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NOTE: The State of Florida allows for TREBLE DAMAGES for violators/fraud

GERMAN COMPANY OBTIBEAM SHIPPED ONE OF THEIR LARGEST ANTENNAS TO ME IN CARDBOARD BOXES WITHOUT PALLETS, HELD TOGETHER WITH STAPLES, AND NO METAL OR PLASTIC BANDS.

THE BOXES CAME APART DURING SHIPPING, AND SCATTERED ALL OVER THE RUNWAY.

I WAS NOTIFIED BY AMERICAN AIRLINES THAT THE SHIPMENT WAS DAMAGED, AND PARTS MAY BE MISSING. AMERICAN AIRLINES TOLD ME I'D BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL DAMAGES IF I ACCEPTED THE SHIPMENT, AND SUGGESTED I REFUSE DELIVERY, WHICH I DID.

FROM HIS EMAILS, IT APPEARS TOM SCHMENGER COLLECTED INSURANCE ON THE ANTENNA, THEN TOM AND JAY FRAUDULENTLY BILLED MY CREDIT CARD, STATING THAT I WAS IN POSSESSION OF THE ANTENNA.

LOOKS LIKE OPTIBEAM AND ARRAY SOLUTIONS COMMITTED INSURANCE FRAUD!

OptiBeam uses this hoist to set SWR, and fudges the gain and F. B. Ratio specs.
This first OptiBeam OB18-6 Antenna was disassembled at the factory in Germany,
and shipped in cardboard boxes to me in the USA. 
 

While reputable European companies take pride and care in shipping their products to the USA, Optibeam does not. The boxes from Optibeam came apart on the tarmac during shipping, reportedly spilling antenna parts all over.  Optibeam admits doing the packing.  To cut costs, they used cardboard boxes that did not meet the 60# per square foot shipping requirement. The boxes were taped back together by airline employees.  American Airlines could not guarantee that they found all the pieces, or how much additional damage was done.

BEWARE OF ARRAY SOLUTIONS AND OPTIBEAM

 

IF YOUR SHIPMENT IS DAMAGED, OPTIBEAM WANTS U.S. HAMS TO ACCEPT DAMAGED GOODS, AND DEAL WITH FOREIGN INSURANCE COMPANIES.  TOM AND JAY WILL EVEN LIE TO YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY!

When I sent pictures to Array Solutions' Jay Terleski and Optibeam Owner, Tom Schmenger (DF2BO), requesting to please advise as to what to do after American Airlines called and notified me that the shipment appeared damaged, both companies told me it was "smart" not to accept the damaged shipment. (email below)

When Optibeam's German insurance company informed Array Solutions there would be a $1,000.00 charge to inspect the shipment in the United States, they changed their story!  They changed their minds and wanted me to accept the shipment, which they acknowledged was damaged (email below).  They further requested me to deal with a salvage company, whom I spoke to on the phone.  The salvage company in Miami told me they would salvage what they could, and then I would have to deal with a second company in Germany. 

At no time would Array Solutions' Jay Terleski and Optibeam's Owner, Tom Schmenger (DF2BO), state in writing, as I requested, that they would provide me with a fully operational or replacement antenna, or that the replacement parts or antenna would be provided at no additional costs, and that I be reimbursed for any and all expenses incurred.  Instead, I was sent an email requesting me to "be a good ham" and "get my car back on the road." (email below)

Even though Array Solutions' Jay Terleski and Optibeam's Owner, Tom Schmenger (DF2BO), took full possession of the $5,000.00+ antenna, they FRAUDULENTLY stated to VISA Card that I was in possession of the antenna.   Array Solutions' Jay Terleski and Optibeam's Owner, Tom Schmenger (DF2BO) swindled former ME, a former Federal Communication's Commission Liaison Committee Member, out of $2,000.00, and as of 2023, have not delivered the antenna.

Jay Terleski then started his slander campaign on eham.net

"THIS GUY IS BAD NEWS" - Message posted on EHAM.NET by Jay Terleski of ARRAY SOLUTIONS:

NEVER TRUST ARRAY SOLUTIONS OR OPTIBEAM WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD.  IF ASKED, DO NOT GIVE LARGE DEPOSITS TO EITHER OF THESE UNTRUSTWORTHY COMPANIES.

ACOM is one of the few foreign companies I would trust.  They are confident and take pride in their quality products and services.  They take orders with no deposits, and shipped a $6000.00 ACOM 2000A amplifier to me.  I sent them a check AFTER it arrived.  This is standard for ACOM, an honorable company.  I have purchased a total of two ACOM 2000A amplifiers, plus their quality ACOM 2000S Automatic Antenna Switch, which I also use with my Henry 5K Classic console, and ITT-Mackay Solid State Amplifier.

