| KB9NGX |
Rating:      |
2021-01-27 | |
| Worthwhile |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This unit has provided my Station with a capable and easy to use, Tuner, SWR/Wattmeter, Dummyload, and Antenna Switch. With only a single Feedline intrusion. The Instructions are helpful and thorough.
The utility, quality, and price of this unit; make it a good value. |
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| WA2ISE |
Rating:     |
2020-06-05 | |
| Careful of setscrew on "antenna" knob |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| As MM0HRL mentioned in his review, the presence of his hand on the "antenna" knob would sometimes effect the tuning. And I got a few RF burns off this knob. It's the setscrew. Looked at the schematic, and the cap is hot on both ends of it, so it seems the shaft of the cap is also hot with RF. So I have to grab the knob away from touching the setscrew, else I'd get an RF burn/shock... Other than this the device works pretty well. Using it to get on 30m with a 40m dipole (fed with RG8 so hopefully low loss). |
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| AG5ND |
Rating:      |
2019-01-25 | |
| Great, great tuner |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought my 949-E in 2011. Since then I have used it to tune a G5RV flattop about 35' up in the trees, a 1,000 wire loop, and a G5RV inverted V. At this moment I am using it for FT-8 on 35 watts. It consistently tunes to or almost to 1:1 on all bands.
In recent years I have been using a radio with a built-in tuner, and the 949-E was sort of retired. When I started doing digital with an old Icom 735, I pulled out the 949-E for tuning, and it immediately tuned the antenna down to 1:1 on 80m. Same thing on 20m and 40m. I had forgotten how easy it is to tune with this unit.
I also own a Dentron MT-3000A, and while the Dentron has a great reputation, it is (at least for me) way harder to use than the 949-E. For any ham using 100 watts and a wire, the MFJ-949E will do the job, and do it reliably. |
|
| VA4SR |
Rating:      |
2018-02-24 | |
| 30 Years Strong |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought this tuner in 1987 when I was first licensed. I have never had one problem with it. It has matched all 100 watt loads i have put through it, from 80 - 10 metres. Some of those antennas did not deserve to be called antennas but the 949E did not blink. It just keeps going. I changed the light bulb in it once.
I now have several other tuners...better built...better designed...more robust; Ten-Tec...Dentron. But the MFJ-949E does not take a back row to any of them. I use it in the field when I have the opportunity.
Take care of it; it will take care of you. |
|
| VE3MVW |
Rating:     |
2017-07-27 | |
| Works For Me |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| It seems that there is always a love it or hate review of antenna tuners. I happen to hate the auto tuners preferring manual ones. Having good service with a MFJ 941C for 34 years I decided to upgrade to the 949E which I purchased used for about a quarter of the cost new. I like the large meter that is also back lit and the built in dummy load is perfect for tuning up my TS-520 and DX-40.The only complaint is that it is very touchy and sensitive when tuning my G5RV Jr on 20 meters.Other than that I think I got a good one after reading the comments on quality control. |
|
| G8ADD |
Rating:      |
2016-10-08 | |
| No complaints! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought this as a used unit ten years ago. It is in daily use, mainly with a G5RV set up as a doublet, occasionally on a 20 - 10 metre OCF dipole and a long wire, and it tunes to 1:1 on all bands, 160 metres* to 10 metres. I replaced the inductor selector knob with a pointer knob for better grip and a better indication, but could have stayed with the original knob quite happily.
Frankly, I couldn't ask for a better manual tuner, it does what I want it to without any fuss. Bar QC problems (I had none) it will do a good job for anyone who takes the trouble to read the instructions!
*160 metres with a 102-foot doublet? It gets me plenty of contacts! |
|
| KK4GXN |
Rating:     |
2016-10-07 | |
| OK unit for the $$ |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have had one of these for about 4 years and have never had any of the QC problems that others have mentioned. Perhaps a got one of the "good" ones! LOL At any rate, it tunes my homemade dipole in to 1:1 anywhere in the 40 meter band.
But like KG4LLQ, I have had problems tuning in 20 meters. It just simply refuses to tune in that band for some reason. He mentioned adjusting the tuning caps so I may try that (when I get time).
Overall, for the price it is a good tuner. If you are a financially-challenged ham like me, it is a good tuner to have. |
|
| KG4LLQ |
Rating:     |
2016-05-10 | |
| Fair Product |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought my 949e in 2003 and have used it for two antennas both in the "tuning" and in the "bypass" modes. I operate mostly on 40, 30 and 20 meters. My antennas are a home-brew 40 meter folded dipole and an LnR EndFedZ 20 meter antenna. Among several rigs I must report on my Icom 718. The tuner in the "tune" mode on 40 meters works great from QRP to 100 watts in the CW section. I use it in the "bypass" mode for SSB section of 40 meters. It also tunes this same antenna well on 30, 15 and 10 meters for a 1.3:1 SWR for the 718.
