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Reviews For: MFJ-948 Deluxe Versa Tuner II

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : MFJ-948 Deluxe Versa Tuner II
Reviews: 34MSRP: $119.00
Description:
300 Watt fixed inductor tuner/4 pos antenna switch with tuned/untuned option/cross needle meter
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00343.7
5B4AMD Rating: 2021-02-20
Do you want to tune your fence? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It will stay for ever with me. Where an ATU cannot do the job this one can tune anything. Great quality in general. Only downside is that after the years the crossneedle dial is not zero-ed and whatever i do to configure it to zero i can't. Not a major issue since the needle stands just a fraction above zero.

You want a tuner to be able to tune anything. This is the one for you!

73
W5JON Rating: 2021-01-30
Heck of a deal. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I went on eBay and was bidding on a MFJ-948 Tuner, I lost, it finally went for $164. and my shipping would have been $21. So I decided to buy a NEW one from HRO, on sale it was $169. and Free shipping. So it was cheaper buying NEW then Used on eBay! Heck of a deal. When it arrived I did a "MFJ check" and checked for loose screws and cold solder joints, all looked excellent, no complaints at all.
I will be using it when I travel and operate as DX. Tried it here, and I am able to tune my shortened (42') 20m/40m dipole, that I use when when I travel, to better the 1.5:1 also on 60m, 30m, 15m, also. Thanks MFJ..
i
WB6OUE Rating: 2017-10-22
Good quality tuner. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased this tuner sixteen years ago. When I opened the box the power/swr meter was laying inside the case. There was a screw that held the cover on that was way to long, and it had shorted out one of the capacitors. , After installing a right size screw and epoxying the meter back into its opening the tuner has worked perfect ever since then.

I am contemplating on buying a new tuner that will accept 1,500 watts or more. The newest auto tuners by MFJ look pretty good, or I can just byte the bullet and get a "Palstar". I don't know which way I will go yet.
LISTENER007 Rating: 2015-03-01
Does the job Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this one for over 10 years now and it does the job. That's all I've ever asked of it. No fuss, no frills, it just does its job and no more, certainly no less. Even plugged into transceivers with their own built in tuner, I prefer to use the 948. It has far more reach in adjustment. The Inductor selector is a bit soft on feel and you sort of have to make sure you got it into the position correctly in certain parts of the dials 360 degrees at times but I know this unit like the back of my hand so there's no problem here...

I have a list of presets at different frequencies, so usually it takes but a few extra seconds to get right into the groove each time I get ready. I just love seeing that "Reflected" needle hardly moving at all or only just moving. It makes me think it's all worth while each time I tune up...

Excellent stuff..!!!
NZ5L Rating: 2013-05-06
CAN be a good buy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I also picked up one of these at a recent 'fest, for a very attractive price. The meter was usable for general indications. More seriously, it didn't tune! The old QC devil seems to pop up often with some MFJ models. In this case, the problem was in the inductor switch contacts. The inductor was not making contact on some positions, rendering it of very limited utility (and is why I got a good price, I'm sure). Fortunately, I was able to correct this, and am presently using it at the 100W level - the maximum practical limit, despite the spec. Most rigs have a usable digital meter nowdays, so the meter accuracy is not terribly important (but nce to have with older or portable gear).
If you buy one, be prepared to work with it. It might turn out to be a good deal for you. Or, get it brand-new and return if unsatisfactory. It is still true: You get what you pay for!
K3HVG Rating: 2013-05-06
Better than nothing? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just got a used in-the-box unit at a local hamfest. Both meter movements were not zeroed and it took a lot of trial and error to bring them to a reasonable zero position. The static and mechanical interactions with the plastic case are positively horrible. I can only hope that what I ended up with will stay put. I will use it at power levels well below the rated (sic) power as there is no way it will support 300 watts. Once again, MFJ has lived up to their alternate name.... M-F-J.
KD8TZC Rating: 2013-04-08
Works good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Works great, just slow because it is manual. Never had a problem with mine though and if I needed a manual tuner, I would buy one again.
KR4OW Rating: 2012-12-18
Does as Advertised Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this tuner for 6 years now.
This tuner has done everything I needed it to.
This including odd antnennas at field day sites.
Have had up to 200 watts in the unit without a problem.
Just follow the book and avoid the wire lengths they say. And you will be fine.
The Meters work well.
Oh it take a good beating to. been dropped a couple of times at field day.



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Earlier 5-star review posted by KR4OW on 2006-04-13

The tuner works as advertised
Follow the books instructions and you will have no problems. The only disturbing thing about this unit. It has something rattling inside it.
This does not seem to affect the operation though.
Have no arcing problems of any kind. Meter is easy reading no problems
KK4BAX Rating: 2012-11-28
Unusable Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My tuner is second hand and this should be born in mind, however the unit is clean and clearly has seen little use (you will see why below). The fatal issue arises from component quality, causing it to be unusable.
The shafts of both capacitors were loose in the bushings allowing the shafts to rock resulting in rotor/stator contact. This is NOT a wear issue, it is simply truly horrible quality parts. I managed to slip thin strips of plastic into the gap between the shaft(s) and the bushing(s) which reduced the rocking enough so that after a session with a bright light, a continuity tester and a Exacto knife to gently bend the rotor vanes as necessary, the capacitors are now free from contact. I would not attempt to run at 300W though.
VE7ABC Rating: 2012-05-03
What problems Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had 2 or 3 MFJ tuners over the years, and have yet had one let me down. They've been mobile with me using a Hustler mobile system, used on Field Day with a wide variety of antenna types and operators, and I've still use one here in the shack. I've never had a problem with any of them. Are the best tuner out there capable of handling high power? Of course not. There are a lot better tuners in the market. However, from my experience they do exactly what they've been designed to do. I don't ask it to do something it wasn't meant to do, nor try and run high power through it. I know that the MFJ company has produced some poorly finished products, but my experience with their tuners has been nothing but positive for my useage. Would I buy another should the need come up? Yes.