MFJ-1620T (20 m HamTenna Mobile Whip)
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| Frequency | 14.0 - 14.35 MHz (20 m) |
| Power | Rated 250 W PEP - a barefoot mono-band mobile antenna. Passive (no motor/controller). |
| Modes | mono-band loaded mobile whip (Hamstick-style) |
| feed | Screws into any 3/8 x 24 female mobile mount; vehicle body is the counterpoise. |
| tuning | Adjust the stainless steel tip whip for lowest SWR. |
| power req | None - a passive antenna. Requires a vehicle ground/counterpoise. |
A cheap, simple, effective mono-band mobile whip: the semi-rigid fiberglass needs no springs or guys, dual center/distributed loading radiates reasonably well for its size, and the adjustable stainless tip makes SWR easy to set. On a standard 3/8 x 24 mount you can keep a set of these and swap whips to change bands.
It is single-band (you carry/swap a whip per band), a short loaded whip is an efficiency compromise like all mobile HF antennas, and at 250 W it is a barefoot antenna. As with any mobile HF whip it needs a good vehicle ground. Note MFJ scaled back operations in 2024, so confirm availability.
The MFJ-1620T is a classic, low-cost 20 m mobile whip - light, semi-rigid, 250 W and easy to tune. Ideal for simple single-band mobile/portable work; carry several whips (or a screwdriver) if you need multiband.
The MFJ-1620T is a 20-meter mono-band mobile whip in the classic 'Hamstick' style (MFJ calls its line the HamTenna). It is built on a semi-rigid fiberglass rod - four feet long and 3/8 inch in diameter - topped with an adjustable stainless steel whip, so it needs no springs or guys and stands about seven feet tall extended (collapsing to four feet for storage). MFJ uses dual center and distributed loading to help it radiate efficiently for its compact size, and a black anti-static jacket protects the loading coil.
It handles 250 watts PEP, screws into any standard 3/8 x 24 mobile mount, and you set it up by adjusting the stainless tip for the lowest SWR on 20 m. Because the base is standard, many operators keep a set of these whips - one per band - and simply swap the whip to change bands.
The trade-offs are those of any mono-band loaded whip: it covers a single band, a short loaded antenna is an efficiency compromise, and at 250 watts it is for barefoot use; it also needs a good vehicle ground. Note too that MFJ scaled back operations in 2024, so confirm stock. As a cheap, simple, effective single-band mobile antenna, though, it is a staple. Compare it with the generic Hamstick and the multiband Opek HVT-400B.