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write your own review of the MFJ-418 Morse Code Tutor.
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KB3WNA
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Rating: 2/5
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Dec 23, 2011 09:02
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ok device
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Time owned: months
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This product does perform like it says, and will help your CW learning curve......BUT.....did NO ONE at MFJ take one of these off the shelf and try it out?? I mean the battery compartment isn't large enough to accomodate a 9v, and close! Rubber band, or open back is the only way to use this!
Come on guys! You're so close to a really good device. Why screw it up with a total lack of quality control and lack of a simple engineering fix?
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KB4MB
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 8, 2011 05:43
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People have to lighten up...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This thing works great! Really helps give you a semi-random QSO experience. Yeah, the display isn't great, but you really should be LISTENING and then just double-checking. If anything, the display angle helps you from cheating :)
Sure, some of the QSO's are a little weird in how it pulls in the random words.. Also, some of the QSO phrasing is "older" than what is used today, but honestly nobody is making anything like this, and until someone makes a freeware app for a smartphone, all you have is this for an on-the-go random code generator to help you build your speed.
I plug mine into the car while I drive and practice that way. I assume I will be using this little guy a long time in my ham career.
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K7BVO
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Rating: 2/5
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Mar 8, 2011 14:54
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Excellent idea, poorly executed
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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As mentioned by others, the display is dark and can only be read if it is held at just the right angle. Too much stuff packed into a little case, you have to buy "skinny" 9V batteries to prevent damage to the innards or even get the cover back on. I called them about the contrast adjustment and got an "Oh Well" response. Most of these display modules allow you to adjust contrast with an external resistor.
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KF6OCI
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 17, 2010 10:05
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New One Not As Good As Old One
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had one for over 12 years that I used alot
to learn the code. It was a great aid. I gave
a review on it a couple years back, it was very
good.
It finally gave out, I got a new one. The new one
isn't near as good. There is a delay in the sound
and display that shows different things
happening.
The display is very hard to read, dark.
It is still usuable, but not near as good.
Dan
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M5FRA
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Rating: 2/5
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May 5, 2010 11:01
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Characters NOT random
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have had two of these Morse tutors, once when I learned the code 10 years ago and the second a few months back when I returned to radio after a few years break as I thought it would be an ideal way to improve my Morse.
The main problem with tutor number 2 is that it does not produce random characters. I am using 7 character words at 20wpm and there are many sequences that occur time and time again, sometimes within a few seconds. It is easy to spot the repeated sequences and anticipate what is coming next which sort of defeats the object. I do not recall this issue with the one I had 10 years ago so maybe they have changed the software or something.
I began to notice the problem a few weeks back and contacted MFJ; basically they did not listen and were obviously not interested. The unit is still of some use for learning or improving your code but if want real random character production then use a computer program.
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N0AH
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2009 15:54
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Very impressed!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Purchased for my 9 year old daughter, W0ANT, she loves this thing. Set at 13 WPM, Farnsworth, with 3 character setting, and she is learning code at a good rate.
There is a learning curve. At first, we didn't see the character as it was being heard. But switching over the Farnsworth methoud fixed this.
I think they have packed a lot into this thing but it is all working- something I thought I would never say about MFJ- Are they turning the tide?? Very FB-
73 Paul N0AH
Anna W0ANT
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K6DZ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 10, 2009 17:29
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There are 2 versions
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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There are two versions, both labeled MFJ-418. The rare version will not allow using the Koch method because there is only one custom character set instead of 3. This allows for building up gradually to a total of only 16 characters instead of a total of 48. This issue does apply when using normal sets, only custom sets.
Version test: Turn on with wheel. Cycle through the menu to SET. Push 'select' button and then the submenu icon will flash. Cycle through the submenu sets. The rare version has only 1 custom character set which displays as SET [CST CHAR]. The other version has 3: SET [CST CHR1], SET [CST CHR2], SET [CST CHR3].
I have the rare (probably early?) version.
Mine has worked perfectly for years.
With either version it is easy to set up practice using COMBINE so that each sequence you hear consists only of all letters numbers and .,?/+*= So you aren't forced to hear odd characters like " or $.
Both have speed change on the fly. And an 'interactive' mode which plays each entire sequence twice so you can write down what you hear on paper and then re-display it all to check your copy.
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W6YDE
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 23, 2008 07:42
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Great learning tool
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am a 100% CW op. I use my MFJ-418 Morse Code Tutor to copy code while driving. It could use a little more volume without distortion.
I can set differant combinations of letters, numbers and pro signs, plus set the speed at just above my copy rate. Its a great tool if you want to get your copy speed up and add a little outside noise or distractions.
I am have a little problem with one of the buttons. I have to push it 2 or 3 times to make contact... but that is no problem. The LCD readout is not in the center of the opening... but that has no effect on it's operation.
Lets face it... MFJ manufactures a ton of items for the ham operator. Where would we go to purchase a Morse Code Tutor? Yes... some of the items we purchase from MFJ are not perfect.... but is there anybody else with over 2,500 items to pick from?
73, Mike/W6YDE
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WB5CCO
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Rating: 0/5
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Jun 13, 2008 10:30
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Caveat Emptor
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased the MFJ-418 to brush up on my code speed. The unit was received in a factory sealed package. Upon opening, I noticed the case was bulging at its seems. The circut board, LCD and ribbon cable fit poorly in the case causing it to bulge. The cover of the battery compartment could not be closed once the 9 volt battery was inserted. Inspection of the circut board revealed poor solder connections. Upon powering up the unit, the LCD was weak and the volume was very low. MFJ still seems to have quality control issues with its products. I was considering purchasing the Ameritron AL-1500; however I now have serious reservations due to QC issues.
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KF6OCI
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Rating: 5/5
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May 29, 2008 06:48
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Very Good Product
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had one for about 12 years and it has
been used a lot, I mean a lot.
It once acted like it had a short, I took it
apart, couldn't find anything obvious, put it
back together and it worked perfectly. ??
Thousands of hours on it. Great learning tool.
CW was hard for me, no music skills, but after
thousands of hours with this I can do CW over
20 wpm very well.
Dan
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