I remember my Cushcraft 13B2 from the early 90's. Will bring those days back when I build on my next property. Thanks for being part of the amateur radio community. 73 Mike - N3RBE
When he said that the on site production will cease, I wonder if production will continue elsewhere. I specifically bought a manual antenna tuner from MFJ because there aren't many companies that make manual tuners, and one brand in particular is very expensive.
I’m curious of that as well. And I would think it would, but we just don’t know. There is several products they sale that are what I consider vital to the hobby, such as manual tuners that you mentioned and others , mfj did have some solid products for solid prices for us blue collar hams.
Definitely changes my mind on what I was intending to bring home from Xenia this year. Instead, im buying a second of a couple items I already have and rely on. Think of how many POTA activators rely on their auto-tuners.
The archetype for customer service.....to the point Mr Martin went thru his own notes to answer some really goofy question of the kind only I can contrive as if it were a million dollar priority.
Not only MFJ, but Zilog also announced the EOL for the Z80 processor today as well. I'm sure many hams have used Z80 based systems, as it's been produced for 50yrs.,
Howdy JB...man not cool. there is nothing out there to replace what mfj puts out, or even close to there price range.. i hope somebody can take it over as is and carry on with a great product at a good price.
I work in electronics manufacture, radio communication, in Orange County CA. I think with MFJ 's current price. it is possible to run the business, and able to pay employees, but not much profit, just enough to cover the cost. some of the products may need to be redesigned and re-layout PC boards , antenna, tuner should be fine, since they are all mechanical parts. AG6JU
I can agree with that. When I went to visit mfj several years ago to swap a bad mobile antenna, I was actually shocked a little seeing their building was a common metal building resembling average furniture factories around here. I guess I was expecting a glorious fancy building. I realized then they were not out to be mega profits company. People have their opinions but my experience with them was positive. Lot of the products may get rebranded and maybe sold through a different name at some point, I don’t see them going away.
What I don't understand is how Covid negatively impacted their business, solely because it seemed ham radio exploded during that time, and I'd expect excess sales as new hams went on the air.
They had a death of an employee during that time which I’m sure increased their fear factor of running normal operations like it did most during that time, delayed imports, increased cost, etc. I understand what your are saying, but many different logistical factors all companies struggled with for sure.
They may have has a lot of material shortages and supply issues, which means you can't sell what you can't produce. Just speculation on my part but a downturn in sales may have lead to financial issues that ultimately became too difficult to overcome.
I'm SICK of hearing "oh poor me MFJ is going out of business" MFJ has always been bashed by hams. Mighty fine junk! There tune sure changes quick. I'll just keep using my MFJ equipment as I have for years.
Not known. The owner didn’t say they were closing the doors nor going out of business, only on-site production, with repair and service work still available. So we can speculate both directions. Will another company pick up? Will we still be able to get MFJ after current stock depleted but in kit form becoming the modern era heath kit ? 🤷🏼♂️
Not surprising, innovation hasn't been a strong point lately. Where is their auto tuner range? I know they have one, but F me they should have multiple different auto tuners. Plus they should've got on to the EFHW band wagon and got some product out there. It's a case of a company getting caught out in the past. The modern ham is using a HL2 with Thetis, so build products to suit them, not old valve amps. Yes I want a valve amp for nostalgic reasons, but most hams don't want one. Also maybe they could've made proper mag loops and variable capacitors. They have market space, they just didn't make use of it.
No Reason to cry Rivers. HAM Lives will continue without "Made From Junk" Products. Of course I can fully share Mr. Ju's Feelings..."Life is way too precious to spend it at a Workplace til you go sk" Get your self a Hobby something like HAM Radio....even better than that is portable HAM Radio, Bro. That will get you around across beautiful Places of Mother Nature. I wish Mr. Ju & his Family the very Best for the Future. Thanks for nothing. Hope Richard Stubbs already found a new Job, he is a fantastic Guy and way too young to retire yet staying at home and leaning on the Couch til it falls apart. Bad bad Uncle Günter just said that. Over over...😎
Everything I ever bought from MFJ was junk. I either had to rebuild / resolder bad solder joints or just give up on it. I’ve learned to stay away from MFJ.
