Another MFJ victim....live and learn!

"Andy Cogswell" SHORECOGS at COMCAST DOT NET wrote in message
...
I bought an MFJ-269 from KC7SLO in September last year. When it arrived, I
tested it and found that the UHF portion did not display the correct SWR.
I
tested it with 3 different UHF antennas. It works fine everywhere else.
The
problem was that although on the air tests with the antennas all showed
them
with low SWR in the proper frequency ranges, the analyzer told me on every
one that they all had wavy SWR patterns. For example: 415mhz 1.7, 420mhz
2.5, 423mhz 1.2, 431 2.1, etc... It was obvious that the analyzer was
displaying the wrong SWR on every antenna. I emailed Scott and he said he
would help pay for the repair expenses since it didn't seem to have been
damaged in shipment, but actually not working 100% when sold. He never
came
through with any help on the expenses even after several emails.

I was finally able to mail it to MFJ about a month after receiving it. MFJ
claimed to have fixed it, I paid the repair costs and they mailed it back
to
me. It arrived and STILL didn't work right, even though several parts were
listed as being replaced. I called them and they offered to have it
shipped
back and looked at again at no expense to me. I did this. They recieved it
on 1/21/2004 and I received it back yesterday. It STILL doesn't work,
dispite the fact that they claim 2 diodes were replaced. Now I'm waiting
from my repair guy to come into work and I'm going to ask him what the
next
step is.

Anyone else have an experience like this!? I basically have an MFJ-259
because the UHF doesn't work, even though I paid for an MFJ-269!

"Carl R. Stevenson" wrote in message
...

What makes you think the antennas don't exhibit that SWR at those freqs?
(Not being obnoxious, just curious ...)

Carl - wk3c

Because I did on the air tests with my watt meter and found that the SWR is
only good in the rated portions for each antenna. Besides, if these antenas
were as broadbanded as the analyzer is saying, the manufacturers would be
selling these antennas for more than I paid for 'em.

"Carl R. Stevenson" wrote in message
...

What makes you think the antennas don't exhibit that SWR at those freqs?
(Not being obnoxious, just curious ...)

Carl - wk3c

Because I did on the air tests with my watt meter and found that the SWR is
only good in the rated portions for each antenna. Besides, if these antenas
were as broadbanded as the analyzer is saying, the manufacturers would be
selling these antennas for more than I paid for 'em.

"Dale Parfitt" wrote in message
...

I would consider that a pretty poor test of the analyzer. Find a known
good
50 Ohm termination ( at 70cM) and use it to test the analyzer. Although
you
did not state it, I assume you are testing these antennas through a length
of coaxial cable- unless you account for the cable's electrical length and
loss, the readings will not be accurate.

Dale W4OP

I've tested the other antennas (HF and VHF) at the end of the coax with the
analyzer and they show the same results as on the air tests with the
wattmeter. When I switch to UHF, the results are completly different between
my on the air tests and the analyzer. I'd say this is a good indication of a
problem. I also tested one of the UHF antennas at the antenna, with a small
jumper, about 8 feet in length.

"Dale Parfitt" wrote in message
...

I would consider that a pretty poor test of the analyzer. Find a known
good
50 Ohm termination ( at 70cM) and use it to test the analyzer. Although
you
did not state it, I assume you are testing these antennas through a length
of coaxial cable- unless you account for the cable's electrical length and
loss, the readings will not be accurate.

Dale W4OP

I've tested the other antennas (HF and VHF) at the end of the coax with the
analyzer and they show the same results as on the air tests with the
wattmeter. When I switch to UHF, the results are completly different between
my on the air tests and the analyzer. I'd say this is a good indication of a
problem. I also tested one of the UHF antennas at the antenna, with a small
jumper, about 8 feet in length.

"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.

"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.

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

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

As far as the actual customer service so far, they've been pretty good. At
least they sent UPS here to pick up the analyzer at no cost and they're
doing it again. This time the service manager will be looking at the unit
personally. I also had another experience where my 3 element 6 yagi became
bent during a bad storm. MFJ offered to replace any parts needed for free.
Luckily I was able to straighten it out and it works fine now.

I just hope that this analyzer thing gets taken care of this time for good.
The service manager claims as soon as it arrives, he will personally look at
it.

--
73! de Andy KC2SSB
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://shorecogs.tripod.com

"Howard" wrote in message
...
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