Author Archive
Reading PC4T’s blog and then WOW!!
July 14th, 2017 | 
Author:  |
| Digi signals. |
Customer service excellance
Customer service excellance
I heard a loud bang!
 |
| Oliver likes the other use for the antenna cover |
 |
| The inside looked great |
Over this past weekend I was not able to get out and about with KX3 and CHA P Loop for portable ops as the weather was not very co-operative. I decided to throw the switch on the K3 at home instead, I really did not find too much on the bands. My antenna as I have mentioned in the past is the MFJ 1788 Mag loop. For me to get on the radio the antenna has to be moved to the centre of the balcony and a feedline brought out to it. This is only a 2 minute job to accomplish and the plan most of the time is when I am done to remove the coax and store the antenna back in the corner of the balcony. Now and then I leave it where it is after setup as I may want to use it later. On Saturday I left the antenna in the “operation position” overnight. I woke up at about 3:30 AM to some very loud and strong winds, I thought I should go and get the antenna and put it to the side in its stored position. Then as that thought was leaving me I heard BANG!!! The wind had blown the Loop over and it hit with a very loud bang. I went out right away and up righted the antenna removed the coax and placed the antenna off the side. Later in the morning I brought the antenna in to inspect it for damage. The outside looked good but it was the antenna tuning capacitor and circuitry end of the antenna that made the loud contact with the concrete floor. I removed the covers and was pleased to find no damage had been done. I then tested the antenna and all was good. Lesson learned, it only takes to minutes to put it to the side and bring it out again. This is worth the time as opposed to spending HUGE money on a new antenna or getting it repaired. With taking the covers off it allowed me to also do my annual inspection of the antenna as well.
I heard a loud bang!
|
| Oliver likes the other use for the antenna cover |
|
| The inside looked great |
Over this past weekend I was not able to get out and about with KX3 and CHA P Loop for portable ops as the weather was not very co-operative. I decided to throw the switch on the K3 at home instead, I really did not find too much on the bands. My antenna as I have mentioned in the past is the MFJ 1788 Mag loop. For me to get on the radio the antenna has to be moved to the centre of the balcony and a feedline brought out to it. This is only a 2 minute job to accomplish and the plan most of the time is when I am done to remove the coax and store the antenna back in the corner of the balcony. Now and then I leave it where it is after setup as I may want to use it later. On Saturday I left the antenna in the “operation position” overnight. I woke up at about 3:30 AM to some very loud and strong winds, I thought I should go and get the antenna and put it to the side in its stored position. Then as that thought was leaving me I heard BANG!!! The wind had blown the Loop over and it hit with a very loud bang. I went out right away and up righted the antenna removed the coax and placed the antenna off the side. Later in the morning I brought the antenna in to inspect it for damage. The outside looked good but it was the antenna tuning capacitor and circuitry end of the antenna that made the loud contact with the concrete floor. I removed the covers and was pleased to find no damage had been done. I then tested the antenna and all was good. Lesson learned, it only takes to minutes to put it to the side and bring it out again. This is worth the time as opposed to spending HUGE money on a new antenna or getting it repaired. With taking the covers off it allowed me to also do my annual inspection of the antenna as well.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
- I emailed DX Engineering regarding some questions I had about the loop and I was promptly emailed back with an answer.
- They did offer free shipping on orders over 99.00 but it was CLEARLY indicated that for orders outside the U.S this did not apply (I'm in Canada). I hate very small print or no print regarding this but DX Engineering had it plainly stated.
- I ordered the antenna on a Monday evening and it was shipped Tuesday.
- The antenna arrived Wednesday, over the boarder, through customs and to my door.
- The price I was given for the antenna and shipping (FedEx) was the TOTAL cost. In the past I have dealt with Amateur radio dealers in the U.S. I pay for the item, it gets shipped and then I get a call from a carriers "broker" who tells me to clear the item it's going to cost "X" amount. Then I'm asked for my credit card number or it goes back. Let me tell you it has never been cheap.
This is where DX Engineering went over the top!
