THE MFJ-904H
Are you a ham radio enthusiast who loves to explore different bands and modes with your HF radio?
Do you want a reliable, efficient, and easy-to-use antenna tuner that can handle up to 150 watts of power and match a wide range of antennas?
If you answered yes to these questions, then you should definitely consider the MFJ-904H Deluxe Travel Tuner.
Before I acquired this tuner, I looked at some reviews and found that for the most part people were very happy with the tuner. I found one who said that his tuner, in 2016, had a quality issue, but I considered that MFJ is a large company with a catalogue of probably thousand of products. At that scale it would be impossible not to have one or two issues. I am also aware that MFJ will solve your issue, mostly replacing a defective unit.
Of the positive, mostly five-star reviews there were the following remarks:
- What I found was that the unit was properly assembled, no bad solder joints, and everything looked correct.
- I like it so much I bought two. One for travel and one for home. It has made my low-power rigs happy using a Buddistick antenna.
- Needing a HF tuner with a meter, this was a natural choice for me. It is well built and performs well. The knobs are small, so it is easy to overshoot the sweet spot if you are not careful. Take your time tuning and it becomes very easy. Recommended!!
- MFJ-904H tuner easily provide the capabilities you need on Field Day or for ARES/RACES field deployment.
So, I tried it. It works great! It tunes everything I’ve connected to it.
And the SWR meter reads correctly, when compared to the meter built into the radio.
I’m very pleased with the unit. Although I bought it for field operations, I use it on the desk at home too.
The MFJ-904H is a small but powerful antenna tuner that covers 80-10 meters and has a tuner bypass switch for when you don’t need it. It has a built-in cross-needle SWR/Wattmeter that shows you the forward and reflected power and the SWR ratio at a glance. You can also select the power range (300/60 or 30/6 watts) with a push button.
The tuner has a T-circuit design with two variable capacitors and a coil that can tune nearly any antenna, from dipoles and verticals to random wires and mobile whips.
It also has a S)239 connector for coax fed antenna
a 4:1 balun for balanced lines
and a port for a random wire antenna.
The MFJ-904H is designed to be simple and intuitive. It has only three knobs: one for tuning the inductor, one for tuning the capacitor on the transmitter side, and one for tuning the capacitor on the antenna side. You can easily find the best match for your antenna by following the instructions in the manual or by using the SWR meter as a guide. The tuner also has SO-239 connectors for both input and output. MFJ-904H has a built-in 4:1 balun for balanced lines and random wire.
One of the best features of the MFJ-904H is its portability. It measures only 7.5 x 2.5 x 6 inches (19 x 6.4 x 15.2 cm) and weighs only 2 pounds (0.9 kg), making it ideal for field operations, mobile installations, or just saving space on your desk. It comes with a DC power cord that plugs into your radio or a 12-volt battery. You can operate anywhere, anytime with a quick easy set-up!
The MFJ-904H is a great tuner for anyone who wants to get the most out of their HF radio and antenna. It is reliable, efficient, and affordable, and it will make your ham radio experience more enjoyable and satisfying. You can buy it online from various retailers for around $200 USD.
I have used this tuner at home with my Icom IC-7000 and an off center fed dipole from MFJ, the MFJ-2012. I was able to tune all bands from 40 to 10 meters with ease and low SWR. The tuner was very responsive and accurate, and I was able to make contacts all over the world with good signal reports. The tuner also handled the full power of my radio without any problems. I was very impressed by the performance and quality of this tuner.
One of the things that I really liked about this tuner is its build quality. It is solid and outstanding, and it has a durable design that can withstand rough handling and harsh environments. The knobs are smooth and sturdy, and the connectors are well-made and secure. The meter is clear and bright, and the case is strong and attractive. This tuner is built to last for years of trouble-free operation.
I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quality tuner that won’t break the bank.