| AB9UU |
Rating:  |
2023-02-01 | |
| Did not seem to last long |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have this unit and almost never used it. On vacation, I tried it again. Every time I transmit awhile the SWR starts to climb. If using the amp it will fault. This happens barefoot too. I am pretty sure it is the antenna. I have changed my coax three times and checked them with a cable tester. Another makeshift antenna I have made stealth disguised as a bird house and pole works with one of these sets of coax without issue. The common denominator seems to be the antenna. Could it be something else? Possible but it is not likely. I have other products of theirs which work well. I have two 998 auto-tuners for home and vacation and they have worked pretty well for years. I suspect there is an issue with the balun in the unit. |
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| N6JPG |
Rating: |
2021-03-14 | |
| Still a 5 w/QRP |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
As much as I enjoy my home shack, nothing beats going out in the great outdoors for some portable ops. I have tried a lot of other portable antenna setups with varying degrees of success. Still nothing beats the MFJ-2289. Having recently purchased a new Icom IC-705, I put all the portable antenna systems to the test once again.
In this test conducted from my home, I used a Transworld 2010 (on 20m only), an Alpha-Delta outpost with interchangeable whips, an AlexLoop mag loop antenna on a 4' mast tripod, and the 2289. My home is in a rural, hilly area and I am down below a hillside on one side of the property and surrounded by tall trees. All tests were conducted with the 705 on external battery with an output of 10w PEP. I started with 40 meters. First up was the Alpha-Delta outpost equipped with an MFJ 40m whip trimmed to low SWR. Results were marginal but acceptable with some stations reporting a not strong but fair signal and others reporting a very weak signal. Next was the AlexLoop. I signal reports were fair at best with several requests to repeat my message. I next set up the 2289 on an MFJ 1918EX 10' mast/tripod system. Previously I have used the MFJ 20' mast/tripod system with this antenna but this setup is a bit on the heavy side and really not suitable for hiking up a hillside or any distance. The 1918EX weighs in at about 12 lbs. so toting it around is easy. After a few minutes adjusting the whips and coil on the 2289 to give me the lowest SWR on the high end of the band, I easily made contacts with good signal reports. I then moved down to the middle of the band and the SWR went up to nearly 2:1. Still, many stations were able to hear me without any problems. The 2289 was clearly the winner in this test. On 20 meters, I was not able to make any contacts with the AlexLoop or the Outpost. The TransWorld worked well for a few QSO's but the 2289 generally reported at least one S unit higher on nearly every contact.
If there is a downside of this antenna, it is that it must be lowered down from the mast to change bands or major changes in frequency. However, once set up where its needed, it performs. All in all, what you have with the antenna and the 1918EX combo is a lightweight, highly transportable antenna system suitable for almost any SOTA/POTA or portable ops you can think of.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by N6JPG on 2013-09-16
I enjoy being able to work HF while traveling. Having a good portable antenna that was not only easy to set up and use but one that works as well as a more conventional, permanent type was paramount to me. After trying a couple of other travel type antennas with marginal results, I came across the MFJ-2289 in their catalog and was intrigued by the design.
The antenna consists of a center mounting block containing the 3/8-24 mounting studs each positioned to hold the whips at an approximate 45 degree angle from the vertical, an SO-239 coax connector, a mast quick connector, and a matching balun. Two collapsible whips that extend from 28” to 17’ each and an adjustable coil complete the setup. The coil is screwed into the mounting block and one of the whips into the coil. The other whip is screwed into the other side of the block. The jumper on the coil is then set as recommended for the band. No tools are required for setup. Use of an antenna tuner while not required speeds the SWR setup process. MFJ recommends using a fiberglas or other non-metallic mast to mount the antenna. Once set up, the antenna resembles a large set of the old “rabbit ears” TV antennas from the past.
After receiving the antenna and the MFJ-1919EX fiberglas tripod/mast combo, I gave it a quick trial run setting up in the back yard with my Yaesu FT-897. Setup was fast and easy taking all of about 10 minutes. I adjusted the antenna for 40 meters as per the included guide with SWR setting very smooth with one minor adjustment. I immediately made 3 contacts on 40 meters. I then re-configured the antenna for 20 meters again with a quick SWR adjustment and made 3 more contacts.
About 3 weeks later, I was finally able to give the antenna a good wringing out from the north coast of California. Setting up in the back yard of my in-laws house, I quickly had the antenna up on the mast and worked several stations on 20 meters with only 15 watts of power from the FT-897. Quickly reconfiguring to 40 meters, I checked in with one of my regular nets. I then reset the antenna for 17 meters, bumped the power up to 90 watts and worked numerous US stations, one in Mexico, and one in Russia. Had several great signal reports from around the country; many believing I was running a kilowatt or more.
