L-Tronics offers very low cost factory
repair service on all of our equipment and accessories. We also have most repair parts
available for people who have the ability to repair their equipment. (The new LL-16 is NOT
field repairable and must be returned the factory.) An Operations & Maintenance Manual
was included with LH and LA Series equipment to guide field repair. Printed copies
are available and they can also be downloaded in PDF format.
LH Portable DF (21mb) LA Aircraft DF (20 mb)To
isolate problems to the receiver, antenna, or mast, exchange components with another DF
unit known to work properly, and/or test the antenna with the antenna checking procedure
below. You can then return the defective part to be repaired. We encourage you to return
the entire assembly for a confidence check. A portable DF (LH or LL Series) can be
substituted for an LA Series aircraft unit to check the antenna system.
No prior approval or return authorization is required before sending equipment in for
repair. Pack the equipment with at least 2 inches of cushioning material on all
sides. Crushed newspaper does NOT make good cushioning. Shipping damage to
inadequately packed equipment will not be covered by the shipping company.
Please include a note inside the box with the following information:
A brief description of the problem, particularly if intermittent.
A complete street address for return shipping.
A contact name and a telephone number MUST be provided for return shipping. An
email address is also desirable for us to contact you with questions.
A method of payment (Visa or MasterCard number and expiration date). PLEASE DO NOT ASK
US TO CALL YOU WITH CHARGES. We will e-mail you, or you can call us. We can also return
the equipment COD, but this will increase cost and turn around time. We do NOT invoice
except by prior arrangement.
Our minimum repair charge is $25, plus $10 shipping and handling. Our average
charge is for repairs $35 and we do fix quite a few for the minimum. Costs rarely
exceed $60 unless major pieces are broken or missing or there is severe corrosion. We do
repairs in the order received and know return is critical to your mission. Turn around
time is typically 2 to 3 weeks, but may go longer if we have a heavy workload.
ANTENNA CHECKING
If the DF seems insensitive or the needle does not point in DF mode, the could be
either in the receiver or the antenna. To check the antenna, use either an analog
(meter type) ohmmeter on Rx1 or Rx10 range or a digital ohmmeter on its diode check
range. Disconnect the DFantenna cable from the receiver and measure from the center
pin to the shell of the BNC plug on the cable. The reading should not be either
shorted or open. Note the value. Then, reverse the ohmmeter leads and measure
again. The two readings should be equal to within 10% for a good antenna.
Portable and magnetic antennas can be repaired by returning them to the factory.
Damaged cables for aircraft antennas can be fixed in the field using replacement cable
assemblies that are available separately.
MODIFICATIONS
Two upgrades are available for older LH Series Portable DF receivers (below S/N 20016).
The battery check modification adds a front panel pushbutton to indicate battery
condition. The remote meter modification adds an 8-pin jack for a remote indicator that
gives simultaneous strength and DF indication with bright lights for mobile use. We no
longer have remote meters available but we can still add the 8-pin jack if you already
have a suitable meter.
Older LA Series Aircraft DF receivers with a single meter can be upgraded to the later
dual meter arrangement.
We are currently offering upgrades for battery check and the connector for a remote
meter on the LH Series units and the dual meter upgrade on the LA Series units. Turn
around time is about 6 weeks.
We no longer do modifications to add or modify tuners.
See the price list for costs of modifications.