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Reviews For: MFJ-267

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

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Review Summary For : MFJ-267
Reviews: 16MSRP: 200 in UK
Description:
Watt Meter and Dummy load
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00162.7
N7XNA Rating: 2022-04-12
Not working out of box Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This was back ordered for 6 weeks and when I did receive it I found the power button stuck in. The button was not centered in the hole so it bound up on the side of the hole. I took the cover off, set the circuit board to the side and filed the hole out, not a big deal but should not have had to do it. Now the power button work the meter started making crazy readings after a couple of days.

This dummy load cost a lot for what it is. You would think they could pay there Chinese manufacturer to at least test this stuff.

I hate to do it but I'm avoiding MFJ products like so many others.
KA1YBS Rating: 2021-09-05
It ain't a BIRD, and not priced like one! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I don't have a lot of MFJ gear, however, I have cycled in some of their stuff in and out of my shack over the years.

NEVER, EVER, EVER, have I had any loose parts or cold solder joints. Maybe i'm lucky, maybe only folks with a bad experience leave a review.

This dummy load handled a 700w key down for 30 seconds with ease. Not hot at all.

Either my amplifier power output indication is inaccurate, or the MFJ is. I don't have another way to test. The dummy load was off (by up to 150 watts) from my amp at the low end, "catching up" between 700 and 800 watts, which is the highest I can run the amp right now.

I hooked the MFJ to my Icom 7610 transceiver. Power readings were spot on. On these Icoms, PO% is 0-100 and using CW, It is about 0-110W which is correct, as confirmed by others with a Bird.

I am not paying for a lab instrument. I need something within 20% to give me an idea. I find that the 300w range is very accurate, and the 3,000w range is likely on the 20%, which is totally fine for $160.

The dummy load adds an important second instrument for me to use. Less crap to hook up, too!

I won't be using the coax switch on the back, I can see that would be a pain for the in-situ operators.

One thing I may add is a small fan. I bet I would get quite a bit more run time with one. The fact it needs 12v is a pain (for the meter) and a blessing (for the fan).

Overall, it was well packaged, no loose parts, worked immediately, and priced fairly. I give it 4 stars. A solid buy for someone wanting a dual-solution meter for testing at a reasonable price.
WB0OEW Rating: 2020-08-30
works fine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
2014: Had mine now over a year, purchased through HRO Phoenix. All functions work as advertised, no complaints, very handy combination of dummy load and power/SWR measurements. Both within about 5% of my Elecraft meter below 7 MHz, errors gradually increase to about 10% at 30 MHz. Switch in the back makes sense to keep wiring short (yes, they could have accomplished front panel control using a relay but that's hardly worth the trouble). A pleasant surprise is how light weight the unit is.

2020 update: light finally blew out today, everything else still fine. Will replace with LED.
MW0MZM Rating: 2020-01-11
Great piece of kit Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Why do MFJ get such a bad name. I have used numerous of their products over many years with no issues at all. Owned this piece of kit for several years and found it to be reliable, accurate and easy to use. Five stars for me!!
WB0NOO Rating: 2017-02-15
Terrible Design and Poor Workmanship Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received it last night and fired it right up. No indication that it was working (it does require 12 V to operate) Took a look inside and found that the wire from the switch to the load resistor wasn't soldered. There had been an attempt but it never would have worked. I soldered it up and now it works but I don't trust the readings, it was probably calibrated with the dummy load not attached. There are a few pots that probably could fix it, still deciding what to do with it. Sure wish I still had my B&W load meter....
VK4WTN Rating: 2014-06-10
works fine for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Ive had my meter for 2 years and am very happy with it. I did away with the rear switch and put a PL259 socket for the dummy load input and just use a short patch lead to connect the dummy load to the meter.I mainly use the meter to test amps etc. I have found it to be within 10% accurate and it does everything that I want and didnt cost a fortune
W6HDG Rating: 2013-03-11
Died after 3 months Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
People warned me about MFJ products. This meter worked fine for 3.5 months and now the meter is non operative. I would not be writing this negative review except that I called for service and not only am I going to have to pay to return it (understandable), they won't send it back to me unless I also pay $12 for return shipping. Hey, I didn't manufacture a defective product, they did!! I should NOT have to pay that. Unless they change their policy, I will never buy another product from MFJ.
W4VFZ Rating: 2012-12-16
Forget it! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've purchased numerous items from MFJ over the years, some of it was very good (their Antenna Analyzer is SUPER), but other items are of poor design and construction (antenna switches, "radio" clock), and the MFJ-267 combined SWR/Watt Meter and dummy load. The Dummy load switch is mounted on the back (have to use Braile to set it!), and the time constant capacitor on the meter is WAY to large! Worst of all, there is NO schematic available, either from MFJ or on the Internet.
AA1E Rating: 2011-03-24
Good Stuff!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I don't understand all the negative comments concerning this meter! I purchased from HRO in NH and it came super well packaged and works great. I don't know how accurate it is, I didn't expect it to be a Bird but it pretty much agrees with my TS 870. The dummy load works well, I use an amplifier and it doesn't overheat if tuned with a tad of common sense. So far I am completely satisfied with my purchase.
W0DOT Rating: 2009-05-28
Last MFJ Product I Buy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the fourth MFJ product I've bought and every single one has had quality problems. This one arrived with the meter laying inside the case. A broken mount of extremely cheap design. You can't get ahold of these people the support lines are so busy and when you do it takes three or four calls to get results. I'm still struggling through putting together their 1798 antenna after a month of frustration. A previous wattmeter had all the internal screws laying in the bottom.
I have no idea how this wattmeter will perform since it'll be at least two weeks before I can re-assemble it. If it performs okay I'll come back and give it a 1. There's an old saying, probably dating to the Roman Empire, "You get what you pay for."