Copper Talk » Open Forum » Archived Messages » 2005 » 02/01/2005 to 02/29/2005 » Got Imax 2000 up in the top of that pine... « Previous Next »

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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 431
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2005 - 7:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow! and I don't mean this as this is new now and it is the latest and the greatest, I mean wow. This thing transmitt and receives...you just have to see what I mean. Use good coax.

Mikefromms
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Mdiver
Intermediate Member
Username: Mdiver

Post Number: 211
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2005 - 9:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How Hi (up) Mike going to do it myself and what coxal did you use
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Red_devil
Junior Member
Username: Red_devil

Post Number: 35
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2005 - 11:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK Mikefromms!

I once had an Antron 99 up in a pine tree in northwest Tennessee (Before the Imax). I'm with Mdiver on the question. How High up did you get that thing? I remember the pain of several 10' mast sections and grounding etc. I just smile when I hear of others using mother nature as their tower.

CEF 447
Red Devil - 392
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Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld

Post Number: 890
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2005 - 2:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have to ask Mike, what took you so long to finally purchase the IMAX 2000? Seems you've been talking about that antenna for years LOL!

Alsworld
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 432
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2005 - 8:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have been talking about it for years. I'm up about 65ft at the base of the antenna, not as high as I had first hoped to be, but the performance is incredible! It is outperforming the Thunder8 I had up. I guess that's because it is a longer antenna and the swr is always great. but you should hear the comments I'm getting and I really am hearing a lot farther. Now, the thunder8 when you pointed it directly on someone it did great but it really had gaps in it's coverage. Only when a station was right in front of the beam did it really shine. I guess I like the omni performance of this Imax. A friend of mine put it up there on a pole and I have a ground wire coming down from it to a 8 ft ground rod. The coax is LMR-400 and I have about a 10 ft. run of RG8x finishing the run into the house. The radio is a Magnum 257 with a SuperStar DM-257. The set up is getting a lot of attention. All of this is not to say that all I had before was bad, maybe not set up right, but I feel like I have the antenna I will keep, if I can keep it in that tree!

mikefromms
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Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld

Post Number: 893
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 2:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I hear that Mike. My IMAX 2000 sits at 55 ft to the antenna feedpoint up a tree. My coax is DavisRF Buryflex, 125ft solid run to my low pass filter. I made custom inserts coming through my window. All of my jumpers between various equipment inline is LMR-240 coax.

I have really liked the performance of the IMAX 2000. The only real improvement I plan on making when I get home is a Polyphaser and better grounding outside the home, mostly for lightning protection. We see little lightning where I live now, but all it takes is one hit....

Enjoy that antenna!

Alsworld
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 433
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 12:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am enjoying this antenna very much. I can't get over the ears. One station told me this is the best he ever heard me since he heard me broadcast off an astroplane 10 ft off the ground. This guy does not give out positive reports often. I'll be glad when some dx conditions come in so I can do some ssb and 10 meters.

mikefromms
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Timebomb
New member
Username: Timebomb

Post Number: 4
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 12:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've got an Antron 99 up 40ft. to feedpoint in a tree, and it works great, but all this talk about the Imax is making me want to take it down and replace it!

I used a method close to what Red devil mentioned, and used sections of 8ft. galvanized steel pipe for mast, and secured mast to tree with palet straps. 75 ft. of RG8U. Talks and hears really good, but I'm thinking it might be worth it to change to the 5/8 wave...
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 437
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 08, 2005 - 2:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If it ain't broke, don't fix it (or it probably will be if the warranty just ran out LOL). Of course that is your decision. I think the height really makes these antennas shine (Antrons and Imaxes). Mine is 65, maybe 67ft at the base. But the antenna is so long that puts the top at around 90+ feet. Whenever you do replace your antenna I would definately recommend the Imax.

All I can tell anyone is my experience. I must say that the tech's who do the test here know what they are talking about. The Astroplane for low height stations and the Imax 2000 for the way up in the air stations. I endorse this type of setup for "groundplanes." Still, I don't know of any junk copper sells in the way of groundplanes. You really can't go wrong here.

mikefromms

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