|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
| Reviews Summary for MFJ-1785, 3 HF Low Band 80,40,20 M Rotatable Dipole. |
|
Reviews: 3
|
Average rating: 3.3/5
|
MSRP: $$359.95
|
Description: MFJ-1785 Low Bands on 80,40,20M. With Efficient full 33 foot Rotatable Dipole.Handles 1500 Watts PEP. 6063 T-6 Aircraft strength Aluminum tubing with solid fiberglass Insulator.
"NEW DX LOW BAND ROTATABLE DIPOLE"
|
|
More info: http://www.mfjenterprises.com
|
|
You can
write your own review of the MFJ-1785, 3 HF Low Band 80,40,20 M Rotatable Dipole..
|
WB6YZZ
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Nov 8, 2008 21:22
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Pretty good compromise
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I had a vertical tuned with an SG-230 in the corner of the yard. I wanted an NVIS antenna for the lower frequencies and something that would allow me to steer out of noise sources with a little directionality. I saw this antenna and thought it was the perfect fit. NVIS on 80 and 40, starting to have some directionality on 20. I planned from the beginning to remove the balun and feed it with ladder line from a tuner, so I could get wider bandwidth on the lower bands. So far, so good. It is only about 16 feet high on my single story roof. It works as expected.
The only problem with it is that the instructions were a little unclear about how to build the support steel cable. MFJ only provided 30 feet, and after connecting one side, the cable left for the other side was too short. I rebuilt the support cable with steel "rope".
|
|
WA5CMI
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Jul 25, 2008 05:41
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great 75-meter dipole
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
Have had the 1785 up for a couple of weeks now, and I am very impressed with how well it works on 75 meters. I bought it for that band only as I have other antennas for 20 and 40. I tuned it for 75 AM and left it at that. I have gotten very good signal reports, very good. On the negative side, the overall quality of the 1785 is lacking. One thing in particular is the mast clamp if flimsy. It tends to spread out as it's tightened. The spoke mounts at the ends are loose and can not be securely fastened. End loading is by far the way to go with shortened dipoles. This antenna gets out, at least on 75.
|
|
W5LE
|
Rating: 2/5
|
May 25, 2008 11:30
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
My experience with the MFJ-1785
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I put up the MFJ-1785 in July 2007 at my QTH in Oklahoma.
I found that even with 500-1000 watts it felt like a dummy load 60 feet in the air on 80. I had what I would categorize as respectable performance on 40.
I modified mine to cover 30 meters instead of 20, since I had a 5-element monobander on 20. I had reasonable performance on that band.
In December 2007, an ice storm hit Oklahoma and the MFJ-1785 rotary dipole wasn't equal to the elements.
It is now hanging down on both ends and looks like an upside down U. The support cable nor the boom strength were equal to severe weather.
I had high hopes with this antenna, hoping to be able to cover 80 and 40 with other than dipoles or slopers, giving the added benefit of being able to rotate. I was disappointed.
In a nutshell, I would say it needs a much stronger boom and better support cabling. Until that happens, I consider the MFJ-1785 a "fair weather" antenna.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