- I sent DX Engineering an email regarding the bag and I was promptly answered that they would contact Chameleon and have them send me a new bag.
- DX Engineering contacted me promptly after the sale when there was an issue.
- I was not passed off and told to contact Chameleon myself, they took ownership.
2. I was then contacted via email from Maria at DX Engineering and also a phone call regarding
the outcome of contacting Chameleon Antenna. (more on Chameleon's reply later) I personally
spoke with Maria on the phone, she told me at DX Engineering they tried to see if one of their
bags would work. It was determined it would not meet the need of the antenna. Maria then told
me to go and get the bag repaired and they would cover the cost.
- I was contacted in person by Maria who was the person dealing with my issue from the start and was very knowledgeable on the situation.
- DX Engineering took the time to see if one of their bags would work but would not.
- They did not stop there I was then told by Maria to get the bag fixed and send them the bill. Again DX Engineering took ownership and went out of their way to solve the issue.
3. I went out that day and contacted DX Engineering with the cost and was told not a problem to
scan the bill and email it to them and I would then be re-inbursed for the cost.
- 10 out of 10 to DX Engineering for the way they handled the issue! Thanks very much Maria for your personal attention and professionalism .
This is where Chameleon Antenna dropped the ball!
First off let me post the email Chameleon sent DX Engineering regarding the issue I was having with the carry bag:
We realized about a month ago that the last batch of bags that we ordered last year have more or less all the same issue which is if they press fit too much things into the bag then the zipper might fail. They seem to have all the same issue. Those zippers aren’t the best! But if they use the flap over with Velcro without the zipper everything will be fine. So sending a replacement won’t change anything as it already happened to few other people already and we can’t do anything about it. To be honest, It would be better for him to get a local zipper replacement for about $5 or $10.
2. Chameleon's email states "If they (the customer) press fit too much things in the bag then the
zipper might fail"
We realized about a month ago that the last batch of bags that we ordered last year have more or less all the same issue which is if they press fit too much things into the bag then the zipper might fail. They seem to have all the same issue. Those zippers aren’t the best! But if they use the flap over with Velcro without the zipper everything will be fine. So sending a replacement won’t change anything as it already happened to few other people already and we can’t do anything about it. To be honest, It would be better for him to get a local zipper replacement for about $5 or $10.
 |
| As you close the bag the zipper opens up |
- Chameleon only admits to having an issue with their bag to the customer and supplier when the defect has been mentioned.
- This is poor support for the distributors who sells this product under there name and reputation.
- Knowing there is an issue with the bag and still sending it out promotes poor customer trust.
- I also emailed Chameleon regarding the issue and I received the exact email that DX Engineering received. Seems like it's a cut and paste answer to all who email about this issue.
2. Chameleon's email states "If they (the customer) press fit too much things in the bag then the
zipper might fail"
- You never win when you blame the customer.
- The only items I planned on fitting into the bag were the antenna items that the bag was meant to carry.
- My zipper "failed" while opening it with nothing in the bag for the first time.
3. I am asked to repair a bag that is expected to work but does not. The cost is 20.00 Canadian to
replace all 3 defective zippers on the bag. (main compartment and 2 side pockets that failed.)
- Don't ask the customer to fix your bad and to foot the bill.
- Chameleon should bite the bullet and order bags that work, not sell the bag or inform the customer on their website of the known issue. Informing there dealers won't not hurt either.
Some may think this is only a small issue but to me it is the lack of customer and dealer support. Also the lack of taking proper responsibility for the issue. Having said the above about the carry bag I do want to say the Chameleon CHA P Loop antenna is a quality product and I tend to give it the glowing review it deserves in a later post.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
- I emailed DX Engineering regarding some questions I had about the loop and I was promptly emailed back with an answer.
- They did offer free shipping on orders over 99.00 but it was CLEARLY indicated that for orders outside the U.S this did not apply (I'm in Canada). I hate very small print or no print regarding this but DX Engineering had it plainly stated.
- I ordered the antenna on a Monday evening and it was shipped Tuesday.
- The antenna arrived Wednesday, over the boarder, through customs and to my door.
