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Reviews For: MFJ-941E

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : MFJ-941E
Reviews: 56MSRP: 119.95
Description:
300 Watt antenna tuner covering from 1.8-30 MHz
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-941E
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00564
N8PEP Rating: 2020-05-10
The MFJ-941E is acceptable as a low-cost tuner. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Pros: (1) I love the well-lighted meter with dual needles. (2) Overall usability is good. (3) Nice size for my workspace. (4) Tunes most of my antennas on most hf bands. (5) Built-in balun seems to work well. (6) Having two antenna jacks is useful. (7) I like being able to truly bypass the tuner with the function switch.

Cons: (1) Tuner arcs internally under high (>8:1 before tuning) SWR conditions on some bands and with certain types of antennas (such as end-fed), when running 200 Watts. (2) Will not tune to flat SWR on some bands. (3) Inductor switch is way too stiff, and the retaining nut on the shaft loosens up because of this. (4) The knobs are located slightly too close together. (5) A good ground is required for optimal performance on some bands and with certain antennas (this is true for other tuners as well). (6) This tuner does not cover 6 meters, but many others don't either.

Overall, it's not bad. The worst problems are the internal arcing, the extremely stiff inductor switch, and the failure to tune some bands to a flat SWR.
KC8DE Rating: 2018-10-04
Flawless with a little maintenence on occassion Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've had this little tuner for over a decade. It has been able to match everything I've ever thrown at it, though of course it gets touchy trying to tune up a horrible load.

I've read a few reviews stating theirs is "flaky" to paraphrase. I ran into the issue, but the fix is simple. The 941's base chassis is aluminum; the connectors on the rear and main board are grounded to this. Over time, I believe oxide build-up reduces the effectiveness of these connections and leads to erratic readings or flat out non-function. Loosening the UHF connector screws and PCB board mounting screws, applying a little DeOxit to the mating surfaces and tightening everything back down restored my 941 to flawless operation. Basically, make sure all the chassis grounds are in good shape.
VK2JEM Rating: 2017-07-25
Tap tap... yep all good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I like this one.

Has built in balun for hi Z antennae plus two 50 ohm antenna and dummy load switch.

I like the cross needles. Can see output power as well as reflected and SWR at a glance. has 30W or 300W range switch. Can connect it to 12v then it has a light on the meter, but I have never bothered.

Sometimes the needles stick on the meter. A couple of taps on the glass (plastic) and they're back.

Feels like it could tune a rusty nail can handle anything I throw at it.

If I wanted to be picky the paint seems to get chipped and scratched easily but its just a tool that does all thats asked of it.
K5OX Rating: 2017-07-20
Mystery Problem Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I don't recall very many equipment problems in my 56 years as a ham, so when my G5RV's SWR would jump from 1:1 to 5:1 suddenly, I blamed the antenna.

After two months of aggravation, I finally suspected something else and it was a problem with the MFJ 941E Tuner. I'm not sure of it's precise problem, but putting pressure on the Antenna matching capacitor's shaft caused the SWR to jump all around. On further inspection the shaft has considerable "play" not evident in the other variable capacitor.

I am going to call the dealer to see what course of action is best, but I may try to call MFJ to get a replacement part or whatever they recommend. I need the tuner to use the G5RV so it's not something I can do without.
KE8EC Rating: 2017-03-10
Good Tuner Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased this tuner as a small one that I could use in my camper or as a portable station tuner. I feel that it is a good tuner for the money. I have a multi-band antenna here at the shack, fed with 300 Ohm line, tunes what I need, no problem. I read the other reviews on this site concerning the tuner, and I did open the case to take a look for any misplaced or missing parts. But generally I get what I pay for with MFJ products. For a basic tuner it is fine.
WA1UFO Rating: 2016-10-11
Sweet Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used this ATU on all HF bands except for 160 and I love it. It looks nice, tunes about anything so no complaints here. This is a lot of tuner for the price.
VA2PBJ Rating: 2015-07-13
Solid Time Owned: more than 12 months.
No issues with this tuner. It tunes everything I have. Great value and works as advertised.
NZ8X Rating: 2015-07-13
Mine Works! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using my 941E for over a year using an Alinco HF xcvr and never a problem with LMR 1/2 wave antennas. I wonder if you folks having problems have the tuner to a direct earth ground? Mine is, and again is works great. Sounds like operator error and not the product.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K8BDW on 2015-01-05

Bought mine used for I figure a good price. Read manual, placed a proper and good earth ground, connected the antennas and it works. No RF backfires, great little tuner. Does everything I expect of it.
OZ8AGB Rating: 2015-07-13
Do your own quality check Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Got mine a few years ago. When I turned one of the capacitor knobs I could hear scratching sound. I opened the tuner and found that one of the wires going to the coil was too close to the capacitor! It could easily be bent into place and the tuner was worked well since.
But do your own quality check as MFJ obviously doesn't do any Quality Assurance.
W5NM Rating: 2015-07-13
Terrible Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the worst tuner I have ever owned. I have built tuners that run circles around this one.
It doesn't want to tune much of anything. I think its just a bad design. I own a MFJ 949E and it does a great job.