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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 via FedEx ground. FedEx Ground is the most economical shipping method to date, 05/2009. For more details see page bottom Return Shipping and Charges section.

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

Contact number for FedEx / UPS shipping: (865) 278-1092

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:

1 - Collapse the adjustable front bottom feet on the transceiver (if extended.)

2 - Tape (Scotch tape) the top hatch panel closed, i.e. FT-1000MP series.

3 - 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.)

4 - 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.)

5 - Include a note containing your complete return shipping address and contact info., plus a short description of the problem and any additional desired service.

6 - 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.

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. If they tell you that they know how to pack and don't need your instructions, you would do well to go elsewhere!

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. However, 2" is INSUFFICIENT for large fixed station transceivers. The best shipping insurance is "drop-kick-proof" packing using greater clearances / packing thickness. Recommended method:

1 - 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.

2 - Where available use a 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 13" ~ 14" 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 an oversize $ charge applied!

3 - 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 packing.

4 - 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 and works very well.

* 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 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, or that required to give a 4" to 5" thickness around the transceiver. 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 AT ALL COSTS:

NEVER USE PAPER of any type. Paper is simply no good for packing radio equipment.

Do Not Use hard Styrofoam, ice chest foam, insulation foam, spray type insulation foam and etc. (to hard.) Do Not Use Foam Rubber as it is to soft.

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.

*If either your non-factory box and / or packing is excessively worn, damaged or otherwise unusable, additional charges for replacements will apply.

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 shipping box.

RETURN SHIPPING AND CHARGES

All return shipping is normally done through FedEx's economical Ground Service, via my *FedEx account. For return shipping I charge the actual shipping and insurance rates plus the following for packing labor:

$6.00 when shipping in your original factory box & packing.

$10 ~ $15 (depending on time to pack) when shipping in your reusable non-factory *boxes and *packing.

*IMPORTANT! Do not ask me to ship on your FedEx, UPS, or some other account. However, you are welcome to provide a prepaid return shipping label and I will happily use that. Otherwise all outgoing shipments from my shop are made via my FedEx account - no exceptions!

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