| Author |
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Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2001 - 10:38 pm: | 
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Are those new imax 2000 antennas any good? |
Wm Pokora
| | Posted on Saturday, June 02, 2001 - 8:57 pm: |
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The Imax2000 is Very good. I HAD and a99 with gp. kit. a Shakespear(army stick) Swr. were a little high It did not recive as well as the 99 But it wasmade well. I use the 2000 now And Like it alot . Swr. were 1.1 across the CB. band out of the box on adjustment needed .Its very flexable it sways in the wind!.Water boy |
Billy J.
| | Posted on Sunday, June 03, 2001 - 4:31 pm: |
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Thanks for the info Water Boy. But sadly its too late! I already ordered another A-99 from copper and should be here soon,Oh well there's always a next time I guess. Can you tell any difference as far as Trans/Rec compared to an A-99? |
Wm Pokora
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 9:15 pm: |
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Bill The a99 & Imax recive about the same( mine had a GP. kit on it) the Imax does trans. better! I live on LI. And the Gel coat went bad. When it was damp or raining the SWR. Went up a little also the top section had a small crack in it. Maby i had run to much power to it?? I like the Imax but it is tall 24ft. The wind moves it a little. |
Jerry Bryant
| | Posted on Monday, June 11, 2001 - 12:12 pm: |
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I personally like better the Sigma 4 which is a three quarter wave antenna. |
bullet/151 southern Indiana
| | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 1:39 am: |
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i dought if you hit it with to much power(the imax
2000) its rated at 5000+ watts.
ive also had the abs1600 army big stick(disapointing!)and the A99 with gp kit works fine but am always looking to improve the station.
i might pick up an imax 2000 or signal's thunder-8
or might make a home brew and see how it does. |
youngblood
| | Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2001 - 4:15 am: |
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i work the i-max 2000 and i have operator from all over the states and even europe comes to my shack and ask me where is your beam.i change it because you hear too much and you know a vertical easier to bother your neighbor.i worked about 120 countries with the i-max2000.i now run a jo-gunn 6 convential horizontal and believe me i talk more places on the 2000.dont get me wrong i love the one i have now. |
HAM CBer
| | Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2001 - 1:21 pm: |
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The Sigma V is actually not an electrical 3/4 wave antenna. If it was, it would have negative gain on the horizon. The Sigma is actually similar to a J-pole antenna and the effective radiating length is a 1/2 wave. The bottom 'tomato plant stand' is the phasing element of the J folded to shorten the overall length. The effective antenna is the portion above the ring and up. The advantage to the Sigma antenna is that the angle of radiation is very flat and low which does produce a significant gain on the horizon over a 1/2 wave end fed dipole. Having seen the field pattern of many antennas first hand, I can easily recommend the Sigma.
The Signal Engineering Thunder-8 is a remarkable antenna. If you do get one, you should not be disappointed. You should notice that the receive performance is quite a bit above average. |
Adam Valleau
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 - 12:47 pm: |
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Well, I just posted on the Cobra 2000 GTL I just picked up, and it and the Washington will be running thru the Solarcon Imax 2000 (which I picked up right here at Copper!). So far, the Imax 2000 is doing a great job for me. The SWR is well less than 1.5 all across the band and I can easily get 25-30 miles all around on SSB, even on low power. It is not mounted especially high, about 25 feet off the ground and only 9 or 10 feet above the roof (it is mounted on a telescoing mast attached to the side of the house). But, it seems to do very well! I LIKE it!
Adam in Baltimore |
vernonott
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 - 3:09 pm: |
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You now possess one of the last good Cobra's made. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 3:30 am: |
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I just bought an Imax 2K but am having problems with it. My RCI 2970 (second gen. model... jumpers for channel switch) sounds fine in my truck but when I transmit on the Imax it's breaking up. I have a Alinco DM-330MV power supply. 27' of RG8U coax. The Antenna is mounted on two 10' sections of fence top rail mounted to the side of my house. The antenna clears the roof by a good 16' at minimum. I know the coax is good and the power supply is working properly. What could possibly be causing my SSB break up. I checked the antenna for the proper shorting and open. Am I really reading the antenna manual correctly when they write the center conductor is shorted (closed circuit) with the alum. mounting plate? Should the alum. mounting plate be grounded? I have an 8' ground rod that is used for this antenna. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks guys 73's.
