MFJ 849 DIGITAL VSWR/RF WATTMETER

[nokones]

I thought that MFJ closed up shop.  The reason why I say that, the subject Instrument I sent in for warranty repair and recalibration in October 2023, showed up on my doorstep from FedEx today. Last year October, I sent in a MFJ 269D Antenna Analyzer and this subject MFJ 849 and if I recall, I received the Antenna Analyzer back in February or March of this year.

According to the paperwork, the 849 was recalibrated and certified in good working order on June 6, 2024. The FedEx shipping label indicated a November 25, 2024 shipping date.

As soon as I opened up the box I had to compare the accuracy of the 849 with my Telewave and my Bird 43. For this comparison test, I used my Kenwood TK880-1 transmitting on 467.625 Megs that was powered with a Powerwerx 30 Amp Powersupply set at 14.2 volts and a Laird B4502N Non-Groundplane 2.4 dB Omnidirectional Antenna and an Antenex Magmount sitting on a cookie sheet.  The MFJ measured 18.8 watts at 1.0 watt reflected and 1.6:1 VSWR.  My Bird measured 23 watts with 4 watts reflected. My Telewave measured just over 21 watts and just shy of 4 watts (more like 3.75 watts) reflected.

I used the same Messi & Paoloni coax cables with PL259s on all three instruments. The only differences between the three instruments was I had to use SO239 female to N Male adapters on the Bird and Telewave instruments whereas the 849 had the SO239 female connections, so cable adapters were not needed.

The VSWR conversion charts indicates the VSWR for the Bird measurement at 2.4:1 and the Telewave measurement at 2.3:1. My RigExpert 650 measured the VSWR at 1.48 at 467.600 Megs.

I'm not sure that I want to use the 849, but it appears to be a little more accurate than before I sent it in over 13 months ago. I just don't have any confidence in MFJ products.

[WRYZ926]

Well Mighty Fine Junk did go out of business a few months ago.

Gigi Parts hired some of the MFJ engineers, so I am told. They are now making the Intellitron brand being sold at Gig Parts.

[nokones]

14 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

Well Mighty Fine Junk did go out of business a few months ago.

Gigi Parts hired some of the MFJ engineers, so I am told. They are now making the Intellitron brand being sold at Gig Parts.

Well then, if that is the case, who is occupying their (MFJ) former location/facility and using the MFJ name?

[WRYZ926]

As to who is still in the MFJ building, I can't answer that one. But it was big news on all of the amateur radio forums about MFJ closing down.

https://www.arrl.org/news/mfj-ceasing-on-site-production

Do a Google search and that will bring up all kinds of links about MFJ shutting down. They have ceased production and are in the process of selling all remaining stock.

[SteveShannon]

From the announcement:

Quote

 

Jue shared that the company will remain open to sell existing inventory because they have “a lot of stock on hand.” They will also continue to offer repair services for the foreseeable future.