Recommendation for Becker radio shop

[[email protected]]

Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider

The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.

The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario blew. I suspect an over voltage problem but have not finished diagnostics.

Any recommendations on a shop to send the Becker radio to?

Bill

[Dennis Cavagnaro]

https://www.becker-avionics.com/

They were great when I had trouble with mine.

DC




On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
>
> The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.
>
> The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario blew. I suspect an over voltage problem but have not finished diagnostics.
>
> Any recommendations on a shop to send the Becker radio to?
>
> Bill

[Dave Springford]

Becker USA - but I am not certain they can still repair the old 32 series radios!

+1 (954) 450-3137 10376 USA Today Way Miramar, Fl 33025, USA

[Jim Lee]

The Becker radios have an internal fuse which can easily blow from the surge if you start or stop the engine with the radio turned on. Make sure the radio is off before doing so. When the internal fuse blows, the only option is to send it to Becker at the above listed address. They will replace the fuse and send it back to you pretty fast.

[[email protected]]

On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
>
> The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.
>
> The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario blew. I suspect an over voltage problem but have not finished diagnostics.
>
> Any recommendations on a shop to send the Becker radio to?
>
> Bill

You have a couple of options, buy a used one, or send it back to Becker down in Ft. Lauderdale. I have been in their shop for service on my Becker transponder, call and speak with Alex. They handled my repair promptly and I walked out the door with a repaired transponder. These people are great and have a history of good service. Bob

[Moshe Braner]

On 12/4/2020 8:25 PM, Jim Lee wrote:
> The Becker radios have an internal fuse which can easily blow from the surge if you start or stop the engine with the radio turned on. Make sure the radio is off before doing so. When the internal fuse blows, the only option is to send it to Becker at the above listed address. They will replace the fuse and send it back to you pretty fast.
>

I am puzzled by that. Why would an overvoltage surge, even if it is up
to, say, 20 volts, blow a fuse? Especially if the radio is not
transmitting at the time. Voltage only causes current if something
accepts it. (Unless that radio has protection circuitry that does that
on purpose.)

The OP said "The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario
blew". That, together with the radio problem, suggests that something
much worse than an overvoltage surge happened. Or is one supposed to
disconnect the tach too before starting the engine?

"Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the
engine." - Was it working on the same flight before starting the
engine? If not, I wonder what happened between flights. Battery
briefly connected in reverse polarity?

Once that other issue is (or has been) cleared, then indeed the radio
may need service.

[Tim Newport-Peace[_7_]]

On 05/12/2020 14:19, Moshe Braner wrote:
> On 12/4/2020 8:25 PM, Jim Lee wrote:
>> The Becker radios have an internal fuse which can easily blow from the
>> surge if you start or stop the engine with the radio turned on.Â* Make
>> sure the radio is off before doing so.Â* When the internal fuse blows,
>> the only option is to send it to Becker at the above listed address.
>> They will replace the fuse and send it back to you pretty fast.
>>
>
> I am puzzled by that.Â* Why would an overvoltage surge, even if it is up
> to, say, 20 volts, blow a fuse?Â* Especially if the radio is not
> transmitting at the time.Â* Voltage only causes current if something
> accepts it.Â* (Unless that radio has protection circuitry that does that
> on purpose.)
>
> The OP said "The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario
> blew".Â* That, together with the radio problem, suggests that something
> much worse than an overvoltage surge happened.Â* Or is one supposed to
> disconnect the tach too before starting the engine?
>
> "Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the
> engine."Â* - Was it working on the same flight before starting the
> engine?Â* If not, I wonder what happened between flights.Â* Battery
> briefly connected in reverse polarity?
>
> Once that other issue is (or has been) cleared, then indeed the radio
> may need service.

There may be over-voltage protection in the form of a Crowbar circuit
which shorts out the input if a set voltage is exceeded.

[John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net]

I list all the US repair shops that I know of for transceiver/transponder manufacturers in my troubleshooting presentation found at http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/#transceiver. If you know of any others, please let me know. Thanks.

