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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
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001234.4
W4USC Rating: 2008-03-07
SHOTTY WORKMANSHIP Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This review is actually for a cable to connect my 993B to my IC718 for auto tune.
I saw nowhere else to comment on this cable.

MFJ PART # MFJ5124I
VERY SLOW SHIPPING,7 days from Miss To South Carolina.
WHEN IT DID ARIVE I SAW REAL FAST THE PERSON WHO PUT THIS CABLE TOGETHER HAD TO BE EITHER BLIND, DRUNK,ON DRUGS, OR ANY COMBINATION OF THESE.
2 Wires were broken at the connection, and 1 wire was not connected at all !!!!!!!!!!!

I AM REALLY MAD AS YOU CAN QUESS !!!!!!!

W4USC
GI0ZGB Rating: 2008-01-28
MFJ-993B Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well it does what it say's in the book, get's the job done with no fuss on an easy match, and with some clicking and clacking on more difficult matches! An RTFM session is recommended to get your head round the way it works and the selection of various display options and tuning possibilities. The internal build quality is not up to SGC's standards, but neither is the price. A friend of mine bought one about a year ago and has nothing but praise for it, proving totally reliable with regular use. If money is no object and you can afford and justify a Palstar AT-Auto 1500 watt then the MFJ-993B will not be out of place in the more modest shack, and many will be the times that you are thankful for making the purchase!
VE3SYH Rating: 2008-01-27
Works OK but poorly assembled Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I initially really liked this tuner. It worked as advertised right out of the box. Very easy to use and reliable. However, after about two months the display died. Upon closer examination, I found a faulty trimpot for the contrast adjustment. Not a big deal as it worked fine once replaced. My biggest dissapointment was the poor workmanship inside the box. The main board was ok, seemed professionally built. The problem I had was seeing some very poor soldering on the display/control board. Cold joints , not clean , leads to the meter had over 3/4" exposed without insulation, could easily short to other wires. In summary, part of the assembly process had some pretty poor quality assurance. That's a real shame because this could be an excellent product. Unfortunately, I won't be buying another MFG product because of this.
K4KZ Rating: 2007-12-26
Excellent Tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a new MFJ 993B tuner about two months ago. I use it with a Yaesu FT-920 to tune a 135' multiband antenna, feed with 450 ohm ladder line. I have used it extensively on 160m-10m and it works great. I am well-pleased with the tuner and should have purchased it much sooner.

-K4KZ -Lonnie Craven
WA2EWE Rating: 2007-12-16
Splendid! Excellent! I would buy it again. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned and used my MFJ-993 for several years and it has been a solid performer with dipoles, G5RVs, ham sticks, balanced line antennas and unbalanced line antennas. I've used it in wide open spaces and with small and cramped city lot compromise antennas. I even took it with me to Iraq and back and it stood the test with dust, heat, and abuse. After a couple of years of use and repeated travel, the little light bulb behind the meter burned out. It was easy to replace with a tiny 12v automotive instrument panel lamp and I was quickly back in business. I am so happy with this tuner that I just ordered it's big brother (MFJ-998) for my QRO station and got the idea to write this review.

73,

Jim, WA2EWE
WB9GMV Rating: 2007-11-21
Great tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had my 993B purchased new for 3 months now. This is a great unit - I love the frequency readout as I am using an older rig. I am able to tune a dipole and a 65 foot end fed wire on 80 - 10 no problem. I do not even have a decent earth ground where the rig is located - I was concerned that it would not work but it does well with the AC power ground and a wire to a heating duct as my counterpoise with no RF burns or problems.

It also will tune my antennas to match a 5W CB rig with no problem.
G8JNF Rating: 2007-11-04
Great so far Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the '993B'

I have only had it a couple of weeks, so its early days for an MFJ product.

Anyway so far so good, it worked straight out of the box and tunes (would you believe) my end fed 160m vertical on ALL bands LOL! And it works, I have had QSO's on 80, 40, and 20m just to prove it. I must say I didn't buy it for that, I bought it so I could use the 160m vertical accross the band 1.8 -2.0MHz. The vertical is self resonant at 1.893MHz with a high 'Q' so the inbuilt ATU in the radio has problems tuning it a few KHz from its resonant frequency. With the MFJ inline, no problems!

Its fast to tune and I'm very pleased so far.

Regards
Duncan
G4ICB Rating: 2007-10-29
SUPERB! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have the 993B and have been using it since it arrived My MFJ 969 is gathering dust, I think I'll put it on ebay. We hear lots of gripes about MFJ but this tme thy've got a winner!
Well done MFJ!
K5CFW Rating: 2007-10-18
Completely satisfied Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Competently tunes long wires, G5RV, and a vertical with questionable radials. Works reliably, even after the warranty, in the shack and in the field. LCD readout provides accurate and clearly presented confirmation of what the the crossed-needle analog meter shows. Good value for the money.
NB7I Rating: 2007-09-25
Potentially a Winner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This tuner seems to do all it claims. I won't argue with the claim of 6 to 3200 ohms at the 150 watt level. Feeding a 250 foot dipole on all bands with ladder line. After memorization, about one second of RF and clunk! you are matched. The LCD display is great.
However, had the same problem that W2XS described. On lower frequencies the wire routing around the relays caused the antenna relay to cut in and out. Pushing the wires down on the board helped. After opening the unit, saw MFJ quality, cold solder joints, poor wire routing, small metal shavings, solder splashes. If quality of assembly was consistant and decent, this would be a top notch unit.
That being said, this thing works way better than an SGC MAC200 that I had. My advice - if you get one and it works, do not ever crack the cover for any reason. Assume it is put together as well as it works.