On Nov 16, 8:54 am, Priz wrote:
I've got an update on my antenna experiment. I decided to buy a new
tuner, the MFJ 902H to see if that would help. It was priced low
enough and had a built in balun. I tested it out using my SWR
analyzer and this tuner was able to find matching points in the 80,
40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meter bands. I did try to find a
matching point on 160 meters but wasn't able to do so which is OK,
since I've never worked 160 and the manual says not to try it on 160
anyway.

I plan to put this antenna on the air over the weekend to see what it
can do. I know it will be a compromise antenna but I'm hoping it will
allow me to do what many other hams in my situation aren't doing,
getting on the air. I also know all the jokes about MFJ, Mighty Fine
Junk, Made from Junk or my personal favorite, Mississippi's Finest
Junk, but it was priced right and when I got it, it appeared to be
well put together. I'll let everyone know how it works out.

Later...

Priz

The MFJ tuners are ok as long as you don't abuse them..
And on some , you probably should take the power ratings
with a small bit of salt depending on the load you are matching.
I've got a small MFJ random wire tuner that I've had since 1977.
It still works, and I often use it as a mobile matcher. Also
handy as a "line flattener" when running coax to a solid
state rig.
I've got a 989C that I got free from a guy that fried the coil.
He was ignoring the instructions and running high power
into a nearly half size dipole. I'm talking 8877 power.. :/
Started melting the coil form. Went through two of them.
So he went out and bought a big Nye Viking, and gave
me the 989C as basically junk.. To him anyway..
I messed with it a couple of hours getting the wires
back in the right positions, and then resetting the
roller tension, etc, and got it working again. I've been
using it ever since. Well, when I use a tuner anyway..
I use the watt meter and antenna switch more than
anything.
It's rated 3KW, "dash of salt", but it will handle and
tune about anything I will ever be messing with.
Being it's a T network tuner, it's lousy for feeding
half size dipoles though.. It will do 160m though.
MK