The Becker repair shops in the US are;

Gulf Coast Avionics Corp.
• http://www.GulfCoastAvionics.com
• 3650 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, FL 33811
• Phone: 863-709-9714
• Email:

Mid Continent Instruments and Avionics
• http://www.mcico.com
• 9400 East 34th Street North, Wichita KS 67226
• Phone: 800-821-1212, 316-630-0101
• Email:

Enjoy, John OHM

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 6:18:30 PM UTC-5, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> I list all the US repair shops that I know of for transceiver/transponder manufacturers in my troubleshooting presentation found at http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/#transceiver. If you know of any others, please let me know. Thanks.
>
> The Becker repair shops in the US are;
>
> Gulf Coast Avionics Corp.
> • http://www.GulfCoastAvionics.com
> • 3650 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, FL 33811
> • Phone: 863-709-9714
> • Email:
>
> Mid Continent Instruments and Avionics
> • http://www.mcico.com
> • 9400 East 34th Street North, Wichita KS 67226
> • Phone: 800-821-1212, 316-630-0101
> • Email:
>
> Enjoy, John OHM

Contact Becker in ft. Lauderdale, speak with Alex, these guys are the factor repair station.

[John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net]

Becker USA doesn't seem to do a very good job advertising their repair services for the US. Googling "Becker USA Ft Lauderdale" I get a hit on http://www.beckerusa.com (located in Miramar FL?). Clicking on that I get redirected to https://www.becker-avionics.com/ in Germany. From there clicking on the "International Dealer-Service" link I see only European locations on the map (zooming to the US shows diddly-squat). Digging down further through "Dealer Portal US only" I see a "support" link to http://www.beckerusa.com/support which ... wait for it ... gives me a 404 error. OOPS. Blame it on Covid?

[Sanyam Jain]

On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:14:04 PM UTC+5:30, wrote:
> On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
> >
> > The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.
> >
> > The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario blew. I suspect an over voltage problem but have not finished diagnostics.
> >
> > Any recommendations on a shop to send the Becker radio to?
> >
> > Bill
> You have a couple of options, buy a used one, or send it back to Becker down in Ft. Lauderdale. I have been in their shop for service on my Becker transponder, call and speak with Alex. They handled my repair promptly and I walked out the door with a repaired transponder. These people are great and have a history of good service. Bob
ok

[Sanyam Jain]

On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 5:39:15 PM UTC+5:30, Sanyam Jain wrote:
> On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:14:04 PM UTC+5:30, wrote:
> > On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > > Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
> > >
> > > The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.
> > >
> > > The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario blew. I suspect an over voltage problem but have not finished diagnostics.
> > >
> > > Any recommendations on a shop to send the Becker radio to?
> > >
> > > Bill
> > You have a couple of options, buy a used one, or send it back to Becker down in Ft. Lauderdale. I have been in their shop for service on my Becker transponder, call and speak with Alex. They handled my repair promptly and I walked out the door with a repaired transponder. These people are great and have a history of good service. Bob
> ok
great

[Sanyam Jain]

On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 5:39:15 PM UTC+5:30, Sanyam Jain wrote:
> On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:14:04 PM UTC+5:30, wrote:
> > On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > > Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
> > >
> > > The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.
> > >
> > > The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario blew. I suspect an over voltage problem but have not finished diagnostics.
> > >
> > > Any recommendations on a shop to send the Becker radio to?
> > >
> > > Bill
> > You have a couple of options, buy a used one, or send it back to Becker down in Ft. Lauderdale. I have been in their shop for service on my Becker transponder, call and speak with Alex. They handled my repair promptly and I walked out the door with a repaired transponder. These people are great and have a history of good service. Bob
> ok
understood

[Sanyam Jain]

On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:14:04 PM UTC+5:30, wrote:
> On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
> >
> > The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.
> >
> > The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario blew. I suspect an over voltage problem but have not finished diagnostics.
> >
> > Any recommendations on a shop to send the Becker radio to?
> >
> > Bill
> You have a couple of options, buy a used one, or send it back to Becker down in Ft. Lauderdale. I have been in their shop for service on my Becker transponder, call and speak with Alex. They handled my repair promptly and I walked out the door with a repaired transponder. These people are great and have a history of good service. Bob
On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:14:04 PM UTC+5:30, wrote:
> On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
> >
> > The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.

