SBARC

I am sure that you are aware that all clubs have problems.  This is an example of why SBARC has problems.  Members such as John Reeside create significant problems.

I have included the dialog from John Reeside without editing. 

Judge for yourself what is going on.

Tom Saunders

Mobile (805) 452 - 0840

Home   (805) 967 - 7351

FAX       (805) 308 - 0347

tsaund@cox.net

From: Tom Saunders [mailto:tsaund@cox.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 5:45 AM
To: Alan Soenke; aseybold@andrewseybold.com; Bill Talanian; Bruce Gordon; Darryl Widman; Dorothy Oksner; k9kbx@hotmail.com; Mike Wapner; Rod Fritz; Tom Saunders; Walt Harasty; Whitaker, Rick
Subject: FW: SBARC ROVER

Tom Saunders

Mobile (805) 452 - 0840

Home   (805) 967 - 7351

FAX       (805) 308 - 0347

tsaund@cox.net

From: John B. Reeside [mailto:jbrpet@cox.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 3:32 AM
To: Jordan
Cc: Tom Saunders; Al Soenke; K6QD@cox.net; w1uuq@cox.net
Subject: Re: SBARC ROVER

Tom,

Either Saunders was not listening at the board meting or he is purposely obstructing the board's decision.

There is no need to spend money at the shop when he was not only told to let you at it but steadfastly refused to

relocate the vehicle to the Red Cross---where we had people ready to test their HTs with it.

He should be removed immediately from all responsibility for this vehicle.

JBR

On 19/8/13 19:26 , Jordan wrote:

Tom, 

I am at a loss as to why you would take the rover to the shop when we just spoke two days ago about me handling all the mechanical issues it has this week. You now have a $605 bill for transmission/diff/cooling system diagnosing that I could have handled in half a day for less than $150 in parts. The $900 radiator issue can most likely be handled for a small fraction of this cost as well since most of this comes down to labor and over priced parts. I offered up my time, tools and space to keep this rover maintained and in shape as my way of giving back to this club and promoting Amateur Radio in Santa Barbara, but maybe I am wasting my time by offering my services since there seems to be no interest.

Why was the rover taken to the shop in the first place? I thought it was extremely clear that the first course of action was to have me take a look and determine what needed to be done and then make a time to handle it this week. Already it seems $600-1000 just got thrown away for no reason, money that could have been used where it will most likely be sorely needed (specialty parts for the mast), or creating the portable repeater or fixing wiring or any number of other valid items. 

I have CCed Al, Bill and John. My offer still stands to help with the truck but we clearly need to determine where to go from here. You all have my contact info and I am readily available and easy to reach. 

Kind regards, 
Jordan Sideris

805-350-4287

On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 7:43 PM, Tom Saunders <tsaund@cox.net> wrote:

Jordan

We could use some help this week with the Rover.  The service shop wants $975 to repair the cooling system.  I think it could be done for a lot less if we get the old radiator repaired instead of paying $660 for a new one.

I told the service shop to continue with other things and I would get back to them tomorrow. 

Please contact me if you are available for this.

Here is some of the recent news on this vehicle:

I took the rover back to Automotive Service Center.  This is the same place that Bill took it to in June. 

The Rover still has a problem with overheating.  It went overtemp at freeway speed even during a cool evening.  If the temperature gauge is correct, it would probably blow another hose if it was driven up a hill.

I am also having the Automotive Service Center do preventative maintenance on the transmission and differential according to Bill’s recommendation and the fact that we  have not had performed maintenance in these areas since we got the vehicle.

I also noticed a water leak from the windshield.  I will get this fixed also. 

If the Rover was taken back to the Red Cross, we would have had another breakdown disaster like we did in June.  Also, water leakage from rain would have damaged the drivers VHF/UHF radio. 

I will return the Rover to Red Cross or to Andy as soon as maintenance is finished.

I just got a call from Richard at Automotive Service Center about the Rover.  He confirmed my suspicion that the radiator was bad.  He indicated that they tested it and noticed that only half the radiator was warm after running the engine.  His diagnosis was that the radiator was 50 % blocked.  Richard recommended a new radiator.  A new radiator will cost $ 660 with $218 for labor and $97 for hoses for a total cost of $ 975. 

I told Richard that I would notify him later.  I had hoped that the radiator could be removed and cleaned.  $ 660 for a new part is more expensive than I had expected.  Is there a less expensive way to get the radiator repaired ?

Richard also said that he would replace the radiator hoses.  The repair work in June only replaced the heater hose. 

I asked him to :

check cooling system                     $ 109

transmission service                       $311

differential service                          $169

total of $ 605.49

I initially requested a tuneup to replace plugs, wires, rotor, distributor cap, fuel filter, etc., but the price was over $ 500 so I declined this work for now.

Shall I have them replace the radiator or is there another alternative ?  I don’t want to spend $ 1580 without board approval.

Thanks

Tom Saunders

Mobile (805) 452 - 0840

Home   (805) 967 - 7351

tsaund@cox.net

From: emperorjordan@gmail.com [mailto:emperorjordan@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Jordan
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2013 8:19 AM
To: tsaund@cox.net; tsaunders@cox.net
Subject: SBARC ROVER

Tom, 

This is Jordan KJ6YVJ just sending over contact info. My phone is 805 350 4287 and email is j@madtorq.com

Jordan