Martin F. Jue

Lore & Background

Martin F. Jue was born in Vicksburg to a Chinese American family; his great-grandfather helped build the transcontinental railroad in the late 1860s. He grew up in Hollandale, Mississippi, and after his father died when he was five, he was raised in an extended household that sometimes included 11 or more members. Much of his childhood was spent living and working in the back of his family-owned grocery store. At age eight, he built his first crystal radio from scrap materials, sparking his desire to become an engineer. In high school, he built a radio telemetry system for a science fair project using improvised components to measure humidity, light, and wind, winning both school-level and state-level science fairs.

After graduating from Mississippi State University in 1966, Jue returned to temporarily run his family grocery store, gaining practical business experience. He later earned a master's degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1971 and became an engineering professor at Mississippi State University. In October 1972, while still teaching, he began manufacturing a CW filter kit in a room of the now-defunct Stark Hotel in Starkville, Mississippi. Much of the early work was done by his students for academic credit or compensation. Over the next forty years, MFJ grew to become the largest manufacturer of amateur radio products in the world, and Jue had a hand in developing most of its products.

Reader's Guide

Martin F. Jue's significance lies in his role as the founder of MFJ Enterprises, which grew over four decades into the largest manufacturer of amateur radio products worldwide, distributing to approximately 35 countries. His philosophy of 'making quality affordable' emphasized designing practical and cost-effective equipment for amateur radio operators, shaping the accessibility and culture of the industry. Jue was committed to domestic manufacturing and local economic development, prioritizing job creation in Mississippi rather than outsourcing production overseas. MFJ Enterprises developed a reputation as a stable, community-oriented workplace with long employee retention; one notable employee, Phyliss Randle, worked there for roughly 45 years, with multiple generations of her family also employed at the company. After more than five decades in operation, Jue announced his retirement following the COVID-19 pandemic, but continued operations while employees transitioned to other roles, reflecting his leadership style and care for his workforce. He holds numerous patents, especially in T network field tuners, and has been honored with the ARRL Special Achievement Award (2012), induction into the CQ Hall of Fame (2001) and QRP Hall of Fame (2009), and the Ham Radio Outlet Certificate of Honor (2011).

Did You Know?

• Martin F. Jue built his first crystal radio at age eight from scrap materials.
• MFJ Enterprises grew to manufacture between 1,000 and 2,000 products distributed to approximately 35 countries.