EMAILS FROM OPTIBEAM AND ARRAY SOLUTIONS:

Email from Jay Terleski of ARRAY SOLUTIONS stating it was "smart" not to accept shipment after I asked them for advice. click here

Email from OPTIBEAM stating "what I see on these pictures is unbelievable for me."   click here

Email from OPTIBEAM stating describing shipment as "badly damaged."  click here

Email from OPTIBEAM stating I cooperated with them.  click here

Email from OPTIBEAM - "Where is your HAM spirit" and "Be a good HAM"  click here

 

This Intellectual Property has been copied and published without the permission of the author.

OptiBeam Problems and complaints - Array Solutions Problems, Complaints: Jay Terleski

OptiBeam Blames Customer For Their Negligence

Ships 1st Optibeam OB18-6 ever made in CARDBOARD BOXES, from Germany to USA.

The 200+ pound antenna was not packed according according to Air Cargo Requirements:

General Packaging Requirements

Your shipment must be packaged to be able to:

• Withstand 8 to 12 physical handlings
• Withstand pressure of up to 60 lbs. per square foot
• Slide on any surface
• Withstand a 12-inch drop to any surface
• Tolerate 30 seconds in the rain

https://www.aacargo.com/shipping/generalpackaging.jhtml

The shipment was described as "badly damaged" according to emails from ARRAY SOLUTIONS and the manufacturer, after seeing pictures of the crushed and punctured cardboard boxes while still in U.S. Customs.  I notified VISA, and the $2,099.00 deposit was credited back to my account.

The distributor, ARRAY SOLUTIONS, and the manufacturer, OptiBeam, then requested that I set aside their "Warranty of Merchantability" and responsibility to deliver a new antenna, and enter into a verbal modified contract to accept liability for the shipment "as is."   I would then deal with the German insurance company for Rohlig Freight Forwarders in Germany.  I declined this modified contract and liability.

OPTIBEAM COMMITS CREDIT CARD FRAUD

Three Counts: 3rd Degree FELONY

1. Unauthorized Charges  Mr. Jay Terleski of ARRAY SOLUTIONS was authorized to debit my VISA card for EXACTLY $2000.00.   The sum of $2,000.00 dollars was authorized by the customer, because the customer had a $2,000.00 per day security limit on his VISA card. 
    
   Mr. Terleski helped himself to an additional $99.00.   The sum of $2,099.00 was  unauthorized.  This amount just happens to coincide with the maximum amount that can be deducted by a merchant from a VISA card account with a daily limit of $2,000.00, according to Wachovia Bank representative Lavonya H., in a February 21st, 2007 telephone call.  This FRAUDULENT, unauthorized charge of $2,099.00 is a violation of Florida State Statute (fss)  817.62(3)(a)(b), and is ranked as a 3rd degree felony under fss  817.67(2)
    
2. False Statement by Merchant of Customer In Possession   According to investigators at Wachovia Bank,  Mr. Jay Terleski, of ARRAY SOLUTIONS, knowingly and with intent to defraud a financial institution, submitted a FRAUDULENT statement to obtain money from VISA.   Mr. Jay Terleski FRAUDULENTLY stated that the VISA Cardholder was in possession of the shipment, with full knowledge that the statement was untrue.  This is a blatant violation of Florida State Statute (fss)  817.62(2), and is ranked as a 3rd degree felony under fss  817.67(2)
    
3. Misrepresentation  - ARRAY SOLUTIONS fraudulently misrepresented the damaged goods as "NEW" for purpose of this transaction.  When the VISA Cardholder disproved possession by providing customs records, Jay Terleski of ARRAY SOLUTIONS, then stated that the VISA Cardholder did not fulfill a non-existent second contract, to accept outwardly damaged merchandise "as is."  This was also a FRAUDULENT statement to VISA, since it was NOT the original contract, and all parties had expressed and acknowledged in writing that the product was outwardly damaged.  Further, no written contract existed.

All 3  of the above violations are classified as felony fraud by Florida Statute 817.62(2) and ranked as a 3rd degree felony fss 817.67

 

>> more pictures at bottom of page <<
 

• The antenna was NOT shipped in crates.

• The cardboard boxes did NOT have bands or straps to hold them together during shipping, loading, or moving.

• The uncrated cardboard boxes were NOT shipped on pallets.

• This massive antenna was shipped loose in cardboard boxes. (The cardboard boxes were not strapped together or secured to pallets.  One of the four cardboard boxes was separated from the others, and shipped on another flight.  The shipment arrived 3 days late because of this.)

