[TowerTalk] MFJ259B

[Jim Lux]

I have the older version (without the R and X display.. just frequency and
the two analog meters) and I've found it's actually quite rugged (i.e.
bouncing around in a milk crate in the back of the car). It's not a
metrology grade piece of lab gear so don't expect gnat's eyelash precision.
The battery holder does come loose and rattle (clunk) around a bit.  The
frequency accuracy over temperature isn't all that wonderful, but seems to
be fairly consistent at the same temperature (so, if it's been sitting in
the sun in a hot car for 5 hours, watch out).  You can always check it by
zero beating against WWV.

You might open it up and see what might change if it's banged around?  On
mine, there aren't any components that would be obviously bent or moved by
shock loads or vibration.  Perhaps a few trim pots, but they're blobbed with
lacquer.

You could also make yourself a few calibration standards that you could
periodically check.  A piece of coax with an open and/or short at the other
end makes a dandy reference, and if you treat the coax nicely, it would
serve quite well.  Doesn't even have to be a particularly high quality coax,
just stable.  A piece of RG58 or RG59, loosely coiled (so the dielectric
doesn't cold flow) should work.

Jim, W6RMK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Sundberg" <sm2cew at telia.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 5:53 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] MFJ259B


> A friend of mine told me that the MFJ259B can easily go out of calibration
> if it is banged around or not handled carefully. Anyone with experience of
> this, and what type of error is likely to occur under such conditions ?
>
> Just bought an MFJ259B new, and since I heard this I am handling it like a
> newborn baby... :-))
>
> 73/Peter SM2CEW
> www.qsl.net/sm2cew
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk