Yep, there is some merit in that statement, BUT - MFJ does have many nice products and the price is right - compared to many products.  I've owned several MFJ products - as well as other "Starkville" made products.

All in all - I'm VERY glad the company is in business.  They've managed to  bring many products for ham radio into the price range of the average person.

So, here's an "ATTA BOY" for the company - while recognizing the problems.  At least almost all their products are MADE IN USA!!!

73 de Ken H>

Sure is another ground path - the nice green wire from each rig to single point ground.

It was suggested on another forum that the rigs might not have a 50 ohm output, and this could affect input loading.

http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/topic,86860.0.html

Seems sensible - maybe that's the issue?

73 de Ken H>

Adjusting the input circuit would work - A bit more trouble that I wish just now.  As long as I had some idea what was happening it's ok - easy to adjust plate 'n load for different rigs on just those two bands.

73 de Ken H>

thank you for the input - that does make sense.......  I'm surprised how far off the output impedance seems to be on 160 meters, but can easy see 80 meters as it's fairly close.  I do know how difficult it is to get 50 ohms when trying to match up the output (and input) for MOSFET amps.

Thank ya'll again for the help,

73 de Ken H>

Hello all, I posted this in the SDR forum, but decided this might be a better spot.

I'm playing with a Flex5000 - neat radio.  I have an issue that I don't understand with the Flex/amp. I have a 756Pro sitting on desk with coax going to AL-82, then thru LP-100A watt meter, 4-position antenna switch to different antennas and dummy load.  Been working good for quite a while.  With the Flex5000 added, I put a 2-position antenna switch with coax from AL-82 to switch, then position #1 to 756Pro with 2 ft of coax and position #2 with 12 ft of coax to Flex. 

My issue is as follows (all into dummy load): on 40 meters and higher freqs, everything seems to work good - no re-tuning required.  On 80 meters with 756Pro I load AL-82 to 1300 watts or so, then move antenna switch to Flex position and I have to re-tune AL-82 a bit - not much, but a bit to get max output (1300 watts or so).  On 160 meters, it takes a LOT of re-tuning to get max output.

I wondered if the 12 ft vs the 2 ft of coax had anything to do with it so I connected the 12 ft of Flex5000 coax to ant #2 on the 756Pro - nope, switch between 756Pro ant #1 and #2 (moving antenna switch to match) and everything is good.

Why would just connecting the coax to the Flex require re-tuning?  I still get the same output from AL-82 with Flex or 756Pro by re-tuning the AL-82.

Any ideas?  Comments?

73 de Ken H>

Ground issue?  Good point as the RF ground seen on 160 would certainly be different than on 40 meters - but since this is loading into a dummy load I wouldn't think RF ground issue, but am open to comments.

73 de Ken H>

Hello all, I'm playing with a Flex5000 - neat radio, and I know there are MANY nay-sayers on this forum for Flex rigs.  I have an issue that I don't understand with the amp. I have a 756Pro sitting on desk with coax going to AL-82, then thru LP-100A watt meter, 4-position antenna switch to different antennas and dummy load.  Been working good for quite a while.  With the Flex5000 added, I put a 2-position antenna switch with coax from AL-82 to switch, then position #1 to 756Pro with 2 ft of coax and position #2 with 12 ft of coax to Flex. 

My issue is as follows (all into dummy load): on 40 meters and higher freqs, everything seems to work good - no re-tuning required.  On 80 meters with 756Pro I load AL-82 to 1300 watts or so, then move antenna switch to Flex position and I have to re-tune AL-82 a bit - not much, but a bit to get max output (1300 watts or so).  On 160 meters, it takes a LOT of re-tuning to get max output.

I wondered if the 12 ft vs the 2 ft of coax had anything to do with it so I connected that to ant #2 on the 756Pro - nope, switch between ant #1 and #2 (moving antenna switch to match) and everything is good.

Why would just connecting the coax to the Flex require re-tuning?  I still get the same output from AL-82 with Flex or 756Pro by re-tuning.

Any ideas?  Comments?

73 de Ken H>

Frank, what is the results of ground rod vs chain link fence? 

I got my wire up today, hope to get a ground rod and transformer installed for a test Sunday night.... or Monday at latest.

73 de Ken H>

It seems that .05WL is considered the max height, so even 10 ft should be ok, and 8 ft is good for 160, 80, & perhaps even 40. I'm planning about 8ft.

