Radio repairs U.K.

The place to talk about specific amateur radio equipment and all types of accessories, fixes, repairs and modification.
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gmham
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Radio repairs U.K.

Post by gmham »

Radio repairs in the U.K..who do you use for your Amateur radio gear ? Is there much in difference in price between them all ? I know castle charge £55 per hour labour plus any parts .

Not sure what James at the shack charges ? Always surprised at just how many folk seem to spend on repairs especially on old cb sets that to be honest are not even worth the overal cost of repairs ?!

P.S Not sure if Nick Black Spirit is still around the forum these days ? Tried to send a message via the PM facility but saying can’t send an email ?

P.P.S Just heard back from Nick ..thanks Nick .
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by Auldgeek »

If I can't fix it myself, I usually use Geoff at Castle Electronics.

I don't rate The Shack, but others mileage may vary. No idea how much he charges.

Dave Woods is pretty decent by all accounts.
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gmham
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by gmham »

Thanks drew appreciate the advice.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by Samalex »

If unable to do myself depending on the radio and time for fix i would use the manufacturer. Icom were good when i used them in the past.
I have also used Geoff at Castle and was very happy with his service
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by gmham »

Thanks yep castle and Dave woods names keep comming up as particularly reliable.
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Moxon antenna for 10/20 mtrs

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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by Whisky1 »

Dave woods for ham gear, Nick for cb and ham gear.....The shack nope I do not recommend, repaired something for me 5 years ago came back with a problem and his attitude was sh1t.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by gmham »

Thanks mate appreciate that . Unfortunately heard back from Nick who has confirmed he doesn’t repair hame gear now . Dave woods seems particularly well recommended all over the new. Busy guy but his labour charges are actually very reasonable.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by Whisky1 »

gmham wrote: 30 Sep 2023, 19:46 Thanks mate appreciate that . Unfortunately heard back from Nick who has confirmed he doesn’t repair hame gear now . Dave woods seems particularly well recommended all over the new. Busy guy but his labour charges are actually very reasonable.
Welcome, You won't go wrong with Dave.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by Agent 48 »

What we really need are radio clubs like we used to get years ago where the clubs would actually be about radio and people bought in there stuff to repair where there would be other hams who would help one another with diagnosing problems and repairing them.

There would be tables with people building stuff and repairing stuff, there would be all sorts of test equipment bought in and soldering irons.

I think Essex Skills Night "Essex Radio Club" did something like this, it was a bit out of my way so I never went to see what it was like... I'm not sure if its still going but I don't see any reason why this couldn't happen anywhere else and have some radio clubs.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by Transwarp »

There's not the interest that there was years ago and overheads in running a club will play a factor, things are more expensive.

Also as modern radios are more integrated chip and SMC based it's not as easy l imagine to diagnose and repair faults on the fly as it were without the necessary equipment.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

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Transwarp wrote: 21 Sep 2024, 19:03 There's not the interest that there was years ago and overheads in running a club will play a factor, things are more expensive.

Also as modern radios are more integrated chip and SMC based it's not as easy l imagine to diagnose and repair faults on the fly as it were without the necessary equipment.
Yeah modern radios... I normally stick with old Amateur gear & PMR stuff because its better than the modern disposable rubbish of today. Baofeng handhelds seem to be well made and cheap tho... With so much 2/70 stuff on the market the VHF/UHF bands are dying which makes no sense... but CB radio has returned from the dead in recently which is more busy than it has ever been since the 90s.

Now days people go on HF and that is it. People don't experiment anymore with different bands they just wanna go on HF with the best antenna they can buy... Then there are those who use Zello which isn't even radio so thats the state of the hobby today.

I do wonder sometimes if its even worth bothering with anymore, I really liked two meters but there is hardly any body about anymore and I find myself on CB because that is where people are or there is HF for those who can get on HF properly often 40 or 20 meters.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by MrWeetabix »

£55 an hour? ooof. I'd argue that the main manufacrtiers probably arent far off that price these days. I know I;d have work done by Icom a few times and have always been very impressed with the service and comms.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by Agent 48 »

I need to move house if I want a decent setup, somewhere high up with a good take off point with no obstructions in the way of my signal path with plenty of space for big antennas... I can dream but I am going to think about moving and find out what my options are.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by Otter »

Auldgeek wrote: 28 Sep 2023, 19:22 I don't rate The Shack, but others mileage may vary. No idea how much he charges.
He charges too much, isn't particularly capable and his attitude sucks.
I would never, ever, ever, consider using his services again under any circumstance.

That said, does anyone remember Paul Simpson, The Shack, 231 Caxton St, Sunnyhill, Derby ?
Great guy, I wish he was still with us.
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Re: Radio repairs U.K.

Post by Ant »

Transwarp wrote: 21 Sep 2024, 19:03 There's not the interest that there was years ago and overheads in running a club will play a factor, things are more expensive.

Also as modern radios are more integrated chip and SMC based it's not as easy l imagine to diagnose and repair faults on the fly as it were without the necessary equipment.
This is the issue with modern equipment with microprocessors and SMD devices. You end up with needing a lab with diagnostic equipment such as Boardmasters (think the legendary ABI Boardmaster system) and rework stations. Even some of the older equipment though, you'll have bits everywhere, large items, so you still need a bit of space.

I like the idea of clubs doing this, there are a few clubs who have their own club house, but a lot of clubs now days are virtual, or certainly without their own exclusive club house where they can have a set up.
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