MFJ is closing down

[NJQA]

MFJ is closing their manufacturing lines.  This also includes their other brands (Ameritron, Cushcraft, HyGain, etc.).

I’ve suspected this because their owner is over 80 and it seems like more and more of their products are out of stock.

People like to criticize MFJ and it is true that they often have quality control problems, but they have had an impact on the hobby and some of their products (like the 259 Antenna Analyzer) have become legendary.

https://mailchi.mp/62e24f2ccc99/a-heavy-sad-heart?

[flexoman61]

Too bad, I have several of their products and never any problems.

[ChrisSmolinski]

Even though some people nicknamed them Mississippi's Finest Junk, I've owned many of their products, and I don't think I've ever had issues with them.

[n2avh]

It isn't clear to me if Martin tried and failed to sell the company, or if that wasn't something he considered.  The first thing I thought of was that this will accelerate the ARRL's decline, given what MFJ ad revenue meant to the print QST. I'm one of the many who didn't renew, in my case after 20+ years, when they went to the surcharge for print.  I don't know what it means for ham radio in North America as a whole--it's possible that once the behemoth of peripherals is gone, we'll see a new blossoming of small-scale, more specialized providers as we had pre-MFJ.  Or maybe someone will approach Martin to acquire one or more of the brands he bought up over the years, if not MFJ as a whole.

[ThaDood]

MFJ, like Heathkit and even Ramsey, gear was like this, if you didn't like it, more than likely, you could modify it to become an even better product to suite your needs. They, will be missed.

[Polar Bear]

The problem is - that you cannot sell even low end HF equipment to people who's only investment in amateur radio is a walkie talkie.

When you killed the CW you killed the HF.  All of the intelligence has left the bands and the cb radio has taken over!

[Shortwave_Listener]

The problem is - that you cannot sell even low end HF equipment to people who's only investment in amateur radio is a walkie talkie.

When you killed the CW you killed the HF.  All of the intelligence has left the bands and the cb radio has taken over!

[NQC]

Hey All,

MFJ offered a lot of cool toys at good prices, but hit and miss re QC. If you didn't mind the hassle of a a reship sometimes , eventually you would wind up with a working product at a decent price. My ant tuner had a bad  solder joint I simply touched it up. It shouldn't have happened but I knew   it was "buyer beware" before I went in.

I just have to laugh every time I hear this code  "argument".

I used to copy  some of the most FOUL mouthed operators and drunk jammers  WAY back in the 60's, when there was a CODE  requirement . There was a BIG clique of these attention hungry clowns on 3885 AM.

I have PERSONALLY heard it from 2 all the way down to 160.

There are ALWAYS going to be bad apples  no matter where you go. A code requirement never was and never will be a "screening mechanism " to keep the idiots out ! ! !.

FWIW,  The  best and most   EXTREMELY knowledgeable  hams (inc. Extras, ie folks employed in cutting edge /classified electronics ) I knew all  started out on CB  and then  "graduated" up to amateur radio.

And yes, CB, for the most part,  is  a playground for RF  simpletons. But like it or not , most  hams started out there.So we have to (grudgingly) "give" CB at least that -  it was an easy venue for the "first step".

Whatever.

NQC