"Swiss Army knife" is a good metaphor. In your pocket, it's always
available and handy for that simple job. It's got a saw good for fast,
rough cutting, but no competition for a chain saw for speed or a scroll
saw for precision. The file will cut metal, but it's not a Swiss file
set or a wood rasp either. And so forth. Likewise the MFJ. I use is
frequently for a quick measurement, and that's often good enough. But
when I really need precision, out comes the GR bridge, network analyzer,
and whatever other real tools are required.

Ironically, the thing it does worst, in an urban setting at least, is
actually measure antenna impedance. Like any broadband impedance meter,
it's dismally bad at that particular job because RF from broadcast and
other sources drives it bonkers.

So by all means get one. You'll find you use it a lot. But don't be too
quick to unload your other gear.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

John Ferrell wrote:
I am considering ordering the MFJ-269 HF/VHF/UHF Antenna/SWR/RF
Analyzer.

It sounds like a Swiss Army knife device and I should be able to send
a lot of old equipment to Ebay. Does anyone have any comments to make
on it? Good or bad?

I have read the review in May 2005 QST and the manual available at
their website.

John Ferrell, W8CCW