MFJ-259B Antenna Analyzer

Not too much ham radio news to report.  Just getting back on the air, after working midnights and being sick for a while.  I'm working on getting all my wire antennas fine tuned, as I now have access to a MFJ-259B analyzer.  This model is considerably cheaper than the next model up, and goes from HF through 2 meters.  I just made a quarter-wave 2 meter, and it tuned great with very minor adjustments.

I have mixed feelings on the analyzer.  Some screws were shorter than the others, and the banana plug for ladder line broke when I plugged it in.  The edges of the case have some scratches.  It appears that a screw holding on the SO-239 connector is either stripped of a nut has come loose.  I'll check, however there is another one holding it in, so o.k. for now.

With these issues noted, it appears to work alright.  My first impression was so-so, but as I use it more and more, I am increasingly pleased with the performance.  I am going to expand a 40m OCF to 80m, as well as fine tune some EndFedz antennas, and some portable dipoles--a 20m, and a 10/20/40m.  Hopefully, it will do alright with these.  I do like the small size of it.  I suppose as with any mass-produced equipment offered "affordably", there are compromises (?).  MFJ retails it for $289, but Gigparts had it on a Dayton Hamfest sale for $215.  That is tremendously more affordable than the one made by Comet.

eHam reviewers give it around 4.1/5.0 stars.  People who like it, absolutely love it.  I have talked to numerous hams at HRO, GigaParts, and radio manufacturers, and many of them have this model and praise it highly.  I think the performance is probably there.  I just think that they don't pay enough attention to preserving outside aesthetics, and I'm not sure about the soldering abilities...not that mine are any better.  If it works, that is the issue.  My Yaesu radios, Signalink and power supplies all came in pristine condition.  The metal case has some scuffs, but it appears that it was powder coated before the corners were bent.  A final note of confidence: When I called MFJ to tell the tech about the couple of shorter screws and broken banana plug, he seemed genuinely upset.  A bag of screws and plug were promptly mailed to me.  I'm hoping I don't need it, but they have the No Matter What warranty.  I'll update as I get it used more in the field, and can report on it.

I managed to re-route some coax, and figured I'd give the 259 a decent workout.  My 6m was about perfect on the meter.  I had tuned it on my rig's SWR meter, and the amount the results matched were amazing.  Based on small frequency differences around 50.125 MHz, it read 1:0-1:1 to 1 with 50-52 ohms.  The 40m OCF did pretty well, but it needs closer attention.  I have also tuned up a LNR) EndFedz 40/20.  It made tuning it so easy.  I got mid-band down to a 1.0-1.1:1 SWR at 50 ohms.  I did notice that sometimes the analog meters don't precisely match the digital readout.  But, the meters are only off by a very small amount.  I can't believe how easy it is to work on antennas now, compared to making adjustments with my radio's SWR meter.

CW, Awards and Stuff

Not too much going on in my ham radio stuff lately.  After a new midnight job, not much time left for the radio.  I am down to one state for my WAS.

I received my Appalachian Trail Basic Award for contacting every state the AT runs through.  I also got my 3905 Century Club 100 Point Award for various contacts.  Back in the summer, I became a member of the Old Man International Sideband Society, and recently became a member of the Straight Key Century Club.

Right now, I am in the process of learning CW.  I am using a Morse Express T-Tone practice oscillator, and an Ameco K-4R J-38 key.  One day, I've got my sights on a Begali Camelback Key (maybe).  Who knows?

I am hoping things will stabilize out and I can get some contacts going.  With some warm weather, maybe I can get outside for some portable work.  I did get a Youth DX Adventure special event in Costa Rica last summer.  They sent me a very pretty, 4 page QSL card.

I guess that is about all for now.

Steve

Field Day 2012 & Stuff

Well, FD 2012 is over.  I hope everybody got some good contacts.  I didn't spend that much time on the air--worked it in between household chores, meals, etc.  I got 25 contacts on 15, 20 and 40m.  They are now logged into QRZ, and everybody was sent an eQSL.  Hard copy cards are available upon request.  *Hardcopy cards with a SASE were sent out around Christmas for most contacts.

I finally got a second South American Contact this past week--Bogata, Columbia.  That makes 2, after trying for a year.  Yesterday, I got my last state to complete the Appalachian Trail Basic Award for contacting stations in each state the AT goes through.  I'd actually gotten TN before, but it was on an FM sat, whereas it has to be HF.

Speaking of states, I got my home state of Kentucky a few weeks ago.  You'd think that it wouldn't be that difficult to get the state you live in.  It apparently can be.  Now of course, they've come out of the woodwork and I hear a KY station every couple of days.

After trying and trying, I also finally got Alaska.  With a modest dipole that for 40m, is only 1/4 wavelength above the ground, it took me a while.  That leaves me 3 states for my WAS.  I guess I qualify (or will soon) for my 100 point award with the 3905 Century Club Net.  I need to read the rules.