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Reviews For: MFJ-1715

Category: Antennas: VHF/UHF+ Omnidirectional: verticals, mobile, etc

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Review Summary For : MFJ-1715
Reviews: 5MSRP: 25
Description:
Very Flexible thin 144/440 HT whip
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-1715
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0053.2
VE3JMR Rating: 2018-05-07
Excellent RF & poor mechanical performance Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Two years ago the OEM duck antenna for my 10+yr old FT60 finally failed. I purchased a cheap Chinese thin wire duck antenna, similar to the 1715, only to have the radiator snap off after 6 weeks of "light" use! There was no warranty and the dealer would not accept a return or replace it.

I decided to spend more money and replace it with the 1715 at nearly three times the cost. RF performance was excellent! There were repeaters I could not reach with the OEM at 5 watts that were now being reached with half the power output and in one case, a mere half watt!

I can't believe that after 6 months, the radiator on this antenna also snapped off at the base! I thought that buying a better brand would result in having a robust product. Unfortunately it was just a "bust".

I am very pleased to report that MFJ was very responsive! I contacted them the same day and let them know I could not return to the dealer because they had just gone out of business. MFJ immediately approved replacing it. I told them I was no longer interested in a thin wire duck design and they agreed to replace it at no extra charge for the slightly more expensive 1717SFZ! WOW!

I've purchased other MJF gear. This is the first time I've had to deal with the company. Their immediate response and helpfulness is outstanding. I'll continue to be an MFJ customer, I just won't be buying any more thin wire antennas from them or anyone else.
K0JEG Rating: 2014-05-10
Can't get rid of it! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Not the best performer, but because it is super-fleible, it's a keeper. It seems like I manage to lose it every few years (it takes up almost no room in a moving box), buy another antenna that looks more interesting -the last one being a Diamond SRH320A, but really doesn't perform any better than the 1715 in the real world.

I use it with my DH-d72 for APRS tracking when hiking and biking. It won't get your signal out for hundreds of miles, but it also won't catch on tree branches or poke you in the side either. I recently picked up an Icom ID-51, and have been using it to connect to my DV access point, and can usually get 2 blocks or so away from the house and still connect (on 10mW). I can also receive a 70 cm Dstar repeater about 25 miles away, although I can't connect and didn't expect to.

Performs better than stock rubber ducky, certainly better than a "stubby," but it's still an HT antenna.
AK4TO Rating: 2012-08-10
Why did they make this? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After having won my Yeasu FT-60RE in a contest, I was in a immediate rush to find a suitable antenna to replace the standard OEM rubber duck that comes with my newly won Yeasu. So, I saw the MFJ 1715S antenna in my local AES store and I bought it because it was a reasonablely priced. Unfortunately, this was a HUGE mistake on my part! When I got it home and screwed it onto my FT-60RE, I got NO reception inside my apartment, none at all! I know I am inside trying to use my HT and should'nt expect to be able to recieve a lot of range from my local repeaters, but I should at least be able to get a couple! So, I returned it back to AES and since I kept my reciept and that the guys who work there are awesome, I was able to return it and I decided to spend the extra $5 and get the Diamond SRH77CA, which I love!!
N5NLQ Rating: 2010-12-16
Great antenna for everyday use Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just bought a Yaesu VX-7R. The stock antenna is surprisingly good. However, I could only hit 2 repeaters from my house 15-20 miles away, one on 2M, the other on 70cm. Looked at several options (web research) and decided to give the MFJ at try.

I purchased the BNC version and use an SMA to BNC adapter from Diamond. I am really pleased with the antenna, as I can now hit all the local repeaters, both on 2M & 70cm. I even hit one about 50 miles away today on 70cm.

The antenna is very flexible, and with the BNC connector, is very easy to remove so I can connect my mobile 2M antenna in the truck
K2GW Rating: 2007-01-31
Pocket Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I replaced the rubber duck on my Kenwood F6 144/220/440 HT with this very thin and flexible whip about 3 years ago. It's only 12 1/2 inches long and can be bent 360 degrees. Because of its flexibility I never take it off; I just bend the antenna to put the HT in my briefcase. I suspect it's made out of piano wire.

There is a significant gain in performance on all 3 bands (even though it's not advertised for use on 220). It's available in both BNC and SMA flavors.

One modification I did was to dip the tip in liquid electrical tape a few times to make the end more "eye-friendly".

If you're still using a rubberduck wou'll be amazed at how much better your signal is with a resonant whip. The flexibility of this type of antenna gives you it without trading off much of the portability of a rubber duck.