• Without pallets or crates, there was no safe place for a forklift to lift, load, or move these heavily loaded cardboard boxes.

• One cardboard box that was marked "ELEMENTS" was also marked "60 KG"  - This is 132 pounds of aluminum tubing, machined to tolerances of a few thousandths of an inch.
   

• The loose cardboard boxes arrived punctured, crushed, and damaged.
   

• The US distributor, Array Solutions, continues to bill the VISA charge card of LLoyd Phillips, KC4VFP, who never accepted this outwardly damaged shipment.

 

---

I had wanted and waited for this OptiBeam antenna for almost 2 years.  It finally arrived (late) from Germany, to The American Airlines Freight area in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was in BOND (had not passed through U.S. Customs, and was not officially in the United States).

American Airlines advised me that the shipment appeared damaged, and they could not guarantee that all the parts were present. It also appeared that a forklift punctured one of the crushed boxes of elements.  They suggested that I bring a camera.

Then the nightmare began.  VISA CARD does NOT live up to live up to its ZERO LIABILITY POLICY

---

 

OptiBeam OB18-6 FRAUD, Complaints, and Shipping Problems: 

American Airlines called and informed me that a shipment from Germany arrived late and was IN BOND.  They informed me it was my responsibility to clear the shipment through customs. They also stated that the shipment was damaged, and that I should bring a camera.  The airline further stated that parts and metal pipes fell out when staples on OptiBeam's cardboard boxes gave way. One box weighed 60 KG, or about 130 pounds.

Air freight personnel had to tape the boxes back together to keep the contents from falling out again. They could not guarantee that all the parts were present.  They also informed me that at least one container had been punctured, possibly by a forklift. 

When I asked ARRAY SOLUTIONS for advice, Jay Terleski stated I was  "smart" for not accepting the shipment. When he found out that HE would have to pay duty and accept the shipment, his attitude changed, and his threats began.

• Optibeam and Array Solutions picked up this shipment from American Airlines Freight and brought it into the United States through U. S. Customs.

• Even though I never received the antenna,  ARRAY SOLUTIONS owner Jay Terleski (merchant) FRAUDULENTLY told VISA that I was in possession of this antenna. and FRAUDULENTLY charged my VISA CARD thousands of dollars.

• When VISA credited back the charges to my VISA CARD, Jay Terleski of ARRAY SOLUTIONS, along with OPTIBEAM Owner THOMAS SHMENGER, fraudulently charged my VISA card again, stating that I did not fulfill my contract. Then the threats from ARRAY SOLUTIONS and OPTIBEAM began.

 

OptiBeam packed and shipped the first model OB18-6 antenna in stapled cardboard boxes

A CLOSE-UP OF THE BOX ON THE VERY BOTTOM INDICATES THAT THE BOX OF ELEMENTS HAD BEEN PUNCTURED, POSSIBLY BY A FORK-LIFT ACCORDING TO AMERICAN AIRLINES.

Both Optibeam (manufacturer)  and Array Solutions (US Dealer) described this shipment as "damaged badly"  from the pictures taken at American Airlines BOND (customs) Freight Inspection Area. 

I later received an email requesting me to accept the shipment, pay the duty (this was never mentioned before), and deal with an insurance company and a shipper (Rohlig) located in Germany. 

 

EMAILS FROM OPTIBEAM AND ARRAY SOLUTIONS:

Email from Jay Terleski of ARRAY SOLUTIONS stating it was "smart" not to accept shipment after I asked them for advice.  Mr. Terleski changed his mind when he discovered that this would cost him. click here

Email from OPTIBEAM stating "what I see on these pictures is unbelievable for me."   click here

Email from OPTIBEAM stating describing shipment as "badly damaged."  click here

Email from OPTIBEAM stating I cooperated with them.  click here

Email from OPTIBEAM - "Where is your HAM spirit" and "Be a good HAM"  click here

 

 

OB18-6 EZNEC+ plots

OB18-6 pictures during factory testing 

OB18-6 Shipping Damage - crushed and punctured

Original Review of OB18-6 on EHAM.NET before it was removed

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6194  (the sponsor censored version)

 

"THIS GUY IS BAD NEWS" - Message left on EHAM.NET by Jay Terleski of ARRAY SOLUTIONS:

