MFJ To Close after 52 Years.

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  • Опубликовано: 30 май 2024
  • We have been distributors for MFJ products since 1974. As such we were probably the first distributor in Europe, At one time we were the world's biggest MFJ stockist - MFJ's figures not ours!
    In those 52 years, Martin has successfully steered the Company to a manufacturing level that dominated Ham Radio. On the way he acquired a number of other well established names. MFJ became the largest QST advertiser. A great achievement for Martin.
    So, the Company may cease manufacturing in the USA but the brand name may well live on is some form.
    MFJ Closure Letter
    nediv.arrl.org/2024/04/25/mfj...
    QST Future - Editor's Statement
    www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/T...
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Комментарии • 70

  • @martinjue6608
    @martinjue6608 Месяц назад +24

    Hello Peter, this is your brother Martin, k5flu. I just saw and watched this episode. Thank you for your kind words. You are quite a talented RUclipsr. I have watched many of your episodes and always felt like we are having a conversation over dinner in Dayton with a glass of whiskey in our hands. Hope we can visit soon . . . Brother Martin, k5flu

    • @watersstanton
      @watersstanton  Месяц назад +3

      Hi Martin, Great to hear from you. Some great memories with those dinners at Dayton. I hope you enjoy your “new life.” I had to laugh when you said 80 might be your mid life crisis! I am one year ahead of you and am managing OK. I owe you so much Martin. A true brother across the Pond. Take care and keep in touch. 73 Peter.

  • @jdschauss
    @jdschauss Месяц назад +26

    I live about thirty miles from Starkville, MS where MFJ is located. We local hams have been so blessed to be able to just walk in the store and buy what we want with no waiting. Anytime one of us would see Mr. Jue in the foyer it was always a pleasure to chat with him for a moment, he is such a wonderful Southern gentleman - and a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Although his business closure is leaving a tremendous hole in the amateur supply market, I do not begrudge him his remaining years of enjoying his hard-earned wealth and his grandchildren. I know we all join together in wishing him all our best.
    All that having been said, I do hope the company is bought soon or that at least some of the brands can be sold off piecemeal so that some of the product lines can continue.
    - K5SFC

  • @brianjrichman
    @brianjrichman Месяц назад +15

    MFJ will be missed - I hope that the products can (mostly) survive.

  • @d.jensen5153
    @d.jensen5153 29 дней назад +1

    I 'just about bought' a hundred different products from MFJ across the last 50 years. But I always felt a little too impoverished. With the advent of the Nano VNA and the discovery of your channel, everything has changed for me. I'm an old guy using young tech, and every time I tune an antenna, assemble a Hans Summers kit, or make a digital contact with Australia with only 50mW, I give thanks to be alive and alert in the 2020s. :)

  • @OldF1000
    @OldF1000 Месяц назад +6

    I first met Marten at Dayton Hamvention many years ago. And for 25 straight years I made there booth my first stop.
    Marten is a really nice guy. I wish him all the best.

  • @ham-radio
    @ham-radio Месяц назад +9

    Peter, I agree with you. Martin is indeed a brilliant man. At 80 years old he should retire and enjoy the rest of his life. He has worked hard, very hard for decades. I tried very hard to read is letter with appropriate emotion.
    I don't regret using the word 'rant' with respect to the editorial in the May QST. If I were his supervisor I would not have approved of the wording, tone, grammar and punctuation. I wonder if the comments he made will cause some, if not many, to drop their membership. I am a life member. Thanks Peter from Rocklin, California, Jim W6LG

    • @watersstanton
      @watersstanton  Месяц назад

      Hi Jim. Nice to hear from you. I follow your Channel. May have seen you at Dayton as I went every year from around 1985 to around 2016. Take care. 73 Peter.

  • @ZAR797
    @ZAR797 Месяц назад +8

    I hope MFJ finds a way to continue their product line. They will be missed

  • @nyworker
    @nyworker 15 дней назад

    Even I as a ham for 55 yrs and ARRL member for 25, I enjoyed receiving the magazine in the mail and reading it every month and have saved every issue including my first three years from 1969 to 72. However I ran out of storage space and enjoy the archive issues including ones from the 1950's heydays. ARRL is a great organization and I respect their new business model of on line magazines. MFJ products are great and always a great value for young hams on lower incomes.

