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View Full Version : Something Doesn't Smell Right... Or Am I Being Too Paranoid?


W3WN
11-28-2016, 09:36 AM
Forgive me if this isn't in the right place...

But do any of you folks out there on the Left Coast know of a ham in Oakland CA named Fred Green K6BJR?

Here's the... let's say concern...

I'm currently looking around for an HF amp that I can afford, 160 - 10, about 500-600 W out (SB-200 class, but with 160). My friend Bill W3WH forwarded to me an ad on QTH.COM for an Ameritron 811H for $550, including shipping, which is in my price range... but almost a little too good to be true. Potential red flag.

So I email the gentleman for more information, and this is the response I get:

"Hi Ron,
How are you? Thanks for your response to my Add placement. Yes the Amp is still very much available. It is in excellent working condition, 10-160 Meters. It does 600 Watts DC out with 45 Watts drive to it. You can drive it with 100 Watt radio, there are no known issues with this amplifier. I m not interested in any trades.

I bought this amp in 2014 but don't use it enough to justify keeping it. the manual and box included. Kindly get back to me with your shipping info so that i can arrange for shipment and forward you my account info for payment.

73,s

Fred, K6bjr"

The English just doesn't feel right, almost like someone speaking in a different language (red flag). It doesn't really tell me anything. That last sentence about shipping info & account info? Wait a sec, I haven't agreed to buy it yet. (another red flag)

The email address says the name of the sender is "Rex Fredrick" with an email of rex.federick122@gmail.com. (another red flag) That name doesn't match the FCC name on the call. And on further inspection, the ad was posted by "G R Frederick", which DEFINITELY doesn't match the call.

E-mail was sent to me just before 8 AM. Which means that IF it was sent from the coast, this person is at best a very early riser. Seems kind of strange though, doesn't it?

An internet search shows that the call goes back to the early 1960's at least. Which makes me really wonder about who's behind this ad.

And the final kicker... a search on QTH.COm for recent ads from this call shows this:

RADIOVHF - FOR SALE: Ameritron 811-H https://swap.qth.com/camera_icon.gif (https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1297703)I have an Ameritron 811-H in a very good physical and working condition.
Comes in original box with all accessories. I'm the original owner and was purchased 4/2014. Shipped to your address and insured. $550
Fred. K6bjrListing #1297703 - Submitted on 11/25/16 by Callsign K6BJR (http://www.qth.com/callsign.php?cs=K6BJR), Modified on 11/27/16 - IP: 67.215.230.88.static.quadranet.com (https://whatismyipaddress.com/ip/209.200.35.221)Click Here to Email (https://swap.qth.com/contact.php?counter=1297703) -- Click Here to View Picture (https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1297703) -- Send this Ad to a Friend (https://swap.qth.com/send-to-friend.php?counter=1297703)

RADIOVHF - FOR SALE: Alinco DR-610 https://swap.qth.com/camera_icon.gif (https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1297678)
I have an Alinco DR-610 for sale. I'm the first owner, It is in excellent working condition - It came with all the accessories which include : Microphone, power cable, manuals etc. I am asking $250 plus shipping. Photos are seen below. Let me know if you are interested.
Regards,
Rex k6bjrListing #1297678 - Submitted on 11/25/16 by Callsign K6BJR (http://www.qth.com/callsign.php?cs=K6BJR) - IP: 67.215.230.88.static.quadranet.com (https://whatismyipaddress.com/ip/67.215.230.88)Click Here to Email (https://swap.qth.com/contact.php?counter=1297678) -- Click Here to View Picture (https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1297678) -- Send this Ad to a Friend (https://swap.qth.com/send-to-friend.php?counter=1297678)


Now why would someone use one first name on one ad, and a different first name on another?

So I think we have a hijacked call here.

Or am I just being paranoid?

Incidentally, just as I started typing this, I asked Bill for his opinion...

...and in case anyone has any doubts about my sanity, which there are plenty of in other circumstances, I believe that if it looks like skunk, walks like a skunk, and smells like a skunk, I'm not going to wait around to get sprayed and find out for certain that it IS a skunk...

...and his reply, which just came through, was "Walk no run away from it. You might also share your concern with KA9FOX." (Which I have done) So I don't think I'm being paranoid. Still, I'm curious as to other's opinions.

And if anyone DOES know K6BJR, he might need to be made aware of this.
KC2UGV
11-28-2016, 09:52 AM
Stinks to me.
KK4AMI
11-28-2016, 10:04 AM
I'm confused. There is a Rex and Jane Frederick KB6TBL and KB6TBK.
W3WN
11-28-2016, 10:08 AM
I'm confused. There is a Rex and Jane Frederick KB6TBL and KB6TBK.
Neither of whom are K6BJR.
KJ3N
11-28-2016, 10:42 AM
If the info on QRDead is to be believed, K6BJR is 97 years old (born 1919). I find it unlikely he has a computer, let alone an email address. The ticket was renewed in 2008 and I suspect he died not too long after that.

"Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong" - Dennis Miller
PA5COR
11-28-2016, 11:08 AM
600 watts DC out? rings a bell...i thought my P.A made H.F, stupid of me...
Looks dodgy, in case of any doubt, let it go.
K7SGJ
11-28-2016, 11:21 AM
Over the years, and God knows there have been a shit load of them (just ask Carl), I've really come to trust my first impression/instincts. I have found this to be true with people as well as merchandise. While I can't claim 100% accuracy, and I have missed out on a deal or two, it has kept me out of bad deals on many, many occasions. Also, passing up a questionable deal, has put me in a better position to take advantage of a later deal, usually better priced or better condition, or just made a better all around experience. That said........

If I were in your position, I think I would steer clear of this deal, and continue your quest. After all, time is your friend right now, and I would think that Santa will probably be putting new amps in many a hams stocking, which, as you know, will stretch the shit out of them, and will more than likely bring many new used amps on the chopping block for your perusal.

But then, I could be full of shit, too.
NQ6U
11-28-2016, 11:25 AM
I agree with the general consensus—stinks of scam. Drop it like a radioactive potato.
W3WN
11-28-2016, 11:57 AM
If the info on QRDead is to be believed, K6BJR is 97 years old (born 1919). I find it unlikely he has a computer, let alone an email address. The ticket was renewed in 2008 and I suspect he died not too long after that.

"Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong" - Dennis MillerThanks Jim.

That's the final straw. I don't access Over Yonder from the work computer, only during lunch hours from my iPad, so I wasn't going to be able to check that until lunch. But that does fit in with the pattern.

Stolen identity from a Silent Key.

BTW, did you know... Dennis Miller graduated from the same High School that Little Miss Field Day did? They are very proud of that factoid. I'm sure that he couldn't care less, though. :hyper:
WØTKX
11-28-2016, 12:12 PM
http://www.tradingcarddb.com/Images/Cards/Non-Sport/75421/75421-23Fr.jpg
W2NAP
11-28-2016, 12:36 PM
also note the poster IP address. K6JBR lives in Oakland, IP comes from LA.
AA1OH
11-28-2016, 12:53 PM
When I am looking for something specific I will always pass on the first one I find, a better one is just around the corner. I also will not buy the first year of a new car model or radio, wait for the bugs to be fixed first. Pass it as it does stink.
KG4CGC
11-28-2016, 12:59 PM
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/bebop5/Z-red-flag_zpsed2ysxdp.jpg
W3WN
11-29-2016, 06:43 AM
also note the poster IP address. K6JBR lives in Oakland, IP comes from LA.
Yeah, I noticed that, too. But I'm not familiar enough with CA geography to know if this is possible (ISP's gateway is located in LA, for example?). Or the ads were posted from a relative's home over the long holiday weekend. That ALONE is not a red flag, but definitely a yellow.

But it's now all moot. Got a reply email from KA9FOX last night. It's a scammer. So that's that.
KG4NEL
11-29-2016, 09:48 AM
When I am looking for something specific I will always pass on the first one I find, a better one is just around the corner. I also will not buy the first year of a new car model or radio, wait for the bugs to be fixed first. Pass it as it does stink.

I actually broke both of these rules with the Jeep. Haven't seen another since then...
W2NAP
11-29-2016, 11:17 AM
Yeah, I noticed that, too. But I'm not familiar enough with CA geography to know if this is possible (ISP's gateway is located in LA, for example?). Or the ads were posted from a relative's home over the long holiday weekend. That ALONE is not a red flag, but definitely a yellow.

But it's now all moot. Got a reply email from KA9FOX last night. It's a scammer. So that's that.

id have to say for cali, I could see oakland showing up as san fran. or a city close to oakland (maybe within 40 miles or so) me I will show up as Anderson,Munice,New Castle, Noblesville or Indianapolis.
NQ6U
11-29-2016, 11:37 AM
Yeah, I noticed that, too. But I'm not familiar enough with CA geography to know if this is possible (ISP's gateway is located in LA, for example?)

I realize it's a moot point now but Oakland to L.A. is nearly 500 miles so it's not likely that his ISP's gateway would be located there.
W3WN
11-29-2016, 03:05 PM
Well, the sad thing is... I was looking over the QTH swap listings at lunchtime, and as of 1:15 PM EST today, those two ads from the scammer are still listed. (I received two emails from Scott, the first being last night). But it's his problem now.

So if anyone out in the group has or knows of a used HF linear, 160 - 10, in the 500 - 600 W out for 75 - 100 W drive that's available (think SB-200 class, even though the SB-200 lacked 160), PM me. Available shekels will be an issue, but anything in the price range of this 811H (circa $550) is doable. (Of course, if someone wants less, I won't complain)
KG4NEL
11-29-2016, 03:22 PM
The Collins 811-based amp didn't cover Top Band, right?

I remember I was looking at a few amps in that power range, either 811As or a single 3-500Z, before saying f it and realizing it'll be ten years before I have a home QTH for it...
W3WN
11-30-2016, 06:45 AM
The Collins 811-based amp didn't cover Top Band, right?

I remember I was looking at a few amps in that power range, either 811As or a single 3-500Z (https://forums.hamisland.net/x-apple-data-detectors://0), before saying f it and realizing it'll be ten years before I have a home QTH for it...
No, the 30L-1 is 80 - 10. And they gather a premium on the Collins collector market segment.