Copper Talk » Product Reviews » Antennas » IMAX 2000 IS ALIVE & KICKING B*TT! « Previous Next »

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Ca346
Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 4:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Got my Imax2000 yesterday. I had no idea how strong and sturdy it was until I got it out of the box. Yet it is so light it went up on top of a 36ft extended mast I had and I was up and running in 3o minutes checking the SWR. I didn't even tie the guy wires up yet and I was talking to Alaska from California! The tip is at 60ft. No ground plane kit. I put two sets of 3 guy wires on the mast. One set at 35ft and the lower set at 27ft.
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Topten
Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 7:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ca346,
Good deal. The I-Maxx 2000 is an excellent antenna. Mine works great too!
73's & Happy Skip Talk'in !!!
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Karatebutcher
Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 8:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ca346 I will try to get you tomorrow, if conditions are North and South, pick a time. lets try it out. 27385 lsb most all day unit 536
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Ca346
Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 11:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Karate:

27.285LSB @ 12NOON PST (Give or Take!) If I can talk to Alaska, I should be able to talk to a fellow Californian. Supposed to raining up your way tommorow. I believe it's sunshine down here until Friday.... bobman3

CA346
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Twa77
Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 11:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

imax kicksbutt
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Karatebutcher
Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 9:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK did you mean 27385 or 27285 lsb
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Pig040
Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 10:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Man you dont even want to mess with 285, that is the busiest am channel on the band. I listen to am, and am lucky to hear anyone, there has been so much skip lately. I will go on both channels at noon to see if I can hear you guys.
pig040
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Ca346
Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 11:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

SORRY! 27.385LSB Typing too fast....
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Ca346
Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Incidentally, I picked 12Noon because I thought that would give us the best chance of hearing each other. Most of the time, it quiets down here around lunch time. But I will have the radio(s) on all morning, (27.385LSB) and see what I can hear from our West Coast. After 3 coffee's and the morning paper, I turned it on at 8:00AM and as usual, 20 people are all talking at once....
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Ca346
Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 3:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Karate:

Well... I talked to everyone on God's green earth except you. Hawaii, Chicago, Illinois, and... DX431 earlier. But I think we are destined to never talk on the air... Thanks for trying.

CA346
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Karatebutcher
Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 7:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ca346, yes we are to close for skip, and I did hear people talking to you, especially the guy from Iowa, he just kept on and on, I tried to get him to 5 you but power was needed today, but my neibors were home.
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Ca346
Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 10:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Talked with Hawaii (415 in Honolulu) today after I 'tweaked' the SWR on the IMAX2000. Thanks to DX431 for convincing me to go ahead and turn the tuning rings. I went from 4 1/2 : 1 down to 0.5 : 1 by turning the rings 1/2 turn. Amazing antenna. I am using 6 guy wires so they were reacting.

Also talked with a guy in a town 30 miles away for the first time... I am learning to use the RF knob by turning it 'down' now.
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Alsworld
Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 8:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ca346, you are going to really enjoy that antenna. It's amazing how well that antenna works for so little dollars. I really love mine. Don't mind that flexibility, I've had mine parallel to the ground in tropical storms when I lived in Florida, still kicking.

Up here, we have had wind storms with gust to 60 mph. Not that that is an incredible amount of wind, but it was flipping in all different direction pretty hard. When all said and done with, it's still standing.

Oh and by the way, I talked through both of those tropical storms without problems (shooting skip). The antenna was flopping all over the place, but I could hear nor see absolutly zero change in signal strength or audio. I was amazed at how well it did.

Alsworld
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Ca346
Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 9:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

AL:

I can't say enough about this antenna! It's a great buy at $70. You're right about it flopping tho, you should have seen it when it went down and back up again for the tweaking. Actually, I can get some pretty strong gusty winds here in the foothills of California. Amazingly flexible, yet strong antenna.