  • @bassangler73
    @bassangler73 Месяц назад +3

    I guess im old school but I hate reading off a computer screen. Give me a book or magazine! !

  • @blugoose86
    @blugoose86 Месяц назад +4

    Hi Peter. I use one of MFJ's adjustable audio filters for CW, and have for a long long time now. I also use an old Grandmaster memory keyer. I'm sorry to see them go. With his footprint in the amateur radio world, I am surprised to hear that a reasonable offer for the company was not entertained. I do think that covid wasn't the only thing instrumental in bringing his business down and a lot of others too. Other countries undermining the electronics industry, flooding the market with (choosing my words carefully here) duplicate products for a lot less money (and support), have played the roll almost, and sometimes more, than covid did. Just my thoughts.

  • @sagebrother
    @sagebrother Месяц назад +2

    What a great tribute. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

  • @M7GBU
    @M7GBU Месяц назад +2

    The first ham item I bought (which was this year), was an MFJ-557.

  • @billlewsey7961
    @billlewsey7961 Месяц назад +1

    Hi Peter, I was a customer of yours in Hornchurch and Rayleigh, happy Days
    73 de Bill M1HZJ

  • @Ira06002
    @Ira06002 Месяц назад

    I’ve LOVED my Ameritron ALS 600 for over 20 years providing continual great service with zero issues. My best SSB/CW DX was as a direct result of my ALS 600.
    It’s a sad day for me and a great loss to amateur radio.
    73 and God bless you Martin.
    Steve (K1KTF)

  • @raymondmartin6737
    @raymondmartin6737 29 дней назад

    Yes, I will be 80 tomorrow, mile
    stone to have survived since
    being born in London, UK, during
    WWII coming to America in 1949
    on the Queen Mary.
    My wife and I were back there in
    2013.
    Anyway, being licensed since
    1962, I've had many MFJ
    products, and am sorry 😞
    to see MFJ go away too.
    Also, I was an ARRL member
    from 1962 to 2017,
    and saw Jim, W6LG's discussion
    about the ARRL today.
    Cheers, 73 de Ray W2CH NH.
    Also CQ magazine is gone too.😮

  • @steveblanchard7293
    @steveblanchard7293 Месяц назад +2

    I can remember MFJ from around 38 yrs ago and was surprised to see them still around when the hobby bit me back. Sad to see them go, Magazines to are hard to find, in the UK its Practical Wireless only now - No SW Magazine.

    • @watersstanton
      @watersstanton  Месяц назад +1

      Ah yes SWM. That is where I discovered Ham Radio.

  • @CharlesHuse
    @CharlesHuse Месяц назад +3

    I guess they couldn’t find a buyer to keep the brand going. Take a look at the Ham Radion Outlet catalog. MFJ produces about 1/3 of the products they carry. That’s gonna leave a big gap to fill unless they are selling off their patents.

  • @stephensussman-fort5786
    @stephensussman-fort5786 Месяц назад

    Thank you, Peter, for another insightful and thoughtful video, this time about the venerable MFJ enterprises. Martin clearly is a great man in the ham radio world, and you, Peter, rank just as highly.

  • @craigmiller332
    @craigmiller332 15 дней назад

    Thank you 👍

  • @73deoldtimer
    @73deoldtimer Месяц назад +1

    Having purchased MFJ products from you over the year's Peter, I am disappointed to hear this news. But thank you for your very interesting presentation concerning the close down. In passing, in addition to my MFJ purchases from W and S, all still in daily use is my FDK Multi U11 which was purchased in late 70's for £249, it was ahead of its time !

    • @watersstanton
      @watersstanton  Месяц назад

      Wow a Multi U11. I just about remember it! Well done for keeping it going.