All in all, this is a great travel antenna. Easy to set up and take down, easy to tune, and excellent transmit and receive capabilities.
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| KENNETH |
Rating: |
2019-12-04 | |
| Works as advertised |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Works as advertised. Tunes up on 40M CW fine but to get into the phone bands an mfj-22 coil kit to helps. Take it down if windy and it will last. 73
To the one star review..... just use the supplied coil and clip it to the top and you got 20 meters. And no, MFJ never said it would do 160 or 80. |
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| VE3ETE |
Rating: |
2019-06-23 | |
| NOT SATISFACTORY AT ALL |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I bought this antenna for Field Day. Measured the telescoping whips for 20 meters phone. Thought that since I only planned to work that band I wouldn't bother with the loading coil. I didn't get counter-poise wire or much in the way of a User's Manual. At best it could be described as a construction manual. Did a test setup in the driveway beforehand, noticed that with or without the coil installed, the SWR on 20 was over 10. Thought that I could compensate with an antenna
tuner. No such luck! Even with the tuner, I could
not get a workable SWR. 6 meters had an SWR of
1!!! 160,80 and 40 bands were all over 3 or 4.
Not a good Field Day experience!" |
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| KM6TVV |
Rating: |
2018-10-26 | |
| Easy! Effective! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Had my first field day today with the MFJ-2289 and I could not be happier. Within minutes from my arrival to the northern California site, I had this antenna up and worked Japan, Canada and the Caribbean islands on 20 meters. |
|
| WB8TCB |
Rating: |
2015-12-04 | |
| Great choice for portable operation. |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I bought the MFJ-2289 specifically for portable and emergency operations, then designed & built a PVC quadra-pod (~$12.00 for the parts) to support the 12' paint roller extension pole that I use for the mast. I also machined the end of a 12" wooden paint roller handle (~$1.00) down to 7/8" on my lathe to mount the antenna's feed block assembly to the extension pole. The whole thing comes apart to be easily transported in my Camry.
The first time it was put on the air, it only took a few minutes to set up and we immediately made contacts with several stations across Europe and America with the feed point about 13' in the air.
I later set it up on a contest weekend and found that s-meter readings and signal reports were about the same on the MFJ-2289 as they were on the inverted "L", the G5RV, and the 40-meter loop. It worked beautifully all day long.
The antenna is very easy to tune and set up. It works like a charm with a 1.1:1 SWR at the set up point and stays quite reasonable across the entire bandwidth of most bands. If you get too far away from the set up frequency on 10-meters or 6-meters, you can slide the elements in slightly or simply use a tuner.
All-in-all, I am very pleased with the antenna and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
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| K8DXX |
Rating: |
2015-09-08 | |
| Great Design, Great Service, Apparently Fragile |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I ordered the MFJ-2289K (kit) consisting of the Big Ear antenna, a 3 - 4 ft tripod, +/- 12 foot mast and carrying bag. Based on an afternoon of use, the antenna seems very effective. On Labor Day 2015 when many were saying the bands were "bad", I had no problems working lots of stations and getting above average signal reports on 40 and 20 meters. My rig was a Yaesu FT-991. Even though the rig wasn't grounded and the antenna was within 25 feet, I had no symptoms of RFI (must be the hefty balun).
Tuning is a breeze and more or less follows the chart in the manual. On 40, I had 2:1 SWR from roughly 7025 - 7300. In my location, 20 required shorting the loading coil and shortening the whips by about 6 inches. Again, 2:1 bandwidth was almost the entire band.
Now, the bittersweet part: The loading coil supplied had 1 bent/shorting turn (could have fixed that) and a non-functional alligator clip. Richard at MFJ had a replacement out to me in two days. During my Labor Day portable operations (slightly house/tree shielded location with 12 MPH steady winds) one of the whips broke at the base. Again, MFJ responded this morning by sending a replacement whip; very generous in my book.
Otherwise, the tripod appears to be nicely made. The telescoping mast is adequate. The clamps are adjustable to ensure both smooth sliding and reliable holding. The mast fits easily through the center insulator/balun mount. The carrying case is a work of art... very nice.
