MFJ was open for warranty repairs only.?
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Show quoted text
On Apr 1, 2025, at 10:24?AM, Stephen Colello via groups.io <colellos@...> wrote:
? Does anyone know where I can get a DCU-3 controller repaired?
?
Steve
KA2KON
|
Does anyone know where I can get a DCU-3 controller repaired?
?
Steve
KA2KON
|
|
|
Antenna Tuners For Sale:
.
Nye Viking MB V-A High Power Antenna Tuner
For Sale:
The rugged Nye Viking MB-V-A 3 KW HF
antenna tuner features a silver
plated variable inductor with a vernier
dial, 7,000 volt variable capacitor and 15,000
volt switch selected capacitors. The frequency
range is 1.8 to 30 MHz continuously. Dual
metering provides for hands free SWR monitoring.
The backlit dual meters show SWR and power
continuously. You get push button antenna
switching from the front panel.
Outputs are provided for two coaxial cables,
one single wire and one balanced line.
The extra heavy gauge aluminum cabinet provides
effective shielding. This tuner is a real brute;
they rate it at 3000 watts, and I believe it.
Cosmetically, this one looks close to new. Both
the SWR meter and power meter work, including
the lamps. It uses a 9 volt battery. It will
tune most any thing. Everything is 100%!
Buy this great unit with paper work for $400.
.
Dentron "Super Tuner Plus" For Sale:
The Dentron Super Tuner Plus is a heavy duty
antenna tuner covering the HF bands from
160 thru 10 meters. It is extremely rugged.
The manual says it will handle 1000 Watts CW
and 1200 Watts PEP SSB.
The "Plus" indicates that it has a built in
output meter on it.
The built in balun is very large. Much larger
than the baluns in the MFJ tuners.
This one works fine; it is built like a tank!
Cosmetically, it looks great.
Buy it with paper work for $145.
.
Vectronics VC-300 DLP Antenna Tuner For Sale:
The VC-300 DLP lets you tune any antenna from
1.8 to 30 MHz, including MARS and WARC bands.
It has a 4:1 balun for balanced line antennas,
and handles up to 300 Watts SSB PEP, 200 Watts
continuous (150 Watts on 1.8 MHz).
The VC-300DLP backlit Cross-Needle Meter display
shows SWR, forward and reflected power simultaneously.
It reads both peak and average power on 30/300 Watt
scales. Meter lamp has front panel switch and
requires 13 V DC.
The VC-300DLP antenna switch lets you select two
coax fed antennas, random wire/balanced line or
built-in dummy load for use through your tuner
or direct to your transceiver. Bypass position
bypasses your tuner but keeps your SWR Power
meter in line.
A dummy load is built in.
This tuner is much more rugged than most of the
MFJ tuners.
This one works 100% as it should, and looks very
close to new. Buy it with paper work for $120.
.
MFJ 949B Antenna Tuner For Sale:
The MFJ-949B is designed to match virtually
any transmitter to almost any antenna. A 4:1
balun is built in.
An antenna selector switch provides
versatile antenna selection. A 50 ohm dummy
load is built in. The MFJ-949B will handle up
to 300 watts from 160 through 10 meters. You
can read SWR, forward power and reflected
power from the meter.
To read forward transmitter RF output power,
simply turn the meter FUNCTION switch to 30 or
300 on FWD. To read reflected power simply turn
the FUNCTION switch to 30 or 300 on REF.
The ANTENNA SEL. switch allows selecting two
coax antennas either direct or thru the tuner,
a balanced line antenna or wire antenna or a
built in 50 ohm dummy load. The 50 ohm dummy
load is rated at 200 watts.
This one looks great, and functions 100% as it
should.
Buy it with paper work for $100.
.
I also have many other accessories available such as many
different types of microphones, HTs, VHF and UHF rigs, HF
and VHF/UHF antennas, connectors, miscellaneous accessories,
etc.