WX0B	Rating: 5/5	Oct 8, 2006 18:29	Send this review to a friend
THIS GUY IS BAD NEWS			Time owned: 0 to 3 months
Mr. PHillips, You may be a lawyer but your credit card company agrees with mine, that you have accepted the debt. and did not fullfill your obligation under the agreement. YOU HAVE CAUSED ME EXCESSIVE EXPENSES ABOVE YOUR DEPOSITE TO RECOVER THE $5,000+ ANTENNA YOU ORDERED. Your small deposite is not in accord with the cost you accepted and you still owe us money. Your beam arrived in good condition despite the looks of the packaging. The insurance company charged us $1,000+ to look at your packages and have verified your antenna was not damaged. And we shipped it to our facility where we examined it. We also found no damage. Not one bent tube or missing par. So legally you "abandoned" the package and US Customs was going to sieze it and sell it at auction. We retrieved it, without your help which we begged for. We submitted the proof to your credit card company. And they seemingly agree. Don't they sir? We tried to make it right with you and you hung up on me and refused our assistance. Have a nice life. But do not try to trash our reputation or you may see us in court. Regards

Unfortunately for Array Solutions, Mr. Terleski FRAUDULENTLY stated to VISA that I was in possession of the goods the first time.

Thomas Schmenger, manufacturer, clearly states that the shipment is insured by the German freight forwarder ROHLIG.  This disclosure seems to indicates that the manufacturer, OptiBeam, AND the distributor, JAY TERLESKI, may have also committed insurance fraud by also collecting money from BOTH MYSELF and ROHLIG FREIGHT in Germany:

"The delivery is insuranced, and in case my client refuses the reception =

the boxes had to be shipped back on costs of your company."  click here

The second attempt with VISA contradicts the first.  At no time did the manufacturer or distributor offer to replace the entire antenna with a new unit.  Had they done so, I would have accepted, but I had no intention of putting a 200+ pound antenna with possible hidden stress fractures in the air over my house, with my children and property and neighbor's cars and property underneath.

Having worked for years at Ford Motor Company in the area of Crash Safety and Stress Analysis, I was not about to knowingly accept this liability.

The OptiBeam antenna is made up of short elements that fit into each other, with a clearance of only a few thousandths of an inch.  The boxes containing the elements were crushed and damaged becaause of improper packaging, then taped back together by Airline Employees.

---

The airline advised that parts and metal pipes fell out when staples on OptiBeam's cardboard boxes gave way.  Air freight personnel had to tape the boxes to keep the contents from falling out again.  They could not guarantee that all parts were present.

Because of the extreme mood swing in the verbiage and tone of the emails I received, I would personally suggest that you have these antennas shipped to the dealer, Array Solutions, and that you let mr. dealer pay the duty on these antennas, and warrant them to be free of defects on receipt by you.

When you pay over $5,000.00 dollars for an antenna, you want all the parts there, NOT an email stating that you will be dealing with an insurance company and a shipper located in Germany. In addition, you may not want to trust a cardboard box, and specify that your antenna be shipped in wooden crates to insure physical integrity.  Having also worked for the automotive industry in the area of stress analysis, cardboard boxes that appear to have received an impact on the end, and they contain metal tubes that fit inside each other, indicates a potential problem.

PLEASE NOTE THE TAPE HOLDING THE BOXES TOGETHER. THE AIRLINE PUT IT THERE AFTER THE BOXES FLEW APART.

All the staples have come apart.

PERHAPS THIS CRUSHED CARDBOARD BOX IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO HANDLE THE SHIFTING WEIGHT OF 132 POUNDS OF METAL DURING TAKE-OFF, LANDING, AND TURBULENCE.

The OptiBeam antenna is made up of short elements that fit into each other, with a clearance of only a few thousandths of an inch.  The stapled cardboard boxes containing the elements were crushed and damaged.

THE CRUSHED CARDBOARD OPTIBEAM OB18-6 BOX CONTAINING ELEMENTS IS SUPPOSE TO BE SQUARE,
 LIKE THE BOX ABOVE.  INSTEAD, IT IS SPLIT OPEN, AND THE CREASES IN THE CARDBOARD
INDICATE THAT THE BOX HAD BEEN BENT AT ONE TIME.

THE CLOSE-UP PICTURE OF THE BOX ON THE VERY BOTTOM SHOWS THAT THE BOX OF ELEMENTS HAD
BEEN PUNCTURED, POSSIBLY BY A FORK-LIFT.

AGAIN, THE CREASES AND GOUGES IN THE CARDBOARD BOX INDICATE THAT THE CARDBOARD CONTAINER HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY PACKED AND SHIPPED.

THIS PICTURE SHOWS A BAND STICKING THROUGH A RIP IN ONE END OF ANOTHER CARDBOARD
 CONTAINER (I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE PACKAGES WHILE IN BOND).