On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 21:01:42 -0500, "Andy Cogswell" SHORECOGS at
COMCAST DOT NET wrote:


"Dave Edwards" wrote in message
...
Another MFJ victim....live and learn!

First MFJ product I've had problems with. I've owned a lot of products and
their analyzers are usually very good. I owned an MFJ-259 before this, but
wanted UHF capabilities, so I bought the 269.

Well, I had a similar experience with their 2M SSB radio. Had their 6
meter version and have nothing but good things to say so I figured
their 2meter model would be as good. Wrong - never got more than 1.5
watts PEP, sent it back they said it was okay. Again tested it out on
air and even the folks just a mile or two away reported very weak
signal; put it on the meter and same issue about 1.5 watts PEP. BTW,
they returned it minus the manual that I foolishly packed with the
radio (sent everything it came with in case they decided to replace
it). Talked to them of the problem and they had me send it back.
After about 2 months and several calls they sent it back and claimed
the unit was just fine and the problem was with my antenna and/or
feedline and/or meter. Well, I did use two different meters - a Yaesu
that measures PEP and a borrowed Bird 43 - both read within a quarter
watt of each other. Checked the antenna out and it had a low(1.2:1)
SWR, changed the coax just to be sure and the readings were the same
(SWR of the antenna/feedline and the power output). Spoke to MFJ
again and they flat out refused to deal with the issue.

I won't claim that all their products are "Mighty Fine Junk" or that a
number of folks do get good service from them. Several folks I know
have their tuners and they work just fine and likewise with their '259
analyzer. However, I will no longer patronize their business due to
the length of time they took on addressing my concerns and the fact
that the problem was not even partially resolved. Had they returned
it with any improvement I might feel differently, or had they taken
the attitude of "Have you checked out your antenna/feedline/meter"
versus just claiming that was the problem I would have felt that at
least they were listening and working toward resolution. Oh well, it
doesn't transmit worth a darn - but in fairness the receive is pretty
hot.

Howard