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Message |
    
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6820
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 12:00 am: | 
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This Topic has been moved here from the Open Section of the Forum.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Af579
Junior Member
Username: Af579
Post Number: 34
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 6:07 pm: |
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It is a shame such a good concept has such a poor structural design. We had a thunderstorm yesterday and the lower section buckled. I bought the darn thing just 5 months ago from copper so it wasn't even old. WAY TO GO SOLARCON! |
1861
Intermediate Member
Username: 1861
Post Number: 203
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 6:28 pm: |
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Hard to believe - mine has been up through many wind storms , blizzards , ice storms and thunder storms and still works perfect . There must have been a defect in the one you got . |
Leonard
Intermediate Member
Username: Leonard
Post Number: 129
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 6:48 pm: |
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Af579,I as well have I-max 2000 and like 1861 mine has been through snow,ice,straight line winds.
The darn thing was almost laying flat.
I agree with 1861 it has to be a defect from the factory.
And it is still going strong and I hope it keeps going.
Len/CEF#189/So,Minnesota |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5852
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 6:51 pm: |
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Very Strange,
Our's took 85+ MPH Wind shear that took the 50' Rohn Push up with 6-3/16" guy wires on it down and never even scratched the Imax.
Moderator136 seen the Mast pipe and it bent flat in half less than 3 inches right under the Imax.
The Imax survived but not the steel reinforced 1-1/2" mast it was attached to. 
Had 3 inches of Ice on it and Still perfect with no damage.
We have maybe 15 CEF members within 10 miles of us with the IMAX and none has ever had a problem with Ice or Wind damage over the years.
It could have just been a bad piece of fiberglass.
Try contacting Solorcon direct and they may re-place it for you at no charge.
Solarcon Products
Tencom, LTD
7134 Railroad Street
Holland, Oh. 43528
1-800-445-3991
Please contact for RMA number
before returning product.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 530
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:05 pm: |
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Is it under some kind of waranty?
That is a lot of weight, there eventually has to be some of them that fail, just the law of averages. But I don't think it is unusual -unless you consider the fact that we kniw the guy who had the failure. I mean, there are so many Imax owners on this forum, it almost had to be an winner here?
I would think that you should get some kind of satisfaction from Solarcon? I am hoping so.
My Vertical failed this year, in a thunderstorm as well. Skylabs have been around since the 50's I think, and mine is the first that I know that has lost the GP struts in a storm. And this one has been through a couple much bigger storms -so I replaced it with another of the same brand (also from Copper's).
Stuff happens. |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1925
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:36 pm: |
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Aww heck just get a roll of duct tape and bind her up,probly be stronger than new,like a splint.Alittle polyurethane for sun and water and you're good to go.Bigbob |
Al_lafon
Junior Member
Username: Al_lafon
Post Number: 26
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:50 pm: |
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HELLO ALL I HAVE ONE NOW AND I BET THE ONE
HERE HAD A FACTORY FLAW IF I WERE YOU I WRITE THE FACTORY AND GIVE THEM THE FACTS THEY MAY REPLACE IT GIVE IT A TRY. |
Moderator136
Moderator
Username: Moderator136
Post Number: 28
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:55 pm: |
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Af579 Good grief did you have a f-18 fighter buzz the I-max???? Just kidding.
Know a bunch of members that has them , and had them up for years. I also have one up. It had ice on it last winter over a inch thick. Still up there and working great.
Defects dose happen and as Tech808 says get in touch with Solarcon. They are good antennas and I still recommend them. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.
moderator136
CEF136
kc0svc |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 591
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 9:45 pm: |
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Never had trouble with my Imax 2000 either
with mother nature.
But, today we were taking down my Imax
and it got away from us and it crashed into
the top railing of my fence. Busted in half!
Duct tape won't help this guy.
AF579, yours was probably a factory defect.
JIM/ PA/ CEF 375 |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 534
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 10:07 pm: |
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Road Warrier: That is why I don't have a IMAX up yet, I was afraid it would break a neighbor in half. Or the fense. I have one coming later this summer and I am preparing the location with guy wires etc....
It seems that every big DX signal I get, is radiated off an Imax 2000.
The guy I had in Florida today had a Antron, only because he lives residential in Florida... Too close to the neighbore.
