Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes
Reviews Home

Reviews For: MFJ-259C

Category: Antenna Analyzers

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : MFJ-259C
Reviews: 17MSRP: $299.95
Description:
MFJ-259C is a complete ham radio test station with frequency counter, RF signal generator, SWR/Resistance/Reactance/Coax Analyzer, Capacitance/Inductance Meter and much more!
Accurately measure distance to short or open in failed coax. Measure length of a roll of coax, coax loss, velocity factor and impedance.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00174.5
G6ATJ Rating: 2016-10-30
Fantastic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
So glad I have my own, instead of borrowing the club's analyser.
Have adjusted/checked my Diamond BB7V vertical, Sandpiper multiband HF vertical, 4M quad and soom to resurrect my G7FEK nested marconi.
Wonderful piece of kit...no rattles or VFO instability.
KE8BPC Rating: 2016-10-26
Works Great Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have used the analyzer through the HF bands and it has worked great. The only suggestion is to buy the suggested external power source and the rechargeable batteries.
KC7VBF Rating: 2016-09-23
Ok, but trouble Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received my analyzer on the 29th of August, but didn't even open the package until the 5th of September. I found that someone made my analyzer into a baby's rattle.

I opened the box and found a free-floating screw, like those used to secure the PCB to the chassis. It appeared it was an extra.

Powered up the unit and it worked across all bands except 20 meters, where the display would jump at the low end of 20m band to 155mghz with a slight turn of the dial.

It's been back at MFJ for repair, they received it on the 13th, still hasn't made it to the bench for test and repair. I would have expected MFJ to just send me a new one.
K4GHR Rating: 2016-01-26
Great product. Essential for antenna tinkering! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The MFJ-259C is a great, easy to use antenna analyzer that should be owned (or borrowed) by anyone trying to get the best out of their antennas. I've used mine to tune HF and VHF antennas with excellent results.

Brent / K4GHR
AK4NJ Rating: 2015-08-26
New MFJ-259C Arrived Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I reviewed the first MFJ-259C that Gentry Electronics shipped out, would not turn on and off out of the box, after three weeks in MFJ's hands, with them saying another three before they could get to it ( Brand new meter by the way) Mrs. Gentry got on the phone with them and arranged for them to ship me a new unit. Like the other five over fives the 259C is a handy tool to have on hand. Thank you Gentry Electronics for the extra effort. I would buy from her again. I will leave separate feed for MFJ repair under repair services - 1/5 if that.
AD1ET Rating: 2015-08-11
Excellent Item Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have run through the entire antenna farm and tuned up everything that is tunable with vast improvements in HF performance on 40, 20 and 17 meters. Have discovered a major fault with my HF6V Butternut. Will not tune on 75m above 3.4 mhz so have an issue there. Having great fun with vhf rubber ducks. For these, the 259c is basically a hand held radio with diagnostics. One swr at arms length, another near the head, yet another as the device is oriented sideways etc. Exactly like my radios. These varying readings are exactly what one should expect but differences between antennas are still clearly apparent. Great product. Mystery buster.
KA0USE Rating: 2015-01-23
update Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I recently returned it for a 'tune-up'. the impedance was reading way too high.
being done under warranty (1 year, no questions asked).
I have explored other test modes and am fascinated.
amateur radio hasn't lost it's magic for me.

----------------------
Earlier 4-star review posted by KA0USE on 2014-10-03

I haven't been able to fathom all it does, but the things I HAVE been able to suss are great.
the manual (available as a free download from mfj) explains many things. maybe you're supposed to know them before purchasing. example: it has a frequency counter. the frequency of what? no clue.

despite not understanding it entirely, I love it.


PROS:
mfj offers a dedicated soft case for it (MFJ-29D) $24.95, there is a pocket on the back for adapters (bnc to so-239, etc.) and other things, and comes with a shoulder strap. I shortened it and hang it around my neck with the face of it looking up at me so I can read it hands free.
is easy on batteries, has an automatic sleep mode, and an external power supply (MFJ-1312D) is $12.95.
the 'C' model has extended frequency coverage from the 'B' model.
for me, the needle meter is easier to read than the lcd display.
you can get a 3 piece dip coil set (MFJ-66) for $24.95.



CONS:
have to take the back cover off (several very small screws) to install/remove the AA batteries.
kinda wish the display lighted.
the tuning knob covers frequencies too fast.


I got mine at ham radio outlet.
I've seen prices as low as $239.95, so shop around.
do download the manual. it will help you make an informed decision.

I mostly use it to tune my buddistick antenna (tapped coil and counterpoise).