I have the older Autek RF -1 and the MFJ 269.
The 269 has the 440 and 2m as well as HF, but is heavy and certainly a bit
unwieldy to use on a tower.
The Autek HF and VHF models are shirt pocket sized, and probably a little
easier on batteries. They use 9 volt battery, while the MFJ models use a
large number of AA cells. It takes removing a LOT of screws to change
batteries in the MFJ, while a simple snap-ln cover is all that it takes to
get to the 9 volt battery.
The Auteks is all digital display, which is harder to see a SWR null upon
than the analog nulling meter of the MFJ. You get both digital and analog
displays with MFJ, but the digital is busy LCD display. The Autek display
is LED, but has a nice alternating feature that allows you to multiplex
between observing two results alternately, such as SWR minimum and
frequency.
The choice comes down to how you are going to use them; if you do a lot of
antenna adjustment atop towers upon beams, the Autek is easier to handle up
there. IF most of your antenna work is done in the lab, or on the ground,
either will do, and the larger size and weight of the MFJ is not a
hinderance, except for the room it takes up in a tool box going to a field
location.
I have compared accuracy of the MFJ and Autek upon known loads and they
measure the same, thus I consider their results to be comparable.
If you have fingers that can manipulate the close together controls of the
Autek, you will be happy with it. The MFJ with larger size, can spread
controls out more. However, I find the 440 button on the MFJ can be
accidentally engaged which is a problem if you are trying to do HF work.
73,
Stuart K5KVH
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