Just too many to list here. Please e-mail your requests.
.
Prices do not include shipping from Florida.
Thanks.
73,
Ken, W8EK
Ken Simpson
E-mail to W8EK@... or W8EK@...
Voice Phone (352) 732-8400
.
|
30 m xcvr, CW Paddle, and more FS
30 M Transceiver, CW Iambic Paddle,
and more For Sale:
.
MFJ 9030, QRP 30 m CW Transceiver For Sale:
The MFJ-9030 is a 5 watt, 30 m CW transceiver
that is very light and compact.
It has a sensitive super-het receiver that has an
IF filter for great CW reception. The VFO is
smooth and stable; RIT is included.
Built in speaker; Motorola power amplifier
transistor delivers full QRP output and
tolerates opens and accidental shorts
without damage.
It uses little power - only 50 mA average on
receive and 1.2 amp peak on transmit.
Perfect for battery operation.
This one works as it should.
Cosmetically, it is like new, with no scratches
or defects. Buy it with paper work for $165
.
MFJ 564 Chrome Iambic Paddles
This high performance iambic paddle has full
range adjustment of tension and contact spacing,
self-adjusting nylon/steel needle bearings,
machined frame, non-skid feet, and a heavy
Chrome base. They are a clone of the Bencher
BY-2.
This set is immaculate. It looks like they
are new, and in fact they may be. They are
in their original box, with paper work, for
$85.
.
MFJ-1313 Wall Wart
12 V DC at 100 ma, 2.8 mm plug; $14
.
I also have many other accessories available such as many
different types of microphones, HTs, VHF and UHF rigs, HF
and VHF/UHF antennas, connectors, miscellaneous accessories,
etc.
Just too many to list here. Please e-mail your requests.
.
Prices do not include shipping from Florida.
Thanks.
73,
Ken, W8EK
Ken Simpson
E-mail to W8EK@... or W8EK@...
Voice Phone (352) 732-8400
.
|
I am still having this issue, if anyone has a MFJ-1263 hooked up to an Yaesu FT847? I'd appreciate the pin set information you are using.?
De EI2JHB?
|
Re: MFJ 1898 Collapsible Antenna
Thank You
?
To all who were kind enough to offer assistance.
?
Charles
W5CRU
|
Re: MFJ 1898 Collapsible Antenna
On closer examination of the image of the MFJ 1898 collapsible antenna, it appears to only be the top section of an antenna system. What appears missing are the base / mount and the counterpoise. You can pick up a base section or a mount and wire for a counterpoise
from R & L Electronics in Hamilton Ohio. In my case, I purchased one from Amazon and added a long spike/metal tent stake to it so that I could simply stick it straight into the ground, attach all the components, set my counterpoise, set the height of the whip,
and would be ready to go. I have attached a photo of the mount I use from Amazon. When purchasing this type of mount, make sure you select the correct threads for your antenna. Based on brand, those threads will either be 3/8 x 24 inches (most common) or 10
mm (Chinese variants).
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 21, 2025, at 1:52?PM, steve isaacs via groups.io <isaacssteve@...> wrote:
? MFJ 1898 collapsible antenna is simply a new spin on an old product. There are several “similar in function” versions of this antenna, including one made by Wolf River coils, Buddipole, GRA (found on Amazon), and CHA. Of these, I believe the
CHA recently introduced MCC antenna more closely resembles your antenna. I have attached a copy of their manual on how they tune the antenna which should help you turn your antenna. Until you can get the antenna “dialed in,” I recommend that you use a SWR
meter. I have attached a manual of the MCC antenna from CHA.Let me know if you need additional help.
On Jan 19, 2025, at 8:33?PM, CRY42 via groups.io <cy122042@...> wrote:
? Thank you, Don.
Had to smile, agree, a Dummy Load has a good SWR.
Am using the Xiegu6100 and have three radials attached.
Will keep tinkering.
Appreciate your time to reply.
