| Author |
Message |
    
Wayne
Junior Member
Username: Wayne
Post Number: 26
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 1:15 pm: | 
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Say Everyone I have been checking on ground plane antennas I ran acoros a new one well I think its been out a couple of years. Tested in the Mohav Deseret by a testing com. I never seen this product advertise on the market. Test says its a 5/8 wave it tops all other ground plane Imax2000:the Maco5/8 and the superPenatrator500,I think it is called a Interceptor 10k Antenna. Now if it is worth the money I might think of getting it if XYL let me, you guys know what I'm talking about!!! cost $250.00 yep it cost if you want to take a look at it go to www.A1 Antennas.com So let me know oh yea they said it reduces tvi << A ground plane????? Thanks Wayne |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 4849
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 2:23 pm: |
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Wayne,
This has Been covered many time's in the last few months here on the Copper Forum.
Just type I-10K in the search box and start reading.
Or read Tech833's article Titled: How to Choose a Ground Plane Antenna
Subscriber (Preview)
» Articles
» How to Choose a Ground Plane Antenna
Personally I would suggest the Maco V-5/8 or the Imax and save yourself some money.
Sorry but I have not seen any proof as yet to convince me that it is worth 4 times the money as the Imax or Maco.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 450
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 9:06 pm: |
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Any groundplane that tops the Imax 2000 would be working a minor miracle. That antenna rocks!--and swings too.."
mikefromms
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Bc910
Intermediate Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 288
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 9:31 pm: |
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Mike
What does the antenna have to do with swing?
BC |
Coyote
Intermediate Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 103
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 7:31 am: |
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Maybe he meant "sways".  |
Bc910
Intermediate Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 289
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 10:00 am: |
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aaahhhhhhh, maybe,
good call coyote
BC |
Doug
Junior Member
Username: Doug
Post Number: 25
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 10:22 am: |
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No it is not worth it !!! Get a A99 and cut the limiter out of the radio. Then get at least 750 watts to ram the coax and then call yourself the punisher !!! |
Mrbigshot
New member
Username: Mrbigshot
Post Number: 6
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 10:42 am: |
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splaterboxes... ish
ill take a clean radio with 150 watt deadkey over a splaterbox anyday. |
Marconi
Intermediate Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 364
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 10:43 am: |
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Hey guys, Doug is sick again.
If you want to completely cut out all TVI, then get yourself a wooden rocking chair. |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 452
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 1:04 pm: |
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I was making a play on word about the Imax swinging--swaying is the word for sure....
mikefromms |
Timebomb
New member
Username: Timebomb
Post Number: 8
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 7:47 pm: |
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5/8 wave is a 5/8 wave is a 5/8 wave. That antenna might be crafted better than another 5/8, but the gain should be almost the same. |
Hotwire
Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 80
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 8:17 am: |
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Speaking of Imax's swaying.......The wind was blowing really hard yesterday and I think the neibohood birds have a new hang out. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1004
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 2:57 pm: |
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Timebomb wrote: "5/8 wave is a 5/8 wave is a 5/8 wave. That antenna might be crafted better than another 5/8, but the gain should be almost the same."
You can change the 'gain' be changing the efficiency and radiation angle.
You can increase efficiency (and thusly the gain) by feeding it with less loss. You can also increase the efficiency with better quality conductors.
You can change the radiation angle with ground planes. You can change the radiation angle with top hat capacitance.
They are not ALL alike. There is a little bit of fudge factor available to the experimenter. However, you will never be able to squeeze 6 more S-units out of a 5/8 wave as some have claimed with the Mojave antenna. Those claims are being made by people who have just forked over a whole lot of money for something that is similar to what they had before. Rather than appear as though they may have made a mistake or have buyers' remorse, they instead perpetuate the outrageous claims about the antenna to comfort themselves. Very sad indeed.
If someone came on here and said 'my I-10K was about 0.5 S-units higher than my Maco V-5/8" then I would give that claim validity. The claims we have read already by some destroy their credibility for all of their posts from that day forward. You cannot trust them after allowing buyer's remorse to affect their honesty. |
Timebomb
Junior Member
Username: Timebomb
Post Number: 10
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 9:08 pm: |
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Tech833, thanks for the info! (I'm learning alot from this place!)
But I think my statement still stands true...Key word in my quote, ALMOST. I wouldn't think a 5/8 wave antenna compared to another brand of 5/8 wave antenna will make much of a difference, assuming they are both crafted, and set up properly. Like you said, I'd believe the difference of about half of an S-unit! Have a good one. |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 460
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 6:17 pm: |
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I talked to a friend of mine from over a distance of 30 miles and his beam was less than one s-unit stronger than his Imax on the receive end of his rig. On my end, in the mobile, I really couldn't tell a difference. Another antenna, g/p type would be hard pressed to deliever even a 1/4 s-unit over an Imax with its gp/kit. Just my opinion based on observation and a solid believer in these antennas.
