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Reviews For: MFJ-901B

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : MFJ-901B
Reviews: 55MSRP: 79.95
Description:
MFJ'S smallest 200W tuner
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-901B
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15554.3
AI5AG Rating: 2025-01-07
Simple Simon Tuning Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
It didn't bother me that it had no meter, since I was depending on an antenna analyzer to display the SWR. It was fun and simple to use. Never worried about being a "Used Tuner". After inspecting in the inside and seeing no evidence of arcing from previous owner's usage, I just enjoyed it. It doesn't require power, batteries, or controller connections to the radio. Just insert between radio and antenna and let it do it's thing once you have it tuned!
N8PEP Rating: 2024-01-24
Love this thing! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Over the past 40 years, I have owned at least 3 of these tuners. They were each a little different (slightly different box, slightly different inductor switch, slightly different knobs, slightly different color), but they all worked. The MFJ-901B tuner is my "go to" tuner "when all else fails." I have connected balanced line, single wire, and coax fed antennas to it. It tunes every antenna to VSWR 1.1:1 or better regardless of band. It handles the 200W output of my Kenwood TS-480HX (SSB & CW) without a whimper. I have never had a problem with any of these. In my opinion, they have only one shortcoming as an inexpensive tuner...there is no means of bypassing the tuner.
2E0TZM Rating: 2022-12-22
Love nine Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Pickup this up with a radio wasn't expecting much being honest using it on a long wire but also tried it on a 10m vertical and it tuned that from 10 to 20m no hassle will hang on to it.
HL1ZIX Rating: 2020-10-23
Bought it twice Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I am on my 2nd one. I first got one for portable work with an FT-891. Liked it a lot, but was swayed to buy an LDG tuner. Sold my used 901b (which I had purchased for $50). After a few outings with the LDG, which clattered away for what seemed like forever to find a match with balun and ladder line, and usually tuned closer to 1.5 to 1 than 1 to 1, I missed the 901b, so I sold the LDG and bought a 2nd used 901b. So glad I did. Once you determine the tuning numbers and write them down, it works great. Lighter, one less cable, and no batteries. Buy one for portable, if your radio has no tuner.
W6UXB Rating: 2020-07-19
Gone but not forgotten Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I thought I left a review of this tuner but guess not, the best piece of MFJ gear I have come across well built, reminds me of the Dentron Jr tuner, the only thing lacking was a bypass switch I put my own in. Long gone I use remote tuner at the base of my antenna now, but a good piece of gear
K6GBW Rating: 2020-07-18
Solid and Basic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I needed a small tuner due to limited desktop space. I had a Palstar AT2K but it was taking up too much room. I got this little 901B for just over $100.00 and it fits on the desk nicely. The knobs are smooth and it was a snap to tune up on all bands. For those that prefer the simplicity of a manual tuner this thing is solid and basic and gets the job done.
WB7DND Rating: 2019-02-13
Solid performer Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I didn't walk out of the store with this until the HRO salesman took the top off and we examined the soldering joints and switches. Everything looked fine. The soldering joints especially looked well done. The controls feel a little rough during adjustments and the finish is a little tacky but the function has been excellent. It easily tunes my 40 meter dipole on 40, 30, 20, and 15.

I would give this 4.5 stars if I could, but err on the higher side because function outweighs form.
WM4CH Rating: 2018-11-20
Using it for 70 ft random wire Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this used at a local hamfest for $30. I am using it portable QRP with a 70 foot random wire and a 9 foot circumference mag loop with a small mag loop tuner. It must be pretty efficient because I have talked across the country on 20m with 15 watts into this tuner in Nov 2018 sitting at a camping spot picnic table at the bottom of the solar cycle and also made many FT8 contacts at 10 watts.
KD7RDZI2 Rating: 2016-11-13
This is not mighty fine junk Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Indeed it works just great. Let me say you can tune antennas fed by coax or balanced line and longwires. The balanced line antenna input does include a 4:1 balun. Someone says it is pricey but I think there is some handwork to make them, the price is similar to a balun and you have a portable antenna with a piece of wire. My unit was carefully made and I guess might last quite long, maybe beyond a century... It does handle 200w and that is true. Before TX I use an antenna analyzer to get SWR close to 1 without transmitting a single watt. Even if it would not be necessary, keying down I adjust and refine the tuning already made before with the analyzer.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KD7RDZI2 on 2014-12-02

Probably built to last decades. No quality issue found. It tunes virtually any antenna (mobile antennas too), fed by coax, random wires and balanced lines too. It lacks an SWR meter. No issue at all if you already have one. If you have an antenna analyzer use it to tune perfectly the MFJ-901B before transmitting a single watt.
26JLH Rating: 2016-06-30
looks like shizun but works Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
looks like a fish scratch on top no manual.
not every one has a phone let alone the net
cost a few pence to put one in the box.
12 volt lead in box not needed.
works ok 1/2 inch of solder bouncing around inside
but it works fine but 100.00 pounds plus in the UK.
is not pennies but it will do.

tnx MFJ it works so i will say its ok ..