    • @73deoldtimer
      @73deoldtimer Месяц назад +1

      I had to buy it on hire purchase ! I remember discussing with Jeff, 20+ years ago about returning it for your museum? 73, Martin GW3XJQ

  • @iandobson8846
    @iandobson8846 Месяц назад

    Although I've never personally owned an MFJ product, it's a familiar name that's been there right from my first days of ham radio in the early 1980s. I hope it doesn't disappear on us.

  • @vk2ycj
    @vk2ycj Месяц назад

    Hello Peter, what a wonderful story and thanks for telling it. 73, Jamie VK2YCJ

  • @WA4TKG
    @WA4TKG Месяц назад

    First of all, the story about the in-line Audio Filter is hysterical, and of course it was the FIRST station accessory I ever bought besides the twin knob “Antenna Tuner”. The Audio Filter was put in-line on my Chirp W-16 (Heathkit) and it was like a miracle. I don’t believe for a minute they’re “Going out of Business “, he’s just had enough.
    Look for 7J6CAT back on the band, but it’s going to be a while because unlike when Japanese come to the US, they don’t have to apply for a license but here in Japan, it’s quite a cash 💴 cow 🐄 for the government: 73

  • @LouisPiat-py9og
    @LouisPiat-py9og 26 дней назад +1

    Hello Peter, what do you think about the "artificial ground" MFJ 931 ? Can you test it and do a video please ? Many thank's Peter, F5JXS Louis

    • @watersstanton
      @watersstanton  21 день назад

      I don’t have one. Sorry.

    • @LouisPiat-py9og
      @LouisPiat-py9og 19 дней назад

      @@watersstantonThank you for the response Peter, I would have liked to have your opinion on the advantages or not to have an "artificial ground", your videos are always very interesting... best 73 F5JXS Louis

  • @johnorrells3797
    @johnorrells3797 Месяц назад +2

    I wonder what the future of companies MFJ took over like Cushcraft and Hygain etc.

  • @thedamned6248
    @thedamned6248 Месяц назад

    Very well done.

  • @johnk8091
    @johnk8091 Месяц назад +1

    Vey sad for ham radio and it will severely affect those that relied on his massive advertising. I just hope someone will pick up Hy-Gain and Cushcraft and bring those products back to their former glory - they made excellent products but suffered quality control issues somewhat under MFJ stewardship. I bought MFJ products since 1982, but gradually steered away from the Starkville built products - their rebranded Taiwanese and Chinese products were better though. Thanks for your immense contribution to our hobby Martin

  • @kesfitarkanozguc2792
    @kesfitarkanozguc2792 Месяц назад

    Dear Peter I would like to ask question, I bought ACOM 1500 , Do I have to use all power or Can I set it low powers like 800 or whatever ?

    • @watersstanton
      @watersstanton  Месяц назад

      You can set to any power level you wish.

  • @Tommyr
    @Tommyr Месяц назад +1

    It's a shame no one seems to want to take over MFJ. It will leave a HUGE gap in the hobby. And QST is hurting because they now expect us to pay an extra $25 a year for the print magazine on top of yearly dues. So a lot of us have opted for the digital free version instead.
    Cheers Peter from the N.E. U.S.!

  • @nuntiusuk3345
    @nuntiusuk3345 Месяц назад

    I wonder if the whole business of amateur radio is shrinking ? The number of dealers has shrunk and the number of quality Engineers who can do service and repairs has shrunk massively . Up here in NW around greater Manchester there is nothing .

  • @Jan_Talcott_100
    @Jan_Talcott_100 Месяц назад +2

    Sad news, who will replace MFJ...?😢

  • @tonymagnier9846
    @tonymagnier9846 Месяц назад

    Very sad news, pity they couldn't sell it as a going concern.

  • @franciscolopez3229
    @franciscolopez3229 Месяц назад

    It's sad to see MFJ Enterprises go with all the other brands under the companies belt. Having read all the nice comments from the HAM community, I can now say that I feel proud to at least own a couple of their products which is the MFJ-269 Antenna Analyzer and the MFJ-874 SWR/Power meter that both works great for my needs. All the best to sir Martin and his family and to all the men and women of MFJ Enterprises.

  • @chrisb3989
    @chrisb3989 Месяц назад +3

    I liked mfj stuff…..it was made of metal and was full of components I understand…….

