Why can't MFJ fix my Analyzer?!
 

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!

"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.

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

Carl - wk3c

"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.

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

Carl - wk3c

Andy,

what's the VSWR with a 50ohm and a 100ohm load. Are they 1:1 and 2:1?

Roger G7JAQ

Andy,

what's the VSWR with a 50ohm and a 100ohm load. Are they 1:1 and 2:1?

Roger G7JAQ

"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 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

"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 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

"Dale Parfitt" wrote in message
...

"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 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


Yup ... those reading look a lot like 100' of old RG-58 with a
short or open at the other end ;-)

--

... Hank

Hank: http://horedson.home.att.net
W0RLI: http://w0rli.home.att.net

"Dale Parfitt" wrote in message
...

"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 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


Yup ... those reading look a lot like 100' of old RG-58 with a
short or open at the other end ;-)

--

... Hank

Hank: http://horedson.home.att.net
W0RLI: http://w0rli.home.att.net

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!