A very very fair review of a sad situation. I purchased the VHF handheld
from them through West Marine only to find there was no set screw and
everything twirled around. The battery was also defective. I brought it to
the store where they took care of it;however, I called Yaseau and had the
same experiences at a less expensive level. Ted O'Brien KB2 LUG
The saga of the 9000D continues. This is perhaps the most complete
complaint.
Philip LaMarche
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.
www.instantgourmetspices.com<http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/>
727-944-3226
800-395-7795 pin 02
FAX 727-937-8834
NASFT #30210
W9DVM
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of exk7rsc
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 11:17 AM
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [FTdx-9000] A Radio in "Consumer Beta Test" Mode
The first ads for Yaesu's FTdx-9000D caught my attention. An SO2R radio
with
receive and transmit features galore - all in one box. The answer to a
contester's dreams? Maybe. Having experienced problems with an early
production run FT-1000MP Mark V, prudence suggested waiting to see how the
9000D would hold up and perform. Based on initial and current reports on
eHam.net and the Fox Tango International FTdx-9000 reflector, not well.
Assorted fatal failures experienced by several people and a multitude of
other troublesome issues. Nevertheless .
TAKING THE PLUNGE. In September 2005 Chip Margelli at Yaesu assured me
that
all known problems had been resolved in 9000Ds currently being shipped and
that free firmware upgrades would be available for at least 3 years. So, I
ordered one. Bad decision! Turns out Yaesu has never figured out how to
provide those updates unless the radio is shipped back to them in
California. Furthermore, that is very costly and not without risk of
shipping damage.
INITIAL OBSERVATIONS. When serial number 5I030117 arrived nothing was
missing, but its documentation failed to mention the Compact Flash card or
how to use it. Other important features were omitted from the manual
and/or
lacking in completeness. The radio was portrayed as an SO2R radio in ads
but
they did not mention the fact that it is unable to do so with two
amplifiers. Sadly people have discovered that after purchasing the radio.
Otherwise, my first impression of radio: marvelous shift and width
functionality. Best I've ever seen.
COSMETIC ISSUE. Paint fading near DIM switch. Initially thought it was
dust. But when I rubbed the area with my finger to clean the surface the
blemish became larger. Quite an eyesore.
SUBSEQUENT IMPRESSIONS: OUCH! Main frequency window unit in middle of
the
radio appeared to be mounted too high and created a distracting reflection
of its readings in the lower part of the window. VFO-A S-Meter did not
appear angled toward center of radio as advertised and, for no apparent
reason, that meter would often get hung up and not drop below S 1.5 to S2.
Same result with no antenna connected to the radio and, in both instances,
the RF gain was fully clockwise. RF in earphones when running amplifier;
not
a problem with either external or radio's internal speakers. Same multiple
issues others have reported with TFT display and its many inoperable
features. No anti-vox control. Clocks don't keep accurate time. Audio from
voice keyer is poor quality and sounds wimpy on playback.
Complaints from other hams about CW key clicks.
RECEIVER ISSUES. Noise blanker useless. Digital Noise Reduction
(DNR) creates additional noise and distorts signals when engaged; rotating
its pot has little, if any, positive impact. Digital Notch Filter (DNF)
also
distorts signals. Contour filter provides almost no change whatsoever.
Otherwise an excellent receiver.
FATAL FLAWS. The TX GND phono connector lost electrical contact with its
circuit board and would no longer key my amplifier. When attempting to
tighten main VFO knob drag per the manual it came off in my hand. It could
not be reinstalled because the hole in the knob had never been tapped with
threads and, therefore, contained no set screw with which to secure it to
its shaft. Knob now simply slips on its shaft - fatal flaw rendering radio
useless. Could be production run issue others will experience.
UNACCEPTABLE OPTIONS: REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. Chip said to wait until
after
the December Ten Meter Contest and then ship the radio back to Yaesu UPS
Blue Label and they would reimburse me for the shipping expenses, which
were
$239.14. He told me they would resolve all the issues with the radio and
have it back to me in a couple of weeks. That was over 6 weeks ago, as
they
have had the radio since December 19, 2005. Turns out they cannot repair
it
or provide a new radio with all the features working correctly. Chip's
response is that the 9000D line is "a work in progress". He has told me
the
radio will not, in fact, operate SO2R with two amplifiers and that it was
his distinct impression that any radios currently being shipped have not
had
any changes made to the Digital Noise Reduction, Digital Notch Filter, or
Noise Blanker. Presumably the Contour issue has not been resolved either.
Accordingly, neither repair nor replacement is a viable option for me. I
told him I want my money back.
YAESU SERVICE. Deplorable! I called Chip less than two weeks after
discovering many of the problems described above. It took multiple
unanswered messages on his voice mail and several unanswered emails before
I
heard from him. Now, even after they've had the radio for over 6 weeks,
still no reimbursement of any kind from Yaesu. Only unfulfilled promises
and
stalling tactics. Indeed, it appears Yaesu's corporate culture embodies a
serious lack of integrity.
ENTER HRO. After reaching the end of my patience, I called Leon at HRO in
Portland, Oregon (purchased radio from them). He said he would talk to his
boss. The next day I got both an email and phone call from Chip. Must have
struck a nerve somewhere. Since then, however, it has been more stalling
and
still no shipping reimbursement check.
Contacted Leon again on January 19, and told him I no longer want the
radio,
primarily due to lack of support for what otherwise might eventually
become
a fine product. I want all my money back, including all shipping expenses
incurred by me. He agreed that was reasonable and said he would talk to
his
boss again and get back to me within a few days. Spoke with Leon again on
January 26, 2006. He said Chip knows I want my money back. However, no one
from Yaesu has responded to Leon's recent inquiries either. He said Chip
indicated to him via email that he would not be back in his office until
February 1, 2006.
Leon and I agreed that I would follow up with him on February 2 if I have
not heard from him earlier.
CALL TAGS. If you own ANY Yaesu radio that needs returning to them and
are
told they will reimburse you for the return shipping expense, be aware you
may never be reimbursed. In addition to me, this has been the experience
of
others as well. In fact, I recently read on the Fox Tango International
reflector where one person has been waiting for over 3 months for his
reimbursement check. You would be well advised to insist on a call tag
issued by Yaesu. In that way they pay the shipper and you won't get stuck
for the shipping expense. Does anyone know if Yaesu is experiencing cash
flow or other financial difficulty? That might be a plausible explanation
for what is going on with them.
ATTORNEYS GENERAL. I have requested the proper forms from the Attorneys
General of the states of California and Washington and will be filing
complaints with them shortly. If it is true that Yaesu Vertex Standard is
having cash flow problems or other financial difficulties then that may be
the only way to get my money back. And, hopefully, the State of California
may be able to exert some influence on how they treat customers in the
future.
CONCLUSION. If everything on the 9000D worked as advertised it would be a
fantastic radio. Wish I had hated the radio because it sickens me to give
it
up. But life is too short for dealing with Yaesu. My experiences with them
over the years suggest they have poor quality control, do not support
their
radios in a timely fashion and care even less about the frustration they
create for purchasers of their products. A radio is only as good as the
service behind it. In my opinion, the 9000D is a total failure in this
regard. For additional comments on Yaesu service, see my Eham review
under:
Community, Reviews, Amateur Radio Equipment Service Companies, Yaesu
Factory
Service.
http://www.foxtango.org<http://www.foxtango.org/>
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