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Reviews For: MFJ-434/434B

Category: Voice Keyers

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Review Summary For : MFJ-434/434B
Reviews: 39MSRP: 179.95
Description:
Contest voice Keyer (new improved)
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-434
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00394
EA4TV Rating: 2003-03-19
Quite goog product Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
My unit has not suffered any problem since i bought it. I miss some features and i also think it's quite expensive (as others mfj products). If you open it you can see that the product doesn't seem to be a high quality product. It works and it does what the manual says.
WV4I Rating: 2002-10-28
QC Non-existent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
According to instructions, this device is factory set up for Yaesu radios. So, owning an Icom, instructions say to open unit, and reset internal jumpers accordingly. Only problem is no jumpers present whatsoever, much less preset for Yaesu. So, scrounged my spare parts box, and came up with 11 jumpers to set up unit.

Then had to find a tiny mike connector screw, since one was missing. This was noticed before I began to rework cable as it goes into mike connector clamp, so it would not pull out, and stay clamped.

On back of unit, no one even bothered to push the cable bushing into the case, designed so as to avoid cable chafing on MFJ's trademark rough metal edges. Have they heard of a metal file?

Lastly, while there was no visible signs of overheating, the unit smells fried inside.

Obviously, I will be returning this unit for another try. Why do I want another one? Because when it works, it really will save your voice in a contest, which I do sometimes. If you don't contest, forget it for $170 + shipping.
K6RB Rating: 2001-12-18
I love it. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It has worked flawlessly through two ARRL 10 meter contests, the California QSO Party, and the ARRL SS phone contests. I had a voice keyer before this one and the audio never sounded clean enough to me. This one sounds great, and I get very nice, unsolicited, feedback on how well it sounds.
AK0M Rating: 2001-12-09
POOR quality and service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Installed my new MFJ-434B the week before the CQWW SSB contest. First realization was that the remote control connector is non-standard, and they don't include one (I kludged one by superglueing two PC speaker internal connectors together). Then I found that mine had excessive hiss in the playback audio. This was eventually determined to be a definite defect in the product (brand new). I was told to return it to MFJ; they received it on 9 Nov, assured me one week turnaround, but as of 9 Dec. I still don't have it or a promise date. They decided they would repair it rather than replace it, so I am still waiting for repairs and continually getting the run-around on my queries to them. My intent was to use it in all the fall contests, but...
So, potentially it could be a good product, but I have no way of knowing.
My first MFJ experience, will be my last.
I've asked for a full refund.
NN6XX Rating: 2000-04-13
MFJ-434 needed improvements Time Owned: unknown months.
The 434 works fine but could be easily improved.
Here are some requests I sent to MFJ for the "B"
model:

1-Like a switch for keyer/pulse-tone/two-tone/isolated computer audio(for psk31/sstv). 2-
Like level logic for remote to rs232/LPT.

3-Like audio-in from headphones(stereo) to pass-thru to phones-out not just record.
4-Like audio-out test jack for scope.

5-Most users of a voice keyer will probably be contesters using the combo
heil/mfg headsets so the mic/phones cord mess needs rear minature inputs in addition to front
mic jack.

K2UOP Rating: 2000-03-27
After three contests - still a five Time Owned: unknown months.
Since my initial review, I have used this keyer in two more contests and it continues to operate without any problems. I am pleased with the reports on how natural it sounds and it's overall operation. By the way, contrary to a report, posted by another party, I did not receive my MFJ-434 for free. I purchased a model 432 voice keyer that did not work and MFJ could not fix. Because the 432 is not produced anymore, they did the right thing and sent me the newer model. It was not without expense on my part because I spent considerable time on the phone making phone calls to advertisers and to MFJ concerning the matter. In other words, I insisted on my rights as a consumer and I worked at it, I didn't just complain on a web site. I realize this site is not the proper place for discusions, but I just had to set the record straight.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K2UOP on 2000-02-28

