Dave,
You have to look at it this way, if MFJ had not bought up many of the old
Ham Radio Equipment suppliers we may not find stuff at all or at reasonable
price, anything that is shipped you should check out before using including
Alpha products
I have an old MFJ-989 Tuner and also AL-1500 both of which worked perfectly
out of the box.
You Criticize and admit you have never purchased their equipment, so why
don't you just keep quiet instead of using bad language on the group with
absolutely no personal experience.
K6BR
-----Original Message-----
From: Amps [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of David Kirkby
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 3:53 PM
To: Gene May
Cc: Amplifier Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Amps] MFJ products
A friend of mine calls MFJ:
More f***ing Junk.
I have never bought any of their stuff, and don't feel a desire to.
Dave, G8WRB
On 10 September 2012 23:12, Gene May <gene-may@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I've had experience similar to that described below with their products,
of which I have a number, some active, some passive. I've learned the
following:
>
> (a) don't believe their CCS and max ratings; IMHO they've been
somewhat optimistic.
> (b) the same sentiments re QC that are expressed below. I open and
examine them the same way I would examine an early HeathKit or DynaKit that
I was resurrecting, one which I made before I had much experience in
assembly and soldering,.
>
> Along these lines: I just got an MFJ 998RT, the 1.5 KW, 1.8 - 30.0 MHz,
remote antenna tuner. I found one of the bolts that is supposed to hold the
cover to its base with its head stripped off. I also found that they used
wire at least two gauges smaller than I would have used to wind the coils.
>
> QUESTION: I plan to use the 998RT in my attic right now, not outside, and
am thinking of running it with its cover off so that it runs cooler. Their
instructions say not to do this, although this seems to relate to safety
issues (high RF voltages) rather than function. The cover is made of
plastic, not metal, and therefore not a shield against harmonics radiating.
Does anyone else have any experience with running this or any other of their
remote tuners without covers (indoors, obviously)? Comments or suggestions?
>
> I do like their value, and as below, will probably continue to buy their
stuff, with the cautions above. I also particularly like their not
cancelling the warranty if you open the device, since I always do.
>
> Ref SWR meters: I like the "computing" type of SWR meter, like first
described in QST by Fayman W0GI about 30 years ago. This displays SWR
directly, computing it from forward and reflected power and not requiring
one to either read some obscure needle intersection, or switch back and
forth between forward and reflected power. I still have one of his design I
made back then. Grebencamper has described an updated version (in the ARRL
Antenna Book - haven't tried it, but the circuit is similar), and Autek
Research in FL makes and sells them. I have one of these also and like it.
These are VERY handy instruments for Field Day, or for people who have to
squeeze their antennae into small attics.
>
> Tnx es 73,
>
> Gene May
> WB8WKU
>
>
> RECENT RELATED POSTINGS:
>
>> Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 04:00:26 -0400
>> From: k8ri@rogerhalstead.com
>> To: amps@contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [Amps] SS Amp questions
>>
>> On 9/10/2012 12:53 AM, Jerry Kaidor wrote:
> *** My impression of MFJ is that they do have some pretty decent
> engineering in their stuff, but their quality control is strictly to meet
a price.
>>
> They do make some handy equipment that works fairly well, they make some
to a price and stretch the power out beyond reliability limits, but you only
need to look at the QC on the same items built under their control and
without to see what building to a price can do.
> I still use their products, but pay attention to what I get.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Roger (K8RI)
> open the> >
>> > - Jerry Kaidor, KF6VB
>
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
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