Just got my Technician's in October, 2022. Bought an MFJ-873 to match with my FT-2980 and Comet GP-1. The documentation provided by MFJ poorly describes how to use the 873. Your video is excellent in teaching how to set the SWR and properly apply the technology with respect to measuring the wattage, and the SWR. Kudos to a well presented, plain-speaking video. 73 KC1RWY
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated. Appreciate the kind words! Congrats on getting your Tech License! Glad this video was of help to you. If interested I have a couple of videos on the FT-2980/FT-2900.
Please note that on the 883 that the X10 scale the marks are NOT aligned with the numbers above, but shifted a bit below them, so when you said the 5 watt output was only 4 watts, that is incorrect, the needle aligns just below the mark that designates 5 watts, so it is very close to correct at 5 watts as well as at the higher power. On the 873 I noted that you showed about a 1.25 to 1 SWR, which indicates that the reflected power is why the indicated watts out is a bit below 5 and 50 watts, the reflected power is correctly shown as a reduction in output power. I have the HF version of that meter, and they are calibrated very close at the factory. I needed to re-calibrate mine later on, and those pots are VERY sensitive! I cannot read those small twin needle meters very well, so I love the single needle 873 version.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated. Yes, I did notice that... However, a bit late. That's what I get for not wearing my cheater glasses! For HF I use the MFJ-868B Giant Meter. No glasses required for that one. In fact I think I can read it from across the room. I have a video on it if interested.
I have used that 873 for many years with my 2m setup. Last week I was changing antenna coax and I snagged one of the brass center lead contacts and broke the brass contact. I thought I could simply change the 239 out with another chassis Mount I had.... that modular 239 connector inside them meters is something I’ve never seen before, after getting inside that module I gave up. Way too much stuff for me to tackle right now. Maybe a good future video if I ever replace that meter , but till then I have it “engineered “ enough to keep working 😁
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated. Hope fully the way you now have it "engineered" will last for many years!
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated. Yes, I have one for HF that is extremely accurate. Though I think I prefer the single needle meters over the cross needle.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. It is much appreciated. I appreciate the QSO as well. I do find it funny that calling out to TX I make a contact 5 miles down the road!
@@WJ6FRadio The world of repeaters is weird that way, but one of my enticements to get a DMR radio was to join the Texas State Wide talk group as a way of learning the thoughts and rhythms of the place I plan to call home in the not to distant future God willing.
@@grantar2 My #2 kid is applying to go to Rice University. If accepted I told the wife I am moving to Texas. I am over California and its nanny government.
Just got my Technician's in October, 2022. Bought an MFJ-873 to match with my FT-2980 and Comet GP-1. The documentation provided by MFJ poorly describes how to use the 873. Your video is excellent in teaching how to set the SWR and properly apply the technology with respect to measuring the wattage, and the SWR. Kudos to a well presented, plain-speaking video. 73 KC1RWY
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated. Appreciate the kind words! Congrats on getting your Tech License! Glad this video was of help to you. If interested I have a couple of videos on the FT-2980/FT-2900.
Please note that on the 883 that the X10 scale the marks are NOT aligned with the numbers above, but shifted a bit below them, so when you said the 5 watt output was only 4 watts, that is incorrect, the needle aligns just below the mark that designates 5 watts, so it is very close to correct at 5 watts as well as at the higher power.
On the 873 I noted that you showed about a 1.25 to 1 SWR, which indicates that the reflected power is why the indicated watts out is a bit below 5 and 50 watts, the reflected power is correctly shown as a reduction in output power. I have the HF version of that meter, and they are calibrated very close at the factory. I needed to re-calibrate mine later on, and those pots are VERY sensitive! I cannot read those small twin needle meters very well, so I love the single needle 873 version.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated. Yes, I did notice that... However, a bit late. That's what I get for not wearing my cheater glasses! For HF I use the MFJ-868B Giant Meter. No glasses required for that one. In fact I think I can read it from across the room. I have a video on it if interested.
Very informative video. Interested in purchasing the MFJ-873. Thanks for posting!
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated.
Cool, thank you. Your demo shows that MFJ-842 is enough for me. If it only will count 1 or 2 watts only on VHF and UHF.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated.
I have used that 873 for many years with my 2m setup. Last week I was changing antenna coax and I snagged one of the brass center lead contacts and broke the brass contact. I thought I could simply change the 239 out with another chassis Mount I had.... that modular 239 connector inside them meters is something I’ve never seen before, after getting inside that module I gave up. Way too much stuff for me to tackle right now. Maybe a good future video if I ever replace that meter , but till then I have it “engineered “ enough to keep working 😁
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated. Hope fully the way you now have it "engineered" will last for many years!
Some of the MFJ meters are very accurate.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated. Yes, I have one for HF that is extremely accurate. Though I think I prefer the single needle meters over the cross needle.
Cool video man
Thank you for taking the time to watch and the comment! It is greatly appreciated.
When do I need to do SWR SET? Is that before every measurement? When my TX power changes? Every antenna adjustment?
Was nice to talk with you on DMR tonight Texas Statewide
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. It is much appreciated. I appreciate the QSO as well. I do find it funny that calling out to TX I make a contact 5 miles down the road!
@@WJ6FRadio The world of repeaters is weird that way, but one of my enticements to get a DMR radio was to join the Texas State Wide talk group as a way of learning the thoughts and rhythms of the place I plan to call home in the not to distant future God willing.
@@grantar2 My #2 kid is applying to go to Rice University. If accepted I told the wife I am moving to Texas. I am over California and its nanny government.