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Message |
    
Sitm
Intermediate Member
Username: Sitm
Post Number: 213
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 2:08 pm: | 
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Went out this morning and rattled the tower rungs tower the Imax is on (just at 60 feet). That generally shakes the ice off, as it did today. One of the ice chucks that came down had the little rubber boot that is on the end of the Imax on it. Question is, how concerned should I be. I checked the SWR and it read, as usual 1.27 on channel 20. I have no intentions of trying to fix it until spring. I will take it down and while putting some new coax (purchases from copper electronics at a fine price) I will replace the tip then. Any ideas? |
Canal_digger
Member
Username: Canal_digger
Post Number: 50
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 9:04 pm: |
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I think that tip is there to prevent long-term fraying of the top of that fiberglass whip more than "waterproofing" the internal wire. I suppose you could take superglue and/or tape and do the job come spring? Keep an eye on the swr, but sounds like there's no performance issues at this time. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2702
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 9:54 am: |
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I think it is more of a cosmetic thing and like what Canal Digger is talking about. The copper antenna is intombed in the fiberglass so no water is going to penetrate.
Throughout the years myself and many other have ran FB antennas with the rubber cap missing. As long as we never smacked tree limbs to hard no damage occured.
Over time like anything manmade the weather will take its toll on the fiberglass starting with the tip and withering it.
Kenny
CEF491
Reading the mail around Indianapolis Indiana!
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Sitm
Intermediate Member
Username: Sitm
Post Number: 214
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 11:21 am: |
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Thanks guys, there has been no swr change, even through this last ice storm. This spring I will bring it down and give it a good coating and replace the tip. |
Canal_digger
Member
Username: Canal_digger
Post Number: 51
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 1:21 pm: |
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One more point... I noticed last year after a serious ice storm my Imax bent over more than a 90 degree angle. I freaked out a little thinking about what I'd have to do to salvage if it broke, but it survived and after the thaw, was pin-straight again. It might look whimpy, but thusfar it's been a hardy antenna. Here's to both of us not having to find out what the "shatter point" is on this thing...Cheers! |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 2252
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - 10:51 pm: |
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I had a friend who wasn't so lucky as you. His Imax broke from Ice last year. Glad to hear yours survived! Many people around here have Imaxs, all have survived for years, except the one i mentioned above. Maybe it was defected or something.
Cef 375
Tyrone, Pa 16686 |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2716
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 01, 2009 - 1:21 pm: |
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Both my Imax antennas have been troopers in the windy Indiana winters! Ice wind snow rain they are very tough! Have raised eyebrows in the wind a few times but hung in there.
Kenny
CEF491
Reading the mail around Indianapolis Indiana!
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Silvereagle
Junior Member
Username: Silvereagle
Post Number: 20
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 6:05 am: |
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How does the IMAX 2000 compare to the Antron A-99 with the radial kit installed? |
Sitm
Intermediate Member
Username: Sitm
Post Number: 233
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 1:16 pm: |
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I have been trying to find a replacement for the top section of the Imax antenna with no results. I have heard that the top section can be replaced with a fiberglass 102" whip, is this theory true? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 16531
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 2:12 pm: |
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Silvereagle,
A65-00002 Solarcon A99
[A65-00002] $53.99
18' Omni Directional Base Antenna
Fiberglass Base Ant., 18 ft. length
Operates on 10-12 Meters without Tuner, 9.9dbi
Handles 2000 Watts P.E.P.
Three Sections
1/2 wave over 1/4 wave tuned antenna
A65-00001 Solarcon IMAX 2000
[A65-00001] $95.99
IMAX 2000 5/8 Wave Base Antenna
SWR 25.5 MHz to 28.7 MHz
5/8 wavelength rad, 24 ft. long
Extended I-MAX center section
Outstanding gain
dbi is 8.2
Cb/Amateur Base Station Antenna
New, user friendly mounting system
Wide band width and high power handling capabilities
Lon
CEF#808~HAM#001/N9CEF
CVC#002
Tech808@copperelectronics.com
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