I would recommend this antenna over my Super Antenna MP-1 4.5 ft base loaded vertical. Performance wise, it seems to be on a par with my now broken DK9SQ portable loop but (the MFJ) has the advantage of not requiring an antenna tuner. MFJ support has been excellent. Still, it would be nice if they could deliver a product that was defect-free out of the box. |
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| K4KXX |
Rating: |
2015-09-03 | |
| Not bad for the price! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Been driving to New Jersey every few months to visit my 94 yr old mom and decided to take a rig with me this time. I looked at a few antennas and after speaking to a few radio buddies I decided to try a Big Ears by MFJ. First off I found it won't fit on any of the extender type painter poles sold by the big box stores except a cheap wooden one. So I bought a short wood pole and a 10 ft. Extendable. Then Ty wrapped them together and tywrapped them to a 4x4 fence post. Antenna top is just 20 ft up but no problems hitting Mississippi and Florida. I did notice that at this height it is very position defendant, typical of a rabbit ears type antenna, but for what I'm using it for its great.
Beyond simple to erect and tune with an antenna analyzer. Plus it will fit in a suitcase like a breeze. |
|
| K7ZOV |
Rating: |
2015-01-14 | |
| It really works great..But |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I just got back from a month visit at my in laws in DeBerry. TX. Each trip a different radio and antenna setup. This time it was KX3+KXPA/KXAT100 and the MFJ 2289. I also had my old faithful 9:1 unun with 70+ ft of wire. Something I knew would work and get me DX. It was never installed or used. I set the BigEar up using the 9 ft MFJ Fiberglass pole and tripod on the deck outside our room. Set up time 10 minutes (I was drinking coffee). Height, about 12 ft above the ground to the base of the antenna. I started out with SSB. No problem with getting Europe, Cuba, Canada and lots of States @75 watts. Next I drop the power and went digital for a few weeks. At 25 watts (amp still hooked up). All CQ's were answered with 2-4 calls. All 599 and all said no character dropping. The last couple of days I packed the amp. Running 5-3 watts I worked the Shara Desert, South Africa, Europe, Cuba and Canada again and many other States across the USA. Not just "Marcro/599" contacts but 20-40 minute contacts with Peanut Whistle power. The last day I went qrpp, 1/2 watt. 4 CQ's later and I made a MO contact. Again 599, 100% character exchange with no drops and 10 minute QSO.
Does this Antenna work..YES! Is it a typical MFJ...Might Fine Junk...YES! To this day I so not understand how this company can make so many people happy with good ideas and piss off so many people because they don't know what the hell quality control is. This would get a 5 or higher and not a 4, however when I got it I had to take it apart and tighten everything. Not a big deal, I have learned to expect that from MFJ products..new or used.
The performance blew me away and it WILL be my first antenna of choice when I travel. I was on 20 meters mostly, but worked a bunch on 10 meters too. I made a fast setup chart and will email to anyone who wants one free. I highly recommend this antenna to anyone. If you expect the quality control to be perfect then you have not gotten MFJ products before so don't bother or you like to complain. But if you want a real full size dipole for 20-6 meters, that is easy to setup (no trees) and just plain works, I can recommend this antenna, have already, and will in the future. |
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| JO7XVL |
Rating:  |
2014-11-17 | |
| Design flaws and manufacturing defects |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Ordered MFJ BigEars and BigStick at the same time, to reduce shipping costs from Alabama to Japan. Neither box included a user manual. One box included a half sheet telling users to go online. Together, the two antennas had the following inventory:
3 - telescoping whips, of which 2 would not fully extend.
2 - loading coils of different lengths. One coil's alligator clip was locked shut by solder. The heat-shrink tubing on that coil did not cover all it was supposed to. The other coil looked better, but its 3/8-32 socket was improperly tapped, so a whip could not be completely screwed in.
1 - mast mount for Big Ears dipole. It has a balun inside with thinner wires than similar sized baluns from LDG that are only rated for 200 watts. Nevertheless, MFJ claims the dipole is good for a KW PEP. Other eHam reviewers have cast doubt on this power capacity. Wires connected to the balun will rub against the mast to which the mount is attached, so a metal mast will compromise performance. The balun is not weatherproof.
1 - pipe mount for Big Stick vertical. This mount was designed for clamping to a horizontal pipe, but half of it can be rotated 90 degrees for compromised attachment to a vertical mast.
4 - 12' counterpoise wires consisting of bare stranded copper. The online manual says that 50' of insulated wire is supplied for constructing a counterpoise. Other verticals in the MFJ family of companies come with a warning that counterpoise elements should be kept out of reach and not touched due to potentially high voltages.
Bottom line: I am responsible for EmComm systems at my medical university. The poor design and (lack of) quality control on these antennas make them unsuitable, and in this case, unusable. |
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