I found myself thinking -if he would go higher than 20 feet and get a IMAX 2000, he would be blowing my roof off.
There is no getting around it, there is no antenna that compares in performance.
There are two kind of people -those who have Imax antennas, and the rest of us, lilly livered cowards. LOL |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 536
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 11:04 pm: |
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Road Warrior. You picked the wrong week to loose all your antennas.
This is the best run on skip, that I have ever seen.
If the fense wasn't damaged, maybe that Imax is not as good an antenna -like we thought? LOL... |
Starface
Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 50
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 12:58 am: |
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If My 2 cents is worth anything this day my Imax 2000 with the gpk on it went though Hurricane Charlie,Frances,Ivan and Mean Jeane last season (summer)and I'm still talking on it to this day,
Just For note tho:
The 2000 was new last year and was put up just 2 month's before the hurricane's
One tough Antenna is all I can say they talk well with any radio....
Now If I can just find a great Beam Antenna that is easy to put together????
at one point in time I was looking at the Jo-Gunn Smoking Gunn II but from what I've seen here a lot of folks are saying Jo-Gunn isn't all they crack up to be, Some have even said Jo-Gunn them self Fib just to get a sell.
So what would be the best Beam for around $300.00 or less and don't have those back door wires on them?
Now I'm not all knowing of beams but I have seen many beams here in Florida with those wires on the back door and they are just hang down off just one element .
So where do I turn to from here for a great beam?
CEF#476
Starface
Auburndale,Florida |
Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 106
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 1:48 am: |
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I was skeptical about all the things they were saying about the I-Max 2000. Finally I broke down and put one up, and I am not one bit sorry.
I had two inches of ice hanging on it and never harmed it a bit. They are the best antenna out there and that is forty plus years experience
speaking.
Semper Fi!!!
Unit199
Harve
CEF210 |
Yankee
Advanced Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 593
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 2:29 am: |
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My I-MAX was one of the first in the Oklahoma City area when they first came on the market. I'm the second owner. Where I'm located is out in the open on a hill and we get up to 85 MPH flat winds and the wind did a number on the top threads of the two top sections. But I got lucky my nearest CB neighbor (14 miles west) had the two top sections from one he dropped from 50 feet high, his mast is sections of the steel sucker rod that is used in oil well drilling. When the mast fell it hit him and broke his hip and the bottom section of the antenna. He has since repaired the top sections from my I-MAX and still has them in his barn. This all took place like maybe three-four years ago and I've not had a problem with the I-MAX since.
Carl CEF-357  |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 434
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 7:16 am: |
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I believe the I Max is a good antenna but to say every Big DX signal is from the I Max is crazy/LOL, out of all the Big DX stations I talked to most were beams and aluminum GP antennas and just a few I Max 2000 antennas.
I just put a new I max up that I got free with a radio purchase at the same hight as my maco v and when switching from one to another people say my signal drops a bit wnen on I Max.
I think people put them up cause of ease of instalation ,price and space. I firmly believe that if the maco v was put in place of every I Max it would be as good or better.
AP |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 538
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 9:14 am: |
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Like "Little Timmy" said at the age of 4, when he was spanked, didn't cry ....when asked why he didn't cry, he said....
"If you'r gonna act stupid, you gotta get tough."
I went with it because the Imax was so heavy and wind resistant. I made no failing accusations when the Skylab ground plane struts were blown asunder. I bought another Skylab.
If you opt for the big muscle IMAX, you gotta be prepared for that "big monster" to react to some high winds. Get tough and suck it up!
All things considered, the IMAX is still an inexpensive antenna, even when they break.
And I am still expecting Solarcon to do "something" for you. |
Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 790
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 11:08 am: |
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Starface, I have had very good luck with my JoGunn, I have the 4 element conventional, the only thing I would do if I was buying again would be get a bigger one! Good luck with whatever you choose. BTW I had a friend that had an I Max up for a month, broke at the first section! I think aluminum antennas perform better, at least they always have for me, no bleedsticks on my antenna farm!
Rich |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2706
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 11:12 am: |
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I can't speak for the I-Max but my A-99 stood up through 4 hurricanes but alass the poor top one rapped around it's mounting pole in 100 MPH winds! Losses here ONE TOPONE and a Super scanner ( not cb ) Scanner antenna ..... chineese stainless steel bent ...... AND hurricane season begins in one week .....
