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WA4GEG Yaesu Repair, Packing and Shipping Information

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Shipping info.

For shipping your transceiver, you may use any carrier of choice, i.e. FedEx, UPS, DHL, and etc. All outgoing shipments from my shop are normally made by FedEx ground. FedEx Ground is the most economical shipping method at this writing (02/2008.)

Shipping address:      Electronic Equipment Service
                                     Byron Campbell
                                     126 Stiner SHRS.
                                     Sharps Chapel, TN 37866

Packing info., OEM boxes

Transceivers* ship nicely in their OEM double or triple layer shipping boxes, wrapping, packing and etc. Please observe the OEM packing check list:

Collapse any adjustable bottom feet on the transceiver (front feet.)
Tape (Scotch tape) the top hatch panel closed, i.e. FT-1000/D, FT-1000MP series.
Install the protective plastic wrap around the transceiver before fitting the molded foam packing (or use 3 mil. or thicker plastic wrap, plastic bag or similar.)
Then place the transceiver in the shipping box and check that it is snug and secure. If there is any play, shim with sheets of scrap corrugated cardboard (or other suitable material.)
Include a note containing your complete return shipping address and contact info., plus a short description of the problem and any additional desired service.
When taping the box closed, check the condition of the tape on the bottom flaps. In 25% of incoming packages, I find the transceiver pushing its way out of the bottom of the shipping box due to worn or thin tape.

Your original factory shipping box will be used to return ship your transceiver. I make a point of always returning original boxes to their respective owners.

*Includes FT-890, FT-900, FT-1000MP (MP, Field & Mark-V) and FT-2000

NOTE: The original FT-1000 / FT-1000D, due to its heavy shipping weight, must be shipped in its OEM box and packing PLUS a 24x24x13" (minimum size) exterior DOUBLE-WALL HEAVY DUTY BOX for extra protection during shipping. All FT-1000/D received in only their OEM box/packing will be packed in an oversize box (at the customers expense) for return shipping - No Exceptions.

How to pack a transceiver when the OEM shipping box is not available:

NOTE: When using commercial packing services, print a copy of these instructions and have them follow it.

Shipping companies deny shipping damage claims for inadequate packing, especially when there isn't any damage to the shipping box, i.e. g-force damage. Current UPS policy calls for a minimum item to box clearance (packing thickness) of 2" at this writing. The best shipping insurance is "drop-kick-proof" packing using greater clearances / packing thickness. Recommended method:

Shipping box size: For mobile class transceivers (such as the FT-890, FT-900) use a box large enough to give the following clearances: 4" minimum from the VFO tuning knob to the box, 3" minimum from the rear panel to the box, 2" or more clearance on bottom and top of the transceiver to the shipping box.

For shipping large heavy fixed station transceivers (FT-1000/D, FT-1000MP series) use a box large enough to give the following transceiver to box clearances: 6" minimum from the VFO tuning knob to the box, 4" minimum from the rear panel to the box, 4" or more clearance on bottom and top of the transceiver to the shipping box. ALSO, use only an extra heavy duty 1/4" thick-wall DOUBLE-PLY box, available from most UPS hub customer counters (NOT UPS STORES) and sold as their heavy duty double-ply 24"x24"x24" size box. A similar size 1/4" thick-wall DOUBLE-PLY box is available from U-Haul stores, sold as their TV & Microwave moving box. The height is adjustable on both UPS & U-Haul boxes. I typically adjust (cut) these boxes down to a height of about 14" ~ 16" depending on the transceiver model being shipped. Remember to cut the box height down from its standard 24" height. Otherwise the package will automatically be classified as oversize and you will be billed for 70 lbs. shipping weight!

For transceivers that have a small hatch door in the cabinet, secure it closed with a strip of Scotch tape. Collapse any adjustable cabinet bottom feet. Wrap the transceiver tightly in plastic to protect it from shipping vibration, abrasion and packing material dust. Note: you may skip this step when using bubble wrap for packing the transceiver.

Pack the transceiver securely*. Take extra care in positioning packing to prevent jamming of front panel controls, especially the VFO / tuning knob(s) and dial. 1/2" thick by 24" wide bubble wrap is highly recommended (pakoutlet.com) and works very well for packing even the larger fixed station transceivers; FT-1000/D & FT-1000MP series.

    * Secure packing is a must! If the transceiver has room to move about
    in the shipping box damage will occur, especially scuffing and
    scratching of the transceiver's finish. But more seriously, damage to
      front / rear panels and related controls, jacks and sub panel circuit boards.

BUBBLE WRAP; RECOMMENDED USE: For packing large fixed station transceivers (FT-1000 series and etc.) use at least 50' of the 1/2" thick by 24" width bubble wrap (1" dia. bubbles.) First form a blanket of 4 layers of wrap, approx. 10 feet long. Center the transceiver in the width at one end of the blanket and wrap it a minimum of 2 complete revolutions. Tape the loose ends closed. Tightly tape around the circumference about 1" forward of both the front and rear transceiver panels. This will squeeze the wrapping "tube" and prevent the transceiver from sliding around inside. Stuff the ends of the "wrapping tube" with scrap pieces of bubble wrap and tape it closed. For gap fill in the shipping box, use additional scraps of bubble wrap or foam packing peanuts.

Remember to include a note containing your complete return shipping and contact info. along with a brief description of problems noted and any additional service desired.

Packing materials to avoid:

NEVER USE news print, shredded paper or any type of paper period. Paper is simply no good for packing radio equipment.

Do not use hard Styrofoam, ice chest foam, insulation foam and etc. (to hard.) Do not use foam-rubber (to soft for heavy equipment.)

Foam packing peanuts:

When using foam peanut types of packing material it is best to place them in plastic bags, tape closed and form "packing pillows." These can then be tightly molded around the transceiver and gives excellent results. Otherwise double boxing will be required using several inches of packing peanuts between the inner and outer boxes. However, for the larger fixed station transceivers bubble wrap is less expensive and preferred to using foam peanut packing.

Return shipping charges

All return shipping is done through FedEx ground. For return shipping I charge the actual shipping and insurance rates plus the following for packing labor:

$5.00 when shipping in your original factory box & packing.

$10.00 when shipping in your reusable non-factory boxing and bubble wrap packing.

$10.00 when return shipping an FT-1000/D in the OEM box w/ Manditory 24x24x13 minimum size outer box.

$15.00 when return shipping in your non-factory boxing where packing peanuts or other misc. materials were used.

$10 + box cost + packing material cost if either your non-factory box and / or packing is excessively worn, damaged or otherwise unusable.

NOTE: Commercial packing companies that employ double boxing with packing foam-peanut methods almost always use inexpensive light duty single-ply one-shot boxes. 99% of the time these are not reusable, and I'll just end up having to sell you a new box. To avoid this needless expense use only a heavy duty double-ply box for shipping your heavy fixed station transceiver.

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