Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: MFJ-901B

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : MFJ-901B
Reviews: 53MSRP: 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
15534.2
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.

----------------------
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 ..
N2UJN Rating: 2015-06-04
Excellent, well made (in 1992), small, tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased the MFJ-901B new from MFJ via the MFJ catalog in 1992. At that time, I paid $39.95. Today it apparently is selling for between $89 and $99. I used this small tuner in my early antenna building of dipoles. I have also used this tuner to tune an Antron 99 for 2m use. In addition, I often use this tuner between my radio and an amp for 10m to match 50ohm impedance. It still looks new. I have the old face style with the polished aluminum outer area. Looks much nicer than the costed down front face of today. Also, in 1992 the entire front face was polished and painted. Looks like, from pics, that is not polished on the face of the case today. So, I am kind of glad I bought it a long time ago. It works perfect. I have never exceeded 100W of use. However, I have tuned out SWR of 14:1 and greater. Even without attaching it to an RF ground.
EI6DP Rating: 2015-04-13
Simple and Easy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having read so much about MFJ (Manufacturers of Fine Junk) I was somewhat reluctant to buy any of their products. However, I took a chance and purchased a pre-owned MFJ 901B.

:-) I found this little ATU very good for what it is, ie, its quality and design. It has its down side but for the price (even new) it is a bargain. Mind you, I doubt its capabilities at 200W. I am using it with my FT817 without any problem. The first change I will make is to replace the plastic rotary switch with a good quality ceramic one.

With my HF Portable antenna and 5w it was quite easy to tune up and to find that resonant spot. So, a simple log should make band changing and retuning relatively easy.

MFJ 901B ok for the price - don't expect miracles.

73's EI6DP