Mikefromms |
Ashtray
Junior Member
Username: Ashtray
Post Number: 31
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 12:56 pm: |
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You guys are starting to convince me to dump that old aluminum GP on my roof and toss am Imax up in it's place.
Ashtray
CEF #299 |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 4903
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 1:02 pm: |
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Ashtray,
Put an IMAX 2000 up and never worry about anything again and start talking and enjoy it.
Just my personal thoughts,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Ashtray
Junior Member
Username: Ashtray
Post Number: 34
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 7:12 pm: |
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As soon as my tax refund arrives Lon, I will do just that.
To me it sounds like it is a much more user-friendly set-up.
I just always thought that the 5/8th's ground plane antennas looked so much more intricate and complicated than a fiberglass stick so they must work better. You know...more parts, more power.
Looks aren't everything I guess... |
Tech833
Member
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 59
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 8:35 pm: |
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If you saw what was inside the fiberglass antennas, you would believe it to be even more complicated than what you have already seen. |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 462
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 8:45 pm: |
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Imax 2000, truly the new-improved mousetrap. I still can't believe I wasted the time and money on anything else to get to this. Oh, well, learn from my experience.
mikefroms |
Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 692
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 9:40 am: |
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The flip side of the coin, Ashtray is I had fiberglass antennas, I prefer aluminum, they have always worked better for me! If you do go with fiberglass make sure you clearcoat it, those slivers from the fiberglass will go right through gloves!
Rich |
Hotwire
Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 90
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 10:09 am: |
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I use an Imax and would'nt trade for anything except maybe some beams. A premium antenna by far! Worth every penny and then some. |
Troublemaker
Member
Username: Troublemaker
Post Number: 87
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 10:46 am: |
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I have two I-max's in the garage, And the Maco 5/8 on the tower,thats what's been proven to me! |
Legend
Member
Username: Legend
Post Number: 77
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 6:25 am: |
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I have an Interceptor 10K.
Best 5/8 wave antenna I've ever owned. I used to have a Maco 5/8 wave. It used to cause a lot of TVI, and also, the SWR's would jack up dramatically when it would rain, or even if there was fog.
This is because of the matching system on the Maco. My Interceptor 10K causes NO TVI, even when running much more power! And the SWR's remain flat even in the worst of weather.
I am not saying this out of "buyers remorse", because I have none. I am only speaking from factual experience. Yes, the antenna is expensive, but I am glad I bought it, and would do it again. It is simply the best and last antenna I will have to buy.
If you are strapped for money, then it might not be the antenna for you, but if not, go for it.
As far as performance, I have noticed a slight increase in both transmit and receive, but nothing substantial. Maybe an S-unit or less, but that is not why I bought it anyway. I bought it for durability, and LOW TVI.
Whenever I am shooting skip, along with the other locals here, I am ALWAYS told that my signal is the strongest by the distant stations, when running similar power. They always want to know what I am running.
I think that is because I am using top notch coax, and a perfectly matched I-10K antenna, with a really good ground. The antenna is more broad-banded than the Maco, but certainly not more than the I-max.
I am pushing this set-up with a Kenwood TS-480SAT. All in all, I have done my very best to make my setup as efficient as possible. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1007
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 11:20 am: |
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Now, THAT was an honest report.
BTW, if you were to clean up all the connection points on your Maco, the SWR/moisture problem would be solved, and it might also solve your TVI problem. Poor connections make good diodes for RF. |
Timebomb
Junior Member
Username: Timebomb
Post Number: 12
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 1:33 pm: |
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Legend, you mention you have a really good ground. If you don't mind my asking, I'm curious as to how exactly your set-up is grounded. I'm trying for the best ground and no TVI, and it sounds like you've got a good thing going! Thanks! |
Unit199
Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 88
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 2:46 am: |
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First of all, just my opinion though, anyone that spends that kind of money on a ground-plane antenna has to be on an ego trip. Anyone that would do that has got to be out of their minds. I can spend the extra money on other things for the shack. As far as holding up, my I-Max 2000 has withstood 80 MPH straight line winds, so I am very satisfied with it and I don't have to take it down and clean it at the joints so it will continue operating properly. Oh well, to each his own, but I will keep my I-Max and the extra money and be much happier that I didn't get duped by outrageous claims on how much better that the other one is.
Semper Fi!!!
Harve
CEF210
Unit199
Never kick a cow patty on a hot day!!!! |
