MFJ Enterprises

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MFJ Enterprises is / was a rominent amateur radio equipment supplier. The company was founded by Martin F. Jue, K5FLU. Subsidiary brands include: Hy-Gain, Ameritron, Cushcraft, Mirage, and Vectronics, which are well-known for antennas, amplifiers, and other ham radio accessories.

As of July 2025, there is no definitive evidence or confirmed news that another company has acquired or is actively considering acquiring MFJ Enterprises and its subsidiary brands, such as Hy-Gain, Ameritron, Cushcraft, Mirage, and Vectronics.

On April 25, 2024, Martin F. Jue, the founder of MFJ Enterprises, announced that the company would cease on-site production at its Starkville, Mississippi facility on May 17, 2024, after 52 years of operation. This closure also affected its subsidiary brands, including Hy-Gain, Ameritron, Cushcraft, Mirage, and Vectronics. The decision was attributed to changes in the business environment, the impact of COVID-19 "scamdemic," and Martin Jue’s desire to retire at age 80 to spend more time with family. The company stated it would continue selling existing stock past May 17, 2024, and maintain repair services for the foreseeable future.  Prior to the closure, there were reports that MFJ had been quietly offered for sale since late 2023. For example, a Reddit thread on April 25, 2024, mentioned that DX Engineering, a well-known ham radio equipment retailer, had made an offer to buy MFJ but was turned down. However, no official confirmation of this offer or its rejection has been provided by either MFJ or DX Engineering.

Despite speculation and hopes within the ham radio community that another company might acquire MFJ or some of its brands, no credible reports or announcements have emerged as of July 2025 confirming such a deal. Some in the community have expressed a desire for an employee-owned company or another entity to take over, but there’s no evidence of this happening. The lack of a buyer is partly attributed to the challenging business model, with high labor costs compared to cheaper imported goods from competitors, particularly from China, and a shrinking market of aging ham radio operators.

Closure Impact and Outlook

MFJ Enterprises, a key supplier in the amateur radio (ham radio) community, announced in April 2024 that it would cease on-site production by May 17, 2024, marking the end of its manufacturing operations after 52 years. This closure also affected its subsidiaries, including Hy-Gain, Ameritron, Cushcraft, Mirage, and Vectronics.

The closure of MFJ’s manufacturing operations is seen as a significant loss to the amateur radio community, given its role as a major supplier of affordable accessories, antennas, and amplifiers. While some speculate that other companies might step in to fill the gap for products like beam antennas from Hy-Gain or Cushcraft, no specific company has been named as a confirmed acquirer. The consensus is that niche products may disappear, and cheaper alternatives from offshore competitors may dominate the market.

As of July 2025, no company has acquired or is publicly confirmed to be considering the acquisition of MFJ Enterprises and its subsidiaries, including Hy-Gain. The company appears to be winding down, focusing on selling remaining stock and providing repair services. While there was earlier speculation about potential buyers, no concrete developments have been reported. For the latest updates, you might want to monitor ham radio forums (e.g., QRZ.com), social media, or official announcements from MFJ or other industry players

  • It seems likely that no company has acquired MFJ Enterprises or its subsidiaries, like Hy-Gain, as of June 2025.
  • Research suggests no public announcements or credible reports indicate an acquisition, with the company winding down since 2024.
  • The evidence leans toward MFJ focusing on selling remaining inventory, with no recent news of potential buyers.

Closure Announcement

MFJ Enterprises, founded by Martin F. Jue, K5FLU, announced on April 25, 2024, that it would cease on-site production at its Starkville, Mississippi facility effective May 17, 2024, after 52 years of operation. The owner made the announcement at the age of 80 and expressed a desire to retire so he could spend more time with family.

The announcement was widely covered in ham radio communities, with sources like MFJ Ceasing On-Site Production confirming the cessation and noting that the company would continue selling existing stock and maintaining repair services post-closure. This transition was seen as a significant loss for the amateur radio community, given MFJ's role in offering affordable and unique products.

Efforts to Find a New Owner

Prior to the closure, there were indications that MFJ Enterprises had been quietly offered for sale since late 2023. A forum post from November 13, 2023, on Northeastshooters.com Forums mentioned, based on a former employee's inside connections, that MFJ, along with Mirage, Hy-Gain, Ameritron, Cushcraft, and the metal fabrication plant, was for sale. This suggests that Martin Jue attempted to find a buyer before deciding to wind down operations. Speculation within the community included potential buyers like DX Engineering, with a Reddit thread from April 25, 2024, on r/amateurradio mentioning that DX Engineering had made an offer but was turned down. However, no official confirmation from either MFJ or DX Engineering was found, and this remains unverified.

No credible reports or announcements from 2025 indicate an acquisition or interested party. A blog post from April 28, 2024, "The MFJ Transition," mentioned MFJ would continue non-domestic production and sell from inventory, but did not discuss acquisition. Similarly, an Instagram post from Ham Radio Outlet highlighted MFJ's importance to the community but did not mention any sale.

Life after MFJ

The closure of MFJ Enterprises has left a vacuum in the ham radio world, as noted in various community discussions. The company was known for offering affordable products, and its exit may lead to niche products disappearing, with cheaper imported goods from competitors, particularly from China, potentially dominating the market. Some community members expressed hope for an employee-owned company or another entity to take over, but no such developments have been reported.

External References

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