Paul |
vernonott
| | Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 8:08 pm: |
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What are you doing with 27'of coax? |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 10:45 pm: |
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Well my antenna is mounted right outside of my radio room. 50' is too long and will dangle over and onto the side walk just below my window. I want to run as little coax I can. The SWR for the antenna is 1.3 on one and 1.2 on 40. It gets better the higher up I go. Where should the ground be connected? What would you recommend I do? |
vernonott
| | Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2001 - 9:53 am: |
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I can't tell you what I do is right or wrong but I run 100' of coax . The excess I coil up in a three foot coil and place under my desk.The ground is attached to the bottom area of the mast.Have you tryed turning down your mike gain ? |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 11:02 pm: |
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hey Paul the coax is the proper lenght for the coax you are using if you can get away with it being this short any multiple of 13'6" will be fine and you have 2 multiples which is ok. When you say its breaking up, is it worbling on sideband or just going in and out. If its worbling that is the words are sounding funny that will probaly be a power problem. The sideband needs very stable power regulation, it could be in the radio or poor regulation from your power supply. You lights on your radio shouldn't flicker or dim any more on the power supply that it does when it in your vehicle. I would try a new power supply if its dimming very much. It sould also be putting out 13.6 just like the alternator. Good hunting. Daveb |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 11:07 pm: |
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Hey Ham CBer, what is the angle of radiation on the sigma V. I heard that the 5/8 wave antenna had the best low angle radiation. That what my manuals show. Do you have any links that show the comparison of these two antenna. Pls post and let me know. Thanks Daveb |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 12:26 am: |
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Thanks Daveb. My powersupply is brand new and is putting out 13.8v's. My radio is drawing up to about 18-20 amps on sideband with the power turned up on the radio. I keep is on the lowest setting and it's still breaking up like it's power starved. When it's on low power it's drawing maybe 8-10 amps. Everything sounds fine in my truck so it's got to be one of 4 things. Power supply (doubtful), Coax (I tested in my moble and it sounded fine), Antenna (everything tests out according to the booklet in the manual but who knows unless I can get another radio hooked up to it), and last is the ground rod (I drove a 8' copper plated ground rod into the ground... maybe I'll drive another one in just to be sure) Pretty much I'm stuck with a useless base setup that receives awesome but can't get out. Maybe 307 will stop in and give some advice.
Paul |
HAM CBer
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 2:30 am: |
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I'm going to have to wait before handing out any more information for public view. I am forced to keep my distance from the forums until the user name and password thing in implememnted. Sorry.
The REAL 'HAM CBer'. |
Harpoonman
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 11:10 am: |
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Anonymous,
Frankly, and I admit that I don't know nearly as much about radio as many others here on the Forum, I don't see how your antenna could be the problem. I mean, it doesn't make sense to me that the unstable, "warbling" sound you are getting on SSB would be caused by the antenna. Problems with your antenna would certainly cause loss of power between the radio and the antenna and thus reduce the effective output and reduce the distance your transmitted signal will travel, but unless maybe a very high SWR (which you don't appear to have) exists that might cause the radio to "act up" somehow, I just don't see how the antenna could cause this effect.
I was trying to run a Realistic TRC 465 AM/SSB mobile along with a very small mobile amplifier from the same regulated power supply earlier this summer. The amp only supplied 2.5-3.0 amps maximum, and so all my transmissions when using the rf amp sounded fuzzy and distorted. I was starving for power, basically. When I turned off the amp, the radio on SSB sounded great. So, I got a larger capacity power supply.
Is your Alnico power supply regulated? If not, it might be causing this problem. Although I realize this may not be easy, I suggest getting another radio that pulls fewer amps when transmitting and that you know works well, and trying it out on the Alnico and IMAX-2000 and see what happens. You might also try another power supply, if you can get a hold of one, OR try reducing your base radio's output power, if this can be done. I think your base is not getting enough power from the power supply for some reason.
Good luck!
Adam |
vernonott
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 12:11 pm: |
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I understand where you are coming from.My name has been used a few times for post that I didn't make. |
Forum Master
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 1:32 pm: |
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If someone forges a post using your name please let me know as soon as possible. I can track them using a couple of different methods. It will help me identify and eliminate the trouble makers.
Thanks,
Forum Master |
HAM CBer
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 5:58 pm: |
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I'll just wait. I don't have the energy or time to go through all the threads to see if someone is posing as me while handing out erroneous information. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 9:14 pm: |
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Adam thanks for the reply but I've tried the radio on low power 18 watts and have tried hooking it up to a car battery that is known to be good since I use it in my truck. There is only 3 things it can be. The antenna, coax, and the ground. Well maybe four since I haven't tried to move my antenna to a different location and trying it there. I'm going to try some more coax first since maybe the lenght is within the antennas wavelenght causing feedback into itself. Any other opinions?
