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Reviews For: MFJ-993

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : MFJ-993
Reviews: 123MSRP: 259.95
Description:
MFJs exclusive IntelliTuner™, Adaptive Search™ and InstantRecall™ algorithms give you ultra fast automatic tuning with over 2000 non-volatile revolving memories. You get a highly efficient L-network, wide 6-1600 ohm matching at full 300 Watts SSB/150 Watts CW, 1.8-30 MHz coverage, Cross-Needle and digital meters, aural SWR meter, backlit LCD display, remote control port, radio interface, heavy-duty 16 amp/1000 volt relays and more.

It learns while you're having fun
As you’re ragchewing, contesting or DXing, your MFJ-993 is learning! When you transmit, the MFJ-993 automatically tunes for minimum SWR and remembers your frequency and tuner settings. The next time you operate on that frequency and antenna, these tuner settings are instantly restored and you’re ready to operate in milliseconds!

Each of two antennas can learn and remember over a thousand frequencies and tuner settings. They are safely stored in non- volatile revolving memory.

Highly Intelligent ultra fast tuning
MFJs InstantRecall™ first checks its memory to see if you have operated this frequency before. If so, tuning is instantaneous and you re ready to operate. If not, MFJ's IntelliTuner™ algorithm - - based on MFJ's famous SWR Analyzer technology - - kicks in. It measures the complex impedance of your antenna. Next, it calculates the components it needs and instantly snaps them in. Then, it fine tunes to minimize SWR -- you’re ready to operate. It’s all done in a fraction of a second.

When the impedance is within its measurement range, the MFJ-993 is the fastest automatic antenna tuner in the world.

If it can’t accurately determine impedance, MFJ’s AdaptiveSearch™ algorithm goes into action. Frequency is measured and relevant components values are determined. Only those values are searched for ultra-fast tuning.

For even faster searches, you can set the target SWR to 2 (settable 1.0-2.0). You can manually tune when you can’t transmit (for listening out of ham bands).

Cross Needle and Digital SWR/Watt Meters
Lighted Cross-Needle and digital meters lets you accurately read SWR, forward and reflected power at a glance. An aural SWR meter lets you hear the tuned SWR when you can’t see or read the meters. Turn on a highly visible, instant response SWR LCD bargraph when you need it.

Backlit LCD Display
An easy-to-read backlit LCD displays SWR, forward/reflected power, frequency, antenna 1/2, L/C tuner values, on/off indicators and other information.

Remote Control Port
Plug in the MFJ-990RC remote control and put your tuner at your antenna or elsewhere and control it remotely. The MFJ-993 supports radio tuner interfaces such as the ICOM 706 series. Interface cables are available.

The MFJ-993 is a compact 10Wx2¾ Hx9D inches. Use 12 –15 VDC/1 amp or 110 VAC with MFJ-1316.

Tune any Antenna
You can tune any antenna — dipoles, verticals, beams, phased arrays, inverted vees, quads, random wires, mobile antennas, compact limited space antennas – practically any antenna. A 4:1 true current balun lets you tune any balanced antenna - - horizontal loops, vertical loops, multi-band doublets, quads, folded dipoles, Zepps.


Product is in production
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# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001234.4
VA7CZ Rating: 2006-03-13
A gem of a tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got my 993B about two weeks back. It's a real winner with me. What decided me to get an auto-tuner was the fact that the antennas I'm using are very narrow, especially on 75 and 40m. Tuning meant spending a fair bit of time with my rig running substantial power into a mismatch while I fiddled with knobs on the tuner. This one remembers what happened last time and clicks right into it. Needs only a smidge of power, too.

Plus it's a very effective antenna switch. If you have two antennas connected, it can remember which two (out of four on each connector) you have connected and do the proper settings for each. What this means in practical terms is that you really only need to tune once for each antenna/frequency combination. After that the tuner will remember (unless something radically changes). For an antenna experimenter like me, it's a godsend. I only need one tuner to do A/B testing between antennas!

Also, like most MFJ stuff, it runs on 12V so it's suitable for portable, emergency and mobile work.

So far it has tuned almost everything I've thrown at it. It won't quite handle a 75m mobile whip on 160 (though it does a 25ft random wire well there). And I have to use the 150 watt range to get it below 1.5 to one on the bottom end of 80m with a 75m mobile whip resonating at 3730. But hey, those are really extreme mismatches!
2E1RDX Rating: 2006-03-05
Reliability issues !!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
well 8 weeks into owning this Tuner my joy is turning to despair !!! after the first month it stopped tuning my Antenna via the 4:1 Balun it had been working fine but just stopped tuning this was not an antenna issue as i connected the the same antenna via the other socket and it tuned no problem tried it again via the Balun and it would not tune any band returned it to W&S 2 weeks later it was returned with a note saying no fault found and that I should read the manual regarding link wire required for balun operation !!! which is exactly what I had done and it had worked perfect for the first month so this did not fill me with confidence .
now less than 3 weeks later the tuner will not switch between antenna's it shows that it is switching but I can remove antenna 2 completly switch to this socket and it is still receiving via antenna one I have done all resets and unpowered from supply all to no avail still antenna socket one is live when switched to 2 as before it had been working perfect until this morning so now I will be without a tuner for the 2nd time in 4 weeks which is just not good enough lets hope I can get a refund and buy a more reliable tuner
rgds Ian
MM0ODI Rating: 2006-02-17
Cracker...with reservations. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just bought one and I'm really impressed by what this kit will tune. Very fast response when I shift from the 40 metre dipole to the 80 metre or the vertical. It really does learn as you go. Looks fairly good although my one reservation is the quality of the paint and the slot cutting for the LCD. I think they need a new blade on their cutter and the paintshop should make sure the paint also covers the small bit of the inside lid that shows above the faceplate. All in all a really nice tuner...now where did I put that damp piece of string?
VK4VKX Rating: 2005-11-29
The tuner works well to expectations Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased the latest MFJ-993B and I,m impressed with the unit. The only problem I had was trying to follow the instructions in the manual. I use a wire off centre fed dipole designed to operate on several bands and the 993 handles this without a problem.
KC0SOG Rating: 2005-11-09
Almost a Killer ATU ! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've used it for the past few months and it tunes everything I've tossed at it. It is really fast! The only knock I have is that it is not a polished looking product and the interface has too many bells and whistles. Trade some of the little bells and whistles for an extra coax output, a dummy load, and autogrounding on power down. Then you would have a real killer ATU.

