Overview
Mirage was an American manufacturer of amateur radio RF power amplifiers and preamplifiers primarily designed for VHF and UHF operation. The company became well known among amateur radio operators for compact solid-state amplifiers used in mobile, base station, repeater, satellite, and weak-signal communications applications.
Mirage products were widely used to increase transmitter output power on the 2 meter, 220 MHz, 440 MHz, and microwave amateur bands. The company developed a reputation for compact brick-style amplifiers commonly used with handheld and mobile transceivers.
The Mirage brand later became associated with MFJ Enterprises, Inc., which continued production and distribution of Mirage amplifier products.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Mirage |
| Industry | Amateur Radio Electronics |
| Product Types | VHF/UHF RF amplifiers, preamplifiers |
| Parent Company | MFJ Enterprises, Inc. |
| Primary Markets | Amateur Radio |
| Typical Bands | 50 MHz, 144 MHz, 220 MHz, 440 MHz |
| Product Types | Mobile amplifiers, base amplifiers, mast-mounted preamps |
| Headquarters | Starkville, Mississippi, USA (later operations) |
Description
Mirage products were typically housed in compact aluminum enclosures designed for mobile or desktop installation. Many models used solid-state transistor designs with automatic RF sensing, low-noise receive preamplifiers, and relay switching between transmit and receive modes.
The product line included mobile RF amplifiers, base station amplifiers, mast-mounted preamplifiers, satellite communication amplifiers, and repeater accessories. Mirage amplifiers were especially popular among FM mobile operators and weak-signal VHF/UHF enthusiasts.
Many Mirage products were designed to operate with low-power handheld or mobile transceivers, allowing operators to achieve significantly higher transmitter output levels.
History
Historical Timeline
- 1970s – Mirage began producing VHF and UHF amateur radio RF amplifiers.
- 1980s – Expanded product offerings for mobile and base station amateur radio applications.
- 1990s – Mirage products became widely used in amateur satellite and weak-signal operations.
- 1990s – Mirage brand became associated with MFJ Enterprises.
- 2000s – Continued production of VHF/UHF amplifiers and preamplifiers.
- 2024 – MFJ Enterprises announced cessation of manufacturing operations affecting associated brands including Mirage.
Historical Addresses
Mirage / MFJ Enterprises, Inc.
300 Industrial Park Road
Starkville, Mississippi 39759 USA