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Reviews For: MFJ-706 Grab-and-Go Emergency Communications Center

Category: Ham Shack Accessories

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Review Summary For : MFJ-706 Grab-and-Go Emergency Communications Center
Reviews: 6MSRP: 399.95
Description:
The MFJ-706 is an Emergency Communications (EmComm) box that turns your ICOM IC-706 series transceiver into an instant grab-and-go emergency communications center in a compact 6 3/4W x 4 1/2H x 13 1/2D inch package. When a sudden emergency arises you can literally grab an entire communications center, rush to the site, and be in instant HF/VHF/UHF communication in minutes! A full 100 Watts of SSB/CW power is available when powered by a vehicle accessory socket or light-duty 10 to 15 Amp 13.8 VDC power supply. An MFJ exclusive PeakPowerBoostTM circuit delivers instantaneous SSB/CW power peaks from low current power sources using an internal 4-farad super-capacitor bank. Over-voltage protection, voltage transient protection and reverse voltage protection are also provided.

A built-in, full range HF automatic antenna tuner turns any random wire or other antenna into a highly effective HF antenna. Separate antenna connectors provide for normal HF/6 meter coax-fed antennas, a 3/8x24 loaded HF/6M whip (such as a Hamstick), and a VHF/UHF antenna for local communications.

The tough case and removable front cover secures and fully protects your transceiver at all times. A convenient compartment stows your microphone and other small accessories so you are always ready for emergencies. The transceiver is well ventilated to prevent overheating.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-706
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0064.5
K4AEC Rating: 2014-10-14
Great Product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the MFJ-706 for a couple of years now (in fact, I bought the one modified by Phil AD5X!), and it has served me well with my IC-706MKII. I use it mounted in the back of my CR-V as my HF mobile set-up, with the control head mounted up-front in the driver's console - very handy. With either "ham stick" type or Hustler mobile antennas mounted (and grounded) on the rear hatch door of the CR-V, I've gotten more "good signal" reports than I thought possible. Plus, for field operations, I can just pull it out and set it up with a field/outdoor antenna and a battery; very handy! It has really taken a lot of the work out of going HF mobile in my case. I see that KB0XR gave a negative report on the MFJ-706, even though he does not own it, just because they don't make one for his Yaesu rig - that should be thrown out of the rankings, and has no business being posted at all (IMHO, of course).
N0WRK Rating: 2012-10-29
Great grab-and-go box and good for the new HF HAM Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this grab-and-go box for my first venture into HF about 2 years ago. I choose this box because it gave me the ability to have a tuner and low amp power supply for my ICOM-706 in one package. It also let me utilize a smaller area on my desktop with a smaller power supply. My first box was returned to MFJ as it was poorly manufactured with loose parts, shorted power line, and misc. pieces rattling around inside. I was concerned with manufacturing quality control but elected to try again. I was not disappointed with my second received unit. It will plug into a cigarette lighter and gives you the ability to use low power amp sources to run the rig. The capacitors charge within seconds giving me a steady power source to the radio. The tuner has tuned a variety of wire, homemade and commercial antennas without difficulty. I have used this radio setup on field days, mobile applications, Search and Rescue, some contesting, and general daily use. It has performed flawlessly. I later upgraded my radio to an ICOM-7000 and had to change the plug as described in another review. The ICOM-7000 fit the box and worked just as well. Now MFJ makes a box for the 7000. This is a good setup for the new HAM who wants a compact and easy to use package that has lots of flexibility. Although the base price looks high you get everything you need to get started and is pretty much idiot proof. It is perfect for EmComm and on the go.
KB0XR Rating: 2012-05-04
How about the 857d? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very positive reviews for this product. Don't understand why MFJ produced this for the 706 when it(706) has been discontinued for quite some time. Emails to MFJ come back stating a version for the Yaesu 857D is "in the works". Now I see the Icom version is being marketed. I'll buy one for my 857 if it ever gets produced. If I live that long.
KK8ZZ Rating: 2012-05-03
Great Package Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Even though this is the "MFJ-706" the Icom IC-7000 fits it fine.. if you do that, you'll need a 6 pin to 4 pin power adapter, as the box is rigged for the 706 and that has 6 pins. During a time "in between radios", I bolted my IC-7000 in this handy little box and attached it to the DX Engineering 43 foot vertical in the back yard. I was amazed to see that it would quickly match the antenna (and it's pretty fussy with other tuners)in mere seconds, even on 160. I know the efficiency is low, of course, but the point is that it LET ME GET ON THE AIR when other tuners would not. I know that MFJ has a spotty record of quality control at times (who in heck DOES assemble their stuff, anyway?) but this EMCOM box works as advertised, first time, every time. I'm STILL impressed. de KK8ZZ
KE5KDT Rating: 2011-04-20
Well designed and works very well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This thing is a little jewel for a grab and go station and has a very flexible tuner. Just completed a 12 hour car trip using this plugged in the lighter socket and with a 17m hamstick on the roof of the car. After a short capacitor charge time, about 45 seconds, I turned on the 706 and easily worked stations all over the US with the unit providing reliable power to run the 706 at 100 watts with some long winded conversations on my part. No comments on dropping the transmit audio or anthing similar as if the unit might be struggling to keep up the power to the radio. The tuner would quickly tune the 17m hamstick to 20m. It is real time saver for ocassional mobile operations since you don't have to connect heavy fused cables to the battery. I wish they had a generic version that would allow use of any similar sized radio. A keeper
AD5X Rating: 2009-09-08
Neat portable package Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I like to take my IC-706MKII with me when I travel, and the MFJ-706 provides a nice protective housing for my radio. It includes an excellant auto-tuner, transient and over-voltage protection, and a super-capacitor bank so you can operate from a low curent DC source for low duty cycle SSB/CW modes. As I do with many of my accessories, I made a bunch of modifications to the MFJ-706 to better optimize it for my application. Details are in the review on my website at www.ad5x.com.