Ham Radio Outlet — Local services in Salem

Last month I purchased a new Ameritron AL-82 from HRO in Salem, NH. Within a week's time, the TR relay failed on the amplifier in that, when un-keying the amplifier, the relay did not fully release inhibiting the RX on my transceiver. I did some research and learned that the relay in this amp is a sealed unit mounted on the back of a pcb with no easy access to clean contacts. I also learned that many new relays of this type have a history of forming a thin layer of contaminant on the contacts that results in this condition and that its really a crap-shoot so to speak to know if a replacement relay board will resolve the issue or act only as a band-aid. Apparently this is a known problem. After three weeks, I opened a service ticket with Ameritron and received no response after a week's time. I then wrote to Steve, HRO's store Manager and explained the situation to him and told him I would be returning the AL-82 on Saturday November 19th. That morning I drove to Salem, NH and delivered the AL-82 in the three boxes that came with the amplifier NEW. Steve met me there and was very accommodating offering me three choices: 1. Returning the amp for a full refund; 2. Arranging to swap the RF deck or 3. Crediting the full cost of the amplifier toward a less expensive Ameritron amp of my choice ... no questions asked! I chose the last option. Thanks again Steve for your understanding and the flexibility you exhibited in helping me resolve this very premature component failure. Had you not taken this position I would have had no alternative buy to ship this very heavy unit 2000 miles round trip from Maine to Ameritron Corp. with all associated shipping costs just to replace a $15 part that may or may not have worked. I am pleased to give very high marks to Steve and his entire sales staff at HRO in Salem, NH. After 20 years of doing business with HRO, the company continues to earn all of my business. 73, Dick K1DPM, Old...

I stopped by this store in Salem last week while visiting family in New England. Though there is a broad selection of products, I was disappointed by the service. There were two men talking behind the counter. Neither one greeted me as I entered the store though there were no other customers. When I brought something up to the counter to pay for it, the two continued their conversation, ignoring me for about a minute. I asked about a 49:1 Unun for an end-fed half-wave antenna and both stated they had never heard of such a high ration (it’s a common transformer for an EFHW). When I asked what they would recommend for an EFHW, I was told get the highest ratio I could get and pointed me to a 9:1 Unun. It was clear to me they didn’t know anything about an EFHW antennas and didn’t care whether they led me wrong in order to cover their ignorance. I grew up in New England and know their reputation for not being the most friendly people. Still, I left the store with a very bad feeling and can’t imagine I will ever visit there again. It’s a poor representation of the helpful and friendly community I normally find among Hams. I will give them two stars for the broad selection...

Was on my way back from a weeks vacation in Maine and decided to go through NH and stop at HRO to buy a new mag mount dual band antenna and see what they had in person. I have ordered on-line from them in the past. They were closed to walk in shopping, but called them and they said I could still order online or if I told them on the phone what I needed / looking for, catalog part numbers they could tell right then if they had it in the store that I could have it delivered to me curb side. While there two other people walked up, they drove 3 1/2 hrs and seen that no in store shopping was allowed, because of the pandemic. I told them what the man on the phone told me, believe his name was Steve when I called the store. I put in my order and they had all the things I was looking for and brought them right out and payed the bill. The 2 other people also put in their order when the man brought out my order and we're happy that I told them about calling the store. They people / staff at HRO were very helpful, kind, and very customer friendly and thank them for the service / job they did. Recommend this place to any HAMS out there. Business / job well done to the HRO...