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Reviews For: MFJ-269

Category: Antenna Analyzers

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Review Summary For : MFJ-269
Reviews: 83MSRP: 359.95
Description:
HF/VHF/UHF SWR Analyzer
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-269
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00833.7
VA5SAM Rating: 2002-03-25
Must be a mistake Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Can't believe it,, this thing actually works. Took it apart to see why and found that the workmanship inside was normal crappy MFJ quality but the darn thing works. I hope it will stay working.
AB2LB Rating: 2002-03-24
Poor QC - Think carefully before buying Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is an update: See earlier reviews by me under AB2LB and KC2ETQ. My MFJ-269 Analyzer was received as a holiday gift December 2000. With case, NiMH batteries, optional coil set, and A/C adapter, the cost was over $385. I had plenty of antenna projects to utilize it with. The first analyzer was 50% DOA out of the box with no UHF functions and was replaced graciously by HRO in January 2001. I postponned my first project until the replacement arrived. The second one worked for several months, but not without difficulties. After only a few weeks of use the antenna connector on the top of the analyzer became intermittent. This may be due to stress on the mount inside the unit since it is soldered directly to the main circuit board. The connector on top of the analyzer is an N-type, so any cables with PL-259 need an adapter. The connector and adapter jut out about two inches so there is significant leverage. In addition, the display would periodically show all bars when starting up and the unit would not initialize. It would take several re-starts for the unit to operate. However, often the unit would start, but not function. Sometimes, the voltage would read 27.9V instead of the 12.0 volts it should. Eventually, after several more re-starts it would operate. I did complete several antenna projects when the unit was working and wondered why anyone would ever construct a phasing harness or tune a yagi without one. I called MFJ Technical support and they offered some advice about opening the unit and checking for loose solder connections.

I opened it and inspected the connections around the N connector and anywhere else I could access with a magnifyng glass. I refrained from re-soldering anything due to extensive use of surface mount components and lack of access. Many more antenna projects are on hold. I decided to send it back to MFJ in mid November 2001. In January 2002 I had spoken with the MFJ technician who stated he was having difficulty fixing the unit, but would send it out or replace it ASAP. After an andless wait and several more calls I received it in mid February 2002 (90 days!). Finally, I could finish those projects.

NOT! The newly repaired unit failed to initialize and then read 27.9 volts upon restarting it. It finally started, but the readings were each fixed on a single value. Also, the analog SWR meter was loose an flopping around in the case. I took it apart for another quick look. The mount on the swr meter was missing, but I couldn't see anything else obvious. After calling MFJ for instructions, back it went in early March 2002 for another lengthy vacation at the MFJ repair center. They stated the unit would be given priority. I called MFJ for a status report just before writing this and they haven't yet looked at it yet (three weeks). It has now been well over a year and I've been able to use the unit only a few months. I contacted two different major ham radio dealers and they stated there are troubles with this model and both advised staying with the MFJ-259B series.

I really would rather write this review and tell you about the features of the unit. I strongly advise not purchasing the MFJ-269 analyzer. If Mr. JUN reads this, you need to address serious quality control/construction issues with this model. My unit was pampered and kept from RF fields (another known problem with this unit). When it failed during field day several dozen new hams were there to witness the problems. During my 2-meter nets I always advise against purchasing this unit when the subject comes up. MFJ has developed a poor reputation for quality control and construction for many of its products, and this is an unfortuneate (expensive) example. I completed several projects using a Yaesu YS-500 SWR/Power meter. Slower but very reliable. I am extremely disappointed with the MFJ-269 analyzer AND the very slow/ineffective service from MFJ. POOR! Save your money and consider a standard SWR meter or the MFJ-259B, if you must have an analyzer. I hope I receive a replacement soon enough for my summer 2002 antenna projects. Doubtful. Not recommended! MFJ get your act together! For those who are lucky to have one that works well - count your blessings. Can I borrow it? 73 AB2LB

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Earlier 2-star review posted by AB2LB on 2001-01-25

See the comments by KC2ETQ in a previous review, my original comments. Read-on, I actually like the analyzer . . . When it works.

Some of us have all the fun! A replacement MFJ-269 was cheerfully provided by the wonderful folks at HRO. The new unit worked flawlessly for a week and then refused to start 95% of the time. Just a row of bars appeared in the display when powered-up. When it would finally start-up it worked well. A call to technical support was answewed quickly (nice surprise) and the technician diagnosed the problem as a high resistance connection or faulty crystal / connection. He suggested returning it to MFJ for inspection and repair (promised 2-3 week turn around). As a final effort to rule-out "operator stupidity" as the actual defect, I checked the batteries, charger, all connections, read the manual for the 3rd time, and reviewed the dial settings. I carefully pressed the Power button and . . . all bars in the display. If I couldn't master turning it on, how would I ever analyze antennas? @#$%&@ An hour later it decided to start and worked fine . . . back it goes after I tune a few more antennas. (yes, I pressed the power button with 1 newton of force at a 90 degree angle. Also, the analyzer is stored 100 miles from any stray RF fields).

This is otherwise a fine instrument. It's sturdy and easy to operate. The "Power" and "UHF" buttons are tiny and can be depressed accidentally, especially when in the case. The case is a tight fit, but is worth the few extra dollars.

