HobbyPCB still in business?

stephen pearce

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Dec 1, 2021, 2:42:14 PM12/1/21

to Hermes-Lite

Is HobbyPCB .. the maker of the Hardrock 50 amp still operating?

Some months back I ordered an ATU upgrade for my HR50 amp (to simplify operating it with the HL-2)

There were some problems with shipping it to NZ due to supply chain issues, and

it was returned to sender (US Postal Service decided to stop all US mail to NZ about the same time it was dispatched)

After corresponding with them they said they were going to investigate alternative

freight, but that was the last I heard despite numerous emails and even a suggestion they

send it to my son who is in Tennessee so he could onfreight it.

They don't seem to be answering their email .. and when I rang their number in Florida I got an answer phone and no reply.

If anyone has any information I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Stephen zl1any

Bill Cox

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Dec 1, 2021, 8:40:38 PM12/1/21

to stephen pearce, Hermes-Lite

I don't know details about HobbyPCB, but my last HardRock-50 order was delayed about a month due first to part availability, IIRC, and then due to a camping trip with the local Boy Scouts. So... it seems to be a small family run outfit and they seem OK with taking 2 week vacations and not checking email.

Personally, I have an evil plan. I'm turnning 58 this week, and plan to retire when I'm 70. After that, I'd like to build ham radio equipment as a hobby and for a few bucks on the side. I would hope to approach the level of service folks get with the HR-50, and I'd be proud to get half way there. Customer support for shipping issues would likely be delayed whenever I was on vacation...

I think this is just the nature of dealing with awesome semi-retired engineers who do this partly for fun, and partly for some money on the side.

73, Bill ak3q

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Bill Cox

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Dec 1, 2021, 8:48:17 PM12/1/21

to stephen pearce, Hermes-Lite

BTW, I accidentally ordered an extra ATU for the HR-50. I'm happy to sell it to you. If you're short on cash, you can have it for free. You'd need to cancel your order with HobbyPCB, though.

Do you want my extra ATU? Just let me know where to ship it.

73, Bill ak3q

Alan Hyde

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Dec 2, 2021, 12:39:06 AM12/2/21

to Hermes-Lite

My Hardrock 50 finally arrived today to Australia....in transit over 2 months!

Alan

VK2ATW

WA2EUJ

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Dec 2, 2021, 8:11:46 AM12/2/21

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Hi Stephen,

We tried tree times to send the package to NZ. For some reason it was returned to us all three times. It's now on the way to the address you provided in NC.

There's only three of us and we all have 'day' jobs, kids etc. Normal processing usually happens quickly and responsively, things get delayed when the normal processes break down and I apologize for that.

We have most items in stock. Unfortunately not the Hardrock-50. The manufacturing order that we started in September has been plagued with parts shortages. The last part, the FTDI FT234 USB to serial chip is out-of-stock until March 22022. We are trying to locate a few to get a few amp kits ready in January.

We are getting to the time of the year that packages take a long time to arrive in general so if you place an order between now and the end of the year, please be patient.

73,

Jim WA2EUJ

Ulf Tjerneld

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Dec 2, 2021, 9:35:13 AM12/2/21

to WA2EUJ, Hermes-Lite, Bill Cox

Keep up the awesome work @Jim!
And to @Bill Cox, we’re looking forward to your retirement plans 😊

Skickades från E-post för Windows

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Peter McCracken

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Dec 3, 2021, 4:42:11 PM12/3/21

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Jim,

I hope to get on a plane around 16th December to visit our Condo in Sanibel, I was contemplating ordering an RS-HFIQ whilst I was out there to save on overseas shipping and whatnot , do you have any in stock and how long would it take to ship to Sanibel ?