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Reviews For: MFJ-9232 Mini QRP Loop Tuner

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : MFJ-9232 Mini QRP Loop Tuner
Reviews: 3MSRP: 59.95
Description:
The MFJ-9232 Mini Loop Tuner is a small, versatile, high-
efficiency device that turns a wire loop into a multi-
band transmitting antenna system. It is designed for 50-
ohm use at QRP power levels (up to 25 W) on all modes.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-9232
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0034.7
W7HV Rating: 2020-11-21
Works Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Like Eric AE2K below, I was interested in trying a mag loop and this looked like an inexpensive option to play around with. First one got lost in the mail. I called MFJ and they immediately sent another out via FedEx. Nice!

When I got it there was something rattling inside so I tried to open it up. The 4 panel screws wouldn't come out as they were all stripped. I got them out, removed a big blob of loose solder, everything else looked more or less copacetic, and put it back together using more appropriate screws. I was hoping (dreaming?) there might be some nice air variables in there but it's just two cheap transistor radio film type tuning caps.

I've used it on 20 and 40 meters with the recommended lengths (13' and 27') of 8 AWG stranded wire and it works. Tuning is very very sharp and touchy, more so on 20 than 40, so it takes a good amount of patience and fine motor control. SWR will change a fair amount moving 20 kHz so you might want to peak up the antenna for the new freq, or use a tuner at the rig if the SWR isn't too far out.

It's certainly an option worth considering as a compact antenna for portable or antenna restricted QRP operating. I've used mine up to ~15W.

I got the 9234 version with an SO239 and different panel layout, but I assume it's otherwise the same.

Anyway, it's got me contemplating homebrewing a nicer mag loop antenna with remote tuning and rotator.
FORMER_NN6B Rating: 2017-02-04
Great loop tuner for indoor JT65/JT9 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was always interested in loop antennas and did not want to spend $500 for a magnetic loop antenna. I read some reviews and decided to try this loop tuner for operating inside of my apt on JT65 & JT9 on the respective 20 meter frequencies.

This product is labeled as a QRP loop tuner but it is rated for up to 25 watts. I built a 7 foot stand out of schedule 40 1" PVC. I went to Ace Hardware and got 13 feet of #8 gauge stranded copper wire and formed it into the shape of a circle and had crimped #8 gauge 1/4 ring connectors on the ends. I also read that people have had great success with using the soft copper refrigeration tubing from your local Home Depot or other sources.

I am extremely happy with this tuner. I used my antenna analyzer and tuned it to around 1:1 -1:2 SWR and typically run 20 watts. I have had numerous contacts on JT65 in the USA, Europe and South America.

Be advised that the loop tuner needs to be precisely resonated to the frequency you are operating on and it requires re-tuning if you switch around the band.

Check out my QRZ page for a photo of the loop antenna with frame. You can also check out my log for various contacts on the digital modes.

For those of you in antenna restricted areas or perhaps those would like to operate portable, please consider this amongst the competitors.

Eric - AE2K
AE7TO Rating: 2016-07-21
Great option for single band or portable setup Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I already had the MFJ-936B loop tuner, which I use for road trips. But I but wanted a second loop tuner for a permanent single band setup at home in the attic (a QRP rig being used as a WSPR station). The MFJ-9232 is perfect for that setup. It is a fraction of the cost of MFJ's larger loop tuners, and can handle up to 25 watts (same as my WSPR rig's max). As expected, it is even trickier to tune than the MFJ-936B because there is no room in its small case for vernier mechanisms. But I was able to get SWR below 1.2 after about 15 minutes with an antenna analyzer. So far, my signal reports and reception seem as good as they were with the larger tuner. This was a great solution for my indoor fixed-frequency setup. And I could see using it for a back-packable QRP rig if I get into that later.