With Viavi not repairing 3920B anymore, where are people getting them repaired?

[TampaTyron]

I have over a dozen of these. Where is everyone getting them repaired now that VIAVI is saying they cannot repair them any longer?

I found a place out of FL that has one of my units now. We will see how they do with it.

Anyone know how to fix these? If you do, plant your flag! We want to help you make some money (really..... I just don't want to watch all of our invenstment in these units die slowly).

Thank you, TT.

 

[PACNWDude]

I had one (of about a dozen) that needed a new generator module and power meter module. Viavi was able to repair it, as they had parts they could cannibalize from other units.

This was for the older 3920 (not the "B" model), and Viavi had tried to get us to purchase CX-300's, with roughly $6 per 3920 as credit if we did so. We instead decided to buy Astronics R8200's, and keep the 3920's as long as they work. The repair was last month, and we sent it to Viavi on the condition that if it was not worth, or able to be repaired, that we would get some credit as it would be used for parts.

Other metrology labs stated that they could try to repair the unit, but once they found out how proprietary they are, backed out at the last moment. Another reason why we decided against staying with Aeroflex/Vivavi, this unit was only support for about 12 year. Astronics has been making test sets for over 40 years, and still suports some of their gear that is that old (to include some General Dynamics and Motorola branded test sets).

Good luck on finding a source to fix your test set.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I second Astronics. I still occasionally send them my R2670A for various things. They are also about to start showing off the next generation monitor here in the next few weeks or so. Granted, they've hinted at it multiple times over the last six or seven years but my understanding is this new box will be the first unit to be the officially recommended unit for both Motorola subscriber and infrastructure testing in current production.

I think at this point it is going to pretty much be using parts 3920's to keep other units alive.

 

[ATK3]

So... I was really hoping this wouldn't impact me when I first saw this thread, but here I am.

I've got a 3920 with a Generator Yig Cal error. Viavi essentially told me that they flat-out will not support any 3900 series test sets which are not under an active contract due to extreme limitations for parts availability. Beyond that, they've already discontinued software (host) updates officially, and I was able to get confirmation from their support team that they do not plan to continue to release AutoTest II scripts for new subscriber models. With all of that said, they will still calibrate them and they've not raised the prices on that since I last checked.

This leaves me in an bit of a pickle - I do need to get my 3920 fixed as I rely on protocol-level features that are just not available on the Astronics R8x00 series, the CX300, or the 8800SX, but Viavi wont fix the thing. Does anyone know of anyone who is stocking / has stocked 3920 parts (specifically looking for a generator card for a 3920 non-B)? If I can source the parts, they can calibrate the thing post-repair, and I'm not worried about being able to make the repair myself beyond the problem of finding components.

 

[WB5UOM]

Yup, mine came down with that same issue- Generator Yig Cal error - back in I think June, they did not send me a renewal on my maint. agreement, and timing was of course not in my favor on which one happened 1st..But I sent it in and they did repair it. If it had waited another 30 days for that error to pop up I would be screwed.

 

[ATK3]

I'm glad you were able to get these fixed - I'm still partial to the 3900-series, especially compared to the current Viavi offerings, so I hope to see people keeping theirs in service for a good long time.

I'm hoping to find a 3rd party who will be able to service my unit or sell me the parts needed to complete the repair such that I can send it to Viavi for a calibration. I know there's a place in FL advertising on eBay, as well as JRY, who was recommended to me by a friend and colleague as an expert on all-things Aeroflex software-defined service monitors (COM-120B, IFR 2975, 3900 Series).

 

[TampaTyron]

Custom Cal out of NJ took care of us. They repaired our 3920B (Issue: Power verification fails at high frequency end. AGC levels show that it needs RF Receiver. Resolution: R&R faulty receiver. Perform factory level alignments. Standard Calibration).

They has us ship it to a place in FL for repair.

It was about $4500 and we will be having them do repairs for us moving forward.

Anyone that can fix 3920s needs to start marketing themselves. You won't get rich, but you will be comfortable.

TT

 

[N4KVE]

They has us ship it to a place in FL for repair.
TT

Where? Coral Springs, Boca Raton area?

 

[TampaTyron]

Not sure if this is COC or not, but here is the contact (I have no affiliation other than spending a ton of time and money looking for someone who can do this work AND it ending up working out well for our shop):

Michelle Porter
Custom Calibration Solutions, LLC | 106 W. Elm Drive
Orange City, FL 32763 | 407-322-5663 | mporter@custom-cal.com

 

[N4KVE]

I thought it was somebody else. Thanks.