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Old November 8th 15, 02:25 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
Jeff Liebermann[_2_] Jeff Liebermann[_2_] is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,336
Default MFJ-269 repair (I win)

I just repaired an old MFJ-269 antenna analyzer. This time, the 4
diodes around the RF connector were NOT blown. Instead, it was crappy
SMT soldering for the components surrounding the diodes. The solder
joints looked ok before I resoldered them, but were obviously a bad
connection because several resistors just fell off the board when I
touched one end with the soldering iron, indicating the other end was
not properly soldered. With the resistor removed, the PCB pad looked
like it had never been soldered. If you don't have good soldering
tools, a steady hand, and a good microscope, DON'T try this as you'll
probably make a mess, as I did before I realized what was happening.

Because the various parts on the RF board were not originally making
good contact to the PCB pads, the calibration is off. The display
reads about 12% too high for impedance and dead on for reactance. I'm
debating if it's worth calibrating.
http://www.w8ji.com/mfj-259b_calibration.htm

Now working on an MFJ-259A, which looks like the usual blown diode
problem:
http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/MFJ-269-repair/

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558