|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the MFJ-868 SWR/ WATTMETER.
|
WB4ROA
|
Rating: 1/5
|
Jun 20, 2009 21:51
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Good Idea - Poor Design
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I initially bought two of these units about 1 year ago. One has functioned well other than the lights going out after a few months.
The second unit is another story. It initially blew the meter out on 160M. Back to MFJ and they fixed it. Other problems arose three more times requiring the unit to be returned. Each time it was repaired and shipped back. Now I could have bought a new meter with the money spent on shipping. After the last time I threw the piece of junk in the trash. I will never buy another item from MFJ. The unit was problematic and should have been replaced. A case of a great idea and poor implementation... Bought a Daiwa CN-801 - great unit.
|
|
W4KVW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 11, 2009 07:47
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
GOOD METER
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have had my MFJ-868(GIANT WATTMETER)for just over 2 years now & have had ZERO issues.It does just what it is suppose to do at a good price. The only thing I will do is add LED lights when the original lights burn out just for the long life of the LED's.
Clayton
W4KVW
|
|
KI4CRA
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Mar 2, 2009 20:25
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Decent SWR/Wattmeter
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
In all fairness I have to give the MFJ-868 SWR/Wattmter a 4.75. I bought this meter second hand, and while its no Bird its not a piece of crap either. I found the meter I had to be very accurate, again its not a Bird, but still reliably accurate. I had no problems with this meter whatsoever, large easy to read with its 6" display, I used it daily when I had my FT-920, didn't need it with my 756ProIII and my Palstar AT2K tuner. Sold the 920, figured I wouldn't be needing the meter so I sold it at the Orlando ham fest for what I paid for it a year ago.
Now then having picked up another radio to replace the 920, I find myself in need of an SWR/Wattmeter, now I kick myself for selling the 868, OH well easy come easy go, I'll find another swr/wattmeter somewhere down the line. If you want an easy to read reasonably accurate SWR/Wattmeter,get yourself an MFJ-868, you wont finder a better one at this price.
73 de Mark
AI4HO
|
|
K6VU
|
Rating: 2/5
|
Feb 28, 2009 11:12
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Bad Out of the Box
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I loved the size, ranges, and it lit up well, biggest wattmeter I've ever seen! It just didn't work at all! Maybe just a bad one....
Sent it back to the dealer for a replacement. Hopefully the next one will work. If so, I'll write another review. If not, I'll buy something else.
|
|
W4KVW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 31, 2009 15:36
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
WORKS GREAT
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I have had the meter a year next month & have no problems with it's operation.Checked against a friends BIRD & it's on the money.Got a GREAT price on it at ORLANDO HAMCATION 08 & do NOT regret it.I liked it so much I had my wife buy me the MFJ-874 GRANDMASTER for Christmas for my 6 & 2 meter stations & love it as well.
Clayton
W4KVW
|
|
N2QQF
|
Rating: 3/5
|
Oct 22, 2008 17:02
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
worked OK
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
The meter had a nice large display which obviously is what lured everyone to the meter to begin with. The meter was OK at best not great but not a piece of garbage like some of the other messes produced by MFJ. Overall it was fairly accurate of course you cant compare it to an Array Solution Power master which cost about 4 times more but it is just as accurate as all the other low end meters.
I have worked with Bird meters as well as some other high end Commercial grad VSWR analyzers / Power meters as I am in the business and you cant compare those at all too this meter in fact, they should not even be mentioned in this review but the point I am trying to make is you get what you pay for. If you want to spend $150.00 and get a commercial grade meter it isn't going to happen but if you spend $150.00 and understand it will not be as accurate, durable or of great quality and it suites your needs then hey it might work well for you.
I will admit I am not a big fan of MFJ equipment as it is really entry level low end equipment but for the money what can you expect. It worked fine and I didn't have the same issues others have had with their meters but I would not put much faith in it. For me I needed something i could see farther away but it isn't my main power / SWR meter.
|
|
ND4Z
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 30, 2008 17:43
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Meter!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I recently purchased my giant wattmeter model 868.
With my Heathkit 50 ohm cantenna in the SWR position it reads zero SWR as it should. When in the power output mode in series with my Bird model 43 it seems to read very close in readings in all 3 power ranges. It is very easy to read at a glance due to it's large meter. My only problem was that when I first turned it on the meter lights were shinning on the meter. Upon removing the top panel I found that the 2 grain of wheat bulbs were dangling in the bottom of the unit. With a little glue I re-glued both lamps where they belong in the top of the meter face. While I was in the unit I also caliabrated the meter readings to read with the model 43 bird meter. The instructions for doing this were easy to follow as per the MFJ 868 operations manual. This was not necessary as the meter was reading very close to the readings with the in line Bird reference meter.As far as the minor problems with the lamps coming off,I would think the meter was jarred in shipping and not the fault of the manufacture, MFJ. So rather than going through all the trouble of bashing MFJ and sending the unit back for warantee like some people do , I used my time instead to trouble shoot and repair the unit.
As a result I am very happy with the giant meter and it compliments my Ameritrom AL-1500 linear amp very nicely. It allows me to keep a very close eye on on my linears output in the Peak meter mode so I stay within the 1500 watt legal limit.
Rick Hatalski ND4Z Licensed and operating since 1963.
|
|
W2ZEY
|
Rating: 0/5
|
Jun 10, 2008 14:02
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
size doesn't matter
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I was lulled by the large bright display, so I purchased the meter to give my tired eyes a break. Regrettably it was an expensive mistake. Not long after the warranty lapsed it no longer would read power - needle doesn't budge. Checked the transceiver with another meter. Its the MFJ-868, not the radio. Haven't had good experiences with MFJ products - No more MFJ purchases!
|
|
W7JBB
|
Rating: 0/5
|
May 20, 2008 21:14
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Terrible gear
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Well, as a ham of 57 years with an EE degree I should know better, but I must be getting simple in my older state.
The Wattmeter was not only inaccurate, but stopped all forward power readings after a couple of hours of light use.
I have had it with bad designed and defective gear.
I am back to the reputable and quality controlled gear. Some is still American made, or at least designed properly and with quality control.
I know better, and it is my fault for purchasing such gear.
|
|
W7JBB
|
Rating: 1/5
|
May 13, 2008 22:53
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Inaccurate
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
It may be large and easy to see; however, the SWR on my brand new one is not even close to being accurate.
With a 50 ohm 1% precision resistor across its antenna terminal it reads an swr of 1.6. With a 72 ohm 1% resistor across the antenna terminal it read 3.2 to 1.
It may be large, cute and impressive, but accurate it is NOT!
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