  • @chrisg7veo495
    @chrisg7veo495 Месяц назад

    I cant get to the shop now because of centralization but preferred it in hockley. A place near central london would be better.

  • @wendelljackson1488
    @wendelljackson1488 Месяц назад +8

    Just a comment about QST. I understand the need to advertise in printed journals, but, in my opinion, there has been an excessive amount of advertising to the exclusion of what was the main attraction of the journal for me: ideas for homebrewing. Maybe the technology has so changed that homebrewing projects are too complicated, but that seems to have been the unique attraction of QST in the early years. Now there is a journal full of ads with interest articles harder to find.

    • @ZAR797
      @ZAR797 Месяц назад +4

      That's the main reason I cancelled my ARRL membership.

    • @jpdouglas8004
      @jpdouglas8004 Месяц назад

      @@ZAR797 a lot of us have cancelled ARRL membership, not just because of QST and asking for more money for print but also the direction ARRL is taking and the way they treat their employees. Shame to see things go bad...73 de KB1TCD

    • @watersstanton
      @watersstanton  Месяц назад

      Advertising was once the easy way to generate income, but free and instant advertising in social media swings the challenge onto the shoulders of the editor. That is where the skill is needed!

  • @mariemccann5895
    @mariemccann5895 Месяц назад +1

    If you were one of those students, get yourself a lawyer, you have a claim!

  • @cthoadmin7458
    @cthoadmin7458 Месяц назад

    No plans to do the same Peter? 🙂

  • @brekaman
    @brekaman Месяц назад +2

    Such a shame

  • @brian.7966
    @brian.7966 Месяц назад

    what what what ..

  • @robert-nv1qn
    @robert-nv1qn Месяц назад

    Sad news about MFJ - for me anyway. Probably not accurate but I think there are more MFJ products out there than there are Hams. Not many could make that claim.
    Re: ARRL - loss of revenue for them - Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch. The editorial rant - or at least part of it - is typical of the responses I have received from that bunch.
    And your comment about the magazine's appeal to older folks struck note with me. (I am just about 80 yo myself.) The appeal for me is long gone. Other than going through the MFJ ads and the SK listings the magazine has little to offer for me. Takes less than five minutes to go from cover to cover. QST is far too difficult to read on a smart phone. Simply converting the mag to a pdf is not going to cut it. Sorry to have my own rant here. Apologies.

    • @watersstanton
      @watersstanton  Месяц назад

      No apologies needed. Its interesting hear the views.

  • @nickaxe771
    @nickaxe771 Месяц назад

    Very sad news re MFJ...a great loss....some may not agree...but people like me on a budget will miss the MFJ brand....I do hope somebody can pick up MFJ and run with it.
    Yes the printed matter and Rad Com.....to the less technical like I....RAD COM was boring.....sorry purists but I feel excluded....by the likes of RAD COM.....in the early days I used to read it...well what I could....but gave up on it....the RSGB as well to an extent....great shame.
    I am good with a soldering iron....love constructing my own antennas but that about as tech as I get.
    I am a 2E0....and will stay a 2E0 due the full licence being a step to far for a 71 year old.
    Had year of use from my MFJ products.....I would have loved a Palstar tuner/matcher.....but way way out of my league price wise.
    So thankyou Martin K5FLU for all the MFJ Products your company built for us guys....long may my MFJ-941 tuner/matcher live....I say matcher for the purists.

  • @brianfields4479
    @brianfields4479 Месяц назад +1

    Nothing lasts for ever.

  • @Rubedo777
    @Rubedo777 Месяц назад

    Bit of a shock when a business closes albeit the manufacturing side…I’m going to have to find my want… MFJ Analyser… quickly, I don’t want some knock off copy from the orient.
    I bid Martin best wishes and thanks Peter for your agency of MFJ. Nice tribute.
    My radio room is 99% built… just needs power and setting up the radio… hmm I’ll have to wait until the missis goes out as she would go ballistic when I start climbing up to the guttering. 🫣 😳🤨😕 😵‍💫
    Best wishes to everyone 73. 💙