[Boatanchors] Boatanchors Digest, Vol 116, Issue 45

[Glen Zook]

If one considers the mfj equipment to be "semi-kits", that is, some final assembly required, then one is going to be a lot happier!

The equipment is generally pretty well designed.  Unfortunately, quality control seems not to be a part of the mfj manufacturing process.  Poor, or even missing, solder joints are often found.  Missing hardware in some units and additional hardware (probably that missing from the last unit down the production line) is also pretty common.

Over the years, I have bought a few mfj items and have acquired some more from other sources.  Of the items that I bought, exactly one item worked from the start.  This was a 24-hour clock that was built "off shore" and an mfj label put on it.  Everything else has had to be repaired in some manner or another.  As for the "other" mfj items:  They needed repair and the original owner was not willing and/or able to make the repairs.

The mfj warranty seems to recognize this lack of quality control because it states that field repairs can be attempted with no violation of the warranty.

After the mfj units are repaired, most of the products work well, especially for the original cost.  The problem is that, because of generally poor quality control, repairs are often needed.
 
Glen, K9STH


Website:  http://k9sth.com


________________________________
 From: Richard Knoppow <1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com>
To: Bill Cromwell <wrcromwell at gmail.com>; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 9:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Boatanchors Digest, Vol 116, Issue 45
 

MFJ is at http://www.mfjenterprises.com/

     They make a lot of interesting stuff mostly at 
affordable prices.  The reputation is that they make 
fundamentally good equipment but may cut corners a bit too 
much to keep the costs down. Sometimes you have to resolder 
things.  I have an MFJ Versatuner antenna tuner. Mostly its 
fine but I had to fix a better stop on the inductor to keep 
the contact from coming off the end.  However, it will tune 
anything attached to it and has a good twin needle SWR/power 
meter.
     I don't know if they sell components but their catalog 
is available at the above URL.