73
Charles
On Jan 19, 2025, at 7:25?PM, Donald Hellen via groups.io <donhellen@...> wrote:
Charles . . .
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 05:36:29 -0800, "CRY42 via groups.io"
<cy122042@...> wrote:
I purchased the 1898 collapsible antenna which came with no directions.
I looked on their website for directions and that product apparently doesn't
come with any directions. Most of their products did come with directions that
you could download from their website if they weren't in print form in the box
or package.
Do you have any tuning suggestions, I find it a bit touchy to tune.
Or have you worked out a Tuning Chart for the bands as to how to set the lower and upper sections
Perhaps someone else here who has one of those or has one of the similar
antennas sold under different names, but looking at what you bought, it looks
like you extend the telescoping part on top, then find a tap on the coil by
moving the silver metal part on the bottom out or in at the bottom, where you
get a low SWR reading on the low end of the band, then fine tune by shortening
the whip section. (I think I have that in the right direction, because shorter
means higher frequency.) It appears that there might be a coil inside and when
you move the bottom part down and away from the top, you are selecting a coil
tap. In essence, I think you are shorting out turns using the bottom silver
metal part by moving it into or partially out of the black coated section.
That's my best guess, so if I'm wrong, some of this may not apply.
You didn't say what radio you were working with, but if it has a built-in tuner,
you will probably have to use it if you change frequency in the same band. But
before using the tuner, I would bypass the tuner and get the SWR under 2:1, then
let the tuner do its thing. If you don't have a built-in tuner, you will
probably want one (or need one). I like an auto-tuner like the MFJ-993B but
their Versa Tuner II with the cross-needle SWR meter works well, too. It just
isn't automatic.
You will probably have to work out a tuning chart, but you are on the right
track. Since the antenna came with no directions, you will need a ground of some
sort, at least one wire up to or longer than a 1/4 wavelength on the lowest band
you will be operating on. So for 40M, somewhere around 33-35 feet or so. Ideally
(and this isn't an ideal antenna, of course), you would want several radials,
but this is an antenna for portable operation and we don't want to make this
difficult to set up, so one or two wires as a counterpoise for your ground,
connected to the ground of your tuner or radio, but it would be best to connect
it where the coax connects to the antenna.
You don't get anything to mount the antenna on, so you'll need something for
that. Maybe something like this:
https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-342t?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=7c01d551c&pr_rec_pid=4393806332003&pr_ref_pid=6889855451235&pr_seq=uniform
Sorry, but when I shortened the link it didn't work. :-)
Then you would connect your counterpoise to the copper part of the ground mount
above. (I just ordered one of these ground mounts from MFJ. They apparently
still have some, along with some other goodies, some of which are factory
seconds.)
Here are three videos that might be of some help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl-smSwQBgE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RdyNZN343I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPXO-27M22Q
Maybe you can see how the presenters used their 1898. Keep in mind that a low
SWR does not mean your antenna is efficient. A dummy load is close to zero
efficiency yet it has a near perfect 1:1 SWR! Also, as ground losses mount (less
radials, dry, rocky ground, etc.), SWR may improve but efficiency can be very
low.
If you don't get what information you need here, try out our ham-antennas group
or the HamRadioHelp group.
https://ham-antennas.groups.io/g/main
(antennas, feedlines, anything related to antennas like tuners, etc.)
https://hamradiohelp.groups.io/g/main
(general purpose amateur radio discussion group)
Donald KX8K
----------------------------------------------------
Some ham radio groups you may be interested in:
/g/ICOM ??/g/Ham-Antennas
/g/HamRadioHelp ???/g/Baofeng
/g/CHIRP ?https://rf-amplifiers.groups.io/g/main
<cha-mcc-prv-sota.pdf>
|
Re: MFJ 1898 Collapsible Antenna
MFJ 1898 collapsible antenna is simply a new spin on an old product. There are several “similar in function” versions of this antenna, including one made by Wolf River coils, Buddipole, GRA (found on Amazon), and CHA. Of these, I believe the CHA recently introduced
MCC antenna more closely resembles your antenna. I have attached a copy of their manual on how they tune the antenna which should help you turn your antenna. Until you can get the antenna “dialed in,” I recommend that you use a SWR meter. I have attached a
manual of the MCC antenna from CHA.Let me know if you need additional help.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 19, 2025, at 8:33?PM, CRY42 via groups.io <cy122042@...> wrote:
? Thank you, Don.
