| VK4JAZ |
Rating:      |
2008-11-20 | |
| The 9406 is a winner |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| OK, got the rig back from MFJ and what a beauty. The receiver is really sensitive and I have received nothing but great on air reports so far. I use the rig with a Cushcraft AR6 Ringo vert antenna and am having a ball on 6m SSB. No DX yet, but that will come when the band opens ... |
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| JR0HYT |
Rating:     |
2007-10-28 | |
| Good radio |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I purchaced the 20m version. My main prupose of this radio is for portable operation so that camping, hiking etc.
I feel the performance of this rig in the phone operation is good for 10w out put tranceiver. Today, I tyied the WW Dx Phone contest with this rig and mobile whip(2m long). I worked asian, oceanian and south american stations in this condition.
But I feel dissatisfaction in the CW operation. First, the side tone is loud in the orisinal condition.
Second, the caliblation of CW shift is very difficult. In my case, it is good when caliblation is finished, but after the case closed, the zero is little shift.
This will be due to the capacitance chenge between the metal case and the cercuit may affect the cariblation when case open/close.
But on the other hand, like these trables or problemes are little fun like a home made or a kit rig.
Totally, this rig is a good one in comparison with the latest Black Boxed Rig.
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| M5TAW |
Rating:      |
2006-09-12 | |
| Surprisingly good |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I picked up the 20m version of radio 2nd hand complete with the CW module on ebay for less than the cost of a 10m multimode. I don't find the physical appearance or the build quality inspiring - however the performance is.
During tests between my FT 897, TS 480 and MF9420, my transmitted audio reports were better on the little MFJ - every time. It was reported as being equally as loud as my unprocessed 897 at 50 watts.
(I have since resolved the muddy audio reports on the aforementioned with an Astatic teardrop mic)
The receiver is also very good in terms of sensitivity and selectivity - you do have to be precise with the tuning however.
It's perfect for a travel / backpack radio - small, lightweight and not too much of a financial loss if something terrible happens to it.
Strongly recommended as a second hand buy, or a discounted new buy - QRP radios have evolved and are more prolific since this first went into production - today's UK pricing is high compared to fully featured radios such as FT 817 and IC703
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| AA8PP |
Rating:     |
2006-08-16 | |
| Nice little rig |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Just purchased my 9475x earlier this month (August 2006) and so far am quite pleased with it. Had to make a small adjustment on it for ALC to get it where it belonged but not a big deal at all. My vfo was reading about 10 khz off but very simple to correct it also - just hold the main tuning knob and gently slip the indicator to the correct place. It is just a pressed on thing and moves ok. Now it reads as close as you can expect without having a digital readout. Reports so far are good but obviously not the strength of a 100 watt rig.Seems very good at rejecting side splatter - surprisingly seems to knock it out better than the rigs I have owned with extra filters. Will advise if anything different occurs but happy for now Bob AA8PP |
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| NY6Z |
Rating:      |
2005-12-29 | |
| 20 meters for $200+ |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I never write reviews, but I was so impressed by the mfj-9420x , I had to write this. For a little more than $200 and a dipole, you get a lot of fun. This tranceiver works great, dx local, its all great! |
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| N4LI |
Rating:     |
2005-11-15 | |
| Not bad... not bad at all. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought the 6 meter version of this radio, the 9406, a couple of years back to take to Costa Rica; I didn’t want to lose a more expensive radio in customs. I must say – especially for MFJ stuff – I was pleasantly surprised.
The receiver is perhaps the nicest surprise. It seems to hear quite well, indeed. I find the analog VFO a bit difficult to work with, but it’s fairly smooth, and the fine tune helps quite a bit.
On transmit? No complaints. I am not sure I am getting the full 10w, but I have had little trouble making contacts with the 9406. Audio reports have been good, even with the tinny stock MFJ microphone.
But, the radio’s biggest strengths are its size and portability. It weighs almost nothing, and has a very light DC draw. If you can make 2 amps of DC, you’re good to go. I made a host of power cables, so I can run off nearly anything. It’s ideal for camping, or any portable operation.
As I mentioned in my specific review of the 6m version, I do think the unit is just a tad pricey for what it is; 6m gear often is. But, if you can find a 9406 for a good price, pick one up, if you’re a 6m fan like me.
Peter, N4LI
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| NY4D |
Rating:      |
2005-11-15 | |
| Lots of Fun |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
What can you do with 10 watts, two buttons and two knobs? Push the PTT and work someone!
I've had one of these for just a few weeks. Mine is the 9420. This little radio has exceeded all my expectations, and is a definite keeper. Definitely the most fun radio I've ever used.
Mine needed some twiddling when I got it (used) but 20 minutes with the top off got it working great. All these comments pertain to ssb operation as I have not used mine on cw.
One of the "ssb audio guys" played back my transmit audio (unsolicited by me), truly amazing, and the advertising claims are true, good communication audio with plenty of punch from the always on speech processor.
Receive is very good, hears better than some "real" rigs I've had. AGC action is remarkably smooth. I find the frequency readout just fine but then I go back to tube vfo days. When it is dead on in the middle it will be a tad off at the band edges. Just be aware.
The variable capacitor tuned vfo is remarkably stable, more so than many pto rigs I've had, but of course it is not going to be as stable as a dds vfo modern rig. I just leave mine turned on all the time when it is inside and on the shack supply so never experience the inevitable warm-up drift. Put a freq-mite in if you need a better idea of where you are.
This rig just begs for mods and add-ins, and there's plenty of space inside to do so. I'm itching to put this in the truck mobile. Or take it out in the field with an inverted vee and my DK9SQ mast.
At typical used prices, this is a remarkable value. And yes, there are a few features lacking that would make it better, but the same can be said for some very popular rigs with much higher price tags. I don't recommend it as your only HF rig, but it is a great second rig, and it has earned a permanent place here. |
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| WA8MEA |
Rating:      |
2005-07-22 | |
| They are a BLAST! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owned several of these MFJ Adventure Radios. From 20 meters up to two meters, they have never disappointed me. I bought a 20 meter version with CW module about ten years ago. Used it barefoot, no amp. That lil rig was a load of fun for me for many years. EXCELLENT transmit audio, excellent receive sensitivity. The verier dial was right on the money. No, it wasn't direct freq readout. But it was dam close!
Traded that in for a six meter. Put up a three element Cushcraft Yagi and worked the world on six during the solar peak....without an amp! Also purchased the CW module. Again, great receiver, great transmit audio. Not a single problem.
Traded that in on a two meter version with CW module. I was the most impressed with the two meter. I was amazed at how far you could work with a little 100 watt amp and five element Yagi using this rig. I now wish I had never sold it.
They joke about MFJ being "Mighty Fine Junk". These little rigs are not junk. They are a bargain of a price for what you get. And they will eventually become legendary...like the Heathkit Single Banders of the '60's.
73, Bill - WA8MEA |
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| WR5D |
Rating:     |
2005-07-22 | |
| MFJ-9420: nice little radio! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I've had my 9420 for about 12 years and it has been a fine piece of equipment. I've taken it on vacation many times and even backpacked it to the top of mountains and used it several days under less-than-perfect condx. It's very sturdy and probably the best little rig for the money out there! I can work stations all day with a simple 12V 7Ah battery and a wire dipole. |
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| KG4FPQ |
Rating:      |
2005-04-23 | |
| Excellent !!! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I got mine used, first time QRP'er and loving it! I get 5-9 reports with 5-9 signals Rcv'ed. This one's a keeper! I recommend it to anyone who likes a challange ( well, it wasn't much of a challange, I heard them and I worked'em ) It is lighweight and small enough to carry in a backpack for camping. Overall it is a nice rig, if you are looking to get one I recommend it. 73! DE KI4FZD |
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