Do you have an analyzer? You should. Check out this video of what the MFJ-269c does, how it operates, and why you should have one. www.mfjenterprises.com www.gigaparts.com
One thing I've been careful about that I don't see emphasized much is NOT to turn the unit on with UHF engaged. For some reason, it fries it. That's the first thing I check before I hit power -- UHF button is out, not in. But other than that, the 269C was my first major purchase after I got licensed. I'm building my own antennas and the analyzer *really* makes life easier.
I called MFJ tech number to ask a simple question about their 948 tuner. What I got was someone with the technical knowledge of the average CBer. Incredible! MFJ is a low rent country bumpkin outfit.
Great detailed video!! Watching this makes me want to sell my RigExpert AA-30 and get this one! I do like the instant reading you get from the SWR and Impedance gauges! Yaesu HT's with Diamond antennas!
I've used one of these while trying to tune an antenna. Then I tried using a RigExpert AA--55 Zoom, and I've got to tell you, the Rig Expert was far more reliable and stable than the MFJ. The MFJ I was using would do weird things, such as, it would just power off during tuning (even though it was connected to AC), then it would give different readings after being powered back up (even though I'd done nothing to the antenna while waiting for the analyzer to come back on), It wouldn't give accurate readings on the cable I was using, oh, and the stupid 'tune' knob was very twitchy. If I set it to 14.000 MHz, and then turned the knob even slightly, the frequency would change by a huge amount. Too many problems, etc, etc. If you want to upgrade, get a better model of Rig Expert. There's a good reason many hams refer to MFJ as 'Mighty Fine Junk," with an emphasis on 'junk.' At this stage, if someone said "I'll give you an MFJ analyzer for free, or you can 'buy' a Rig Expert, I'd rather buy the Rig Expert than get the MFJ at no cost. Even 'free,' it's still crap.
Eric, I would see 40 ohms with a 1.2 SWR, they you could tune it to 50 ohms but the SWR would change. What is the more important reading the SWR or the Ohms?
The MFJ 269 CPro can go up to 520MHz but it costs a bit more. But it pays to do research, its a shame when you buy something and for some more money you could buy something that does exactly what you really wanted. I know the Australians use 477MHz so they will probably want the CPro. The MFJ 269 CPro also has the metal sides coming out a bit so the knobs don't get damaged, not sure if that's happening a lot but maybe they have been having a lot of orders for broken knobs. I wish the impedance worked on UHF. Thanks for the great demonstration. These analyzers sure do expose secrets that in the old days we never knew about. I also heard that you should short out the antenna plug from centre to shield on the Antenna coax momentarily before plugging it in to the unit because if there is a bit of energy there it can blow the unit when you plug it in.
Check out the Comet CAA-500 Mark 2. Very high quality build.Color meter.Japanese precision meter.Two coax connectors.N type and PL259.Can graph up to 5 readings at once on color screen.Have a good day.I switched over from the MFJ to Comet.
I have one of these. so roughly it like tuning a C B opps did I say that but when you tune one of them you start with one and go to forty and 19 teen is sotra in the center. anyway I just one of these and need to learn how it works. I have two antenna that are no tune. I have gap and vertical. both give me problems so what I would like to know when end do you start checking on at the transmitter or at the antenna. my gap for example is the big one and it is off the chart the other one is a vertical and it is not tune, but won't handle more wattage than the radio puts out. I have a windom I want to put up. I have an auto tunner on one and my wish list is an ldg tuner for the 7300 hundred but thanks for the video it is a learning cur ve I have an older tuner. I just wished I knew how to use it on a radio and I'm not sure its good I had it for about fifteen years and I have never used it sorry about the book thanks .
I think the power button has a bezel or guard around it so you don't accidentally turn it on. If they were worried about you breaking it off, why do none of the other knobs have bezels or guards around them?
Hi Eric Do you have any video that show how use the MFJ 259C antenna analyzer, I never used one and I got it from gigaparts and I want use in my antenna for 2 meter and 70 meter that I install last Sunday, do you can help me please. I have the ft991A I bought on gigaparts too and I not use yet because I dont know If the antenna is okay, I have the X200A. Thank you Wagner
My MFJ-269C is showing no less than 5:1 SWR on my 75 meter dipole. It "dips" from almost full scale to 5:1 about 3.660 MHz, but it should be at least 2:1 or lower. I checked with a VOM and there is NO short between the center conductor and the shield of the coax. A visual inspection of the antenna shows shows nothing apparently amiss. I can "flatten" the SWR with a manual tuner, but evidently there is something wrong with the antenna. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is there a way I can use the 269C to help determine what is causing the issue?
if you tune a lot of antennas or need to constantly retune a single antenna, the mfj antenna analyzers are a major timesaver and well worth the cost. i work on a lot of boats that have vhf radios, i charge $25 to tune one antenna and paid for my mfj in less than a month and still make money with it.