I received the new MFJ-434 the first day of the CQ160M SSB contest. I quickly went over the well written and extensive manual to familarize myself with the operation of the unit. I found out it comes from the factory with jumpers in place for Yaesu equipment, but the jumpers can easily be moved around for other makes of equipment. All I had to do is plug my microphone into the unit and connect the plug from the keyer into my transceiver. I used a MFJ power cube to power up the unit. It is a simple procedure to record a message. I did have to adjust the "output level control" on the rear of the unit so the ALC reading on my transceiver was the same using the keyer as it was when I went straight through with my mike. The unit has the capabilities to record and play back 5 messages and a feature I liked was the repeat function with a repeat delay time adjustment. This feature is nice when you don't get an answer to your first "CQ" the unit will repeat the "CQ" message at a settable interval. There is a "stop" button to stop the message when you receive a reply. With this feature you don't have to depress the desired message button each time you want to send a message. MFJ took pains to engineer the unit so there would not be any problems from RFI, hum, or feedback, and I did not experience any even with a legal limit amp installed on a shelf just above the keyer. On the air reports indicated that the keyer audio quality sounded natural and indistinguishable from the audio from my microphone.
I used the keyer through out the CQ160M contest and it performed flawlessly. I am very pleased with the unit.
N0AH Rating: 2000-03-22
If it Say's MFJ, pay, pay pay..... Time Owned: unknown months.
Ok, it gets a 5!!! Happy now!!!???? Nothing personal fellow hams.......but obviously, those happy with this keyer don't have the nightmare experiences most hams have had with anything stamped "MFJ" on it- if they are finally producing something that works- it's about time- but don't hold your breath- For every dollar I have spent on MFJ, I'd say I've spent more on return postage, wait time, gas to go back to HRO, stress management classes, missed contest opportunities, parts etc.....case in point- the MFJ 493 CW keyer- I bring it up because it just showed up in the ARRL March QST- the ARRL review was interesting- They said this keyer (not the one under this catagory but MFJ none the less.......) took 3 key boards to finally find one that worked on it- they said it had memory problems and that it seemed to "speak a different langauge" on the practice QSO simulator.....the 3 units I tried were all lemons too- that was over three years ago- Yet, today, they still make the same dog- The ARRL called the MFJ 493 a "bit cranky".....I call it a piece of junk- and I bet it won't be long before their new "wonder" keyer raved about here gets a few "cranky" remarks- Recall my fellow comrades- That the voice keyer this model replaced...was a dog-too!! Just look under the MFJ 432 reviews- and remember- if you want to go buy anything with MFJ on it, and you will eventually as the wear on you- take the advice of others and read the reviews- then save your money and buy anything else-
WL7M Rating: 2000-03-21
Great Addition to the Shack! Time Owned: unknown months.
Not certain what N0AH's problem is (see his review comments below), but my 434 voice keyer works as advertised. Took a month or two to get it due to a backlog, but I think the price is fair and reasonable considering the performance and relief from voice strain. My experience was that it was well documented, easy to prepare for ICOM gear (comes set for Yaesu), and certainly saves my voice on repetitive CQs, contests or simply calling a DX station in a pileup. I had to adjust the 434's audio output level to match the ALC level on my IC-765, and after that it was ready to go. I've experienced absolutely no RFI, feedback or other distortion, even with an Alpha 87a sitting next to it. I'm very happy with the voice keyer and invite N0AH to explain why he gave it a "ZERO" rating....flip comments are of little help to fellow amateurs who are interested to know why the product is lacking as he indicated so they can make an intelligent, informed decision........everyone else thus far seems pleased. And I'm retired from the USAF with no current or past connection to MFJ or any other radio distributor or manufacturer.....
N4KCM Rating: 2000-03-21
MFJ -434GREAT Voice keyer Time Owned: unknown months.
I am VERY, VERY happy with my 434. No, I did not get mine for free and I had to wait a long time for AES to get them in. I work primarily 6M Meteor Scatter at the present. The voice keyer is perfect. I can busy myself with other chores while the unit does it's thing. The features I like the best are the instant stop, by hitting the PTT and the extended repeat timer. Easily set up for the 1st and 3rd quarters of every minute. have "QRZ", and the srandard "S2" exchange in memory. Sure beats calling for long periods of random MS activity. Mine is connected to an IC-575H driving two 3-550ZGs at 1500W output. works and sounds perfect.
Excellent instrucions as usual. I love mine.