I have had nothing put troubles, hassles and bad experiences EVERY time i have dealt with MFJ the past few years. I don't find thid surprising. My personal belief is DX Engineering ran them out of business. From my point of view, they brought it upon themselves. Someone will buy the label and drive it into the ground.
lol I HAVE to remember to fix that. Somewhere along the way in the past my audio settings got delayed from video. Easy fix, but I don’t remember until I’ve chopped the video up into little edited parts and then that would take forever. Sorry! 🤦♂️😎
Martin is a really nice guy and I wish him a long and happy retirement.
Very sad and thankyou Martin.....MFJ have done a great job for me.
Good luck sir.
I remember my Cushcraft 13B2 from the early 90's. Will bring those days back when I build on my next property. Thanks for being part of the amateur radio community. 73
Mike - N3RBE
That 13b2 is hard to beat for 2m
Fantastic, that's tough but life is more precious for sure. Thanks for the update JB. 73
When he said that the on site production will cease, I wonder if production will continue elsewhere. I specifically bought a manual antenna tuner from MFJ because there aren't many companies that make manual tuners, and one brand in particular is very expensive.
I’m curious of that as well. And I would think it would, but we just don’t know. There is several products they sale that are what I consider vital to the hobby, such as manual tuners that you mentioned and others , mfj did have some solid products for solid prices for us blue collar hams.
Sad video but you did it well! MFJ has been in my shack since 91, hate to see them go, 73!
Very sad. The immense product line will be missed for sure
Definitely changes my mind on what I was intending to bring home from Xenia this year. Instead, im buying a second of a couple items I already have and rely on. Think of how many POTA activators rely on their auto-tuners.
Anyone notice that the shutdown date is during Hamvention? Maybe there will be some real sales.
I have a power supply that needs to go to the shop. It has been a long, good ride with MFJ. Good luck to Martin Jue.
Hate to hear production is done in Starkville. Best wishes to Mr Martin.
The archetype for customer service.....to the point Mr Martin went thru his own notes to answer some really goofy question of the kind only I can contrive as if it were a million dollar priority.
Not only MFJ, but Zilog also announced the EOL for the Z80 processor today as well. I'm sure many hams have used Z80 based systems, as it's been produced for 50yrs.,
Sad news for America, sad news for the Amateur Radio Community. A big P.O.B. for Mr. Jue.
huge bummer
So Sad 🙏
Howdy JB...man not cool. there is nothing out there to replace what mfj puts out, or even close to there price range.. i hope somebody can take it over as is and carry on with a great product at a good price.
Hey butterbean, I’m hopeful for the same thing. There’s way too many products to just let them all fade away.
I work in electronics manufacture, radio communication, in Orange County CA. I think with MFJ 's current price. it is possible to run the business, and able to pay employees, but not much profit, just enough to cover the cost. some of the products may need to be redesigned and re-layout PC boards , antenna, tuner should be fine, since they are all mechanical parts. AG6JU
I can agree with that. When I went to visit mfj several years ago to swap a bad mobile antenna, I was actually shocked a little seeing their building was a common metal building resembling average furniture factories around here. I guess I was expecting a glorious fancy building. I realized then they were not out to be mega profits company. People have their opinions but my experience with them was positive. Lot of the products may get rebranded and maybe sold through a different name at some point, I don’t see them going away.
@@K5YVY yea im for sure going to be getting a few replacement parts for different things from them..73
This news is sad
Very hard to get good labor in Mississippi
🤨 scuse’me i work very diligently in Mississippi 😎
This is a bummer for ham radio. I'm not overly surprised though. Parts shortages and personnel shortages have all but destroyed MFJ.
What I don't understand is how Covid negatively impacted their business, solely because it seemed ham radio exploded during that time, and I'd expect excess sales as new hams went on the air.
They had a death of an employee during that time which I’m sure increased their fear factor of running normal operations like it did most during that time, delayed imports, increased cost, etc. I understand what your are saying, but many different logistical factors all companies struggled with for sure.