Talked with CEF171 in Mississippi today on it.
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Damyankee
Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 3:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ca346,
Did you end up insulating the guy wires?
Inquiring minds just gotta' know..LOL
Ron
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Ca346
Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 10:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

DamYank:

Not yet! I ordered some insulators, but I adjusted the tuning rings before ever getting them. DX431 talked me into adjusting the rings because he set his IMAX 2000 up like mine. I have three guy wires right at the base of the antenna itself (35ft up). They are acting as the ground plane. I think I will add the insulators the next time I take it down. What I don't know is what length to use? Probably 7 ft. sections for the first two?
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Damyankee
Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 10:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That's the way mine is set up too. 3 wires mounted to a ring just below the Imax mount.
They are split 120 degrees and drop at about the same angle. No insulators - all direct to earth ground. I don't know if that should be causing me problems or not... however, 1.3:1 SWR over all the channels I'll ever use. You've got 10' on me but I only have one set of guy wires AND if I'm really careful I can reach the base of the mount (enough to adjust the rings) from a ladder on my roof.
Anyway, I think you'll like it! Maybe 833 can give you/us the poop for this type set-up.
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Dx431
Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 1:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ok, ya'all. I now have the a99 and M103s installed on my tower.My SWRs on the 99 went from a 1.4 to a 1.1, and the 103s are flat across the band.
I am getting ready for this Sundays Net. Hope the conditions are as good as previous Sundays. I'm ready to get out there and touch someone! haha

dx431\CEF #106
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Bullet
Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 10:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

a radio buddy of mine (my wifes uncle) just went from a antron 99 to a imax2000 and on most everyone he jumped 1-2 s units.

for some reason he came up on me abunch, must be because of the terrain between us. he went from a s3-4 to a s8-9.

its working fine for him as well.
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Ca346
Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 11:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bullet:

Terrain must have ALOT to do with it. I seem to have a straight shot due East of my house through the hills and mountains, and the result is Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and both North and South Carolina are always louder than anyone else...
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Ca346
Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 11:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have a new comparison. NOT very scientific, but then operators 1500 miles away should be reliable. I was talking on a President HR2510 through my new COPPER IMAX 2000 with '237' in MINN. and had previously turned the fan off of my power supply. Completely forgot to turn it back on. So the power supply shut itself down for awhile. For whatever reason? Now I tell you this, because I immediately went over to the "other radio and antenna" (ICOM706MKIIG through a SE Lightning4+), and had a surprising remark from the operator in MINN.

He said I was "louder" on the COPPER IMAX 2000. SAME POWER through both radio's. IMAX 2000 tip at 60ft. Lightning4+ tips at 57ft. Antenna's are 36ft apart horizontally. Same skip conditions. I was so shocked, I forgot to ask him what the S unit difference was? I always believed the Quad antenna would out perform a vertical.

What do you think??
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Alsworld
Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 8:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Were you running the beams on vertical or horizontal polarization?

Alsworld
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Ca346
Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 11:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Al:

Vertical. I rarely use the horizontal polarization.
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Alsworld
Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2003 - 10:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I kindof figured as such but had to asked the basic question.

Only thing I can figure is the IMAX is 5/8th's wave vertical whereas the SE is a full quad but using a 1/2 wave as polarization for one or the other. Combine that with 1500 miles and who knows?

If Tech833 were here he would probably spank me for my reasoning. I think I'll run away as I don't have the answer.

I wonder if different days may have differing results? One good thing is you have a pair of awesome antennas. Most people only dream of having your setup!!

Alsworld
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Ca346
Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2003 - 11:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Amen to that Alsworld!!bobman3
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Tbird
Posted on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 10:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The imax works great,but wait about 2 years and the top will break(i know of three within 2o miles of me that broke already)
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Ca346
Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 2:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well you live in OHIO. No wonder! It snows! The sun is always shining here in California. I'll give you a report on it at the 2 year mark...

