Hello all stations, Back in May I posted on RadioLabs boat wifi network that worked. It consisted of a marine wifi booster antennae that connected via USB cable to a wireless router. All worked great for 4 months. Below is a recap of an email I sent to BoatUS consumer affairs in response to my husbands original. >> >> >> I purchased the upgraded model to RL WaveRV Marine antennae ($199 vs $130) and prior to the XL antennae being permanently installed to the boats radar arch by a professional electronic technician (who was also installing our new RayMarine system) we tested the product and found it to work. >> >> The XL marine antennae worked for 4 months traveling from Sandwich MA to Manteo NC during which time we travelled in some choppy conditions. Our trip from Manteo to Morehead across Pamlico Sound started out smooth but ended rough. We got hammered in 4-6 foot choppy seas with 20-25 knot NW wind taking waves starboard side, the side the RL XL Marine antenna mounted. Although the word marine is a part of its name/description my guess is the product has not been marine tested/certified for all sea/weather conditions. What is interesting to note in one of my many calls to the company trying to figure how the antennae failed Chris Justice said the chip inside the antennae could have gotten wet or split from the board! >> Review of their manufacturer warranty I received and their website it only provides an explanation for a 14 day warranty. I searched their site but could not find warranty documentation covering one year warranty nor did I receive any warranty documentation for 12 month. >> >> You are probably correct in that the company does not have to ship a replacement yet common customer courtesy the company can choose. Just as a side note since I purchased with my Cap1 credit card I went the route to see if Cap1 could assist in revoking payment. It was beyond the allowed time but what Cap1 did do was award me $100 for being a good customer. Common customer courtesy that Cap1 gets but Chris Justice unfortunately doesn't get. >> >> As we move forward with purchasing a new replacement system questions we need to ask and have answered up front is marine certification and replacement if system fails. >> >> Not sure if BoatUS provides consumer value information on boat networks. If not maybe something to research and report on. >> >> Most appreciate your reply. >> >> Ann >> >> >> >> >>> >>> From: Debbie Schaefer [mailto:dschaefer@boatus.com] >>> Sent: Friday, November 15, 2013 10:58 AM >>> To: harryrwood@outlook.com; harryrwood@outlook.com >>> Subject: RadioLabs complaint >>> >>> Hi Mr. Wood, >>> >>> I am sorry to hear about the problem you have had with your RadioLab antenna. I know how frustrating it is to have a product prematurely fail. I would refer you to your RadioLab warranty. Unfortunately, warranties almost always have very specific procedures for procuring warranty help, and they are not always practical. Have you checked the warranty to make sure that what they are asking you to do is required? I would recommend you do that. I will add your complaint to our Consumer Database that you were unhappy with the product and the company response. If you find that that the procedures they are asking you to follow is not required by the warranty, please let us know. >>> >>> I don’t think a company is required to send you a new product before you return the old one. If what you are asking is for them to replace just the antenna and not the whole unit, you can write to the warranty dept. and tell them that you have isolated the problem to be with the antenna and that you would like to send back the antenna only for replacement. However, there may be a good reason that they want to replace everything in total that may not be apparent. >>> >>> Please let me know if I can answer any other questions you may have. >>> >>> >>> >>> Debbie Schaefer >>> Coordinator, Consumer Protection Bureau >>> BoatU.S. – Alexandria, Virginia >>> dschaefer@boatus.com >>> 703-461-2856 (phone) >>> 703-461-4674 (fax) >>> - With more than 500,000 members, BoatU.S. Is the nation’s leading advocate for >>> recreational boaters. Join us at www.boatus.com.