Sure seems like there will be a LOTS of us on 160 this winter<

73 de Ken H>

Hello Frank, Thanks for the update on your Beverage and how well it's working. Do you have any plans for 160?  I've just started reading/learning about Beverage Antennas - how did you determine the 9:1 transformer?  I was thinking RG6 called for a 6.25:1 transformer and 50 ohm coax for the 9:1?  The 6.25:1 transformer has 2 turns on the 75 ohm side and 5 turns on high-Z side.

I2VRN sure seems to have a strong signal! Of course with the 4-square you've got a great antenna from all I've read. I'll be interested to see how the Beverage compares on 40 to the 4-square on RX, S/N ratio and signal strength.

Great fun this radio stuff<

73 de Ken H>

Oh, Dale, I didn't think snarky or anything, just a gentle nudge I'd got my names and calls mixed up. You were a LOT more understanding than my wife was when I used the wrong name for her.... and I got her eye color wrong about 3 days after marriage - and I was only 21 at the time so didn't have the excuse of "old age" that I now use.

Thank you for your confirmation of the Beverage info - I'll be trying that over the next few days/week or so. I've got the ferrite cores for the transformer - I ordered BN-73-202 cores from Partsandkits.com and have those. I checked my "on hand" partial roll of electric fence wire was only about 300 ft, so tomorrow it's off to Tractor Supply for a roll of wire and insulators.  That will give me everything on hand - except for the two ground rods I'll pick up at supply house.

Thanks to all for the help,

73 de Ken H>

Well, Shucks!  My "huh-ohs" come into play again! Sorry to you Dale, and to Mike (W0BTU) for the error.  I see it's too late to correct the original post, but Mike, W0BTU has a GREAT website on maybe ham radio things, and especially Beverages.

Dale (WB6BYU) you do have much good info that's been posted on the web about different projects you've come up with.  Congrats on your knowledge and experience - it helps all of us.

Dale, (W4OP) you do have a lot of good info on your website, thank you for your contributions on the website, AND on this thread.

A question, just how critical is the length of a Beverage - does 10 or 20 ft short or long make a BIG difference?

Thank you again for the info,

73 de Ken H>

Hello All, I've been reading the threads here, on Mike's (WB6BYU) website, and Tom's (W8JI) website on the Beverage antenna - it sure sounds interesting.  I would like to try a single wire to start because of the simplicity. I would like to outline my conditions, my proposed installation, and ask a couple of questions please.  I'm in Baldwin Co, Alabama, just across Mobile Bay from Mobile, AL.

1. I have a space to allow installation of a wire 400 to 450 ft long and can mount it 8 ft or so high using existing trees for supports. I'll have to trim a few limbs so the wire doesn't touch, but not many. Maybe 1 support in between a couple of trees.  Problem is the wire will be running 23 degrees magnetic, just not any way I can get it more to 35 degrees.   35º would put me right up over the NE USA and into middle of Europe.  "IF" I were to shorten the wire to 300 to 350 ft, I could get close to 35 degree.

Just how critical is this 440 ft shown on eham thread http://www.eham.net/articles/503?  Is there much difference in 430 vs 440 ft?   Or 420?  Reading the referenced thread, it almost sounds like a 440 ft Beverage isn't worth while on 160, nor even 80 meters - valid comment?  Would I be better to spend my time/effort getting a inverted-L antenna up for 160 meters, understanding about 40 ft is the best I can do for the vertical section?

I plan to put a ground rod at each end - how important are radials for the ground rod at the "other end" (the end pointing to NE direction)?  The receiving end next to shack would be the most important grounding area requiring radials.  How well will steel (or aluminum) electric fence wire for ground radials pressed into the ground work?  I know they're not going to be long lived due to corrosion, and am willing to accept that limitation.

2.  With this wire running only 23 degrees magnetic, how effective will this be toward Europe? Will the pattern wide enough? Would it be better to shorten to 350 to get closer to 35º?

3. Knowing the Beverage is more of a DX antenna, will it be effective on stations only 400 to 500 miles distant on 160?  80 and 40 meters?  Will it work at all for stations only 200 to 300 miles distant?

Thank you all for any guidance and suggestions.

73 de Ken H>

I try very hard not to get involved in these "bash MFJ" threads, but some folks just go too far. 

Paul, - well said.

Tom, I wish to say a big THANK YOU!! for all the help you've been to me and the whole group in sharing your knowledge. THANK YOU for driving up to Starkville and working with MFJ to improve QC and some issues.

73 de Ken H>

Note the power rating of the dummy load you wish to use - I think you said 20 watts?  That is the max power to be used.  You can hit it with a bit more for a couple seconds, but not much more.  Certainly not 100 watts.

Good luck and have fun - oh, the dummy load just replaces your antenna for testing.

Ken H>