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Reviews For: MFJ-962D

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : MFJ-962D
Reviews: 97MSRP: 269.95
Description:
1.8 - 30 MHz 1.5 kilowatt AirCore roller inductor antenna tuner
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-962D
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00973
W6VA Rating: 2009-11-14
Tamed My G5RV Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had just put up a G5RV Mini and my internal antenna tuner on my IC-7600 could not handle the SWR on 17 meters. Got the 962D and it brought the SWR 1:1, couldn't ask for more. Front panel layout is very nice, easy to use, workmanship seems fine, none of the problems mentioned in other reviews. This is a used unit, about 6 months old, bought from another ham, but in excellent condx. Only drawback is that in the ad copy it claims 1.5 kw, but in the manual it shows only handling 900 watts. I haven't used an amp on it yet so will have to see if it can handle over 1 kw. Otherwise perfectly satisfied.
W2DDG Rating: 2009-09-29
Pretty Good Lil' Unit Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned a 962D since 2006. I run it with a AL-80B at about 800-1000 W with no problems. I have the version with the roller inductor. Open it up and clean it from time to time; I probably don't really need to, but the military taught me the value of preventative maintenance. Just follow the manual and tune with the amp in standby and then cut in power. I wouldn't cycle any of the controls while it is under full load. The meter is very accurate, also. Regards, Larry, now W2DDG
KC9KSA Rating: 2009-06-22
MFJ Cheaped it out Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the tuner 2 months ago and on occasion I had trouble tuning my antennas. I opened up the tuner and MFJ had made a cheap shorting switch on the roller inductor. As you turn the roller inductor this switch is activated by the roller itself. But most of the time it does not close. The construction of this switch looks like it was made from scrap fiberglass. I would assume other people are having this same problem. You need to remove the cover of the tuner and check that this shorting switch opens and closes as you turn the roller inductor. This is poorly designed and MFJ should be required to fix this free of charge if you are experiencing the same problem. I also experienced problems with the roller inductor counter, I had to move the reset lever by hand to get the counter to work. Otherwise it does a decent job of tuning my antennas.
W6UXB Rating: 2009-04-14
Quite Pleased Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I said to myself that I would never own another piece of MFJunk again, but now I eat my words, first I have to state there seems to be different versions of this tuner mine has the roller inductor not the switched version plus I bought mine on eBay in as new condition. I was looking for a tuner for use at the 500 watt level and there are not many choices I would have loved the new Palstar offering but out of my price range, so I went for this and have been pleasantly surprised, apart from the rough feel of the roller inductor it has worked flawlessly tuning my FT-1000MP and Ameritron AL-84 perfectley into a G5RV (True Talk another great product) and I could not believe how accurate the meter was comparing to many other devices. there has been alot of negative comment on this tuner regarding the 1500 watt level but I guess they never read the manual first, TUNE UP WITHOUT AMPLIFIER FIRST. Yes I did check all soldered connections first and went over the unit as a whole but I ended up with a tuner that works great, thats what amateur radio is all about
KB6G Rating: 2009-03-14
Gets better with age Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've now had my 962D for ~3 years. Since my last review, I've cleaned it once more with the DeoxIT cleaner, which I've now found at Fry's. The tuner continues to work perfectly, and I've even tweaked the roller inductor running ~400 watts thru it with no arching or jumping. I use it on 2 dipole antennas; 1 Van Gorden All Bander horizontal, and a new home brew vertical dipole on 20 meters. It tunes both of them very well, and once you write down the settings, retuning takes a few seconds.

I do read lots of negative MFJ = junk comments, but so far have several MFJ products that all work fine.
W0PPK Rating: 2009-03-12
Works fine ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After 10 years of use still working flawlessly !

73's Bob

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W0PPK on 2005-07-06

After over five years still working flawlessly!
73's Bob
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Earlier 5-star review posted by W0PPK on 2001-06-18

Had it for over a year and has performed flawlessly. Has handled AL-811 500 watts without any problems in 10, 12, 15, 17 & 20 meters.

73's - Bob
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Earlier 5-star review posted by W0PPK on 2001-04-27

Using it daily since mid 2000 and has worked flawlessly on 20, 17, 15 12, and 10 meters!

Would like to see a digital "Inductance" display.

73's - Bob - W0PPK
KD4NFS Rating: 2009-01-27
pure junk Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
bought it new at a local hamfest. worked properly for 3 days. started arcing, and would not tune. guys dont waste your money. DO NOT buy this junk. called mfj. all they wanted was more money to repair it, even after i told them i had it less then a week.

BUYER BE WARE!!!!
AB4U Rating: 2008-11-30
Works Great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This tuner has had 2 years of regular use without any problems. I use it with a twin lead fed dipole and also when I need to go to the band edges using the 3 el yagi. It loads up these antennas from the low end of 160m thru 10m with no difficulty. It is still my primary tuner.
EC4ALB Rating: 2008-11-10
NO PROBLEM Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have this tunner since 2005 and no problem at all, i´ve used it with two amplifiers about 1 kw, and never had a problem, tunes fine for me always 1:1 SWR
GB001 Rating: 2008-10-26
Poorest ATU ever made Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This has to be the worst atu I've ever had the misfortune to operate. I did try with the thing for a short while, but had to resort to an external meter for a true reading.

When this atu indicated on its own meter that the antenna was resonant, the meter in my radio would often say 3:1

The roller coaster made some nasty grinding noises & he tuning capacitors were twitchy at best.

The build quality of this unit is real poor.

I was happy to get rid & should have splashed the extra on a Palstar atu to start with. I now have a PALSTAR AT1500CV & it is like owning a Rolls Royce after driving around in a wreck. The Palstar has a lot better tuning range, is smoother with it, easier to operate & has a real good build quality.

Save yourself the problems & heartache, DON'T BUY MFJ. Most of my friends that had MFJ problem atu's have also seen the light & moved onto PALSTAR.

The 962D , I guess D stands for Disaster is truly awful & if you find one that doesn't arc, then your lucky.

I'll never buy a MFJ product again.