Besides, I have seen that thing bend like a horseshoe from the wind here last month (60MPH) and it is still KICKING B*TT. Course my Lightning 4+ is better....
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Bullet
Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 10:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

ca346,

thats the way skip works at times.

your imax works a different take off angle than that of the 4 element quad.(polarization is still a full 1 wave length and uses a 1/4 wave length matching system)

ive out talked my six element quad before on a antron 99 because of the different take of angles and how that relates to where i was talking in skip land.

one had better conditions so to speak than the other at that time. wait 20 minutes and the other may start to have condition.

i guess thats why i like having a few antennas up so i can switch off for the best contact.

happy new year
bullet
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Jon666
Intermediate Member
Username: Jon666

Post Number: 101
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 6:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i would like one but it cost over 30dollars just to ship ouch that would be over a hundered dollars for a 70 dollar ant.
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Ca346
Advanced Member
Username: Ca346

Post Number: 598
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 7:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's WORTH it! bobman3
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Nlmadog
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Username: Nlmadog

Post Number: 26
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 12:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Picked up my IMAX2000 and GP kit today.Got it locally and saved the shipping.Can not wait to see how I get out.What is the best coating for the fiberglass?
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833

Post Number: 564
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 2:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

cs346: If you choose to insulate your guy wires, place them at 9 feet or more from the base of the antenna. You would be better off not insulating them at all.

Nlmadog: Coat with any non lead paint. I use lacquer from spray cans, but spray lacquer is not available everywhere. More important than what you coat it with is how you prep the surface first. Remove ALL the wax and surface oils. I use lacquer thinner and many rags.

Alsworld: No punishment required. Many explanations could exist. One being that skywave conditions change by the second. Unless you were switching antennas quickly, and while talking (every second or so) it was not a fair comparison.
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Ca346
Advanced Member
Username: Ca346

Post Number: 602
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 11:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

833:

I will use the 9 foot length you suggest IF I take it down and add the insulators. I'm not sure anymore where I got the 7 foot length from? Maybe the ARRL handbook? Thanks.
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 82
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 3:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What is the Band width of the Imax? I mean can you get from 26.600 or even 26.965 to 29.700?
-----------------------



Bob

It will easily cover "MORE" than 2 MHz and still have a SWR under a 2.0:1 as long as you are using a good grade of coax. Using cheap coax between a good radio and antenna can spoil the whole works.

Jeff
Tech548
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 88
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 6:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks again Jeff. I've been using RG-8x Belden Cable with Amphenol PL259 Connectors. Is this going to be good enough, or do I need to upgrade the coax? And if I do upgrade the coax with the RG-8x jumpers be good enough?
Thanks agian
Bob
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 89
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 6:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

By the way the length is only 50 feet so I'm not sure how much difference that will make.

Thanks again
Bob
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Mikefromms
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Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 225
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 9:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The rg8x should fit the bill. Some guys around here use nothing else.

mikefromms
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 90
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 11:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Mike, I do run about 150 watts rms and was wondering if the RG-8x would be ok or not. Since I'm getting a new antenna it would be the time to put up new coax too if I needed it. I used to tun that really heavey stiff coax years ago (1970's), but recently got back into radio and when I first set up my base used the mini 8 or RG-8x. again it's only 50 feet so I've been using it the last couple of years, but just wanted to be sure it was good enough to use with the new radio and antenna.

Thanks again
Bob
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Mikefromms
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Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 234
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 11:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

RG-8x should give you good performance and little loss. The coax is small and not so unsightly. I know you will enjoy your setup. Be sure to ground every piece of equipment. This something I've really come to believe in as of late.

mikefromms
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Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 140
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 7:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

One last thing before the antenna gets here. I was told that the antenna was set up dead center for 11 meters right out of the box and rarely needed adjustment, but I saw that Ca346 had to adjust his. I saw it was only a small turn to get a great deal of improvment. But is it normal to have to mess with the SWR with a new I-Max?

Thanks in advance
Bob
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Ca346
Advanced Member
Username: Ca346

Post Number: 938
Registered: 8-2003


Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 10:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Do not adjust it unless you are using wire guy wires like I did. They were reacting to cause the SWR to go up. But I was also looking to get the center closer to channel 38 than 20. I did not insulate the guy wires at the base like I did for the tower I have.
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 143
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 1:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for clearing that up for me Ca346. I had heard they were preset at the factory for the 11 meter band, but...

