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Well sad to say my recent and first experience with Force12 is my last. Here's my story: I bought a Sigma V during Force12's "pre-Dayton" sale in March. There was a tidy discount on the antenna, and, based on all the positive reviews, I decided to buy one. I live in Santa Barbara, about 2 hour's drive from the Force12 factory. I asked if I could drive up and pick up the antenna, but was told that was not possible. OK, I trust UPS. I was not informed that there would be a long lead time for delivery. Remember, this is straight from the factory, not a middleman. Four weeks latter, no antenna. I call the factory and was told there was a delay in delivery of the circuit board, but the antenna would be shipped the next week. 2-3 weeks latter, no antenna. I call again, and was told my antenna was ready for shipment. Sure enough, it arrived 2 days later in the middle of May. I have a engineering consulting business, and Rule #1 is to be straight with the client. If there is a delivery or deadline problem, I take the initiative and tell the client what's what. Now all this would be water under the bridge, if I had received a quality product. Am I the only one who thinks the Sigma V is built even below MFJ standards? Nice MIG/TIG welding at the joints but everything else is a joke. Someone ("Charlie" in the case of my antenna) used a marking pen to draw arrows on the pieces to show what connects to where. Either dump the marking pen or use a real label. Remember folks, current cost for this antenna is $350. The PVC (thinwall plumbing pipe) that is used to enclose the relay board has a slot cut in it (the exit point for the coax connection and control cable.) that looks like it was made by a drunk wielding a hacksaw. If I am looking for a homebrew product, I will make it myself; I can butcher PVC pipe with the best of them. OK, now let's talk about the "control head." It consists of a low-cost rotary switch mounted on a bent piece of plastic. I cannot believe how cheesy this is. Again for the going price, they could have purchased a cheap Radio Shack project box, and at least made some attempt to produce a quality product. I assembled the antenna and get low SWR on all bands but 20-M. Super high SWR on all of 20 from 14.000 to 14.350. I hear this is a common problem, but not everybody has an antenna analyzer to figure out how to compress or stretch the 20-m coils. Force12 claims that the antenna will resonate on the low or high end of 20-m but will not cover the whole band. Fair enough, but mine resonates nowhere on 20. Called Force12 yesterday (6/25), the nice lady who answers the phone said Tom was out but if I left my number he would call when he gets back. Well , guess what? No call. Sorry, all you Force12 lovers, but I don't get it. Maybe mine Sigma V was made by that "counterfeit" Force12 factory. If Force12 would take this piece of junk back, I will ship it to them in an instance; at my expense. 73 de K6SBA David in Santa Barbara, CA (who usually doesn't get this upset over a product) Mihai Mateescu wrote: Hi everybody, I wonder if any of you US hams is experiencing delivery delays for F12 products.... -------------------------------------------- Force12Talk mailing list provided as a service by Force 12 Antennas, Inc. Force12 Web Site: http://www.force12inc.com To Submit Message to the List: Force12Talk@qth.com To unsubscribe and view the Message Archive: see http://qth.com/force12/list For problems with the list: contact n4zr@qth.com |
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