My MFJ 259C is so drifty that it will NOT stay on any frequency I set it on, I havent been able to find a cure and MFJ will not answer their phone. I am so pissed...anyone know how to stop the drift (drifts on battery or pwr supply) Yes the pwr supply is STABLE. ANY ideas Anyone on how to get it to stop drifting and remain stable long enough to get it usable.
thanks, .... playing with the knobs can not tune gap 26.900 to 27.870 ... cb frequenciess are from 26.965 to 27.405 hhmmm, strange thing.... a little trap from MFJ?... they advertise " 530KHz-230MHz plus 415-470MHz HF/VHF/UHF SWR Analyzer" dissapointed.... i will sent them a email
Yes that's wierd because it will tune that, and i just tested it again on my analyzer to confirm.. MFJ doesnt care if you use it to tune CB, they sell CB antennas also..
@@xszl guess it was bad quality control, the device was defective. had to send back and week later mfj decided to send me another new unit that works fine
Transmit Specs for Yaesu FT-10R are 144-146 Mhz. Transmit Specs for ICOM-ID-51A are 144-148 Mhz/430-450 Mhz. This comparison wasn't apples to apples in HT antennas. They differ by design for a valid reason. Transmitters and Receivers were matched to the best performance compromise offered by the HT antenna design. Multi-banding antennas do differ from single band antennas and won't interchange very well.
The fact that MFJ use it on theirproduction and testing line worries me about their products. The analyser is stated only as a guide to the measured parameters - even the frequency counter is stated as being suitable only for a rough check and not an accurate measurement. and anyway I didn't think MFJ made antennas so what do they use their analyser on during production and testing?
I own one of these analyzers and I'm amazed at all it can do. It makes checking cables and tuning antennas as easy as 1,2,3...takes the guess work out.
Why are all reasonably-priced analyzers limited to amateur radio bands? I maintain UHF/VHF antennas that operate on commercial ground-to-air and military frequencies, which this analyzer could easily cover, yet it skips right over those frequencies.
You can't analyse an antenna with that. It lacks phase information which is vital for creating a matching network. Get a small VNA, a tool which actually works - and will find more applications in aligning filters and measuring amplifiers.
@@HamRadioConcepts Much better! The Smith chart is what makes the difference. It is still a single port meter though, so you can't look at filters and amps. A NanoVNA does all of that, over a much wider frequency range for a quarter of the price.
Having used this analyzer, I'd have to say it's not good for much of anything, except maybe a good paper-weight. The 'tune' knob is super twitchy and unstable. You can't really 'fine-tune' with it. Also, I was getting mixed readings from it. The SWR would be near where I'd want to have it, and if the analyzer powered off, when I powered it back on, the stupid analyzer would then show different readings even if I had made no changes to the antenna. Sorry to say, but this analyzer is a piece of garbage. I wouldn't have one if it were given to me for free.
cześć jestem z Polski czy możesz mi kupić taki analizator i wysłać do Polski u nas niema takiego fajnego sprzętu odpisz na adres kuba0999@vp.pl dziękuję i pozdrawiam
Nice review. Much appreciated! I have got to have one of these analyzers.
One thing I've been careful about that I don't see emphasized much is NOT to turn the unit on with UHF engaged. For some reason, it fries it. That's the first thing I check before I hit power -- UHF button is out, not in.
But other than that, the 269C was my first major purchase after I got licensed. I'm building my own antennas and the analyzer *really* makes life easier.
Thanks for the fine review Eric. I was a little surprised that HT antennas on UHF "sucked"
That MFJ-269C seems to be a great tool.
nice video.. I bought one yesterday.. MFJ 269C PRO.. just seen your video today..awesome demo.. 73's KI4TTL
Excellent description and how to use.
Bought one 2 years ago. Brilliant unit.
I called MFJ tech number to ask a simple question about their 948 tuner. What I got was someone with the technical knowledge of the average CBer. Incredible! MFJ is a low rent country bumpkin outfit.
Great detailed video!! Watching this makes me want to sell my RigExpert AA-30 and get this one! I do like the instant reading you get from the SWR and Impedance gauges! Yaesu HT's with Diamond antennas!
I've used one of these while trying to tune an antenna. Then I tried using a RigExpert AA--55 Zoom, and I've got to tell you, the Rig Expert was far more reliable and stable than the MFJ. The MFJ I was using would do weird things, such as, it would just power off during tuning (even though it was connected to AC), then it would give different readings after being powered back up (even though I'd done nothing to the antenna while waiting for the analyzer to come back on), It wouldn't give accurate readings on the cable I was using, oh, and the stupid 'tune' knob was very twitchy. If I set it to 14.000 MHz, and then turned the knob even slightly, the frequency would change by a huge amount. Too many problems, etc, etc. If you want to upgrade, get a better model of Rig Expert. There's a good reason many hams refer to MFJ as 'Mighty Fine Junk," with an emphasis on 'junk.' At this stage, if someone said "I'll give you an MFJ analyzer for free, or you can 'buy' a Rig Expert, I'd rather buy the Rig Expert than get the MFJ at no cost. Even 'free,' it's still crap.