I have had a problem on 20 meters, CW section. The antenna for 20 is the LnR EndFedZ which is resonant across the band. With the tuner in the "bypass" mode, the 718's SWR suddenly spikes when transmitting. This doesn't happen consistently but intermittently. I opened the tuner today and according to the schematic capacitor C-4 is a trimmer. I have adjusted the trimmer and found that it has improved the reliability of 20 meter operation. While opened, I inspected the coil, switches and variable capacitors as well as all solder joints. Hopefully this will clear up the problem.
Over all the 949e is an acceptable tuner, but as noted by many other reviewers, Q/C at MFJ is greatly lacking. I guess it depends on who has assembled the unit. Mine was well made (soldered).
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Earlier 3-star review posted by KG4LLQ on 2013-11-08
I've had my 949E since 2002. I use it exclusively in the BYPASS mode now. Why? Because I finally realize that an antenna should be resonant. I use the tuner because of the convenience of easily & quickly switching between my two antennas and being able to get a somewhat rough idea of the transceiver's output. I guess I've been lucky in that it hasn't shorted or arc'd resulting in damage to my rigs. I am now exclusively a CW operator who concentrates 90% of the time on QRP and QRPp. If you continually feed 100 watts through this tuner in the "tune" mode.......GOOD LUCK!
73, Ken |
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| W3M0GOC |
Rating:  |
2016-02-24 | |
| MFJ Quality Control Sucks! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I bought this a week ago from the local Ham Radio Outlet store in Delaware.
I initially noticed that using the usual tuning procedure that shifting the inductor switch in 3 of the central positions did not change the noise level too much, and the unit would NOT tune properly on certain bands.
The horizontal loop in the attic is new, and has been problematic to tune. So, rather than having a balun at the feedpoint, and using RG-58 ( with a choked section ), I installed 450 ohm ladder line(connected to the internal balun)... and started retesting again to no avail.
I still didn't suspect an issue with the tuner until I accidentally dropped a pair of pliers on to the desk whilst transmitting and saw the SWR meter go crazy, and the FT-991 transceiver fold back. Tapping the box affected the SWR. Not good!
Cutting the story short, I eventually isolated that the issues were with the tuner after substituting it for a friends Dentron Jr.
Fault 1 : Balun earth tag solder connection not soldered, just a partial mechanical connection. Hence, why vibration changed the SWR so drastically. This could have damaged the radio severely,had it not had protection circuits installed!!
Fault 2 : Solder bridges between 3 sections of the wire inductor causing there to be no inductance change in 3 switch positions.
Fault 3 : Incorrectly populated PCB. The PCB is the same one as in the 941E, just with additional components for the peak hold circuit. These were all missing.
So, one fault, occasionally might slip through QC. But, THREE ?!?! There is no excuse for this!
With my budget I have to use some of the cheaper brands. But cheap doesn't mean that things shouldn't work as advertised, or have this many issues in one unit. Especially as MFJ claim that this is the most popular tuner in the market.
HRO have been fantastic, and have shipped a replacement LDG tuner to me. I will say, I have used MFJ products for years and have had minor issues. But, nothing like this.
Will I use MFJ again ? Maybe. But, only if I have to. However, I will thoroughly check and research what I buy, and probably test in store. |
|
| KF5JOO |
Rating:     |
2016-02-21 | |
| Good tuner for the money |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've owned this tuner for about four years, bought it new, and have used it with a G5RV, and a 1,000' sky loop. Most of the use has been 75M, 20M, 17M, and 15M.
I have to say I am pleased with the tuner. 1:1 is possible on most bands with both antennas, and I've even used it to help improve SWL listening.
Do realize this is a tuner that, new, is well under $200. You have to learn to use it, but with the handy reference chart (p.5) in the instruction manual, tuning to 1:1 is neither hard nor an annoyance. You just have to dial it in. It's a manual tuner, not an automatic tuner.
I have used a huge, heavy, expensive tuner in the past. It performed better than the 949E, but it also cost about five times as much. I returned the big one to my friend, and have never regretted owning this tuner.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KF5JOO on 2012-10-21
I've had this in use for over a year. Easy to use, solid, no issues. I use it with an MFJ G5RV and a venerable Icom IC-735. SWR of 1:1 is easy to get on most bands with little effort. |
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