Had to smile, agree, a Dummy Load has a good SWR.
Am using the Xiegu6100 and have three radials attached.
Will keep tinkering.
Appreciate your time to reply.
73
Charles
On Jan 19, 2025, at 7:25?PM, Donald Hellen via groups.io <donhellen@...> wrote:
Charles . . .
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 05:36:29 -0800, "CRY42 via groups.io"
<cy122042@...> wrote:
I purchased the 1898 collapsible antenna which came with no directions.
I looked on their website for directions and that product apparently doesn't
come with any directions. Most of their products did come with directions that
you could download from their website if they weren't in print form in the box
or package.
Do you have any tuning suggestions, I find it a bit touchy to tune.
Or have you worked out a Tuning Chart for the bands as to how to set the lower and upper sections
Perhaps someone else here who has one of those or has one of the similar
antennas sold under different names, but looking at what you bought, it looks
like you extend the telescoping part on top, then find a tap on the coil by
moving the silver metal part on the bottom out or in at the bottom, where you
get a low SWR reading on the low end of the band, then fine tune by shortening
the whip section. (I think I have that in the right direction, because shorter
means higher frequency.) It appears that there might be a coil inside and when
you move the bottom part down and away from the top, you are selecting a coil
tap. In essence, I think you are shorting out turns using the bottom silver
metal part by moving it into or partially out of the black coated section.
That's my best guess, so if I'm wrong, some of this may not apply.
You didn't say what radio you were working with, but if it has a built-in tuner,
you will probably have to use it if you change frequency in the same band. But
before using the tuner, I would bypass the tuner and get the SWR under 2:1, then
let the tuner do its thing. If you don't have a built-in tuner, you will
probably want one (or need one). I like an auto-tuner like the MFJ-993B but
their Versa Tuner II with the cross-needle SWR meter works well, too. It just
isn't automatic.
You will probably have to work out a tuning chart, but you are on the right
track. Since the antenna came with no directions, you will need a ground of some
sort, at least one wire up to or longer than a 1/4 wavelength on the lowest band
you will be operating on. So for 40M, somewhere around 33-35 feet or so. Ideally
(and this isn't an ideal antenna, of course), you would want several radials,
but this is an antenna for portable operation and we don't want to make this
difficult to set up, so one or two wires as a counterpoise for your ground,
connected to the ground of your tuner or radio, but it would be best to connect
it where the coax connects to the antenna.
You don't get anything to mount the antenna on, so you'll need something for
that. Maybe something like this:
https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-342t?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=7c01d551c&pr_rec_pid=4393806332003&pr_ref_pid=6889855451235&pr_seq=uniform
Sorry, but when I shortened the link it didn't work. :-)
Then you would connect your counterpoise to the copper part of the ground mount
above. (I just ordered one of these ground mounts from MFJ. They apparently
still have some, along with some other goodies, some of which are factory
seconds.)
Here are three videos that might be of some help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl-smSwQBgE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RdyNZN343I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPXO-27M22Q
Maybe you can see how the presenters used their 1898. Keep in mind that a low
SWR does not mean your antenna is efficient. A dummy load is close to zero
efficiency yet it has a near perfect 1:1 SWR! Also, as ground losses mount (less
radials, dry, rocky ground, etc.), SWR may improve but efficiency can be very
low.