- The price I was given for the antenna and shipping (FedEx) was the TOTAL cost. In the past I have dealt with Amateur radio dealers in the U.S. I pay for the item, it gets shipped and then I get a call from a carriers "broker" who tells me to clear the item it's going to cost "X" amount. Then I'm asked for my credit card number or it goes back. Let me tell you it has never been cheap.
This is where DX Engineering went over the top!
- I sent DX Engineering an email regarding the bag and I was promptly answered that they would contact Chameleon and have them send me a new bag.
- DX Engineering contacted me promptly after the sale when there was an issue.
- I was not passed off and told to contact Chameleon myself, they took ownership.
2. I was then contacted via email from Maria at DX Engineering and also a phone call regarding
the outcome of contacting Chameleon Antenna. (more on Chameleon's reply later) I personally
spoke with Maria on the phone, she told me at DX Engineering they tried to see if one of their
bags would work. It was determined it would not meet the need of the antenna. Maria then told
me to go and get the bag repaired and they would cover the cost.
- I was contacted in person by Maria who was the person dealing with my issue from the start and was very knowledgeable on the situation.
- DX Engineering took the time to see if one of their bags would work but would not.
- They did not stop there I was then told by Maria to get the bag fixed and send them the bill. Again DX Engineering took ownership and went out of their way to solve the issue.
3. I went out that day and contacted DX Engineering with the cost and was told not a problem to
scan the bill and email it to them and I would then be re-inbursed for the cost.
- 10 out of 10 to DX Engineering for the way they handled the issue! Thanks very much Maria for your personal attention and professionalism .
This is where Chameleon Antenna dropped the ball!
First off let me post the email Chameleon sent DX Engineering regarding the issue I was having with the carry bag:
We realized about a month ago that the last batch of bags that we ordered last year have more or less all the same issue which is if they press fit too much things into the bag then the zipper might fail. They seem to have all the same issue. Those zippers aren’t the best! But if they use the flap over with Velcro without the zipper everything will be fine. So sending a replacement won’t change anything as it already happened to few other people already and we can’t do anything about it. To be honest, It would be better for him to get a local zipper replacement for about $5 or $10.
2. Chameleon's email states "If they (the customer) press fit too much things in the bag then the
zipper might fail"
We realized about a month ago that the last batch of bags that we ordered last year have more or less all the same issue which is if they press fit too much things into the bag then the zipper might fail. They seem to have all the same issue. Those zippers aren’t the best! But if they use the flap over with Velcro without the zipper everything will be fine. So sending a replacement won’t change anything as it already happened to few other people already and we can’t do anything about it. To be honest, It would be better for him to get a local zipper replacement for about $5 or $10.
|
| As you close the bag the zipper opens up |
- Chameleon only admits to having an issue with their bag to the customer and supplier when the defect has been mentioned.
- This is poor support for the distributors who sells this product under there name and reputation.
- Knowing there is an issue with the bag and still sending it out promotes poor customer trust.
- I also emailed Chameleon regarding the issue and I received the exact email that DX Engineering received. Seems like it's a cut and paste answer to all who email about this issue.
2. Chameleon's email states "If they (the customer) press fit too much things in the bag then the
zipper might fail"
- You never win when you blame the customer.
- The only items I planned on fitting into the bag were the antenna items that the bag was meant to carry.
- My zipper "failed" while opening it with nothing in the bag for the first time.
3. I am asked to repair a bag that is expected to work but does not. The cost is 20.00 Canadian to
replace all 3 defective zippers on the bag. (main compartment and 2 side pockets that failed.)
- Don't ask the customer to fix your bad and to foot the bill.
- Chameleon should bite the bullet and order bags that work, not sell the bag or inform the customer on their website of the known issue. Informing there dealers won't not hurt either.
Some may think this is only a small issue but to me it is the lack of customer and dealer support. Also the lack of taking proper responsibility for the issue. Having said the above about the carry bag I do want to say the Chameleon CHA P Loop antenna is a quality product and I tend to give it the glowing review it deserves in a later post.
