More Fine Junk...

[ki4itv]

At least MFJ takes the time to focus on our small market. They offer a lot of stuff the "average ham" couldn't really get anywhere else, and continue to buy up companies that were destined for the annals of history.

You really have to experience the labor pool in Mississippi to appreciate what the company is up against.
Been there, done that.

[W1GUH]

What 'itv said, and then some...

Funny thing is, as much flak as they've taken, especially with their propensity to sell "semi-kits", everything I've ever bought from them has worked just fine!

And BTW, did the buy Autronics 'way back when?

I had their 482 Grandmaster Memory Keyer back in the early 80's, and this spring I picked up an old Autronics Research memory keyer at a hamfest ($20). The controls are exactly the same, and has the same "feel" to use. The big difference is the Autronics has the power supply built in.

[N7YA]

Dave, did you check out the solar minimum post?

Yes, I did.

My wife has been reminding me of our propagation situation for about 2 months now. I think she thinks all of my qsl cards from the late '80's early 90's are all fake... Right. That was the OTHER WX7P( I was the original holder of that callsign).

Holy crap, i knew the guy who is currently WX7P, Wilse Morgan. Havent seen him in about 25 years. He used to be KL7CQ in Anchorage back in the 80's. I worked my first DX station, Jim VK9NS, from Wilses place on the mountain side in 1983...small world.

By the way, ive owned several QRP xcvrs from MFJ and had a lot of fun with them. They always powered up and i made a lot of great contacts with them. I currently have the same 949E tuner ive been using straight for the last 10 years. I read some absolutely vitriolic hate blogs about the company, i just dont see what these people are seeing. Sure, the stuff is cheap, its not the fanciest gear ever made, but its affordable and has worked just fine for me over the years.

So there.

[KJ3N]

I read some absolutely vitriolic hate blogs about the company(MFJ), i just dont see what these people are seeing. Sure, the stuff is cheap, its not the fanciest gear ever made, but its affordable and has worked just fine for me over the years.

So there.

First of all, hams are the most hyper-critical people I've ever seen. They expect it to be perfect and cost next to nothing. Nice fantasy. :roll: If you want it done "perfect" and "look nice", I'd suggest you look at PalStar. You'll pay 50-75% more than an equivalent MFJ tuner, but it will be "right".

Secondly, MFJ does have (and always had) quality control issues. It's what they're known for. When you buy an MFJ tuner, you should take the cover off and inspect the hardware for tightness and make sure all the solder joints are correct.

As far as the Cushcraft line is concerned, they will still be made in NH, so nothing will change, at least for a while. Another point I'd like to make is that there's nobody who makes some of the items that MFJ makes. If they weren't in the business, you'd have to fend for yourself on quite a number of items.

As I see it, you had a choice. Either Cushcraft went away altogether, or MFJ continues the line and provides the ham community with a valuable resource. I'd rather see the latter.

[N8YX]

Either Cushcraft went away altogether, or MFJ continues the line and provides the ham community with a valuable resource. I'd rather see the latter.

Option 3:

The Cushcraft operation will be told to look at cost-cutting measures within, oh, 6 months of the acquisition.

Now...we can reduce costs in a number of ways:

1) Work smarter; streamline manufacturing processes
2) Negotiate better deals on raw materials through suppliers
3) Institute incentive programs which reward error-free work and penalize sub-par performance;
4) Cut corners by marginalizing a 'good' design and thereby making it 'adequate', saving raw-materials cost in the process
5) Curtail human-resource overhead by scaling back support and quality-control operations
6) Ditto the above where R&D operations are concerned; continue to market the same product lines without introducing anything new to the market

Three of the above examples are the correct approach to take with a manufacturing business; three are not. Take a guess which of them will be incorporated shortly by Cushcraft.

[KJ3N]

So, basically, you want the Cushcraft line to go away. Whatever...

[kf0rt]

I've not seen many Ameritron complaints. Maybe Cushcraft will work out the same?

[N8YX]

So, basically, you want the Cushcraft line to go away. Whatever...

Ah, no.

What I would like to see is Mr. Jue keep his fingers OUT of the line, but we both know that's not going to happen.

[N8YX]

I've not seen many Ameritron complaints. Maybe Cushcraft will work out the same?

You've been hanging around the wrong boards. I've seen a fair number of gripes on QRZ regarding their products, especially where loose hardware and improper soldering are concerned.

[ki4itv]

So, basically, you want the Cushcraft line to go away. Whatever...

Ah, no.

What I would like to see is Mr. Jue keep his fingers OUT of the line, but we both know that's not going to happen.

Martin paid the money.
Your best bet would be that he doesn't move production to his adopted hometown.
Look on the bright side, most of the antennas you buy have to be assembled at home anyway.
Sounds like a match made in heaven. :rofl: