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Reviews For: MFJ-986

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : MFJ-986
Reviews: 79MSRP: 330
Description:
Covers 1.8-30 MHz
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-986
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00793.6
W2BLC Rating: 2006-12-21
Work horse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When I first got the tuner - around 1988, I opened it and did a little house-keeping. I tightened everything mechanical (nuts, bolts, etc.) then resoldered every connection. I lubed/cleaned all contacts and everything that turned.

Since that time (around 1988) I have used the tuner daily and had no problem. The paint is worn around the switch - but, the switch keeps working FB. It changes from one antenna to another daily - often several times.

I have had several other tuners - all before I bought this one - obviously I didn't like them, or I would have kept them. I like the 986's simplicity of only two variable controls.

Most of the time I am on 160/75/40 meters and do run a kilowatt.

KE5GK Rating: 2006-12-20
Quality Control Big Issue Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
From the getgo my MFJ-986 was a nightmare.

Here's a brief summary:

1. Running 100 watts the tuner would hiss and spark like a firecracker that was doomed to never explode.

2.The roller inductor would bind and jump the track more often than not.

3. SWR and Power readings would flucuate wildly.

4. It was impossible to return to previous settings when changing bands.

As the reviews of this tuner and other MFJ tuners indicate, you either get a great one or a bad one.
Mine was bad, real bad.

I am sold on LDG tuners. They make a racket, but work great.
AC0DQ Rating: 2006-12-20
JUnk Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought my 986B in June of 06. The roller inductor almost took a pipe wrench to turn...so I returned to the dealer who (he said) replaced all of the guts and returned it to me. Could have fooled me. Shortly after the return, it began to get bizarre readings on the meter...I didn't have time to pack it up, so basically used it for a couple months as an antenna switch. I finally shipped back to the factory, where they replaced two diodes. Upon return, the crappy roller inductor problem reared its ugly head within minutes (literally...didn't even get to tune the thing). The factory is great, though, and will pay for return...and hopefully they'll replace with a new item. Even a dealer who shall go nameless remarked about the cheap quality of components used in these things. If it works upon return, I'm putting it on eBay and will buy something that is a bit more reliable. I've had it 6 months and have only been able to tune an antenna for a week or less...
KB5EOK Rating: 2006-07-24
Really nice Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This tuner has all the features that make it a best buy. I like tuning with just two knobs, and the counter is highly repeatable. I wish all the lids out there would have this that way no more tuning on top of the DX...

If only they would get an MFJ and quit ruining my airtime!
K6XR Rating: 2006-03-16
986 works great for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I was given the mfj-986 by another ham who said it would not work for him. I placed it in line and it has been working 160-10 meters up to 800 watts for 3 years now with no problems or even a hint of a problem tuning. I have used it with the following antennas: g5rv, carolina windom, 88 Ft EDZ, 168 FT EDZ, 135 ft doublet all fed with 450 ohm or 600 ohm ladderline. For the money it is hard to beat and easy to use.
DG0OLG Rating: 2006-03-16
Had no problems... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Using this tuner with an L-4B for more than 1 year now. Works fine. Got the european modell. Biggest disadvantage is the inductance-knob. American modell is better for turning from 10 to 160mts...
The only bad thing I can see is the quality. The knobs are made of plastics and alloy. Bit more heavy construction would be better.
But overall a good tuner for the money.
N5UV Rating: 2006-01-23
Fine tuner so far... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just started using this tuner, getting ready to go high-power in a few months. I think there are WAY too many MFJ haters on this website, I've NEVER had any of the problems many folks claim with their MFJ products, tuners or otherwise. I've used the Versa Tuner 2 for 15 years with no problems at 100 watts or less, so no reason NOT to get another MFJ. Sure, they may say 1500 or 2500 watts output while the fine print sez about half that power input into the tuner...but I won't deduct points for that.

All I can say about this one is that it works fine so far at 100 watts. It's a bit deeper than I expected, but I can adjust to that...seems pretty darn durable to me, after dropping it on the ground no less that 2 times before I started using it. Once I run it with 800 watts, I'll let you know how I feel about it then...but for now, don't let the naysayers scare you off. For the price they are asking for, it's a good heavy-duty tuner.
OE3SGU Rating: 2006-01-23
OK Time Owned: more than 12 months.
An OK Tuner, worked fine without any problems with my Ameritron AL80BX and R7. Of course its not a Palstar and I would not recommend to load it with more than a kW, but does the job. Would I buy one again? Yes maybe, depending only on the price.
W3JRP Rating: 2006-01-06
Fine easy-to-use tuner! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this MFJ tuner used 3 years ago, and have put it to work it on a variety of antennas, presently a "Carolina Windom." Reading the reviews, however, I'm amazed at the wide variation in experiences with this tuner...if I didn't know better, I'd think we're talking about a different unit!

I think the key is: MFJ over-rated the power handling capability of this unit. It's one of the best 500-watt tuners I've used, even though MFJ rates it at twice as much. At the 500 watt level, I never had any arcing, always a good easy tune, even on MARS frequencies. Calling it a "junk box" is a great disservice to a good mid-cost tuner with a unique design.

Caveat: never tried long wire or balanced line.
K1DX Rating: 2006-01-03
Better than former tuner at 2x the price! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this tuner used about 2 years ago. I run approx. 1100W using a Yaesu Quadra amp. This tuner is used only for 80/160m to stretch the range of my HF6V vertical w/160m option. It has worked flawlessly over the years with no arcing whatsoever, and it's the easiest tuner to use of any I've tried. This is in contrast to the MBV tuner I formally owned that arced whenever the swr got too high, and whenever it arced, it took out the diodes in the swr measuring ckt. So, I guess I got one of the good ones. The MFJ 986 is a keeper, for sure.