[Sanyam Jain]

On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 5:43:38 PM UTC+5:30, Sanyam Jain wrote:
> On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:14:04 PM UTC+5:30, wrote:
> > On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > > Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
> > >
> > > The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.
> > >
> > > The tach also mysteriously died and the fuse on the vario blew. I suspect an over voltage problem but have not finished diagnostics.
> > >
> > > Any recommendations on a shop to send the Becker radio to?
> > >
> > > Bill
> > You have a couple of options, buy a used one, or send it back to Becker down in Ft. Lauderdale. I have been in their shop for service on my Becker transponder, call and speak with Alex. They handled my repair promptly and I walked out the door with a repaired transponder. These people are great and have a history of good service. Bob
> On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:14:04 PM UTC+5:30, wrote:
> > On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > > Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
> > >
> > > The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.
On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:14:04 PM UTC+5:30, wrote:
> On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 8:32:08 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > Been around aviation a long time but a newbie to the soaring community Helping a friend sort out some issues in a motor glider
> >
> > The Becker 3200 com radio suddenly failed. Was working fine and on the next flight nothing after starting up the engine. Will not power up. I verified that it is getting power to the radio.

[John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net]

On Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 7:36:39 PM UTC-6, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> Becker USA doesn't seem to do a very good job advertising their repair services for the US. Googling "Becker USA Ft Lauderdale" I get a hit on http://www.beckerusa.com (located in Miramar FL?). Clicking on that I get redirected to https://www.becker-avionics.com/ in Germany. From there clicking on the "International Dealer-Service" link I see only European locations on the map (zooming to the US shows diddly-squat). Digging down further through "Dealer Portal US only" I see a "support" link to http://www.beckerusa.com/support which ... wait for it ... gives me a 404 error. OOPS. Blame it on Covid?

So this morning I called Becker USA (954-450-3137) in Miramar FL and they do repair all the models of Becker transceivers (3201, 4201 and 6201).

The support person I talked to said that the http://www.beckerusa.com domain was removed as corporate Becker Germany didn't want all the countries having their own web sites. It now is a redirect to http://www.becker-avionics.com/. If you click on a small black pull down in the upper left corner of the web site, and select "Americas/Japan/Australia", you get the USA location information. I expressed that http://www.becker-avionics.com/support should list all the country specific repair sites instead of a 404 error. I am probably tilting at windmills.

I will update my presentation.

- John OHM

[[email protected]]

On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 12:59:12 PM UTC-5, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> On Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 7:36:39 PM UTC-6, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> > Becker USA doesn't seem to do a very good job advertising their repair services for the US. Googling "Becker USA Ft Lauderdale" I get a hit on http://www.beckerusa.com (located in Miramar FL?). Clicking on that I get redirected to https://www.becker-avionics.com/ in Germany. From there clicking on the "International Dealer-Service" link I see only European locations on the map (zooming to the US shows diddly-squat). Digging down further through "Dealer Portal US only" I see a "support" link to http://www.beckerusa.com/support which ... wait for it ... gives me a 404 error. OOPS. Blame it on Covid?
> So this morning I called Becker USA (954-450-3137) in Miramar FL and they do repair all the models of Becker transceivers (3201, 4201 and 6201).
>
> The support person I talked to said that the http://www.beckerusa.com domain was removed as corporate Becker Germany didn't want all the countries having their own web sites. It now is a redirect to http://www.becker-avionics.com/. If you click on a small black pull down in the upper left corner of the web site, and select "Americas/Japan/Australia", you get the USA location information. I expressed that http://www.becker-avionics.com/support should list all the country specific repair sites instead of a 404 error. I am probably tilting at windmills.
>
> I will update my presentation.
>
> - John OHM
If you go to their webpage and click on America's and Japan the contact info for Becker is displayed, I did not get the 404 error. I contacted Alex today in regard to a Becker radio and was responded to within a hour. These are very good responsive people.