They may have has a lot of material shortages and supply issues, which means you can't sell what you can't produce. Just speculation on my part but a downturn in sales may have lead to financial issues that ultimately became too difficult to overcome.
Shocked at hearing this really bad news for the radio community. DX Engineering stands alone now.
That’s unfortunate.
It's sad day. I've had great luck with MFJ products. I'm more concerned about Cushcraft and Hy-Gain antennas.
Scott, that is my thoughts as well. Lot of MFJ in my shack and Cushcraft and Hygain antennas in the air outside.
Beat me to it, JB!
I had to run fast 😎
what is the real URL
mailchi.mp/62e24f2ccc99/a-heavy-sad-heart?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0Cq-5Hfhe0RvipWsSJGTk58aB6qe0SCHyyUXsA2e0uS9niJ9Bm_feQlVo_aem_AcUlcFiwxlQn5oUphjd6gb-BAJzxRXgH0l9uGOZ9LOURHfBn1YTe3pDBcqV6AK0_z6Kl7_tQn8EY49qVcWvebF03
This is the direct link to their mailing list. If you rather you may find their post on their Facebook page as well.
I just went to the Web site and didn't see anything about it,
It was sent out in their news letter mailing list. Link in my video description takes you directly to the letter.
@@K5YVY Thanks for the info!
😢
I'm SICK of hearing "oh poor me MFJ is going out of business" MFJ has always been bashed by hams. Mighty fine junk! There tune sure changes quick. I'll just keep using my MFJ equipment as I have for years.
no one is going to pick-up this company?
Not known. The owner didn’t say they were closing the doors nor going out of business, only on-site production, with repair and service work still available. So we can speculate both directions. Will another company pick up? Will we still be able to get MFJ after current stock depleted but in kit form becoming the modern era heath kit ? 🤷🏼♂️
Not surprising, innovation hasn't been a strong point lately.
Where is their auto tuner range? I know they have one, but F me they should have multiple different auto tuners.
Plus they should've got on to the EFHW band wagon and got some product out there.
It's a case of a company getting caught out in the past.
The modern ham is using a HL2 with Thetis, so build products to suit them, not old valve amps.
Yes I want a valve amp for nostalgic reasons, but most hams don't want one.
Also maybe they could've made proper mag loops and variable capacitors.
They have market space, they just didn't make use of it.
It's our fault for buying Chinese alternatives
Hate to see this!
every body die in this world you me every body die include business
Guaranteed cycle at some point
No Reason to cry Rivers. HAM Lives will continue without "Made From Junk" Products. Of course I can fully share Mr. Ju's Feelings..."Life is way too precious to spend it at a Workplace til you go sk" Get your self a Hobby something like HAM Radio....even better than that is portable HAM Radio, Bro. That will get you around across beautiful Places of Mother Nature. I wish Mr. Ju & his Family the very Best for the Future. Thanks for nothing. Hope Richard Stubbs already found a new Job, he is a fantastic Guy and way too young to retire yet staying at home and leaning on the Couch til it falls apart. Bad bad Uncle Günter just said that. Over over...😎
I"m pretty sure a Chinese company will step in and buy it and make even worse cheap made products.
Ham Radio is dead. Long live ham radio.
Everything I ever bought from MFJ was junk. I either had to rebuild / resolder bad solder joints or just give up on it. I’ve learned to stay away from MFJ.
I have had nothing put troubles, hassles and bad experiences EVERY time i have dealt with MFJ the past few years. I don't find thid surprising. My personal belief is DX Engineering ran them out of business. From my point of view, they brought it upon themselves. Someone will buy the label and drive it into the ground.
Your lips don’t match your words! Sorry! Lol!
lol I HAVE to remember to fix that. Somewhere along the way in the past my audio settings got delayed from video. Easy fix, but I don’t remember until I’ve chopped the video up into little edited parts and then that would take forever. Sorry! 🤦♂️😎
Well...he COULD have given the company to the employees rather than just closing up and walking away.
Well they aren’t just closing up and walking away. They are still selling remaining stock and providing continued support and repair work.
They weren't called "More effing Junk" without reason. Maybe a better product and better quality controls and this might not have happened.