"Steve Wolf" wrote in message ...
Be careful what you ask for. I finally got them to answer and quote me a
price on a new battery for my DJ-C5. The radio retails for something like
$125. The battery, with shipping, ends up at about $60. OUCH.

73,
Steve, W8IZ

(Battery stores do NOT carry the battery. If anyone would like to prove me
wrong, PLEASE do. See www.w8iz.com/ham/alinco )

Does anyone know where to buy parts for Alinco radios? I've sent them
e-mails, they don't answer. I call their number (425-557-9611) on the
west
coast and they
don't answer. Any help would be appreciated.

Welcome to the wonderful world of consumer electronics - this parts
cost/supply applies to just about EVERY mass produced consumer item -
why are you surprised? Intense competition in the marketplace means
the margins on the radio are close to zero, supply spares (and running
a spares opeation) costs money, which has to be got back somehow. Are
you really astonished at the price - its probably realistic if you do
the sums.There will be aftermarket replacements, this is part of being
a radio amateur, you just hunt around until you find them. The radio
makers will probably thank you, they dont need to have dead money in
spares or pay someone to answer email and phone queries.

Lets be realistic here people, the days of high profit margins are
gone and thus the ability to subsidise spares/service operations is
gone too. Look inside most modern AR gear, repair will be by board
replacement, but at $115 you will chuck it and buy the "Newest,
greatest ever model..."

As a service tech, I look at the purchase price of the item, and if
its dirt cheap then I cant afford to spend time chasing the fault if
it isnt quick and easy - otherwise I wind up working for $2/hr - and I
am not prepared to do that. Sad but true - I have to pay the
electricity bill like everyone else.... experience and rat cunning
means I can often do repairs cheap as I have worked out where to 2nd
source components - I dont want to wait for unanswered phone calls or
emails either!

73 de VK3BFA Andrew