If you don't get what information you need here, try out our ham-antennas group
or the HamRadioHelp group.
https://ham-antennas.groups.io/g/main
(antennas, feedlines, anything related to antennas like tuners, etc.)
https://hamradiohelp.groups.io/g/main
(general purpose amateur radio discussion group)
Donald KX8K
----------------------------------------------------
Some ham radio groups you may be interested in:
/g/ICOM ??/g/Ham-Antennas
/g/HamRadioHelp ???/g/Baofeng
/g/CHIRP ?https://rf-amplifiers.groups.io/g/main
|
Re: MFJ 1898 Collapsible Antenna
I found a QST review on the dx engineering site. You can download it.
?
good luck
73
Mike AD0L
|
Re: MFJ 1898 Collapsible Antenna
Thank you, Don.
Had to smile, agree, a Dummy Load has a good SWR.
Am using the Xiegu6100 and have three radials attached.
Will keep tinkering.
Appreciate your time to reply.
73
Charles
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 19, 2025, at 7:25?PM, Donald Hellen via groups.io <donhellen@...> wrote:
Charles . . .
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 05:36:29 -0800, "CRY42 via groups.io"
<cy122042@...> wrote:
I purchased the 1898 collapsible antenna which came with no directions. I looked on their website for directions and that product apparently doesn't
come with any directions. Most of their products did come with directions that
you could download from their website if they weren't in print form in the box
or package.
Do you have any tuning suggestions, I find it a bit touchy to tune.
Or have you worked out a Tuning Chart for the bands as to how to set the lower and upper sections Perhaps someone else here who has one of those or has one of the similar
antennas sold under different names, but looking at what you bought, it looks
like you extend the telescoping part on top, then find a tap on the coil by
moving the silver metal part on the bottom out or in at the bottom, where you
get a low SWR reading on the low end of the band, then fine tune by shortening
the whip section. (I think I have that in the right direction, because shorter
means higher frequency.) It appears that there might be a coil inside and when
you move the bottom part down and away from the top, you are selecting a coil
tap. In essence, I think you are shorting out turns using the bottom silver
metal part by moving it into or partially out of the black coated section.
That's my best guess, so if I'm wrong, some of this may not apply.
You didn't say what radio you were working with, but if it has a built-in tuner,
you will probably have to use it if you change frequency in the same band. But
before using the tuner, I would bypass the tuner and get the SWR under 2:1, then
let the tuner do its thing. If you don't have a built-in tuner, you will
probably want one (or need one). I like an auto-tuner like the MFJ-993B but
their Versa Tuner II with the cross-needle SWR meter works well, too. It just
isn't automatic.
You will probably have to work out a tuning chart, but you are on the right
track. Since the antenna came with no directions, you will need a ground of some
sort, at least one wire up to or longer than a 1/4 wavelength on the lowest band
you will be operating on. So for 40M, somewhere around 33-35 feet or so. Ideally
(and this isn't an ideal antenna, of course), you would want several radials,
but this is an antenna for portable operation and we don't want to make this
difficult to set up, so one or two wires as a counterpoise for your ground,
connected to the ground of your tuner or radio, but it would be best to connect
it where the coax connects to the antenna.
You don't get anything to mount the antenna on, so you'll need something for
that. Maybe something like this:
Sorry, but when I shortened the link it didn't work. :-)
Then you would connect your counterpoise to the copper part of the ground mount
above. (I just ordered one of these ground mounts from MFJ. They apparently
still have some, along with some other goodies, some of which are factory
seconds.)
Here are three videos that might be of some help.
Maybe you can see how the presenters used their 1898. Keep in mind that a low
SWR does not mean your antenna is efficient. A dummy load is close to zero
efficiency yet it has a near perfect 1:1 SWR! Also, as ground losses mount (less
radials, dry, rocky ground, etc.), SWR may improve but efficiency can be very
low.
If you don't get what information you need here, try out our ham-antennas group
or the HamRadioHelp group.
(antennas, feedlines, anything related to antennas like tuners, etc.)
