[MFJ-Ameritron] MFJ-259B

[Bill Weinel]

Hi Dick,

I am not familiar with this unit... However, if this unit works like a
traditional time domain reflectometer (TDR) then the distance to a fault
(short or open) is a function of the velocity factor of the cable. Assuming
that you use either the wrong velocity factor or no velocity factor in your
calculation, your result will display an error just as you describe.

73 Bill W4WHW

Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 6:29 PM
Subject: [MFJ-Ameritron] MFJ-259B


> Now that I finally figured out how to run the test for "Distance to
> fault," I have some confusion on the test results for an unknown cable
> condition. I measured the length, then ran the test with a supposed
> good cable (but not sure) with no termination and it came back with a
> fault distance about 40 feet beyone the actual cable length. Same
> thing happened with another cable under the same circumstances.
>
> I am assuming the cables are actually in fine shape and the 259 by
> nature has to give you something on this test even though it fnds no
> problem. Anybody have any similar results or any ideas why it displays
> something beyond the cable length?