It gives a very comprehensive profile of the antenna system and coax cable for HF and VHF. There are only a few parameters measured for UHF: SWR and coax loss. The dB coax loss is a nice feature.

The manual is very well written, but assumes the the reader has substantial electronics and antenna knowledge. I also notice that the analog and digital meters are not quite in-sync. For example, the analog meters would read 1.7 SWR and 50 Ohms resistance while the digital meter reads 1.5 SWR and 45 Ohms. This may be related to the start-up problem. I recommend using the NiMH batteries since they will power the analyzer for several hours per charge. A full charge can take 24 hours+ since a low charge rate is used (20-30 mA).

I hate to part with this instrument for repairs. It quickly became my favorite gadget. It makes working on antenna systems and feed lines very easy. Seeing it in action, I became more forgiving and just hope the analyzer is returned quickly and works 100% for many years.
73! and good luck with your MFJ-269 analyzer, if you decide to go for it.
AB2LB

LA6MV Rating: 2002-01-04
great unit, recomended Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I decided to purchase based on preliminary non official info about the new 269. Waited for 3 months before I received one of the first made. The MFJ-269 worked flawlessly and as expected.
I have used all the nice features and it has really saved me a lot of time. I am rather well equipped with other measurement equipments.
Battery consumption is high, so rechargeable batteries is a must. Often too high SWR on HF2V antenna at 7MHz in the evening hours, resonance is measured correct.
KU4AB Rating: 2001-12-26
great unit Time Owned: more than 12 months.
i got my 269 at the Huntsville hamfest.. reasonable price.. wow... this thing is GREAT !
i've used it for a year and a half.. tuned up
many mobile hf antennas,,set vhf beams, built
homebrew antennas. checked out coax,, everything
worked fine and i can't say how many hours the
269 has saved me.. from hf to uhf its a "must have".. 73's phil
NV7LV Rating: 2001-04-05
You got mine Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I read all the reviews with a smile. I went through 5 units before I got one to work. It sounds like MFJ just sent the ones I had that did not work to you folks, without repairing them. I asked them If I was their QC department, but it seems that I was not, after reading all the reviews. I finally got one that works and you guys can't have it!!

73's
NV7LV
WH7QQ Rating: 2001-03-25
sick out of box Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Unit went thru start-up ok and seemed to be working but gave erratic results on VHF. DTF function was totally out to lunch, giving results in the thousands of feet for lengths of fresh coax from 1 to 55 feet. Called Tech Support at MFJ and the "Tech?" promised to call me back after he set one up and played with it...never happened. Called the factory number and another "Tech?" decided it was sick and should be returned to the dealer. I never felt I was in contact with an intelligent life form. HRO said OK, return it at your expense (from Hawaii). I did so and asked for a full refund. Forget MFJ and HRO. I don't need anything bad enough to put up with having to do their QA and then pay for the return shipping.
KI6V Rating: 2001-03-01
Full-Time Flawless & Feature Full! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is not just an antenna analyzer -- it's a miracle in a box! I could not (and still can't!) believe all the tricks it does for me. Haven't had a lick of problems with it yet and I am proud to be the envy of the ham radio block where I live, thanks to my handy-dandy little MFJ 269! Only worry I have now is the awesome temptation it represents to my otherwise honest and integrity-prone ham friends when I leave it laying around.
N3EOP Rating: 2001-02-18
Good... when it works... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got it for all the usual reasons (mainly high on the "neatness" scale). The main use is to pre-tune my tuner (MFJ-949E). (I use a non-resonant dipole for all bands.)

I plug it in, tune the tuner for 1:1 on 14.250. I connect the rig, and set it for 5W out. The SWR meter says 5W forward... 5W reflected.

I tune the tuner the old-fashioned way, to indicate 1:1 (no reflected power). Connect the 269, which also indicates 1:1.

So I have a meter that gives false matches. The question is, is it a design issue, or is it a problem with this particular unit? Fortunately, HRO (where I bought it) is right down the street, so exchange isn't a problem.

My guess is that the problem is with this unit. MFJ has a history of poor quality control, and with the number of these units out in the field, we would have heard long ago if it is a design problem.
KC4TXR Rating: 2000-12-27
If you only had one thing, this would be it! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Measures just about anything. Is reasonably accurate. Well built. Tremendous value. What more can be said? I highly recommend the MFJ 269. If you are just an appliance operator, don't buy it, you won't understand it.
KC2ETQ Rating: 2000-12-26
VHF OK - UHF DOA Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
MFJ-269 DOA . . .
I gave myself a holiday present - A new MFJ-269 and accessory kit. Total price:$389. The analyzer was half DOA. The VHF functions work well. However, all of the UHF functions are inoperative. When switched to the UHF setting and the UHF button is pushed-in the unit goes into limbo. The SWR analog meter goes dead, the LCD remains on the VHF frequency and random numbers appear for the SWR/other parameters. Looks like a factory dud. Repeated calls to MFJ technical support were either ring-no-answer or very extended hold. No response by e-mail either. Ironically, a red QC sticker on the bottom of the unit states "QC Passed HW". Thanks to HW and the MFJ Production and Quality Control team for the fine job building and inspecting this unit. It appears that the folks in Starksville, MS USA need an ISO 9000 Quality Program.
I guess my winter antenna projects will be on hold for a while. . . I hope not until summer!
AB2LB formerly KC2ETQ