In another thread ( https://www.part15.org/forums/topic/need-high-resolution-pictures-of-hamilton-rangemaster-boards/#post-112996 ) one of our members is requesting technical information about a product. This is understandable but a bit more thought is appropriate in this regard.
There are those who purchase electronic devices and only expect to "turn it on and it will operate" and there are those who seek more, especially information which can be used to modify or repair their belongings. There is many times a thought that "I bought it, I own it, and I can do what I want with it." which is certainly valid, but what responsibility or expectation is warranted that the manufacturer is required to support this by providing documentation?
Many manufacturers do provide service manuals, schematics, and parts lists for their products but is this required? No, it is not. I have viewed supplying such information as a courtesy to customers and some major players in my experience such as Kenwood, Icom, RCA, Yaesu, HP, and many others make this available, often free of charge.
The message I wish to convey is if the availability of service information is important to you then do some homework to find out if such information is available BEFORE making the purchase. I am one who values such information because I maintain and repair most of my equipment, but many do not and are happy to turn it on and hope it works. That's fine, but if you want schematics, etc. then research this before the purchase.
There is a lot of discussion and even legislation regarding what is known as "Right to Repair" which has come up, for example, regarding farm equipment. There are claims that some tractor and combine manufacturers have embedded chips in replacement parts which can only be activated by an "authorized" service center. Some consumer electronics manufacturers, it is claimed (
, are doing the same, making it impossible for end users to maintain their own equipment.
My advice: If it is important to you to have technical information available for a product then find out if it is before buying whatever it is you seek.
Personally, I buy only things for which some technical service information is available (even toilets, dishwashers, refrigerators, and cars) and suggest that doing so will encourage manufacturers to make such information available.