[Elecraft] BIZARRE OFFERING FROM MFJ

[Wayne Burdick]

Correct.

Wayne


> On Apr 7, 2019, at 11:32 AM, hawley, charles j jr <c-hawley at illinois.edu> wrote:
> 
> I take it this is a KAT3 clone, not a KAT3A improved version.
> 
> Chuck Hawley
>  c-hawley at illinois.edu
>   
>  Amateur Radio, KE9UW
>  aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles  
> 
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com>
> Sent: Sunday, April 7, 2019 11:28 AM
> To: Doug Person
> Cc: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] BIZARRE OFFERING FROM MFJ
>  
> 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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