Warranty & Non-Warranty Repairs
Regarding Expert Linears America.
Please note that ship to addresses have changed.
PLEASE READ BEFORE SHIPPING
your amps to us for repair.
ADDRESSES HAVE CHANGED!!
PLEASE read our NEW SHIPPING POLICIES BELOW.
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LIST OF CONTENTS on this page:
1. New REPAIR FORM:
(see instructions to use, SCROLL DOWN)
NOW required for all technical help
and to obtain a
RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER
AND
the correct SHIP TO address.
2. To ship to us for repairs:
Required now:
Return Authorization NUMBER or RA#
AND
addresses have CHANGED
OBTAIN the CORRECT ship to address
from Expert Linears America
at
OR 865-309-5073.
Shipping to wrong address is your responsibility.
So, OBTAIN THE CORRECT SHIP TO ADDRESS.
3. Shipping and packing info.
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TO see LATEST website additions,
and CORRECTIONS,
it is BEST to "REFRESH YOUR VIEW" of this website.
(OTHERWISE your data may be OLD)
Refresh using the circle with an arrow on your Internet Browser.
It is located somewhere on the tool bars of your Internet browser.
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The New Repair form below.
Download the form below to your computer.
Then type INSIDE the BOXES.
See better instructions below, scroll down.
*******
NOTE:
Return Authorization (RA) number is now required
as well as obtaining the correct SHIP TO address for ALL SHIPMENTS
to Expert Linears America.
Please email the REPAIR FORM, filled out,
to obtain an RA number
AND OBTAIN
THE CORRECT SHIP TO address,
BEFORE shipping.
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PUT the RA# on the Repair Form at the top next to the DATE.
And/OR on a sheet of paper in the shipping box,
so it can be seen when opened.
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HOW TO USE THE NEW REPAIR FORM.
THE FORM IS computer FRIENDLY.
DOWNLOAD the
"NEW REPAIR FORM"
and TYPE in the BOXES,
which will hold a lot of typing.
When the form prints out, all your typing will be printed.
SAVE this file on your computer.
Then send that completed form file to:
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To send the "filled out REPAIR FORM saved file"
to us via email:
Right clicking on that file will allow you to select-
"SEND TO"...... and then select Email recipient.
It is best that you to print the form from that file
and put it in the shipping box.
Please note that the
"OLDER SPE repair form"
in the original shipment of your amplifier
is NOT the same repair form and should be kept for your records.
NOTE: The NEW REPAIR form is only available on "here" our website
or obtained directly from Vibroplex@vibroplex.com via email.
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NOTE:
The owner of the amplifier is responsible for all shipping costs
for all repairs,
warranty and non-warranty.
The owner is also responsible to obtain an RA# with the correct ship to address.
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(Note 2KFA and 1KFA do not have any new factory updates avail)
(Also, the 1KFA is no longer supported)
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PLEASE USE ORIGINAL SHIPPING BOX AND PACKING
to ship your amplifier.
This box is designed for "international shipping".
And please put the amplifier inside the brown canvas carrying bag.
The brown carrying canvas bag also helps protect the amplifier.
NOTE: If you do NOT have the original shipping box, we strongly suggest using the "double box" method for packing.
Not doing so, may result in your amplifier
being damaged during shipment.
If the Styrofoam corners are NOT available,
please double wrap with bubble wrap.
It is BEST to NOT use PELLETS or "popcorn" for shipping.
They allow the amplifier to float around and get damaged.
When you ship, following the above suggestions
and obtaining an RA#
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SHIP TO:
OBTAIN the new address to ship to from
Expert Linears America
Also the Return Approval Number (RA#) from Vibroplex before shipping your amp for repairs.
Do NOT ship without the correct address given to you by ELA.
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When shipping your amplifier to us, it is very helpful to us both
if you put into the FedEx, or UPS, SHIPPING instructions
your email notifications to be sent to your email address and ours, Vibroplex@vibroplex.com
Doing the above, FedEx(or UPS) will then notify us both by email
the status of that shipment and delivery date/time frame.
And they will do their best to keep us up to date on the shipment.
Due to various delays, especially those caused by Covid,
please allow for about three to four weeks, or more,
for repairs, after we receive your amplifier.
We promise to make the repair time as short as we can
and still do a good job. 😁
HELP ON CAT ERROR PROBLEMS:
IF after trying the information below, CAT ERROR still will not go away, then turn the amplifier OFF using the RED rear switch. Wait about 2 minutes, then turn amplifier back on. This should help.
IMPORTANT
If the latest firmware ending with a “V3” is installed on your amplifier,
it has some added helpful features.
You may see a CAT ERROR warning on the display now.
This ‘New FW” is working to help you.
Receiving a CAT ERROR warning really just means this:
1. The CAT cable may be disconnected for that INPUT.
However, the ERROR message should go away shortly.
2. The transceiver for that INPUT may not be turned ON.
3. The CAT cable has been damaged.
4. The CAT selection for transceiver for that INPUT may be incorrect. CAT selection & transceiver must match.
(Some exceptions may be when using Kenwood and some Yaesu protocols for some other transceivers.)
5. Wrong baud rate setting. The transceiver and amplifier baud rates must match. One may have changed.
Note: Pushing DISPLAY button may remove the ERROR.
However, the “Operate” mode may not work until the error is removed.
6. After changes are made, you may find that TURNING OFF the amplifier, and after ON LED goes off, turn back ON may help remove the CAT ERROR.
This is a new Firmware feature that should help
solve CAT connection problems faster.
More IMPORTANT information is below.
Or you can click on BACK TO THE TOP. *************
All Expert Linears, sold by Expert Linears America, should be sent to us to be repaired at our repair facility in Texas. We are trained and authorized technicians.
If you purchased your amplifier from a different distributor, then please contact them for Warranty repairs, etc.
We feel that our factory training in Rome, beginning in 2012, plus additional training via daily contact between techs at the factory and us, is very important to stay current with repairing SPE amplifiers and maintaining good customer service.
Because we are well trained, etc.... your Expert Linear will not have to go to the factory in Rome for repairs. And, all repaired amplifiers are thoroughly tested on all bands and power levels, before returning to you.
We have been repairing SPE Expert linear amps since 2011 and have over 50 years of repair experience in broadcast RF transmitters repair, plus over 60 years in ham radio.
We believe in repairing down to the component . It is our first goal to help save you money with our repairs. However, sometimes it is necessary to replace the whole printed circuit board (PCB).
Due to our many years of experience repairing Expert Linears and maintaining an excellent supply of parts, after your amplifier arrives at our facility near Houston, most repairs have been made within one week in the past. The Covid "domino effect" changed that. Our apologies.
Of course, that and other circumstances beyond our control can cause delays in repairs. Therefore some repairs lately may have been taking a little longer. Again, we offer our apologies.
So................. please allow time for the repairs. Possibly as long as three to four weeks for repairs now.
We believe that you should not be without your Expert Linear amplifier to use and that is important to us. Therefore we try our best to repair and return your amp to you as soon as we can.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.