[Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers

[Stephen W. Kercel]

Hi Joe:

I do not own a MFJ-269. I lusted after one for a while, but there are so 
many bad stories posted on so many different ham Web sites that I decided 
not to buy one. Now, I'll admit that you do hear the occasional good story 
about MFJ, but the reported experiences (even on this thread) constitute a 
mixed bag.

Having come to the conclusion that if I did buy a 269 I might get lucky and 
I might not, I decided to do without the MFJ-269. Instead I bought a 
MFJ-207 on eBay. It was cheap, and had it not lived up to the task, I would 
not have lost much. It turns out that I got a good specimen. I only use it 
to adjust my antenna tuner without the need to put a transmitted signal on 
the air. The 207 is up to that task.

The possible availability of a genuinely reliable and not too expensive 
device for measuring R+JX impedances at HF has rekindled my interest in a 
fancier instrument.

In the case of the MFJ-269 versus the Palstar I note the following points. 
The list price of the Palstar is ten dollars cheaper than the MFJ. Reported 
experience with the MFJ is unmistakably a mixed bag; some hams love it and 
some  hate it. The reports on the Palstar constitute a much smaller sample, 
but those reports thus far are uniformly positive. The fact that the 
Palstar is a reboxed AA-908 seems to be a decided positive; I've never 
heard a bad story about the 908.

Thanks and 73,

Steve
AA4AK




>Howdy Steve:
>
>Not sure if you own an MFJ analyzer...I have owned the model 269 for 
>several years now without problem.  It is an excellent tool for antenna 
>measurements.
>
>I am fully aware that MFJ quality leaves something to be desired (Mighty 
>Fine Junk:-) but the 269 has been a reliable performer for me....so I 
>wouldn't discard it out of hand......perhaps you can pick up a used one to 
>play with and see if it meets your standards....they usually re-sell 
>quickly so you wouldn't lose much.
>
>                                            73, Joe W2KJ
>