Thanks again and maybe this weekend I'll have a radio
Bob
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Tech833
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Username: Tech833

Post Number: 816
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 4:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Do NOT be afraid to move the rings on the Imax 2000. First of all, the rings are just a fine tune, they have very little effect for a lot of movement. It is a non-volatile adjustment. If you find that your adjustment was not wanted, just put them back somewhere near the center and you are back where you started from.
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 153
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 7:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tech833 thanks for the advice. I've adjusted the SWR on a few mobiles and a couple of base antennas in the last couple of years. But that Antron 99 that wouldn't tune got me a little nervous about trying to mess with the rings at all. On the A-99 it went from 1.2.1 at 26.285 to 1.5.1 at about 27.205, and 2.0.1 at 27.385. and when I tried to set the rings in the center it ran up to 3.5.1 pretty wierd stuff. I just found out my meter had some problems but don't know if it was effecting the SWR, but am not going to play with it until I set the new antenna up hopefully this weekend
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Sanddiegoduner
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Username: Sanddiegoduner

Post Number: 25
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 12:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ahh I got my IMAX 2k back up today (24 feet to the feed point). Working like a charm as usual. Nice low SWR across the whole CB band. I can't wait until this weekends Net.
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 157
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 4:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sanddiegoduner what kind of SWR are you getting across the band? Mine isn't here yet. But I'm just curios what I might expect.

Thanks
Bob
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Sanddiegoduner
Junior Member
Username: Sanddiegoduner

Post Number: 32
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 4:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Across 1-40 it's under 1:1.1 if that gives you an idea of what this antenna is capable of. Mine is several years old and the fibreglass has faded. The best advice I can give you is Make sure you have an excellent ground for the antenna and ground all your equipment in the shack. I read that you only have a single piece of copper pipe driven in a few feet. I have 2-3 ground rods (8 foot long each) driven in the ground. My antenna location is not in the best location on my property but it's in the spot that hides it the best (I hate HOA's). Feed it with good coax and you should get out with no problems. Your going to love your IMAX 2k just like almost all owners of this antenna. Give me a shout this weekend on 13 lsb for the net (CEF 373).
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 158
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 4:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sanddiegoduner as far as the ground goes there is no top soil here on the up slope of Sugarloaf Mountain in Big Bear at 7200 feet, but I have #10 solid core copper that I will have running form the antenna to a rod that I can drive as deep as possible, about 2 1/2-3 feet. I do here a few stations in San Diego but never made the trip dwon to them. But I will deffenitly be listening in 13 LSB.

Thanks for the response
Bob
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 159
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 7:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I got the antenna up and it works great. THe locals say that station even is cleaner sounding. I made a quick DX contact to Florida on low power and got flowera, and the SWR is just what everyone said it would be. I can't go as high on the 10 meter band as I had hoped, but the C.B. band is covered with a 1.2.1. what a relief.

Thanks to everyone for youor patience and thoughts concerning the problems I've been having here.
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 162
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 8:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think it's sort of strange that the SWR goes from flat at 24-900 to 1.5 at 28.300 and 2.0.1 at 29.000 I guess it would just take a little time to tune it, but right now I'm just happy that it's under 1.5.1 acrossed the 11 meter band. I have also been told the audio is cleaner sounding by locals. That was a pretty cool surprise.
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Tech548
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Username: Tech548

Post Number: 232
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 9:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bob

Lol. I hope you're not complaining about that great SWR. And if you find that your old A-99 is undamaged afterall, keep it for future use.

Jeff.
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Sanddiegoduner
Junior Member
Username: Sanddiegoduner

Post Number: 33
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 9:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Bob are you on the air right now? What numbers do you go by on SSB?
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Tech833
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Username: Tech833

Post Number: 821
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 10:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bob, Run the tuning rings up a little. I have my Imax 2000 tubed to be flat on the CEF 10 meter frequency. It easily covers the whole 10 meter (and 12 meter) bands with useable SWR and it still covers the CB band under 1.5:1.
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Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 163
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 11:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Jeff No way am I complaining man what a relief it is to have antenna that works. As Far as that A-99 I have a sawsall that has it's name on it ;)

Thanks again Jeff you've and Tech833 have been life savers
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 164
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 11:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sanddiegoduner I was on and seacrhing on the band to see what I could find, but I have the computer in the house and the radio is in a shack in the back yard. Tell me when you want to try and I'll be there
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 165
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 11:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tech833 Thanks and I'll do that when I move the antenna. Right now I'm just happy that I have an antenna that will cover the 11 meter band without any strain, and the ears are better too. But I do want it to cover the 10 meter band so I will be tuning it within the nest week or so.

