MFJ-1846 Hex Beam - watch before you buy

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My friend recently purchased this MFJ-1846 Hex Beam. When we opened the box we noticed several nuts and bolts and other small parts scattered loose in the box. The plastic bag that was supposed to contain all the small parts was torn. It took us some time to sort it all out. Most the small parts were in individual labeled bags, but no all of them. Next we discovered that on some of the wires the ring terminals were loose in the bags, never been crimped / soldered to the ends. it wasn't that big of a deal, just very sloppy to send it out like that. The wires for the 20 meter band were too long (the 2 active wires), and the reflector wire was too short. We managed by cutting the 2 active wires to the correct length and attached new ring terminals to the ends. The reflector wire is still to short and won't go all the way up to the end of the spreader rods. My friend called MFJ and ask to send the correct wires, but they were unwilling to correct their mistake on their dime. Great customer satisfaction policy by this company !
The wires are also extremely thin, it won't take much for them to break. It's very clear that the only goal for this product is to maximize profit, even if it means to loose a customer for good. Maybe their motto is to get everyone at least once and business is booming.
Update:
MFJ just sent my friend a set of replacement wires for the 17 & 20 band, free of charge. What a surprise.

Опубликовано:

18 сен 2023

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Комментарии : 48

@ehayes5217 8 месяцев назад

a really good, detailed description of potential concerns, most, if not all, of which should be very concerning for MFJ, thanks!...Hmmm🤔

@migalito1955 8 месяцев назад

I always make my own antennas. While a Hex Beam is not one of my past projects I have it on my list. Just about all manufscturers seem to price their products too high given salvaged aluminum tubing from discarded lawn furniture & speaker wire does a bang up job when suits the type of antenna aimed for.

@rodgerkaskhamsr6600 7 месяцев назад

Thank You so much , for youre honest opinion . on this FMJ Antenna. I will make some changes ,on how i put it togther. W5RKA. Rodger from Roswell NM

@jonthebru 9 месяцев назад

I just rebuilt an older NA4RR Hexbeam. A new one costs $660.00 as I replace broken parts I am about $300.00 into the project, fiberglass spreaders to replace the broken parts, a set of the various little parts and new wires. Sitting 3 ft above the ground I made some FT8 contacts quite easily. All the wires are prebuilt and tuned and came up resonant. This antenna was given to me, it weighs about 25 pounds so a really strong tower isn't needed, I'm using steel pipes attached to the edge of my house. I also used gloves and have painted the spreaders black so it will blend in better up in the air. The 3D printed parts could be OK if the right material was used.

@teuton77777 9 месяцев назад

I just googled the Hexbeam you have. I can already tell from the pics there's a huge quality difference compare to the MFJ, at the same price point. Good idea just rebuilding the one you have.

@RGB06084 8 месяцев назад

Perhaps another reason why MFJ is affectionately known as Mighty Fine Junk?

@_N1PHR_ 3 месяца назад

Just went thru all this with a MFJ Cobweb antenna. No customer service, so DX Engineering gave me a full refund when i shipped it back to them. Even DX never got responses from MFJ. The little thin wires were a sight to see. I don't know if they would hold 1500w like described lol. Great video, thank you

@N1SEP- 8 месяцев назад

Reviews on this Hex on Eham and other sites is not good at all. Good for you you have a friend that was able to make a video. In 2017 I bought the KIO Hexbeam, its more expensive now but what you purchase from Leo is top quality. I'm guessing that returning it was not an option? I hope it will work for you after "rebuild" . Good luck.

@teuton77777 8 месяцев назад

No, returning wasn't an option. MFJ made it clear as soon the package is opened there won't be any returns. They claim it's because it's a building kit. My friend is using the antenna as it is and so far at least it works as it should. It's a lesson learned and a $600.00 mistake. We hope we can help other's not to repeat our mistake. Thank you for your comment.

@brendtoconnell6119 9 месяцев назад

I'm putting together the newer MFJ-1848 30-40 meter for my father and its designed a little better than the 1846, but not by much. So I'm reinforcing everything and not following the instruction completely. Seems like every single MFJ product I've assembled only survives about a year before an ice/ wind storm breaks or bends it to failure. This one I'm mounting on a 30ft. tower w/ a rotor. I expect it to last about a year. I'm not at all impressed with MFJ. Thanks for sharing your comments.

@teuton77777 9 месяцев назад

I would understand if this antenna would cost 150-200, but my friend payed close to 600.00 incl. shipping. We already figured it will be good for about a year, unless a hurricane takes it down sooner. For now he's using it till it falls apart and hope for him he's got some more $$ to buy a "real" Hexbeam. Thank you for your comment, 73 KY4XV

@garyjones630 3 месяца назад

you hit the nail on the head ,same here on the mfj. 1848 that i have.

