Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: MFJ 130RC

Category: Ham Shack Clocks

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : MFJ 130RC
Reviews: 27MSRP: 39.95
Description:
Thermo Wall Clock
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00271.4
K3MD Rating: 2005-03-17
Not good Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Worked around 3 months, then quit. Won't synchronize. My $30 LaCrosse Technology watch works every time... this does not.
NE1RD Rating: 2005-01-17
Almost deaf in MA Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Perpetually confused. If the clock were completely deaf it
would be better. Instead, it hears occasional snippets from
WWV and sets the year, month, day, date, and time to random
data. I'm going to open it up and look for a way to run an external antenna to it just for fun. But, I'm afraid it will become
a regular, old wall clock when I'm done.
K1DX Rating: 2004-02-18
Nice clock, but not automatic Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is a nice clock, and it has very nice features. Unfortunately, it isn't capable of reading time signals here. I've even tried it outside and well in the clear. If it worked automatically, I'd rate it a "5." But since it doesn't do what the premium price claims, it is still a nice clock, but overpriced.
BTW, I bought it a HRO and they warned me that it might not work well in New England; they were right.
W4PRT Rating: 2003-08-18
Seem to be working just fine Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, I had a dickens of a time trying to find a clock that would be radio-controlled and could be set for UTC. I really wanted two analog clocks that could do the above. But, after scouring the 'Net numerous times the best that I could come up with were the MFJ 130RC.

I'm giving these clocks a 5 because they're doing what I want them to do in the shack. They took a little bit of time to sync up, but ince they did they're working like they should.

The instructions leave a lot to be desired. There are typos and the buttons that they tell you to use don't do what they say that they do. However, they are relatively easy to configure and once you figure out what button does what, you're in business.

I'm glad that I bought them.

Pete
(W4PRT)
KE6PID Rating: 2002-07-10
MFJ - Once you get the knack Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The MFJ 130RC isn't too bad, but placement in your QTH is everything. The clock doesn't like my operating position where I want to use it, but works great in the living room where I don’t care. It's quite accurate once "locked" to WWVB, but unlocked operation looses time quickly.

Radio Shack was selling an "atomic clock" for awhile, it had an external antenna, this thing always works if the WWVB transmitter is on but the MFJ with it's built in antenna is a mediocre performer-not locking right next to a clock that does so reliably.

To MFJ - Put an external antenna on so we can set the antenna for best signal and still see the clock and clean up the RF section, how well can that epoxy blob on the PB board work?-then you'll have a first class product. Also, it should try to sync more than once a day.

:-/
KA3POY Rating: 2002-07-10
useless Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As an impulse buy in my local ham shop, I over-rode the instinctive repulsion for low quality MFJ products and purchased this clock. The salesperson asserted that they work great.

Mine un-sets itself by several hours every evening and then correctly resets itself by morning. Humorously, the clock's brain lock occurs right in the middle of my evening operating period, around 2300 EDT.

While there may be some explanation, it hasn't presented itself after thorough readings of the instructions. I would not purchase this product again.
WA9BXE Rating: 2002-06-03
MFJ - Get your act together! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I wanted to buy the MFJ 128 wall clock, which listens for the time signal from WWVB, for use in my office. The primary use would be to get my server farm operating with the correct time (and not my tech's time which can be fast/slow or just plain wrong).

I discovered the clock I wanted (one with hands) had been discontinued. It was replaced by the MFJ 130RC. The new digital model has date, day, alarm and temperature, in addition to the time.

It seems to keep time OK, once you get it in synch the NBS atomic clock.

My complaints, for the moment, are as follows:

1) The clock appeared to be used. There were plenty of scratches on the back of the case around the mounting hole, which means it was hung somewhere.
2) The instruction sheet was noticeably used and contains errors.
3) The clock showed up with the batteries installed and the packing material falling out of the box.

I was disappointed that I was sold a product that was obviously used. If I wanted a used item, I would also expect a discounted price, which this item was not.

I have higher expectations of this company.