Thanks again you and Jeff have been a great help through all this B.S. and am glad you guys are out there for us.

Bob
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Bob_p
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Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 166
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 11:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh and Sanddiegoduner I am ussually at 38 LSB and go by 125 Southern California. I have a few other numbers, and probably should use the CEF number all the time just to try and make CEF contacts. But that number goes back to when I was in radio in the 1970's. I was in an offroad club and was given 125 back then.

Hope to talk to ya soon
Bob
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Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 169
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 5:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tech833 I set the SWR to be flat at 27.385 and have a 1.5.1 at 28.500 and 2.0.1 at 29.000. I can live with this. I also still have a 1.5.1 at 24.900 It changes alittle in the 26.000 range, but never goes past 1.5.1 or so.

Anyway When I get the ticket to transmit over 28.500 I'll worry about retuning it then.

But thanks for your assistance as always
Bob
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Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 332
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 10:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have another novice question about my antenna. I moved the antenna away from a tree and tree trunk the question is I had the antenna at 36-38 feet in the tree, and when I moved it I lowered the antenna to 30 feet. I was wondering if there would be a noticablle difference.

Also I now have about 20 feet of excess of coax is it worth it to trim the coax or just leave it intact?

Thanks in advance
Bob
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 3542
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 11:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bob p,

Yes you will notice a difference at 30'

ADD the G/P Kit.

Tech833 tested the Imax 2000 at different heights and Under 36' he Highly Recommends using the G/P Kit for Maximum Performance.


Lon
Tech808
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Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 333
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 1:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Lon appreciate the time to answer such a basic question..

73
Bob
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Ca346
Senior Member
Username: Ca346

Post Number: 1013
Registered: 8-2003


Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 10:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You may also want to coil and tape the excess coax right before it enters the radio shack. 8 inch diameter.
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Road_warrior
Member
Username: Road_warrior

Post Number: 55
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 10:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bob P.,

At 30' you probably would be better off with the
GPK. I have NO GPK on mine, at 32' or less i had trouble talking skip. I played around with the height and found 36'-40' to be great with DX.
Never tried it any higher.

jim/central PA/CEF 375
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Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 335
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 11:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ca346 Thanks I don't have allot of experiance trimming coax, and with the I-Max showing a dead short anyway I might just go ahead and do that. I bought the ends but....
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Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 336
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 1:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Road_warrior I have to say I have had pretty decent luck with DX. But then I'm 7200 feet high in the California mountains looking east and maybe that has something to do with it.

But I also wonder if I would have to retune the antenna with the GPK?
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Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548

Post Number: 289
Registered: 5-2004


Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 8:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bob_p

No. Retuning is not needed since there is no real electrical connection between the GPK and the antenna itself.

I'm curious to know why you can't have the base of the I-Max at 36 feet or above anymore.

Jeff
Tech548
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Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p

Post Number: 339
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 10:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi Jeff I don't have a tower and really don't have a place to put one. So I have a 3 foot tri-pod with a 10 foot section of mast pipe on which the I-Max sits. I was told not to go higher than 10 feet with the tri-pod so it sits at 30 feet to the feed point. I have plenty of mast pipe, and thought about putting another 5 feet on, but was told it would be too much with the I-Max.

Thanks for asking
Bob
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Road_warrior
Member
Username: Road_warrior

Post Number: 56
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 10:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bob P.,

yep, that would be nice living high on the mountain./ At lower heights, antennas start to get a higher angle of radiation. But, since your high, i'm not sure how a antenna would react.
Would any Tech like to answer this question???

Jim/central PA/ CEF 375

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