(general purpose amateur radio discussion group)
Donald KX8K
----------------------------------------------------
Some ham radio groups you may be interested in:
/g/ICOM /g/Ham-Antennas
/g/HamRadioHelp /g/Baofeng
/g/CHIRP
|
Re: MFJ 1898 Collapsible Antenna
Thank you Don,
Yes I checked there as well.
Seems there are several reviews on the internet, but no one addresses the HOW TO set the antenna up.
Thanks again.
Charles
It's a very narrow window to?have health, wealth and?time all at once so don't let?that window close.?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 19, 2025, at 7:25?PM, Donald Hellen <donhellen@...> wrote:
Charles . . . On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 05:36:29 -0800, "CRY42 via groups.io" <cy122042@...> wrote: I purchased the 1898 collapsible antenna which came with no directions.
I looked on their website for directions and that product apparently doesn't come with any directions. Most of their products did come with directions that you could download from their website if they weren't in print form in the box or package. Do you have any tuning suggestions, I find it a bit touchy to tune.
Or have you worked out a Tuning Chart for the bands as to how to set the lower and upper sections
Perhaps someone else here who has one of those or has one of the similar antennas sold under different names, but looking at what you bought, it looks like you extend the telescoping part on top, then find a tap on the coil by moving the silver metal part on the bottom out or in at the bottom, where you get a low SWR reading on the low end of the band, then fine tune by shortening the whip section. (I think I have that in the right direction, because shorter means higher frequency.) It appears that there might be a coil inside and when you move the bottom part down and away from the top, you are selecting a coil tap. In essence, I think you are shorting out turns using the bottom silver metal part by moving it into or partially out of the black coated section. That's my best guess, so if I'm wrong, some of this may not apply. You didn't say what radio you were working with, but if it has a built-in tuner, you will probably have to use it if you change frequency in the same band. But before using the tuner, I would bypass the tuner and get the SWR under 2:1, then let the tuner do its thing. If you don't have a built-in tuner, you will probably want one (or need one). I like an auto-tuner like the MFJ-993B but their Versa Tuner II with the cross-needle SWR meter works well, too. It just isn't automatic. You will probably have to work out a tuning chart, but you are on the right track. Since the antenna came with no directions, you will need a ground of some sort, at least one wire up to or longer than a 1/4 wavelength on the lowest band you will be operating on. So for 40M, somewhere around 33-35 feet or so. Ideally (and this isn't an ideal antenna, of course), you would want several radials, but this is an antenna for portable operation and we don't want to make this difficult to set up, so one or two wires as a counterpoise for your ground, connected to the ground of your tuner or radio, but it would be best to connect it where the coax connects to the antenna. You don't get anything to mount the antenna on, so you'll need something for that. Maybe something like this: https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-342t?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=7c01d551c&pr_rec_pid=4393806332003&pr_ref_pid=6889855451235&pr_seq=uniform Sorry, but when I shortened the link it didn't work. :-) Then you would connect your counterpoise to the copper part of the ground mount above. (I just ordered one of these ground mounts from MFJ. They apparently still have some, along with some other goodies, some of which are factory seconds.) Here are three videos that might be of some help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl-smSwQBgE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RdyNZN343I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPXO-27M22Q Maybe you can see how the presenters used their 1898. Keep in mind that a low SWR does not mean your antenna is efficient. A dummy load is close to zero efficiency yet it has a near perfect 1:1 SWR! Also, as ground losses mount (less radials, dry, rocky ground, etc.), SWR may improve but efficiency can be very low. If you don't get what information you need here, try out our ham-antennas group or the HamRadioHelp group. https://ham-antennas.groups.io/g/main (antennas, feedlines, anything related to antennas like tuners, etc.) https://hamradiohelp.groups.io/g/main (general purpose amateur radio discussion group) Donald KX8K ---------------------------------------------------- Some ham radio groups you may be interested in: /g/ICOM ??/g/Ham-Antennas /g/HamRadioHelp ???/g/Baofeng /g/CHIRP ?https://rf-amplifiers.groups.io/g/main
|
Re: MFJ 1898 Collapsible Antenna
Charles . . . On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 05:36:29 -0800, "CRY42 via groups.io" <cy122042@...> wrote: I purchased the 1898 collapsible antenna which came with no directions. I looked on their website for directions and that product apparently doesn't come with any directions. Most of their products did come with directions that you could download from their website if they weren't in print form in the box or package. Do you have any tuning suggestions, I find it a bit touchy to tune.
