Older MFJ-249 Frequency Counter Help Please!

I just acquired a MFJ-249 (the older model with the
frequency readout). My question is specifically about the Frequency Counter (not the frequency readout during SWR tests).

I have run a few tests using the frequency counter.
First, turn unit on, attach short wire or bnc duck antenna (Diamond RH77A). Change input mode to 'B' for use of the frequency counter. I put the unit close to a FT-1500 and transmit on simplex -- display on MFJ-249 doesn't do anything, and stays at 0.00000. Then, releasing the ptt the MFJ-249 seems to be transmitting a tone as the FT1500 will now lock up on the same frequency
146.445. Hmm, strange right.

Now here's another rub: if I switch the unit over to A mode for SWR readings the ~146.445 comes up on the counter. BUT LET ME RESTATE, the frequency counter doesn't do squat in B mode.

Another test I did was to take a short wire, wrap it from the center of the bnc (frequency counter) jack to a coaxial cable connected to a scanner -- coiled it around the coax several times. Tuned to NOAA 162.425, nothing, but the scanner starts picking up some signal from the MFJ-249 on the same frequency causing similar issue as above. During this test I did get a tiny bit of a reading on the display, but only .000500 or something close then back to all zeros.

Anyone with an older MFJ-249 or MFJ-259 that is an aficionado using the frequency counter part of this unit please let me know. I'm willing to try some more testing. I've read that the freq counter of these units are somewhat insensitive, could that be the case here?

Note: The SWR portion of this unit seems to do it's job well so far.

Thanks In Advance!
Rob
K4IXE