Paul |
HAM CBer
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 1:31 am: |
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Paul,
Sounds exactly like RF feedback into your microphone/mic cord/audio amp/etc. Put a .001 uF capacitor across the audio hot and ground and see if that does away with it.
That was a freebie. I'm back on the side just watching.... |
Dgood1
| | Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2001 - 12:43 pm: |
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Paul,
If possible run your coax to your truck and try it. You might also try a ground wire to your chassis when the unit is in the house. Have you done an ohms check on your connections?
Don |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2001 - 3:25 pm: |
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Don,
I've tried the coax in my truck and it's fine. No shorts in the coax. I have checked the resistance of the coax and it's fine. I have ground the chassis of the radio and replaced the D104 with the stock mike. It's working a little better now but things still aren't 100%. Thanks for the reply though.
Paul |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2001 - 11:32 pm: |
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Paul if the problem persist, I would recommend taking it into a good cb shop and have them look at it on the scope using your power supply and radio then thiers. That will tell if its a power and unstable frec. shift. It may cost less to put in on a good service tech bench that to repair by trail and error. Good luck Daveb |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 2:17 am: |
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Daveb I think the problem is solved. I believe my ground was not doing the job it should have been doing. Anyway I've done some good DX'ing for the last few days. I must say this Imax sure does send out a good signal. Australia will know me by my first name if these awesome conditions keep up.
Thanks again everyone for your help and suggestions.
73's
Paul (911 San Diego, CA) |
Bill
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2002 - 9:13 pm: |
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Anonymous:
I was reading a bit on your suggestion to use 13'6" multiples of coax legnth. I would guess that you are talking about RG-8 vs. RG-58U or minne "8". However I do not think that it really matters. I am no mental giant when it comes to antennas and coax, correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that coax had to be cut in multiples that would divede into 36'0" as this is a full wave legnth.
I have just ordered an Imax 2K and need all the correct information I can get before setting it up. I have had a A-99 with a GPK that I have used in Alaska and here in Texas. I was very happy with it, as it would perform almost as well as my PDL-2 on vertical. However I have heard a lot of positive things about the I-2K.
The onley problem I encountered with the A-99 was the fiberglass splitting on the bottom section. Should I expect the same problem with the I-2K?
I will welcome any suggestions in this matter.
Bill K. (Mavrick}
P.S. I will welcome anyones commets and suggestions.
Thanks Again |
Vernonott
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2002 - 3:45 pm: |
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Bill: I have refiberglassed several A99's.It doesn't effect the output or receive and the extra strength is great for high wind,snow and sleet. |
Bill
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2002 - 7:07 pm: |
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Vernonott:
Thanks for the fast reply!
I had not really thought of that idea before. I will definitely consider this with the I-2K.
Thanks again for the help.
Bill |
Galileo
| | Posted on Monday, February 04, 2002 - 8:55 pm: |
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Could also be a filter capacitor in your power supply..i have had that create a warble sound before.. |
Nc621
| | Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 10:28 am: |
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I run a RCI 2980 base station and connect to a new Shakespeare NBS2010 5/8 wave Big Stick using RG-213/U.
I'm very unhappy with the SWR on the Shakespeare. Yes, it's non-tuneable, military-rugged, and handles more watts than I would know what to do with. Oh, and more expensive too.
I've tried different lengths of coax, but to no avail. I have a RF choke at the 213 connection on the antenna and still get bleedover on the stereo downstairs.
I'll be pulling the Shakespeare down and replacing it. Does anyone have any suggestions for an antenna? I've ran Antron 99's before, but prefer the radiation wave of a 5/8 wave for a base station.
Thanks!
JT
De Opresso Liber |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 3:34 pm: |
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Nc621,
what kind of SWR's are you talking?
Where/how is the antenna mounted?
Does it just come over your downstairs stereo and nothing else?
More feedback, or start a new post. This one is kind of old and long. I suspect it's the mounting location of your antenna but it's just a hunch. More info will help us solve your problem.
Alsworld
799North West Florida |
Ironmask
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 11:07 pm: |
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NC621
Thru past experience I would highly recommend the I-10K 5/8 wave ground plane antenna.
I was faced with TVI and low reception with my previous antenna.
Since installing the I-10K fron Jay in the Mojave I have great transmit, great receive and NO TVI.
I suggest you go to the side board under search-keyword you will find the review from more knowledgeable persons than I. You will get a better product than the money you spend. |
Nc621
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 11:50 pm: |
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The company is taking the Shakespeare back without charging a stocking fee. Great. I have ordered a I-MAX 2000 and GPK; expected to arrive in about 3 days.