[John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net]

> If you go to their webpage and click on America's and Japan the contact info for Becker is displayed, I did not get the 404 error. I contacted Alex today in regard to a Becker radio and was responded to within a hour. These are very good responsive people.

Bob,

Yep, you are correct, the pull down to get the US information does not get the 404 error. It happens when you go to http://www.becker-avionics.com/support which is a link I found on another Becker page.

My real point, being an iffy website designer myself, is that the Becker site is pretty poor from a US perspective. Other than the pull down menu you used (which I never notice until they told me to look for it) there is no way to find US support information such as under Customer Service > Dealers/Service (only shows Europe). I never did find the place to download a manual.

Becker avionics are great IMHO. Their web site? Not so much.

- John OHM (upside down that's WHO).

[[email protected]]

On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 6:29:26 PM UTC-5, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> > If you go to their webpage and click on America's and Japan the contact info for Becker is displayed, I did not get the 404 error. I contacted Alex today in regard to a Becker radio and was responded to within a hour. These are very good responsive people.
> Bob,
>
> Yep, you are correct, the pull down to get the US information does not get the 404 error. It happens when you go to http://www.becker-avionics.com/support which is a link I found on another Becker page.
>
> My real point, being an iffy website designer myself, is that the Becker site is pretty poor from a US perspective. Other than the pull down menu you used (which I never notice until they told me to look for it) there is no way to find US support information such as under Customer Service > Dealers/Service (only shows Europe). I never did find the place to download a manual.
>
> Becker avionics are great IMHO. Their web site? Not so much.
>
> - John OHM (upside down that's WHO).

You are correct about the Becker products, they are very good, I can give you first hand experience of their service. I took my transponder in to them, they met me at the door, served me some very good Cuban coffee, and serviced my transponder while I waited. Their trade in program is very good, give them a call and ask for Alex, you will get great service. Bob

[2G]

On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 5:25:23 PM UTC-8, wrote:
> On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 6:29:26 PM UTC-5, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> > > If you go to their webpage and click on America's and Japan the contact info for Becker is displayed, I did not get the 404 error. I contacted Alex today in regard to a Becker radio and was responded to within a hour. These are very good responsive people.
> > Bob,
> >
> > Yep, you are correct, the pull down to get the US information does not get the 404 error. It happens when you go to http://www.becker-avionics.com/support which is a link I found on another Becker page.
> >
> > My real point, being an iffy website designer myself, is that the Becker site is pretty poor from a US perspective. Other than the pull down menu you used (which I never notice until they told me to look for it) there is no way to find US support information such as under Customer Service > Dealers/Service (only shows Europe). I never did find the place to download a manual.
> >
> > Becker avionics are great IMHO. Their web site? Not so much.
> >
> > - John OHM (upside down that's WHO).
> You are correct about the Becker products, they are very good, I can give you first hand experience of their service. I took my transponder in to them, they met me at the door, served me some very good Cuban coffee, and serviced my transponder while I waited. Their trade in program is very good, give them a call and ask for Alex, you will get great service. Bob

Becker doesn't list any service centers in the US, but they are available in Europe. Here is a flat-rate repair schedule:
https://www.becker-avionics.com/wp-content/uploads/Repair-Fix-Prices-2020-1..pdf

I don't know what kind of motorglider your friend has, but the Schleichers have a separate engine and avionics battery (assuming you order it with that option). One thing to try is an over-voltage crowbar protection such as this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lambda-L-20-OV-15-Overvoltage-Protector-17-1-0-5V/143884166912?epid=1218188287&hash=item21802a2700:g:t1wAAOSwdgtdR1Gq

Tom

[Dave Springford]

I was in contact with Becker customer service today and if you have any Becker product that you need repaired, you can contact them at the phone (or email) below.

For repairs, send your item to the address below with a note explaining the fault and include your contact information.

Becker Avionics - Customer Service
10376 USA Today Way, Miramar, FL 33025

Phone: 954-450-3137

Email: angel"at"beckerusa"dotcom"

Angel Garcia is the Customer Service contact with whom you can speak.