Well...this could be it!! The affordable answer to all your HF antenna issues....

I just got word of the impending release of an MFJ antenna coupler that has been designed to compete with the SG-235 500 watt Smartuner. I believe this is brand new, so I'll be waiting to see if MFJ can get their QC issues covered.

I knew they had a unit out to compete with the SG-239, but this unit, the MFJ-994BRT can handle 600 watts. I may have missed it, but I've never known of it's existence until today. If MFJ can keep their QC up to an acceptable level...this could make them a serious chunk of change.

I'm crossing my fingers these are good units as this unit will be a dream come true for many hams given it's $379.95 price point. The SG-235 is $1295.00 at HRO. The difference is the price of an entry level HF radio.

Anybody that takes the plunge....please give us a range-report.

http://www.dxengineering.com/Parts.asp?ID=7352&PLID=326&SecID=165&DeptID={63A7E545-CD10-402B-87CD-E108601C7963}&PartNo=MFJ%2D994BRT

DAYUM!! They also are comming out with one that's rated at 1500 watts, for $ 769.00....

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-998RT

Yep, they have had them for about a year now. All I can say is I am happy with my SGC, and the reviews on their customer service are great. I have had 5 or 6 MFJ products, never have had a problem with them. But in all fairness the MFJ was some SWR meters, and some antenna's. It is kind of hard to FUBAR those.

The reviews of MFJ service are actually OK, once you get someone to answer the phone, but their turnaround is slow. But maybe MFJ will cause SGC to lower the prices a bit. Either way the SGC is worth what they ask for it.

Just my .02

Yup...I'll be keeping both of my SG-230s...but I've aways thought a coupler capable of taking legal limit from my Alpha would be very cool.

I may seriously look into the 600 watt unit and pick up a 600 watt solid state amp for MARS deployments. I've held off pulling the trigger on a 600 watt coupler/amp combo just because the SGC unit it 1200 bucks.

I'm very curious about how the MFJ units stack up against SGC units.

Looks like the 998 has a broader matching range.

Having run the AH-4 and FC-40, I can say that I like antenna mounted tuners.

Wishing it was anybody but MFj! For the bov I have an ameritron AL500 amp and was either going with 102" whip or a chameleon antenna with a tuner. Use the Shakespeare military mount so when parked I can use it as nvis antenna with added wire.

It is a wait and see what happens.

maybe they can come out with a 100w version for $63.325

hey bro-u got pics of that?

i posted about the 300w unit the other day, for about 269 or thereabouts-I've decided to start saving for one!

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I saw the 1500W version. I'm intrigued. Just dump the solder out and hammer down!

ETA: I'm not an MFJ fan. But, the reality is that is it lasts the 1-year "anything" warranty period, it'll probably last a long time. I could very well end up w/ one in the fall, but hopefully one of you guys goes first

I'll save my money and just run a resonant antenna.

I thought about that too PH, but for some reason I'm hung up on using a 160m loop for 160/80 and maybe 40/30...

I have a 993B and have been very happy with it. I did have to "dump the solder out" and in fact have made such recommendations myself in the past, but other than that it works very well. Much better than my old LDG. In some ways better than my SG239.

As a reference point the above comparisons are made using either a Cobra Ultralite Senior or a 300' dipole, both fed with ladderline into the shack. The 239 feeds these directly, the others through a 1:1 current balun on 6' of RG8. Of all of them the 993 tunes the quickest, can match to 1:1 on all bands (now that I have enough ladderline on the big dipole ) and manages to do this in 300W mode where it has half the L-C combinations of the 150W mode.

From the documentation it appears all of the 99x series tuners are essentially identical, whether they are in indoor packages or outdoor packages. My 993 in 300W mode has the same matching impedance range as a 994 and 998. I have plans to get a 994 soon as part of my Ameritron Readiness Program

I wished I did. It would mean I am finished, but right now it is just pieces I am collecting as I go. I get a project idea and as I see a good deal on something I add it to the pile. I still need to convert the amp to remote control as it is an early version.

I would love to but on the BOV the only other antenna I would run would be a HI-Q brand. To get the mounting right the coil has to be above roof line. Hard to pass under 13'6" overpass with a whip and a capacity hat on top. In the woods the antenna would be the first thing to go from a tree limb and I would hate to ruin such a great antenna at the prices they are now.

I had a 5/80 MilGrade HiQ on my rig with a 102" whip. I tied the whip down most of the time as I was more interested in NVIS than DX. I did extend the whip while driving down the interstate a few times. Had a QSO with Germany driving on I-40 in Arkansas once.

Eventually, a low overhang bit off the coil from the top of my HiQ. Indian cigarette store in Oklahoma. Haven't sent it in for a rebuild yet.

For Mobile HF...you can't beat HiQ. Makes everything else seem laughable.

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