VERY SAD NEWS...
Throughout the years, many hams have come up with their take on what M.F.J.'s initials stood for, but I would guess we've all had at least some MFJ gear in our shack at one time or another. Glancing around, I see my MFJ 6 selector antenna switch, which has seen much use, and I guess I better get another one quickly. I've owned several of their MFJ-259 antenna analyzers, which weren't too expensive to begin with, and even cheaper on the used market, with MFJ-259B's being sold on QRZ or QTH's 4-Sale forums for $150 or less.
In the last 3 decades they have bought out other famous brand equipment manufacturers (Ameritron, Hy-Gain, Cushcraft, Mirage, etc.), which makes this news even sadder, because unless someone steps in to buy them - they'll disappear as well, creating quite a vacuum in the 2-way radio world.
They weren't always assembled correctly, but they encouraged operators around the world to troubleshoot and discover what the issue was, lending assistance when needed. Unlike most companies now that won't honor a warranty if the seal has been broken, and in many cases, won't even let you have a copy of the service manual (you know who you are).
Will someone step up to buy MFJ, or at least some of the companies under it's umbrella? I guess we'll have to sit on the sidelines and fine out next month.
Regardless of all the jokes over the years, MFJ et al, will sorely be missed...
73,
Woody
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