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Reviews For: MFJ-822 Compact Cross-Needle SWR/Wattmeter 1.8-200 MHz

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

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Review Summary For : MFJ-822 Compact Cross-Needle SWR/Wattmeter 1.8-200 MHz
Reviews: 15MSRP: 60.00
Description:
Compact HF/VHF SWR/Wattmeter. Has huge 3" Cross-needle meter. Read forward/reflected power and SWR simultaneously. Perfect for mobile or portable operation. Two selectable power ranges, built-in meter light (+12 VDC). SO-239 Connectors. 3 1/4 W x 3 1/4 H x 3 1/4 D inches.
MFJ-822 covers 1.8-200 MHz, 30 or 300 Watts.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-822
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00153.9
K2HVE Rating: 2024-03-10
Not consistant and way off on 40 mtrs Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had this meter for a couple of weeks, now and it performs well on most bands but on 40 Meters it's nowhere close to a true reading against a known antenna.. It's right on on 10-20 meters.... also 160 is ok.
It's MFJ so you know the saying. Sending this back.
K6EEN Rating: 2022-11-27
plastic lens builds up static, erratic readings Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used this as a mobile 2m meter for a Yaesu FT-2800 series single-band rig for 30,000 to 40,000 road miles. The meter is large enough to read, but the lens is plastic and builds up static, leading to errors in the reflected power needle (and therefore incorrectly reported SWR).

This meter might work out well as a compact base station meter which doesn't get jostled around a lot, but since I specifically got the compact size with 12V backlight for mobile operations, it's not very good in that environment. Which is strange, because the smaller MFJ cross-needle meters for HF tuners (like the MFJ-945E) have held up for 50,000 to 75,000 road miles. I guess the larger mechanical meter movement can't take the on-road beatings as well as the smaller mechanical meters.

Going to find a VHF/UHF digital meter (no mechanical movement) for the mobile now.
K4ZOT Rating: 2021-03-10
Good Meter for the money Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have owned this meter for several months now. When I first got it, I said - Wow, this meter face is really small and I was going to return it. Also, I thought the meter face font was too small and the meter light brightness is almost non-existent.

But, I really needed a small 2M meter, so I devised a way to mount it close to my operating position so I could read the meter face and the meter non-light didn't matter. I only wanted to measure my SWR because my 2M yagi is not flat across 2M. I can then adjust it with my MFJ-921 (which is a really nice unit). Furthermore, my Mirage B2518G is sensitive to any SWR above 1.2 and reduces output. So, regardless of the above limitations, I have grown used to the meter because it serves it basic purpose and for a great low price.

I rate it at 4 stars - 1/2 star off for the small font face which is really unnecessary and difficult to read. A larger font would make the meter much more useful and much easier to read. 1/2 star off for a non-existent meter light - a LED light would be a super improvement at no cost. But, as I said above, it serves it's intended purpose at a great price, is an accurate meter and I will keep it.
WA7JFO Rating: 2020-12-05
It’s been a good meter Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This has been a good meter for me. Registers the same SWR as my rigs internal meter does. My personal approach is to always be monitoring SWR while operating, and that’s all I needed it to do.
I’d definitely buy it again and recommend this for anyone looking to keep an eye on things.
WB0AL Rating: 2020-05-05
Works Every Time Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The negative reviews have me scratching my head. My MFJ-822 worked perfectly out of the box. I used it to tune hamsticks. It worked flawlessly. I have experienced MFJ quality control issues with other products. The MFJ-822 is made in Taiwan. It works every time.
W4KVW Rating: 2019-03-10
Works Now after repairs Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Well as usual in so many cases this meter needed work before it would work properly.The soldering job from the factory was beyond pathetic so the meter worked sometimes & sometimes it did not.The light did not work because it was never even wired to the 12 volt power plug from the fine folks at MFJ. Everything works now after it was repaired by a local friend who just laughed & stated,I swear I don't see how MFJ stays in business with such terrible workmanship. He calibrated the meter with a Bird meter so it is as close to accurate as it will ever be I guess.I still say the folks who work at MFJ are beginners & why I say MFJ = "My First Job" because it makes so much more sense than people who actually have job experience doing such poor work & there is ZERO Quality Control it appears? This is an Average reading meter & the 12 volts is just for the light when & if it is wired to the plug so it can even operate.Maybe their job security is repairing returned items that were not built correctly in the 1st place?
KE4IAJ Rating: 2018-04-02
Works great, excellent value Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this meter new and it's worked great since. I've compared it to other more expensive meters with several different power outputs, and it's dead on.

Very reasonably priced for what it does. It's def a keeper!

If you are looking for a reasonable, compact, and portable 300 watt HF + 2m SWR/Power meter, this meter may be perfect for you as it is me. 73
K9TYR Rating: 2017-03-17
Mine Works Great Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I like manual tuners and bought this to work with my MFJ 9201 for QRP. Maybe I got lucky when I compare my results to others but for me it works great and I couldn't be happier. The low power selector allows great tuning with qrp tuners that don't have a built in display. My tuner and meter are compact enough to be very easy carry.
KE3JH Rating: 2013-11-04
dont waste ur money Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This mfj 822 looks good but only reads half or less of the watts on the 440 side. I sent my radio back because thought it wasnt doing the 45 watts according to this junk meter and they found the rig was doing 43 watts so i had paid shipping for NOTHING. the 2 meter side read 50 watts so thought the meter was ok. JUNK
KE4RG Rating: 2013-06-12
Nice package, disappointing QRP performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased my MFJ-822 at Dayton for QRP use. After hours of trying to isolate problems with my K1 I placed Bird in-line and verified problems were with the new MFJ-822! Indications forward and reverse are erratic. Frequently a poor antenna match at 1.0 watt will cause BOTH needles to peg at 30 watts! At best I would use this for QRP relative indication only. Perhaps OK for QRO, but I will continue search for compact QRP meter to replace bulky Bird 43.