters, email, etc., and have to
keep the rig around taking up shelf space for a year or so, just in case the
guy decides to get it fixed after all. The newcomers bring in a rig, admit
they don't know everything and will pay their bills without flinching and
cussing.
I still fix ham rigs as a sideline these days, but only for friends or hams
really down on their luck, such as in nursing homes, hospitals, etc. I can't
waste the time listening to every old ham's stories of how it used to be.
Also, I wonder how many autombile repair shops let you walk in and use their
tools and diagnostic equipment for free when ever you feel like it. I have
invested a lot in tech manuals, tools, test equipment and yes, I will say
"no" to a total stranger walking in and saying he wants to sweep align his
rig for free!
Hopefully this will lead to some introspection and start a new bit of
activity on this reflector.
I now work as a marine electronics repair tech and can let the sales people
deal with the customers. It is great charging  twice what I charged hams and
seldom having an irate boat owner screaming at me like hams do all too
often. Remember, please, its not the repair guys fault your rig need help!
He did not design, build, or operate it!
73
Doug K7ABX