[TowerTalk] MFJ 259B vs Autek VA1

[Pete Smith]

At 09:03 AM 5/12/2004, GALE STEWARD wrote:
>I'm looking at the Autek VA1 which DOES give the sign
>of the X value. Any pros & cons of this unit? It looks
>smaller and easier to handle up on a tower. Don't
>think it needs 10 AA batteries either!


I had an Autek RF-1 for years.  Other than the somewhat flimsy 
plastic-cased construction (which the VA-1 appears to share), it did fine 
for what it was.  I sold it at Dayton a couple years ago and bought the 
259B, and have not regretted it for a second.  In antenna applications, 
watching the trend in the value of X as you change frequency will pretty 
quickly tell you the sign.  With rechargeable NiMH batteries, I leave it on 
trickle charge all the time, and it's ready to go whenever I am.  I like 
the steel case, which gives me some hope that it might survive if dropped 
on a concrete walk.  No, I wouldn't particularly enjoy taking it up the 
tower with me.

One thing about Autek that I think people should look hard at is their 
attitude toward customer service.  It has been several years since I last 
dipped a toe in that particular pond, but back then, the watchword was 
"expensive and surly about it."  I hope that has changed.  If not, I'd 
prefer the MFJ.


73, Pete N4ZR
The World HF Contest Station Database
was updated on April 26, 2004
2706 contest stations at
www.pvrc.org/WCSD/WCSDsearch.htm