I was given an MFJ-226 VNA but this is the analyzer I really want.
Damn was hoping you would show so of the other features of the analyzer. Like coax length and loss
Picked up a 259C (model below this one) and it was completely missing the white gate button. Returned it and bought a AA-230 Zoom instead.
Eric, I would see 40 ohms with a 1.2 SWR, they you could tune it to 50 ohms but the SWR would change. What is the more important reading the SWR or the Ohms?
The MFJ 269 CPro can go up to 520MHz but it costs a bit more. But it pays to do research, its a shame when you buy something and for some more money you could buy something that does exactly what you really wanted. I know the Australians use 477MHz so they will probably want the CPro. The MFJ 269 CPro also has the metal sides coming out a bit so the knobs don't get damaged, not sure if that's happening a lot but maybe they have been having a lot of orders for broken knobs. I wish the impedance worked on UHF. Thanks for the great demonstration. These analyzers sure do expose secrets that in the old days we never knew about. I also heard that you should short out the antenna plug from centre to shield on the Antenna coax momentarily before plugging it in to the unit because if there is a bit of energy there it can blow the unit when you plug it in.
Super, easy to follow!
when analyzing an antenna, does the coax size matter when using this unit? Or are you looking for as short as possible from this unit to the antenna?
Can I use an MFJ-1317 adaptor for my MFJ-269C? Thank you.
Check out the Comet CAA-500 Mark 2. Very high quality build.Color meter.Japanese precision meter.Two coax connectors.N type and PL259.Can graph up to 5 readings at once on color screen.Have a good day.I switched over from the MFJ to Comet.
I have one of these. so roughly it like tuning a C B opps did I say that but when you tune one of them you start with one and go to forty and 19 teen is sotra in the center. anyway I just one of these and need to learn how it works. I have two antenna that are no tune. I have gap and vertical. both give me problems so what I would like to know when end do you start checking on at the transmitter or at the antenna. my gap for example is the big one and it is off the chart the other one is a vertical and it is not tune, but won't handle more wattage than the radio puts out. I have a windom I want to put up. I have an auto tunner on one and my wish list is an ldg tuner for the 7300 hundred but thanks for the video it is a learning cur
ve I have an older tuner. I just wished I knew how to use it on a radio and I'm not sure its good I had it for about fifteen years and I have never used it sorry about the book thanks
.
Good video, thanks! You sound just like Wreck-it Ralph which is cool.
I feel like i need this in my life
same!
@@Amerikanin2numarali_ustasi I actually did buy one after I made that comment. I use it fairly often
nice job man, thanx
works great, fault in our 123.0mz air band coax was found.
I think the power button has a bezel or guard around it so you don't accidentally turn it on. If they were worried about you breaking it off, why do none of the other knobs have bezels or guards around them?
Hi Eric
Do you have any video that show how use the MFJ 259C antenna analyzer,
I never used one and I got it from gigaparts and I want use in my antenna for 2 meter and 70 meter that I install last Sunday, do you can help me please.
I have the ft991A I bought on gigaparts too and I not use yet because I dont know If the antenna is okay, I have the X200A.
Thank you
Wagner
I have an AM Radio Station, can I use this Analyzer with my AM Antenna?
Blessed love my brother, how and where can I get one of these 269C analyser, Great video as usual bro, watching from Jamaica west Indies !!
Good review, thanks very much.
Pretty sure you misspoke about DC on the freq counter, and also, I think there are jumpers to choose battery type.
My MFJ-269C is showing no less than 5:1 SWR on my 75 meter dipole. It "dips" from almost full scale to 5:1 about 3.660 MHz, but it should be at least 2:1 or lower. I checked with a VOM and there is NO short between the center conductor and the shield of the coax. A visual inspection of the antenna shows shows nothing apparently amiss. I can "flatten" the SWR with a manual tuner, but evidently there is something wrong with the antenna. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is there a way I can use the 269C to help determine what is causing the issue?
Dave Mitchell what is the length of the feed line? What kind of balun do you have and is it center fed with both legs exact same length?
The cost of these bits of kit is outrageous. Have you seen the one that MRI buys in and then rebadges, also increasing the price?
if you tune a lot of antennas or need to constantly retune a single antenna, the mfj antenna analyzers are a major timesaver and well worth the cost. i work on a lot of boats that have vhf radios, i charge $25 to tune one antenna and paid for my mfj in less than a month and still make money with it.
