Yeah, I think I had the MFJ 986 and sold it to somebody else on this list. IF I remember right, the 986 has a ganged capacitor that handles both the input and output functions, so you only have two knobs to play with. If I remember the model correctly, it has a tapped inductor, so you only have set tap poiints that you select, then you use the capacitor knob to do your final adjustment. It is a convenient system, and probably is rated to handle higher power, at the time I never ran more than 200 watts into it. The disadvantage is there isn't a lot of inductance to handle large mismatches, it will work on just about anything 80 and above, but don't expect it to work on 160 meters. I replaced it with another MFJ model, that had the capability for long-wire and open-wire feeds (as did the 986). I think both tuners had at least one position that was straight-through so you could go directly to, say, a tribander without going through the tuner. I since have switched to a ----- Original Message ----- From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:44 PM Subject: manual tuners? Hi, folks. Well, as a first step to improving my set-up here at the new home QTH, I'm seriously considering the purchase of a better manual tuner than the MFJ 901B versatuner that I now have. I'm looking for a tuner that will handle more than 100 watts, since I eventually may purchase some sort of an amp. I'm also looking for a blind-friendly manual tuner with a bypass switch. I have been corresponding with one of the guys from HRO in Denver, and he recommends two possibilities. They are: The MFJ-986 (at $349.95) and the MFJ-989 (at $389.95). Have any of you guys had experience with either of these tuners? Are there similarly-priced models of better quality that I should also check into? Thanks, and 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ, Louisville, CO