Or have you worked out a Tuning Chart for the bands as to how to set the lower and upper sections Perhaps someone else here who has one of those or has one of the similar antennas sold under different names, but looking at what you bought, it looks like you extend the telescoping part on top, then find a tap on the coil by moving the silver metal part on the bottom out or in at the bottom, where you get a low SWR reading on the low end of the band, then fine tune by shortening the whip section. (I think I have that in the right direction, because shorter means higher frequency.) It appears that there might be a coil inside and when you move the bottom part down and away from the top, you are selecting a coil tap. In essence, I think you are shorting out turns using the bottom silver metal part by moving it into or partially out of the black coated section. That's my best guess, so if I'm wrong, some of this may not apply. You didn't say what radio you were working with, but if it has a built-in tuner, you will probably have to use it if you change frequency in the same band. But before using the tuner, I would bypass the tuner and get the SWR under 2:1, then let the tuner do its thing. If you don't have a built-in tuner, you will probably want one (or need one). I like an auto-tuner like the MFJ-993B but their Versa Tuner II with the cross-needle SWR meter works well, too. It just isn't automatic. You will probably have to work out a tuning chart, but you are on the right track. Since the antenna came with no directions, you will need a ground of some sort, at least one wire up to or longer than a 1/4 wavelength on the lowest band you will be operating on. So for 40M, somewhere around 33-35 feet or so. Ideally (and this isn't an ideal antenna, of course), you would want several radials, but this is an antenna for portable operation and we don't want to make this difficult to set up, so one or two wires as a counterpoise for your ground, connected to the ground of your tuner or radio, but it would be best to connect it where the coax connects to the antenna. You don't get anything to mount the antenna on, so you'll need something for that. Maybe something like this: Sorry, but when I shortened the link it didn't work. :-) Then you would connect your counterpoise to the copper part of the ground mount above. (I just ordered one of these ground mounts from MFJ. They apparently still have some, along with some other goodies, some of which are factory seconds.) Here are three videos that might be of some help. Maybe you can see how the presenters used their 1898. Keep in mind that a low SWR does not mean your antenna is efficient. A dummy load is close to zero efficiency yet it has a near perfect 1:1 SWR! Also, as ground losses mount (less radials, dry, rocky ground, etc.), SWR may improve but efficiency can be very low. If you don't get what information you need here, try out our ham-antennas group or the HamRadioHelp group. (antennas, feedlines, anything related to antennas like tuners, etc.) (general purpose amateur radio discussion group) Donald KX8K ---------------------------------------------------- Some ham radio groups you may be interested in: /g/ICOM /g/Ham-Antennas/g/HamRadioHelp /g/Baofeng/g/CHIRP
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MFJ 1898 Collapsible Antenna
Hello:
My first post and I have had a reasonably good experience with the MJF products.
Just before MFJ announced their closing, sad for amateur radio.
I purchased the 1898 collapsible antenna which came with no directions.
My question, has others used this antenna?
Do you have any tuning suggestions, I find it a bit touchy to tune.
Or have you worked out a Tuning Chart for the bands as to how to set the lower and upper sections
?
