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Reviews For: MFJ-949E

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : MFJ-949E
Reviews: 132MSRP: 149.95
Description:
300 watt 1.8-30MHz antenna tuner
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-949E
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001323.8
K9AMZ Rating: 2001-06-28
Impressive! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having added "/AG" to my callsign during the Boyer Valley ARC Sunday morning Field Day VE Session, I was eager to get 'on the air' ASAP.

So out I went to get myself a tuner and an antenna. Talking to as many hams as I could, and reading online forums, I decided to go with the MFJ-949E tuner, and a Windom HSQ as antenna.

I live on top of a hill, approximately 300-400 feet above the "plains", and have a rather large backyard with nicely-sized trees. Ordered the tuner on Tuesday from HRO in Denver, and it arrived Wednesday! Since My new antenna had not yet arrived, I hooked it up to my RadioShack discone (!!!) scanner antenna. To my astonishment (and amusement), I was able to tune the discone from 6m to 160m, with an SWR generally under 1.3:1, although on 30m and 160m, I couldn't get it under 2:1 at 100W - worked Germany on 17 meters, ragchewed on 20 and 40 meters, and (unsuccessfully) called CQ on 30m!

Geez - if it tunes the discone this well, I can't wait to see what'll happen once I get the Windom! I am impressed and believe that my return on investment into the 949E has already surpassed my expectations.

I will update my review once I have my Windom, and have operated the tuner for at least 3 months... Stay 'tuned' ;)

73 de Alain, K9amz/AG :)
N3DQU Rating: 2001-06-22
Does the job! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had a 949E for a couple years now, and while it certainly isn't mil specs, it does just what it is s'posed to do es will pretty much tune up just about anything you care to hook up to it (within reason that is!). I know there are better tuners out there, but don't think you will get a better deal at 150 bux.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N3DQU on 2000-09-29

I agree with all the 5/5 reviews below...I've had a 949E for a couple years now, fed just abt everything I hooked up to it with nary a wimper, even loaded an end-fed long wire on 160!...great value for the money!
WQ8Q Rating: 2001-06-22
Giving up on MFJ Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Guess maybe I shouldn't write a review in the heat of the moment . . . but I've had the MFJ-948 (949E without the built in dummy load) for several years now and have used it only sparingly. Now discover that the Antenna Selector switch is faulty and instead of connecting the radio output to the external dummy load connector, it connects the Antenna Matching capacitor to the dummy load, leaving the radio connected to NOTHING, which is great for the final transistors in my FT-840 and Century 22. I'd never had occasion to use this feature before and was trying out a new keyer, and connected the tuner to a can-type dummy load. The problem seems to be in the switch itself, as everything inside this poorly constructed unit appears to be wired correctly. I took a continuity tester and followed all the wiring. The meter is also very slow to react when adjusting SWR, and find it quicker and easier to ignore the MFJ meter and use my Yaesu YS-60. More accurate, too. So, over the years I've had three MFJ tuners, a Drake tuner, and still wish I had the Drake . . . but after adding up all I've spent in tuners . . . I'm just going to by a Palstar and be done with it . . . and the MFJ-948 is the last piece of MFJ gear in the shack, and when that's gone, THAT's IT!
W4KVS Rating: 2001-04-21
It works! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had this tuner for less than a month, but I am very satisfied so far. I am using it with a 15m dipole and am able to work 10m through 20m. Took me awhile to master the tuning technique, but practice helps! Bottom line is that I am satisfied.
DL1DBY Rating: 2001-04-20
well, it works o.k. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well, the unit works (better than my more expensive MFJ-969) with my 100 wtts TRX and a G5RV. I think that's what counts in the end.

My unit didn't have loose screws or weak solder joints or other signs of bad workmanship.

Do not open the enclosure if the unit works fine and you don't have to do so. You will certainly be disappointed because of the cheap construction. If you think about the quality level of MFJ, their products are certainly not cheap.

I don't think I wasted my money but next time I probably look for another brand.
WOR7AVC Rating: 2001-04-05
Fair Tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a fair tuner and the quality is fine with my unit. The only problem are the plastic feet on the bottom which I had to replace since MFJ glued them on and they easily came off.

KE6BGH Rating: 2001-02-04
Real Workhorse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my 949E for several years and had no problem whatsoever. I have loaded everything from a hunk of speaker wire thrown over the rafters in my garage to a variety of dipoles inverted Vs and a beam.

I like the dummy load, the meters and built in antenna switch. It makes for a very versatile system and makes antenna comparisons very easy.

I have mostly used it at home, but occasionally take it camping and have used it for field day.

I consider it money well spent!

73's de Dave, KE6BGH
LISTENER Rating: 2001-01-18
MIGHTY FINE JUNK! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this tuner to upgrade from MFJ model 901B. What a mistake this was. After hooking up this brand new out of the box tuner, I noticed while attempting to adjust the controls, that the transmitter variable capacitor control was grinding away as I rotated the control. It also made a loud grinding sound as I continued to rotate the knob. Turns out all the plates on the capacitor were smashed together!! So much for Quality Control!! MFJ needs to learn this!!!!!!!!
DK3IP Rating: 2000-09-29
Tunes everything - construction not that nice! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This tuner tuned every wire on any band you could imagine, it was amazing! I tried it on several ladder-wire-fed antennas and most of the time on simple long wires against a good ground.
But when I looked inside I found that the switch selecting the inductivity was not of the quality and lasting design I had expected. I am wondering if there are any hams that have the same problem after several months? This switch is not very exact and will surely wear out after a while. I replaced it with a 26-position-switch, loosing half of the inductivity settings, but that didn't matter.
Overall it is a nice tuner with some flaw inside.
WD8QJB Rating: 2000-08-18
Great Value Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Does everything I ask it to do and tunes easily. Docs are adequate, and the factory suggested settings actually are right as starting points most of the time. Nice metering, solid construction. A very good buy. I got lucky (very) finding one in new condition for $75 used. Love it.