The I-MAX will be mounted to the side of my chimney about 8 ft. up. Having a GPK will do well to lift and reduce the RF footprint below the antenna connecting point to the mast; thereby reducing TVI caused by downward radiation. I'm glad it's not a Antron 99 GPK; how can you run 4' as grounding elements on 11 meters?! LOL Ludicruous! Pull them off and replace them with 4 102" steel whips for better resonance. |
Tech833
| | Posted on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 12:30 am: |
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ANY aluminum antenna (not just the I-10K) can be made TVI and intermod free. Simply sand the surfaces of ALL of the aluminum pieces where they will meet. Keep an eye open for an upcoming article about this very subject. |
bruce
| | Posted on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 5:42 am: |
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833
In 40 years i can't ever remember any of the dozzens of antennas i used causing TVI and all were aluminum. Not that extreamly coroded connections cant do that they can and your comment about clean conections being a sound idea but well maby ive just been very lucky! My DI-6 52 meg 5/8 wave is 30 years old and still working fine its due for a good clean up but proves that a well made antenna will last many years. Cushcraft was bad with using materials that turned to dust quicky but they have improved greatly in the last 20 years and make a very good ant now. Just my thoughts....
Bruce |
Tech833
| | Posted on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 11:30 am: |
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I have a 1/2 wave 10 meter aluminum antenna made and installed over 30 years ago that is still up at my mom's house. Looks almost new, unreal. Every time I go visit my mom, I try to remember to look up at it and see if it is broken yet. I forgot what brand it is, but I am thinking Avanti. Maybe one of these days if I ever get in to HF again, I'll go over there and take it down and install it at my house. |
Rfburns
| | Posted on Sunday, January 12, 2003 - 2:55 am: |
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Hi All.
I need to know what the most power that the Low Loss Clear Jacketed RG8X can safely handle both RMS/PEP in a Base Station application? It says 98% Shield on it. The total coax run is between 110-125Ft. Thanking you in advance for your help and you replies.
73',
RF BURNS |
Tech833
| | Posted on Sunday, January 12, 2003 - 12:33 pm: |
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Less than 1 KW PEP for a 100 foot run. I would guess that the RMS would be 500 watts safely. |
CBblackbeard
| | Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 11:07 pm: |
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I am considering buying a Solarcon A99 base antenna. I live in an apartment building that is aprox. 86' tall and I will be mounting the antenna on the roof with 100' of coax straight down to my radio. I need some feedback about the A99 antenna. Is it a good antenna? What can I expect with this set up? |
Tech808
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 9:13 am: |
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CBblackbeard,
My Suggestion would be to spend the extra money and get the Imax 2000.
You will not be sorry and the performance will be much better.
Click on the Link Below for Specifications.
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodA65-00001+
Just my thought's.
Lon
Tech808
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Ca346
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 2:37 pm: |
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Spend the extra $25 and get the COPPER IMAX 2000.
I am continually amazed at the signals from that antenna when I talk to people and find out they are using one. I also have one on my garage/shop radio and it really brings in the signals.
At 86ft for the base of the antenna, the tip of the IMAX would be at 110ft! What a station! |
Pig040
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 10:21 am: |
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I home-made an antenna using parts of an old colinear antenna and aluminum tubing, recieves and transmits better than my 99 did, in the same mounting location. When I had my PDL II the book said to cut the coax in 14 ft multiples, dont know why. Is the multiple thing an old wives tale? I have heard old-timers say 13 ft multiples for anything. Is there any truth to this?? |
Cm3885
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 11:59 am: |
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I know my moonraker book says that too. I never could understand what it meant.. |
Sitm
Junior Member
Username: Sitm
Post Number: 14
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 10:35 am: |
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Received the Imax 2000 last night at five pm. Had it up over sixty feet and transmitting at six fifteen pm. Standing wave was as low as I have ever seen it. Stations that I had transmitted on before were 2 to 3 S higher, clearer, less background noise. I have a fellow radio operator less than quarter of a mile from me with a radio that transmits around 20 watts, he always got stronger signal reports than me by 2 S, now people are saying my signal is clearer and stronger than his, the radio I was talking on transmits 10 watts. He is on an antron 99 and we are at the same heighth. So I tell you, this antenna is a very good purchase, easy to install, great standing wave, didn't have to touch the rings. I talked to a station 47 miles from me (we checked the map and did as crow flies) that was getting 4 signal strength on my station. I was getting the same from him. He also was on a Imax 2000, just installed that night and he reported hearing and talking to stations that he couldn't get before. Order one while they last. |
Chris Thompson (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 4:16 pm: |
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For the anonymous person.I had probs with ssb receive and transmit sounding like being under water and, to cut a long story short, I moved my power supply away from the radio and solved the problem. Too simple eh? Chris |
