[Elecraft] OT: BIZARRE OFFERING FROM MFJ

[donovanf at starpower.net]

Hi Wayne,

This repulsive thread need to be terminated immediately.  I’ve never seen anything like it before on here.

73
Frank
W3LPL

----- Original Message -----
From: Macy monkeys <macymonkeys at charter.net>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Sun, 07 Apr 2019 13:30:51 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT:  BIZARRE OFFERING FROM MFJ

Ouch.

John K7FD

> On Apr 7, 2019, at 9:35 AM, Ken G Kopp <kengkopp at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Perhaps the matter stems from the nationality of MFJ's owner and a
> different set of values.
> 
> K0PP
> 
>> On Sun, Apr 7, 2019, 10:28 Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I've used many MFJ products and in have had very little trouble with any
>> of them. For example, I make frequent use an MFJ-223 hand-held VNA -- it's
>> versatile and does the job. I've also used their manual tuners, antenna
>> switches, and portable/mobile whips. They have a very comprehensive product
>> line that's really unique in the industry.
>> 
>> That said, I do have some suggestions for MFJ's engineering team on how
>> they might improve their ATU.
>> 
>> Looking at the photo, I see that they used much smaller toroidal cores for
>> 5 of the 8 inductors in the L network. This could result in excessive
>> heating, especially on the higher bands, at full power into a worst-case
>> match. We specified T68 sized cores to remain conservative based on
>> extensive testing. Also, if you click on the photo to see the details,
>> you'll see what appears to be very inconsistent hand soldering of the SMD
>> components. While this doesn't necessarily worsen performance or
>> reliability, it should be done in a way that inspires confidence in the
>> buyer. (Easy for me to say, of course. We have the luxury of mass-producing
>> these assemblies using automated pick-and-place equipment at our fabricator
>> in Monterey.)
>> 
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Apr 7, 2019, at 9:00 AM, Doug Person <doug at kj0f.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> MFJ has been a leader in automatic tuner technology for years. It was
>> probably a very simple engineering process for them to use what they have
>> to create a K3 tuner. You may have a dislike of MFJ products. But, that
>> doesn't preclude the fact that their tuners work very well. They have been
>> selling the K3 tuner for years. It doesn't seem the least bit surprising
>> given the modular nature of the K3 and the long history MFJ has with
>> automatic tuner technology. Maybe it's actually a complement to Elecraft
>> that MFJ takes the K3 so seriously.
>>> 
>>> Doug --KJØF
>>> 
>>>> On 4/7/2019 10:26 AM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:
>>>> Ozarkcon yesterday. Break-time.  Pile of MFJ catalogs on a table.  Took
>> one back to my seat to kill time.  Opened it up to the second page and in
>> the lower left corner is a box-ad with the following:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> "MFJ ATU PC Board for Elecraft K-3 Rig.  MFJ-950K3 is a super clone of
>> the KAT3 optional tuning board for the superb Elecraft K3 transceiver.
>> MFJ-950K3 is a direct plug-in PC board for the Elecraft K3 10 Watt or 100
>> Watt model. Covers 1.8 to 54 MHz.  This automatic antenna tuner PC board
>> features an L-Match design and can match SWR up to 10:1. It handles 100
>> Watts.  The ATU PC board has a second antenna port, and a sub-rx SMA port.
>> All antenna ports are protected with gas discharge tubes.  Super sensitive
>> relay allows excellent low current drain.  MFJ-950K3 is 4W x 3 1/2H x 1
>> 1/4D inches and easily slides right into the K3’s tuning board slot. Weighs
>> less than 1/2 pound.  Pick up this great accessory for your K3 today and
>> save $$$!"
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> What in the world is that all about?  What possible market are they
>> shooting at?  Who would put anything "MFJ" in anything Elecraft?
>>>> 
>>>> Someone enlighten me!  Did I sleep through April 1st?
>>>> 
>>>> https://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-950K3
>>>> 
>>>> 73,
>>>> 
>>>> Kent  K9ZTV
>> 
>> 
>> 
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