Thanks
Charles
W5CRY
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Re: Troubleshoot an Ameritron ALS-500 Remote control
Jack,
Thank you for your response, but I don't see the pdf. Maybe the
group server stripped it out. If you could, would you send it direct
to me? (my call) at att.net
Ray W4BYG
On 10/5/2024 21:52, KO0T Jack Werthman
via groups.io wrote:
On Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 01:58 PM, Ray, W4BYG wrote:
wonder if anyone on the list
has a schematic of the ALS-500RC? I don't see one on the
MFJ website.
Or , can anyone suggest how to trouble shoot one that
doesn't seem to be working with my ALS-500?
Your assistance will be appreciated.
Ray, W4BYG
?
Attached is a pdf that I found.
--
Jack Werthman, KO?T
--
"The world is desperate for a faith that combines two things: awestruck sight of unshakable divine Truth, and
utterly practical, round-the-clock power to make a liberating difference in life"... John Piper
|
Re: Troubleshoot an Ameritron ALS-500 Remote control
On Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 01:58 PM, Ray, W4BYG wrote:
wonder if anyone on the list has a schematic of the ALS-500RC? I don't see one on the MFJ website.
Or , can anyone suggest how to trouble shoot one that doesn't seem to be working with my ALS-500?
Your assistance will be appreciated.
Ray, W4BYG
?
Attached is a pdf that I found.
--
Jack Werthman, KO?T
|
Troubleshoot an Ameritron ALS-500 Remote control
wonder if anyone on the list has
a schematic of the ALS-500RC? I don't see one on the MFJ
website.
Or , can anyone suggest how to trouble shoot one that doesn't
seem to be working with my ALS-500?
Your assistance will be appreciated.
Ray, W4BYG
--
"The world is desperate for a faith that combines two things: awestruck sight of unshakable divine Truth, and
utterly practical, round-the-clock power to make a liberating difference in life"... John Piper
|
Xcvr, Paddle, Wattmeter, Ant Tuners, Coax Sw and more FS
30 M Transceiver, CW Iambic Paddle, Wattmeter
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.
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MFJ 564 Chrome Iambic Paddles
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Two Position Coax Switches:
I have some 2 position coax switches available.
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MFJ 1702 B
This switch actually has three positions, with the
middle position grounding both SO-239 connectors.
Antenna Switch Connector Type: UHF female, SO-239
Switch Impedance: 50 ohms
Switch Insertion Loss: Less than 0.20 dB
Switch Port Isolation (Crosstalk): More than 60 dB
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This one works just like it should. Buy it for $25.
.
MFJ 1704 Four Position Coax Switch:
The MFJ 1704 is a four position coax switch designed
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MFJ End Fed Wire Antenna:
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Thanks.
73,
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Ken Simpson
E-mail to W8EK@... or W8EK@...
Voice Phone (352) 732-8400
.
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[Edited Message Follows]
The full version 2 manual does have starting values on page 12. You can find it here:
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Keep in mind that your actual settings will be different depending on how long your antenna is. A short antenna (compared to the wavelength) will require more reactance and you will lose more signal in the tuner than if it is close to a 1/4 wavelength antenna. Also, as th emanual points out, there are antenna lengths that don't match well and those should be avoided.?
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From the manual revision D:
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To avoid problems matching or feeding any dipole antenna with high impedance open wire lines, keep
the lines around these lengths. The worst possible line lengths are shown in parenthesis:
Dipole lengths recommended (AVOID lengths in parentheses)?
160 meters; 35-60, 170-195 or 210-235 ft. (130, 260 ft)
80 meters; 34-40, 90-102 or 160-172 ft. (66, 135, 190 ft)
40 meters; 42-52, 73-83, 112-123 or 145-155 ft. (32, 64, 96, 128 ft)
Some slight trimming or adding of feedline may be necessary to accommodate the higher bands.?
?
Donald KX8K
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if you look at the MFJ-989D_Manual2A manual (page 12 -13) it shows you approx. where to start
Once you have it dialed in mark the numbers down
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Leonard McDonnell EI2JHB
CRY42
Charles
Ray, W4BYG