Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: MFJ-948 Deluxe Versa Tuner II

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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-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
W2VIB Rating: 2010-11-14
4- good for 100 watts Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had for a few years....only problems were minor. 1. Inductors switch needed contact spray as it became intermittent after a few years. 2. Solved problem of panel light burning out by putting in a 12v bulb from radio shack and using a 7.5v wall wart, bulb seems to last forever...almost 2 years now. Unit does well on 10, 17, 20, 40 and 60 meter bands but is critical on 80 meters and will arc on 160 meters unless resonant dipole is used. Not bad for a non roller inductor tuner. A bit over priced when new but a bargain on eBay for half the original price.
KC0GSB Rating: 2010-03-28
Works Fine Now Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I give it a 3 because the 1N60 ( or 1N34, can't remember) diodes went bad in only a few months. I replaced those with some from Radio Shack and it has worked fine since. I have also installed a peak reading board in it and calibrated it using a Bird 43P. I use it at my test bench now as it's 300W rating is fine for there. In stock condition it's OK as a low power tuner and relative power out/SWR meter. It didn't cost much anyway.
G6UWK Rating: 2010-01-10
Doe's the job Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Got mine off Ebay so don't know age, first off it tunes both my G5RV and Windom no problem, however had to do a couple of things:

1) if display light was used shorted out immediately so I have removed the light and replaced with 2 ultra bright LED's and did not use existing circuit board, instead I just wired them direct as I suspect a PCB defect and did not want to strip the whole thing down to check (lazy I know)

2) coupling between knob and switch on antenna switch the threads became stripped when tightened to stop spinning, so I have drilled and tapped new M2.5 threads and now no problem.

As I have said I don't know age but it doesn't get overly warm as others have comment, overall I am not complaining, Tunes both FT 101E and FT 450 with no problems
WS4Y Rating: 2009-03-12
OK with a bit of TLC Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I picked mine up used for 50 bucks. I had
a problem that I thought was an intermitent
coax connector. Turns out the output connectors
are attached with pop rivets in only two locations
on each connector. On mine it was just loose enough to cause a poor ground connection to the
case. My solution was to remove the cover and solder a small solid copper wire to each of the
connectors on the ground side along the inside
panel and then solder to the ground post. This
provided a solid bond on the ground side for all
the output and input coax connections. No problems since.
KC8QNO Rating: 2009-01-24
Nice little tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had it for years with no trouble. Most of my antennas need little tuning and this does just great to make the radio happy. I also have a MFJ-901B which also is a flawless little tuner that I have had for years. I wanted a tuner with an antenna switch and a SWR meter all in one to eliminate some stuff on my small desk. The 948 Fit the bill and is basically a 901B with a Meter and a switch all in one. I have no overheating problems and mine stays cool all the time (mind you I am only running 150Watts through it at most).
W5GNB Rating: 2008-12-20
MF JUNK! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This "Tuner" is rated at 300-watts. I would bet this is probably the point of ignition for this device.
At just 100 watts of power the unit operates quite warm indicating that the coil within is far under rated for even 100 watts of power.

The construction is typical MFJ meaning cheaply built and quite poor design overall.

The tuner looks good setting on the bench and it will tune most anything to a 1:1 match but since the unit runs quite warm, how much of that power is actually getting through the tuner to the antenna system is still unknown.

This tuner is FAR overpriced for what it is!


EI6GRB Rating: 2008-09-17
Nice tuner Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Great little tuner. Has worked really well for me for the last year. It will tune absolutely anything but some times you need a little patience.
I cant fault it.
All in all for the price of this it is a fantastic and useful addition to any shack.
G3XAP Rating: 2008-09-04
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the 948 for 9 years now and have used it on a variety of antennas. It has never failed me and it works on 6 metres too, although the tuning is rather sharp up here and takes a little patience.

I don't understand user comments regarding MFJ's "build quality" - this unit is well constructed.

I'd recommend this tuner to anyone.

Phil, G3XAP
N6NKN Rating: 2007-03-24
They Don't Last Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have had two of these and both have failed after time. The first "smoked' after several months while running only 100 watts. The second now refuses to tune a 75M antenna that only needs a touch-up. I use them now as antenna switches and for parts. Bought an LDG AT-200Pro. Now that is a tuner.

No more MFJ for me.
KB5DRJ Rating: 2007-01-18
Good value tuner. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought mine used on eBay a couple of years ago. I had to add a washer inside to the inductor assembly or else the wiper arm would lose contact with the coil - not good. After I fixed that it has worked perfectly ever since. I use it to tune a Cliffdweller 2 antenna. It does what it is supposed to and I am used to having to take MFJ stuff apart and tighten screws, etc. I would give this unit a 5.0 except for the poor quality control.