Note Florida has a HURRICANE SUPPLY TAX FREE WEEK ...... I'm checking to see if BUDWISER falls under supplys. |
Yankee
Advanced Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 597
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 11:08 pm: |
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Roger on getting in a good supply of that good Bud beer |
Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld
Post Number: 917
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 12:17 am: |
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I would contact Solarcon and see what kind of assistance they can provide. Digital pictures also help.
I have also put my IMAX 2000 thru hell and back without fault, including dropping during setup numerous times. Bent up the GPK bracket more than once but the radials and antenna always fared trouble free
I bet they will send you a new lower section at no cost.
Alsworld |
Starface
Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 52
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 2:28 am: |
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Pig040
thanks for the reply
 |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1938
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 4:36 am: |
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Unless if and a big if,they somehow determine it was by something in the thunderstorm that caused it like a tornado,af579 you just may be very lucky,to have seen the effects of a tornado close up and lived to tell about it.Bigbob |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 586
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 12:12 am: |
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AF579: What was the resoloution of your antenna failure.
Is Solarcon going to do anything for you? |
Af579
Junior Member
Username: Af579
Post Number: 47
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 3:59 pm: |
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Yes they finally replaced it. They said it was an odd break. HUmm I have seen several break in the same spot in high winds. |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 770
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 8:36 pm: |
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Some parts of the country Imaxs just will
not survive. I have recently talked to some people
that live in real windy areas and they
snap like toothpicks.
AF579- If your second one breaks your have
to go with a different antenna. Hopefully,
the first one was defected. |
Chainsawiowa
Junior Member
Username: Chainsawiowa
Post Number: 47
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 9:02 pm: |
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I had the fiberglass or ABS plasic crack in mine, They replaced it for free just call them they are easy to deal with. |
Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass
Post Number: 377
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 10:19 am: |
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I have had my A99 up for over a year and it's been thru some pretty bad weather and no problems. There's a few bad apples in every bushel. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6762
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 10:29 am: |
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While Solorcaon / DAS (now) makes both antennas the A99 is a completely different antenna than the Imax 2000.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2142
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 10:57 am: |
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I have found in my own experience that you are better off with 10 feet of unsupported mast below the stick antennas,this transmits some of the swaying and bending force below the antenna,better to lose relatively cheap masting than an antenna as can be seen in Lon's photo.By the way Tech 808 how'd that I-max do horizontaly polarized?Bigbob |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 776
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 10:34 am: |
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That's true there Bigbob, but, if safety
is a factor than i wouldn't try unsupported
mast 10ft or over on a Imax 2000.
Best just to try the antenna of your choice
and see if it holds up to winds in your
area. Secure it safely and hope for the best.
If it don't hold up, try something different.
I remember back in 1976, I and six others
put up Stardusters in my area. High winter
winds hit in 1979 and took all seven out.
Tops all broke off in the same place. Some
of us also lost bottom radials, some didn't.
But, i have never had a fiberglass antenna
break or have heard of one breaking around here in winds. Of all the cber in the area, 85%
run the fiberglass antennas.
|
Hotwire
Intermediate Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 497
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 11:45 am: |
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We have 2 Imax antennas up here at home. Both have taken a weather beating and 1 even fell to the ground from around 30 feet. Other than having trouble getting the whips screwwed in and not cross threading all is well. Used a little bit of silicon lube on the threads and solved the problem. Tell ya what.... Whatching an Imax sway in the high wind for the first time will raise some eye brows for sure. |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 550
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 11:46 am: |
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Was out the other day and drove by one of the local cbers in town. His Imax was hanging over like a wet noodle bent at the base pointing down! I figure lightning got real close and melted it? Or maybe he ran a really big amp. Fiberglass wont melt will it? Had to be lightning. |
Saddletramp025
Intermediate Member
Username: Saddletramp025
Post Number: 107
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 3:22 pm: |
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All I can say about the I-max 2000 is that it survived Katrina even after a 50' fall, The beams, Not so good. |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 827
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 6:58 pm: |
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Sorry to hear about your beams there Saddletramp.
At least the Imax made it. Good luck on
getting things put back together.
JIM/ CEF 375
Central PA |
