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Reviews For: MFJ-259B

Category: Antenna Analyzers

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Review Summary For : MFJ-259B
Reviews: 238MSRP: 259.95
Description:
HF/VHF Antenna Analyser
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-259B
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
152384.2
PA0HEL Rating: 2015-06-23
Best buy in its kind! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned mine for many, many years now and it performed as expected. No more, no less.
Why no 5/5? Because of two 'flaws'. One, apparent from the beginning: it does not charge rechargeable internal batteries, where it should. I tried everything (different charger - different plug etc.) but no go ...
Second: replacing the alkaline batteries, something rattled inside: a screw an a washer dropped out. Apparently from the battery holder, because that one was 'movable'. Then found that disassembling the unit in the field is not possible: you need to unsolder the uhf-socket because the nuts/washers cannot be reached with standard tools. And that soldering is a delicate job in view of the tight space. You need a powerful but small soldering iron for that and I don't have it. Neither at home nor in the field.
I will use it until the other screw comes loose. Then I'll look for someone better equipped than me!
NK8A Rating: 2015-03-12
great tool for antennas Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my 259B a few years now and it has never let me down.I have tuned my rotatable dipole and my vertical antennas in seconds.Not having to run in the house and check the SWR after every adjustment.After my antennas were tuned to well under 2:1,I had thoughts of selling the 259B.I decided not to sell it, because I knew I would be sorry if I did.The 259B is the best tool for ham radio that I have ever owned.
VE4MM Rating: 2015-01-03
Update Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this unit in 2008 for my trip to Mexico.

Going to Hawaii next week and the unit does NOT work.

This product only worked for 6 years.

Now I know why people say Mighty Fine Junk.

I though otherwise back in 2008.
N3TGY Rating: 2014-08-03
I love mine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I love to build antennas - to me and my station it's my most important tool. most of my Ham Friends had one before I did. I got tired of borrowing their analyzers so I bought one a few years ago. the only thing I wish my 259b had was the protective side plates that protrude up and protect the pots from damage if it is mislaid on it's face. (not that I would do that but I have a 4 year old who has done this in the past.... I'm making some now out of fiberglass to velcro to the sides ( no pop rivets or screws through it's case)
HA7WX Rating: 2014-07-31
MFJ-259B / a must have Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hi Everyone!
I am reviewing one after one the HAM radio devices i own. I have purchased this one off of ebay a few years ago and i don't regret it. It's a MUST HAVE piece of equipment at a HF radio-station. I have tuned my Hustler 4BTV in a very short time not to mention it would have been too difficult and disrespectful with one of my HF TRX in the case i must use it to tune the antenna. Not to mention one won't disturb anybody while tuning their antenna as virtually no power is radiated.
This thing seems to be enough accurate and using a 4Ah SLA battery i don't feel it draws too much current. For sure there are much better antenna analyzers on the market, but much more expensive. The one HAM operator willing to tune his antennas and constructing dipoles will be happy with this equipment. The only design fault one could find is that it's bulky. But using it at home is definitely not a disadvantage.
Fine job MFJ! I definitely recommend this if you need and find one.
W4PER Rating: 2014-07-20
MFJ-259C Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
1. It did the job, helping me to tune the bands on my new antenna installation.
2. If I had not been able to do the testing from in the shack, it would not have worked.
Reason is the 10 battery pack (nimh) does not charge well with a 12 volt power pack. After 2 weeks on charge it will only run a couple of minutes before powering down.
3. No a very good paint job, pieces of paint fell off the edges as I was installing the batteries.
4. The prescribed battery pack of 10 arrived with only 7 of the batteries able to take a charge t all. Postage back is about as much as the batteries so I loose.

Like I said it did work, not sure of the accuracy but my Yaesu FT-897D is happy. Bob W4PER
NN2X Rating: 2014-06-12
Did the job Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Good for me...Did the job...I found my issue with my antennas..Isolated the problem...I think this is a must have the Ham Operators, escpecially those who are always trying new antennas!



K6YE Rating: 2014-05-15
Works really well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I inherited two of these units and they both work well. I use one to pre-tune my 160/80/40 sloper antenna rather than using on-the-air tuning. I have set my yagis with them and they are right on the mark. YMMV

Semper Fi,

Tommy - K6YE
DX IS and CW RULES
W0YN Rating: 2014-03-17
Quality Test Instrument Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased a new one from DX Engineering. I've experienced other MFJ products arriving in semi-kit form or other quality control issues so I was a little anxious opening the box. No rattles or loose parts. Cosmetically, looks great. Opened the unit to put in new batteries. Everything looks fine, nice soldering, nothing loose. Popped in a new set of Duracells and was ready for action. Meter works just fine. Connected it to my multi-band dipole and swept SWR for each band. Needed to tune each band slightly. The MFJ-259B made adjustment so easy and convenient. After using this, I wouldn't want to be without one. No guesswork, this is a quality instrument and a great value for the shack. I considered buying the new more expensive 259C with extended coverage to 230 Mhz but wasn't interested as I don't work 220. Get one and you won't be disappointed.
SV1JRF Rating: 2014-03-15
Amazing Tool, must have Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received my brand new MFJ-259b ,antenna analyzer,and i must say that i am impressed. It does what it says. Yes is MFJ and you have to be careful due to bad quality control, but it is amazing! Immediately i've checked my long wire antenna ,and i 've seen that needs...work,hihihi!i knew that it wasn't quite efficient,that is the reason i am using a tuner, but..it was much worst!!anyway amazing tool, small and rugged USA style.
Also the frequency counter function works great!

73's