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Reviews For: MFJ-259

Category: Antenna Analyzers

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Review Summary For : MFJ-259
Reviews: 41MSRP: 259
Description:
MFJ-259 HF/VHF SWR ANALYYZER
1.8-170 mhZ Invalid item - see MFJ-259B
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-259B
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00414.3
N7BEG Rating: 2007-09-10
5/5 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned my 269 for a few years now and have used it quit a lot. I never have had any problems with it as decribed in previous.
Worked right out of the box, no problems.
The famous UHF problem never ocurred.
I have pressed the UHF button at the wrong times
and nothing went wrong. The distance to fault works very well (when done properly) SWR and VSWR are right on. I have tuned and set up many antennas and antenna tuners. I have used it in rain, snow , and sleet. Tomarrow I will DTF the 7/8 coax that runs from 4 330 ft AM broadcast towers to the Transmitter building at a new AM station. I have, and use, equipment that is many times more exotic and expencive than my 269 and it holds it's own against them. It may not be as acurate and exacting but for the bucks it dose well. If I have any real complaint it is the cheap N connector. I have had to replace it due to the center pin failing.
The inside is clean and soldered well. Not the bad quality control problems I have been reading about.
Would I buy MFJ again ?? If I needed a low cost
means for measurment, You bet. If I were building a rocket, no.
WR5D Rating: 2007-01-19
Nice little meter for the money Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned my MFJ-259 for about 4 years, and even with its few quirks, it's been a valuable tool. It seems to have a higher-than-needed current drain, and so the battery pack doesn't last as long as I'd like. The analog meters are great to have, tho, and the X and R readings are consistently accurate for my uses ,as I design antennas, and optimize existing systems.
N3JBH Rating: 2007-01-16
you should get one Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
ok ok i know i dont like MFJ stuff. but i did get one these gizmo's and i must say i wish i had one 20 years ago. it may not be lab quality. but it is really useful to have. sure will take a lot of time out messing with antenna's.
N6DXX Rating: 2007-01-15
Great instrument in the shack Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought mine used for $130 & am very pleased with it. It is very useful in tuning antennas & antenna tuners too while not putting a signal on the air. A great tool to have on "Field Day".

Tony, N6DXX
PE1NPG Rating: 2006-12-08
Awsome Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
What a great tool! Bought it initinaly for tuning my buddipole quickly, it does, but its a great tool with much more possibilities. Should have bought it a few years ago. Yes, there are more accurate tools on the market, but this one fits me well!

73 de PE1NPG, Jean-Pierre
KC7GNM Rating: 2006-12-08
Awesome piece of Equipment Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This little device has saved me so much time tuning antennas. No more do I need to use an SWR meter the old fashioned way. I have tuned up antennas within 5 min now vs. the 20-30 min using an swr meter. Whoever says MFJ makes nothing but junk has never used one of these.
WA2MGB Rating: 2006-08-08
A must have for the shack! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I picked up this MFJ-259 used for 175.00 in mint condition. It may not be the most current MFJ analyzer, however, it works superbly! I was able to adjust my Butternut HF6-V in less than 30 minutes....and these antennas are notorious for requiring meticulous adjustment when first installed. A life saver. No issues. Acutally, a great product from MFJ.
K6YE Rating: 2005-12-18
GREAT PRODUCT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I borrowed my Dad's, K5LDH, unit to optimize my Force-12 C4XLD yagi. All of the bands were flat except 40 meters. Note well that I had added a remote relay box to switch additional inductance thereby enabling me to cover all of 40 meters. The 259 showed me low in the band. I shortened the director and reflector and voila, seamless from 7.0 to 7.3 MHz. I will now use the 259 to optimize my 160/80/40 sloper. I am not a big fan of MFJ but this box is a keeper. There are lots of used units out there. If you find one at a great price, buy it. You will not be sorry. (If your friends find out you have one, it will probably be loaned out often).

Tommy - K6YE
DX IS
W8KI Rating: 2005-12-09
Dr Whizbang Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I also have one of the first originals and 'cept for it's thirst for battery life and the fact it HATES the cold, it's always been very accurate & repeatable. The insides are well soldered. The cheesy sheet metal screws are always a **pain** when installing or removing the batteries thus, after my second or third set of dead batteries, I now use the AC adapter/wallwart for 99% of my uses. For remote applications, the AA's are funished. Considering its usefullness with antenna and transmatch adjustments, my friends have faithfully nicknamed it "Dr. Whizbang". ;-)The nickname was appropriate and has since stuck.
N4UE Rating: 2005-10-31
Works fer me! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones when it comes to MFJ stuff. I have 9 pieces of their accessories and everyone works 100%.
Yes, my 259B does have an lust for batteries, but they are cheap.
Using the 259B produces a great chart for adjusting my 6 band 'fan' dipole, without transmitting. I haven't used the GDO portion (even though I have the coils), since I have 6 'vintage' GDOs that work FB.....

All in all, I am VERY pleased with the unit....

ron

N4UE