Hi Steve,

Well, I ordered the MFJ998 this morning along with the Kenwood 
cable.  I'll cross my fingers that it was put together correctly.

73,

Dave, W7OQ

At 05:27 AM 12/9/2014, you wrote:
>Hi Dave,
>
>I am using the notorious MFJ-998. Had mine  six and a half years with no
>issues or problems.   Even back then, there were  reports of QC
>problems, so I did something I would usually never do.  I bought a demo
>unit from a dealer.   I figured if it was going to fail, it would have
>failed in use at the dealers.  It came with a very steep discount on
>price, but also had the full factory warranty.    I took a gamble and
>for once in my life it paid off.
>
>With the optional cable, it interfaces to the 6 pin molex on the radio.
>    Hitting the tune button on the radio puts the radio into a low power
>CW carrier, tunes the tuner, then returns  the radio to original mode/power.
>
>Recently,with the Hex, and 30 meter GP, I only need it on 160-40 meters.
>      The tuner won't load my dipole above 1.880, but  no problem since
>all the action is lower.   Probably need some antenna adjustment.
>
>It's rated at 1.5 kw, but I've only put 1 k into it.   I think some on
>the list may be using the MFJ-993 (300 watts) and the MFJ-994 (600
>watts) with similar interface to the radio.
>
>The LDG 1000 is nice, but is limited to 1kw on SSB and 750 watts CW.
>It does cover 6 meters (the MFJ doesn't), but doesn't interface with the
>radio.    You could set a pf key to do TX Tune:  hit the pf key,the
>radio goes to cw low power, then hit the tune on the tuner to do the
>tune, then hit the pf key again to  exit TX tune and revert to original
>mode/power.
>
>There is also a work around to disable the internal tuner with a
>resistor in the  molex jack so  you wouldn't have to use the pf key.
>
>If you've been a very good boy, maybe Santa would bring you a Palstar
>Auto.    Instead of relays like the MFJ and LDG, the Palstar uses motors
>to  turn real variable caps and a roller inductor.    It's around $1,500
>and has menus and a display.  Not sure how accessible it is.   I don't
>really remember if I needed any sighted help getting the MFJ-998 up and
>working, but  I've been on my own for the last 5 years and haven't
>needed to monkey with it.
>
>
>Hope this long winded discourse was of some help.
>   You still have a few weeks to get your chimney swept out.   You don't
>want soot on your new toy.
>73, Steve KW3A
>
>
>
>
>
>On 12/9/2014 12:27 AM, Dave Basden wrote:
> > Hi Steve,
> >
> > I'm thinking of asking Santa for an automatic tuner.  I see that the MFJ
> > 998 interfaces with Kenwood rigs, but the reviews on the MFJ 998 on Eham
> > suggest a real quality control problem.  What are you using and how easy
> > is it to use with the TS-590?
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Dave, W7OQ
> >
> >
> >
> >