Muy buena review. 73 de LW7DMB
Thanks for sharing. 73's KC1ERO
My MFJ 259C is so drifty that it will NOT stay on any frequency I set it on, I havent been able to find a cure and MFJ will not answer their phone. I am so pissed...anyone know how to stop the drift (drifts on battery or pwr supply) Yes the pwr supply is STABLE. ANY ideas Anyone on how to get it to stop drifting and remain stable long enough to get it usable.
already have mfj-259c but cover only hf n vhf. tq 73
9w2yzi penang malaysia
i just got mfj-269c pro and Im starting with experiments. Why cant reach CB frequencies with this ?
You can, mine does.. 27 mhz
thanks, .... playing with the knobs can not tune gap 26.900 to 27.870 ... cb frequenciess are from 26.965 to 27.405 hhmmm, strange thing.... a little trap from MFJ?... they advertise " 530KHz-230MHz plus 415-470MHz HF/VHF/UHF SWR Analyzer" dissapointed.... i will sent them a email
Yes that's wierd because it will tune that, and i just tested it again on my analyzer to confirm.. MFJ doesnt care if you use it to tune CB, they sell CB antennas also..
@@sergiocavazos8963 So, what was the outcome ? Was it broke or skipped on purpose ?
And are there more ranges skipped ?
@@xszl guess it was bad quality control, the device was defective. had to send back and week later mfj decided to send me another new unit that works fine
Since when is 113 to 230 MHz considered UHF? Am I missing something?
Actually...now I get it. The UHF Lo and Hi are a different setting...sorry...
How do you test for bad coax with the MFJ?
check out my video on using the MFJ to test coax..
Just watched it thanks.
Transmit Specs for Yaesu FT-10R are 144-146 Mhz. Transmit Specs for ICOM-ID-51A are 144-148 Mhz/430-450 Mhz. This comparison wasn't apples to apples in HT antennas. They differ by design for a valid reason. Transmitters and Receivers were matched to the best performance compromise offered by the HT antenna design. Multi-banding antennas do differ from single band antennas and won't interchange very well.
You have to add your total coax to the radio to find the correct reading & not from the main antenna 3 feet away !
That kind of screen can be read in sunlight.
The fact that MFJ use it on theirproduction and testing line worries me about their products. The analyser is stated only as a guide to the measured parameters - even the frequency counter is stated as being suitable only for a rough check and not an accurate measurement. and anyway I didn't think MFJ made antennas so what do they use their analyser on during production and testing?
I own one of these analyzers and I'm amazed at all it can do. It makes checking cables and tuning antennas as easy as 1,2,3...takes the guess work out.
Why are these so expensive?
because they do a lot. It is far more than an SWR meter
Why are all reasonably-priced analyzers limited to amateur radio bands? I maintain UHF/VHF antennas that operate on commercial ground-to-air and military frequencies, which this analyzer could easily cover, yet it skips right over those frequencies.
Are you talking about over 440mhz?
Nope. I'm talking about the area between 230MHz and 400MHz
@@ernieschatz3783 I have a mantra that seems to hold true most of the time, if it doesn't make sense than its about $$$ and its corrupt.
Very expensive ...I wish I could rent this.
You can't analyse an antenna with that. It lacks phase information which is vital for creating a matching network. Get a small VNA, a tool which actually works - and will find more applications in aligning filters and measuring amplifiers.
This video is old, I have a rigexpert aa2000 zoom now
@@HamRadioConcepts Much better! The Smith chart is what makes the difference. It is still a single port meter though, so you can't look at filters and amps. A NanoVNA does all of that, over a much wider frequency range for a quarter of the price.
BOM DIA
I would have to sell my radio to afford to buying it
Arrow Antennas state that this meter is not good on their OSJ146/440 J-pole antenna. Shame that.
Having used this analyzer, I'd have to say it's not good for much of anything, except maybe a good paper-weight.
The 'tune' knob is super twitchy and unstable. You can't really 'fine-tune' with it. Also, I was getting mixed readings from it. The SWR would be near where I'd want to have it, and if the analyzer powered off, when I powered it back on, the stupid analyzer would then show different readings even if I had made no changes to the antenna.
Sorry to say, but this analyzer is a piece of garbage. I wouldn't have one if it were given to me for free.
Thanks for the info buddy. What did you go for in the end out of interest?
@@mw7gwr580 I went with the Comet CAA-500 Mk II. It's much easier to use and not so twitchy.
cześć jestem z Polski czy możesz mi kupić taki analizator i wysłać do Polski u nas niema takiego fajnego sprzętu odpisz na adres kuba0999@vp.pl dziękuję i pozdrawiam