73, Doug
WA5CUY Rating: 2005-10-03
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered my 993 direct from MFJ in order to have the latest upgrades. Tuner arrived in quick order, but had a bit of trouble understanding the jumper assignment to make it work with the Kenwood TS-850s. A call to MFJ tech support cleared up my misunderstanding in just a few seconds, and the tuner then operated exactly as outlined in the manual. I'm using the HY-gain AV-640 and a mini quad for my antennas. The tuner tunes both antennas quickly with the factory setting of SWR 1.5. I am completely satisfied with the performance to date. Changing from a manual tuner to the auto tuner has made my operating much more pleasant. I'm most pleased with this tuner.
AA8VL Rating: 2005-08-09
5 Star Plus Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I don't know why I always end up buying mighty fine junk, and that is what everything I've purchased up till now has been from MFJ. I guess it is their reasonable prices that keep me coming back.

A general rule of thumb on MFJ tuners is to reduce your max input power by 1/3 their stated limit so you don't arc it. Well, I put this 300 watt pep tuner through the paces and found that it does not meet MFJ standards...it far exceeds them. Not that I recommend you trying this, but I have found that the tuner will handle a good kilowatt on SSB without any problems using a Heathkit SB-220. That's 700 watts over MFJ's maximum advertised specs! You need to run your audio clean so you are just barely peaking the KW with a nice tree like sine wave on the scope...otherwise the tuner will get freaked out and go into bypass mode for those of you who like to run DUTY CYCLE AUDIO with your mic gain / processors to the max so you see nice square waves on the scope when you speak. This means you CAN NOT run CW at a KW. At a power of 150 watts carrier will time out the tuner to the tune of annoying 3WPM "QRP" beeps.

I only paid $150 bucks for my tuner used�so if I smoke it...I'm not out much, but I do plan on buying a more suitable tuner for running power (when and if I smoke the 993). I typically only run between 500-600 watts SSB through the tuner to balanced line.

I can't complain about the operation of the 993. It does what it says and does it FASTER than any other tuner! OK...one complaint...sometimes the auto tune finds a 2/1 SWR when there are lower ones available�easy fit...just manually tune to a lower SWR the tuner will remember your lower settings the next time you tune to the same frequency...I get a 1.8/1 or better on 80-10M with my balanced fed 280' loop.

In closing...the tuner is less than half the size and weight as a traditional tuner. I can run a KW without smoking it(knock on wood), quick and easy auto tune in about 1 second most of the time so you never have to worry about missing that DX station, tunes a reasonable SWR every time, has some bling bling on the front such as cross needle meter and freq counter etc, New price is only around $250 which is a steal, and last...this is the only product that I have ever owned from MFJ that I'd suggest someone in search of a light to medium duty tuner to buy.

PS: Run a KW with this tuner at your own risk. I'm just bored and want to see how long the 993 will last till it smokes :-)

I'll write another review if and when the tuner smokes!!!
K0EFM Rating: 2005-07-20
Great Tuner Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought my MFJ-993 to tune my Icom 756 ProII. I run a Gap Titan DX vertical and a shorty all-bander diplole. I also bought the Icom control cable. It works GREAT! It tunes everywhere I need it to. I am very happy with the results so far. I will be pulling it off the 756 ProII once I get my amp going with a new full power tuner. Once I do that I'll put the MFJ-993 on my 706MKIIG and see how it goes. Everything I've read so far indicates it will be a great combination.
Ed / KØEFM
G3CWI Rating: 2005-07-19
Seems pretty good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just got one of these ATUs. I run a doublet with open wire line and the MFJ achieves a match on all bands (160-10m). Nice unit with many features. Band hopping is now a breeze and I can be a happy "Cluster tart" picking off those band/mode slots.
KW5TX Rating: 2005-07-11
AWESOME Tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have used manual tuners before...but this is the best of both worlds...Manual OR Automatic....
You can touch up the auto tuned SWR and if you get it lower...you can save it to memory.With 1000 memories per switch(2) Its all I need.
I have used it on a 80 meter dipole and a 80 meter loop and tuned all bands (160-10). I will never do without this baby again...unless MFJ makes a better one. For the $239 i paid...I'd give it a 10+. I have called MFJ tech support now twice and they were VERY helpfull...you just dont see that much these days.

73
KW5TX