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Reviews For: MFJ-969

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : MFJ-969
Reviews: 115MSRP: 199.95
Description:
Covers 160M to 6M, 300W
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-969
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001153.5
DL1DBY Rating: 2001-04-20
sometimes it can't find a good match Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
It's strange, but my less expensive MFJ-949 finds a good match more often that my MFJ-969. There are situations with my G5RV antenna where the MFJ-969 is hard to tune. For comparison: the lower priced LDG Electronics AT-11 automatic tuner can tune my antenna all the time without any problems.

The MFJ-969 has a cheap feel. It's like driving a ten year old Chrysler instead of a Mercedes-Benz. You'll probably be able drive anywhere you want with both cars, but there is a certain difference.

My unit showed no signs of bad workmanship. Except that it came with scratches on the enclosure right from the factory (I ordered from MFJ directly).
KE5GK Rating: 2001-04-19
Too Much for Too Little Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This unit is one of few pieces of ham gear that I have owned that was bad from the start.

After multiple calls to the dealer and MFJ, I got the orginal unit replaced. It was an out of box failure. I think I got one of the very first units produced.

The second unit operated in an erratic manner and never gave me reliable performance.

Pets that never work out go to the Pound. Disappointing cattle and horses go to the Sale Barn. You guessed it, my MFJ 969 went to the next hamfest. I almost gave it away. I returned home free of guilt and free of the MFJ 969!

My advice: Turkeys and MFJ 969's should never be allowed in the hamsack.
LZ3VD Rating: 2001-03-18
Works well but lacks the finish Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have been using my tuner for a few months now and never had a problem.Radio is Icom mk2g and the antenna is a dipole.No problems to get the best SWR in seconds(40m-6m).The only thing is the finish is not as good as it should be and I had to remove some loose small particles of soldering material inside the tuner.
73/LZ3VD
W0NZV Rating: 2001-03-14
Works well, never a problem. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Used for several months on 10-160M and never a glitch. Works well.
N2VUL Rating: 2000-12-31
OK AT 100W, (SO FAR) WEAK REAR CONNECTIONS Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
PURCHASED UNIT USED,I USE THIS TUNER W/MFJ-931 GROUND UNIT.TUNES MY END FED WIRE & 6 METER LOOP QUITE WELL (160 THRU 6) . CONNECTORS ON REAR (FOR DIPOLES ETC.) KEEP COMING LOOSE. NOT THE BEST,BUT FOR $120.00 I CAN'T COMPLAIN.CONSTRUCTION SEEMS TO BE OF LESSER QUALITY FROM THE OTHER MFJ I HAD OWNED FROM AROUND 1980 (MFJ-981 3K SERIES). PS- YES I -WILL- COMPLAIN ABOUT MY MERCEDES! IT COMES CLOSE, *BUT NOTHING'S PERFECT*!!!
K8NY Rating: 2000-07-31
A very poorly constructed piece of equipment at a high price. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After sending my 989C back to MFJ after owning it for 6 mos, I had to wait 2 mos to get it back. They apparently replaced the roller inductor and follower (the real weak link in this product). After using it for 4 more months (now out of warranty) the following ocurred:
The turns counter is completely non functional and will need to be replaced(their price for this part is astronomical).
The inductor follower and inductor was tarnished and not functioning (caused my IC 746 to burn out a flex ribbon cable, costing me $160.00 in repairs and shipping). I repaired the inductor follower and removed and cleaned the inductor (this now functions better than when it was received back form MFJ)
The meter lamp has blown twice (and my lamp voltage is only 11.8 volts!)I've replaced it twice in a most difficult to take apart meter housing!
One of the diodes blew (repalaced with beefier diode)
I'm assuming that this is the 'norm' for MFJ products. Well, after purchasing this (my first MFJ product) I think I'll pass on any other offerings.
N3AWS Rating: 2000-05-18
Performs well Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have used my MFJ-969 for approximately 1 year. I bought it used from another Mississippi ham (he upgraded to a larger MFJ tuner after he bought a linear).

I have used it at home on 17-6 meters into various wire antennas and for my QRPp expedition to Hillsborough County Florida (Florida Y2K QSO PArty) with a G5RV on 40-6 meters--the six meter contacts were not part of the contest.

It has done an admirable job and is easy to use. I find that the SWR and Power Output functions on the Icom 706 work better for me for tuning up, though. I can tune my antennas to a 1:1 SWR in less than a minute. It certainly outperforms my old Drake tuner. It works fine on the WARC bands, too.

73, Jim N3AWS
KB3EQU Rating: 2000-03-28
Right price and does the job Time Owned: unknown months.
After getting my dipole up (attic style - live in yuppieville) it was necessary to get a tuner as the swr was beyond the autotuner in my 570D. Picked up a new 969 at the hamfest, hooked it up and it works like a charm. Even tuned the "in-between" bands on the dipole without a hitch. Very pleased with the performance and price. No problems for this MFJ customer.
N.A. Rating: 2000-03-07
Quality control problems? Time Owned: unknown months.
As a new ham operator, I looked forward to acquiring my MFJ 969 tuner for my station. Upon purchasing a new unit from HRO ,it arrived only to find it did not operate correctly ,out of the box.Disappointing.Returned to MFJ for repair with detail notes of several problems:One side of meter and one control inoperative,Roller inductor sticking and could not turn freely,etc.Returned in 2 weeks, with repairs/parts completed, but returned,not in the original box I had sent.Concerned about quality control at MFJ.But it does appear to operate correctly for now.Just disappointing for purchasing something brand new and having to return it immediately.
N7AOB Rating: 2000-01-01
Still say it is junk... Time Owned: unknown months.
My previous complaints still stand. If you call these MFJ customer support people, they will ask you what version you have. My manual doesn't even reflect the true version and the schematic does not show the the correct (?) wiring. They need BADLY to get their act together.

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Earlier 1-star review posted by N7AOB on 1999-12-30

I bought this last year from HRO and it never has performed well. I sent it back to MFJ, and after two months (and four phone calls) I finally received it back. It still would not function properly. I disassembled the unit and found dirty contact on the roller and bad soldering throughout. There was an open diode also, so it would not operate with internal power (the 9 volt battery). I will never buy another MFJ product. Their service is non existent.