@andyM7XTT 8 месяцев назад

Sp6cyn hexbeam is exceptional quality

@jest.s50si83 8 месяцев назад

You have SP6CYN Polana and hex6b Germany verision(but cost 800€)wich is top quality if you ask me! But shiping cost a lot becouse of hights and weight. Anther optione is replaced element's! If you just see the problem on antenna. Not just in Mfj situacione. Endjoy in this hobby and sold the"problem" with happy face.This is a point I thing I have my Icom 7300 2years but stral dont have an antenna becouse of politike in the billding (block).This is a problem😢Trust me. But this is just my ampinione Good luck and 73 from S5🤓 🍀

@Andrew-yx7sf 7 месяцев назад

If you said that it was a homebrew antenna , I would say bravo. To pay that kind of money for that , it's a shame.

@efrainmartinez9652 8 месяцев назад

I quit purchasing MFJ products because of their quality, over time it has not gotten any better. The irony of all this, quality control seems to be the mayor issue with their products, and yet they have not done anything to correct the ongoing issue. For this reason must people don't purchase MFJ products, the price of the antenna is way too expensive, one can do better by purchasing other brands for about the same price with far better parts used to produce the product.

@jecketrecke7315 9 месяцев назад

It is an impudence to put such an antenna on the market. Such poor quality other manufacturers can do this much better.

@teuton77777 9 месяцев назад

We can only hope that MFJ gets their heads out of their asses and steps up quality. But as long people buy this crap without complaining this shit show will go on. Just strange how some RU-vidr's praise this junk to high heavens. Makes you wonder who paid them off. Thank for the comment, catch you on 20

@leoenakievo8348 5 месяцев назад

I'm argy.

@rodgerkaskhamsr6600 7 месяцев назад

Looks like MFJ will not replace the parts that dont work, without charging you to send you the corect parts, thats not custermer service, at all. MFJ, NEED TO GET A QUAUTLY< CONTROLL PERSON Who knows his stuff. W5RKA Roswell NM.

@leoenakievo8348 5 месяцев назад

55. M. Wires are much simpler and cheaper than MFJ.Leo.

@dougrea8260 8 месяцев назад

Mighty Fine Junk😮

@georgezardecki2545 8 месяцев назад

I'm licensed ham radio operator for over 50 years .Yes I purchased few MFJ junk but non of this product I was satisfied with .Pay little more and git good product don't buy Mather Fen Junk

@jesselannigan2300 7 месяцев назад

I build my own antennas, including center fed, end fed, 10, 20, and 40 meter yagis. I've inspected several MFJ/Hy-Gain, and Cushcraft antennas (all made by MFJ now), and their build quality is nothing short of overpriced absolute crap. I could make a video series just critiquing their poorly made garbage.

@_0815_ 8 месяцев назад

With all the chinese manufacturers pushing on the market they'll be out of business soon if they don't get their s*** together... Most of the MFJ stuff looks and feels so damn flimsy and poor quality. The 1906 fiber glass mast I saw recently was horrible. It's the cheaper model with slots and hose clamps. All the incisions were off center and the fiber glass sawdust was not removed in a brand new product, the top element even looked like it was just about to crack.

@garylanders1470 Месяц назад

Looks pretty shabby

@user-vn4pl9uz3f 5 месяцев назад

From k4kio a square peg on a round peg I don't get

@user-vn4pl9uz3f 5 месяцев назад

Hello watching your video on your friends being x being that he bought that was a very shoddy quality check out K4 chios version of the hex mean I don't know how you put a put a square piece of equipment on a round piece of equipment that's on the and then to summit whoever shimmed it use a table from either a soda pop can or a whoever made this he has been from K4 KL with blonde and from Illinois and used a pair of glasses and a pair of tweezers in the monkey was drunk

@johnforte3466 8 месяцев назад

Not promoting and not knocking the 1846, but mine has been up for three years without any issues. All the hardware is stainless steel. The guides are uv resistant. The fiberglass spreaders like that of other manufacturers should be painted. My swr readings good on all band's and only a little high on 20. 1.8 on the high end. Not all your critique is accurate. It's your opinion.

@teuton77777 8 месяцев назад

and you have your opinion. I understand quality isn't all that important for everyone.

@FjHenderson 6 месяцев назад

The quality that the company produces is really bad. It actually has been bad forever, but since jun doesn't really do anything with company anymore, it's terrible

@bassplayer3974 7 месяцев назад

That a very poor quality cloths line. Rip off.

@danieljohnson8437 Месяц назад

Boeing, make that? Junk.

@mewrongway 9 месяцев назад

M made F from J Junk

@teuton77777 9 месяцев назад

Yes, made from junk and remains junk

@jimmaloney2067 3 месяца назад

shocking un discusting at the build quality of msj wow

@ManuelPinner 8 месяцев назад

A End Fed Wire is Much better,

@vincentmartin2528 8 месяцев назад

MFJ is crap. I won't go into my experience with the gear but will suggest that all Hams avoid them altogether. If you don't have issues their gear then you are the exception to the rule. Their crap is cheap for a reason. Think about it.