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Reviews For: MFJ-918 1:1 current balun

Category: Antenna parts, accessories, incl. baluns, hardware, etc.

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Review Summary For : MFJ-918 1:1 current balun
Reviews: 13MSRP: 28
Description:
1:1 current balun and stray RF filter combined
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15133.2
K3USS Rating: 2023-01-09
Still working fine, running 800 watts Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The first Balun I ever used was a W2AU 1:1 but this maker pasted away some years ago, his was the best, lasted years. The second Balun was a Radiowavz which gave up after less than a year. Balun number 3 is a MFJ 918. This Balun has worked fine for about 3 years now. Took down the balun and 80/40 fan dipole cuz of a home construction project.
Decided construct a whole new Fan dipole using New MFJ 918 Balun to save any future issues. The old 918 is still good.
N5LZ Rating: 2022-11-04
Leads shorted; SO-239 unsoldered and open Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My brand new MFJ-918 balun had a dead short across the two output wires. I managed to separate the top cemented cap and found that both bare wires inside the enclosure were in contact…. So I repositioned the wires to a somewhat stable position and of course the short disappeared… I THEN found that the ground side of the SO-239 was NOT connected to the coax inside the balun, and the solder connection hardware intended for that purpose was floating freely inside the PVC enclosure …. So I then had to carefully separate the bottom cap, remove the SO-239 (one of the retention nuts was also missing), solder the connector, connect it to the SO-239 and reassemble everything…. All was finally OK after that and I have a good working antenna. Don't know how long it will last however.
What went wrong? The only thing I can figure is that the builder must have taken a break and then forgot where he left off and just cemented the unfinished balun together …. I call that LOUSY quality control … they could have at least tested for shorts and continuity before shipping. I should have returned the balun but had made the purchase several months before actually building the antenna and did not want to endure the hassle of returning an old purchase, etc. I’m sure this is a rare occurrence … but I see another review that dealt a similar problem so it has happened at least two times… and there is no excuse ….. shame on MFJ! This balun is clearly not worth the $60 that I paid for it! Don, N5LZ
N0DBX Rating: 2019-08-22
Worthless Mechanical Construction Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Had it up a little less than a year now on an 80/40 fan dipole. It handles 1200 watts but I usually run less.

I bought it for the price and noted someone said it had fittings threaded into PVC. I ordered it and planned to send it back were that the case... I checked and it is threaded into metal. Great! Well, for not quite a year. The threads failed from the weight of the wires. I dropped the mast and pulled it all together with black nylon ties so it still lives.

Probably OK for higher frequencies and lighter wind loads.
W2OZ Rating: 2017-06-02
Good Electrically, Mechanical Failure! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Works fine Electrically, leads out are better than making connection via Eyebolts like Unidilla , but the Eyebolts are only threaded into the PVC Pipe and strip out under any significant tension , had to make my own Center Strain Relief .
W1VTP Rating: 2017-02-07
Perfect Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Does exactly what it is supposed to. I have subjected it to legal limit power for around 2 years with no problems
K6SDW Rating: 2016-08-09
Works fer me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Using MFJ-918 for 4 years and never a problem or RF in shack...

Cheers All
N1OIE Rating: 2016-08-08
Junk -- Don't waste ur money Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Worked fine to start with on a homebrew 20/17/10 fan inv-V dipole 35' up, then 5 weeks later, it crapped the bed. Still works as a RX antenna, but can't tune for TX. Tried calling both MFJ and HamCity (whom Amazon.com sub contracted to for this), and it is impossible to get a live human there. Thankfully, Amazon.com is giving me a full refund for this POG. Please don't waste your money on this, and do not give either MFJ or HamCity your business.
KJ7USA Rating: 2012-09-30
Great Product Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I use this to center feed my 40/80 meter inverted v dipole on top of a 50' mast. Does the job at a good price. I have no issues with RF in the shack or SWR. Handles the 1kW my amplifier puts out with no issues. The eye bolts are strong and support the wire element tension securely. It's been up for about a year now with no complaints.
VA3VID Rating: 2011-08-15
Junk Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got the balun about a year ago but just start the project last week. First trip on the 259b and there was problems.
So I removed the balun, problem gone. So I tested with a multi meter and it showed a direct short. I took it apart and when it was assembled they had twisted the 2 copper wires around each other before they exit the housing. Another check and now an open short, so off came the bottom portion of the balun. The braided portion of the cable was not soldered onto the so239. It look like there was solder there but not connected. Soldered back up, reassembled and now its good to go.
KJ4I Rating: 2011-08-09
Good balun for the price Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this balun in service for about a year now. We have had some really heavy rains during that time and I have not had any issues with water in the balun. Antenna's tune and work fine. I will be purchasing more of these to have a few extra's on hand.