| Author |
Message |
    
Swamper
| | Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 6:43 pm: | 
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i have an old antron 99 up right now its about 12 years old but its getting kinda beat up and splintering.I was thinking about getting the army big stick since the db gain is more.I think its more than the i max 2000 also in db gain.does anyone out here own a army big stick?..will i get out better or hear better with it than the antron?
SWAMPER,
My Suggestion would be to go with the IMAX 2000.
PLEASE! check out TECH 833's REVIEW of the IMAX 2000 Exposed: in the SUBSCRIBER(Preview) Section
He has taken a lot of time and done a great job on Reviewing/testing of this antenna.
I have included links below so you can check out the Antenna and GP kit for it along with COPPERS Prices.
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodA65-00001+
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodA65-00005+
I think you would be much happier with the IMAX 2000 than the ARMY BIG STICK.
Just my thoughts!
Lon
tech808 |
Swamper
| | Posted on Sunday, September 29, 2002 - 11:44 pm: |
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thanks i will check out his REVIEW.one thing i want to know is what is the db gain of the i max 2000?..the army big stick is 12 dbi but on the site here it doesnt say anything about the db gain of the i max 2000.the army big stick is what 21 feet and the i max 2000 is 24 feet tall.hmmm ok im confused.what makes the i max 2000 better than the army big stick?.anyone?.thanks |
Tech833
| | Posted on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 1:06 pm: |
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The Imax 2000 has approximately 3 dBcd gain, the Shakespeare ABS has approximately 2.6 dBcd gain.
For more information about what dBcd means, look for a future article about it soon. |
Taz
| | Posted on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 11:36 am: |
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read the reveiw |
Marconi
| | Posted on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 11:08 am: |
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Swamper, I believe that a review of the BS is due soon. At this point, without really knowing, I believe the BS is fed a little differently. In fact it may be nothing more than a simple connections with maybe a capacitor in the circuit somewhere in the base section.
The BS is probably better constructed, which may add to the overall life. I am not sure you or your buddies could really tell a big difference if they were both up, side by side.
Marconi |
Swamper
| | Posted on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 4:14 pm: |
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well,im trying to figure if the army big stick is better or not than the i max 2000.to bad copper wont mail me both for free and i can test them both out and give a costomer review.oh well.anymore info please let me know..peace |
Taz
| | Posted on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 7:28 pm: |
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833 said it himself, the imax is better.
I have heard both and the imax smoked it, and the bigstick was actualy 1 mile closer and both at the same height. |
Tech833
| | Posted on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 10:07 pm: |
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Taz, Uncontrolled tests aren't a lot of help and can confuse outcome. There are a LOT of factors that can affect the signal from those two stations, many of which you cannot possibly consider or provide compensation for.
The Imax 2000 with GPK added has essentially the same pattern as the ABS will have at an elevated mounting position. However, the ABS is certainly going to be able to handle stronger winds than the Imax 2000 will. Also, if you choose the Imax 2000 without the GPK and mount it less than 20 feet above ground level, you will not get as clean of a pattern as the ABS would at that same low elevation. In that case, the ABS would give stronger horizon signals than the Imax 2000 would.
When choosing between these two antennas, first consider how windy it gets in your area. If it gets above 50 MPH on a regular basis- ABS. If not, next step:
The next thing is to consider the mounting height. For the most gain on the horizon, the Imax needs elevation. The ABS is not affected as much with its off-center feed system. Lower height- ABS, taller height- Imax.
The ABS review is coming soon. I have a couple other things to clean off my plate, then I will finish it. Neither antenna will outperform the other with any noticeable difference. These two antennas are very comparable when mounted above 40 feet (bottom of antenna above ground) in areas that do not experience high winds. Neither antenna would be a bad choice. |
Swamper
| | Posted on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 9:56 pm: |
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well it could be the guy who was using the big stick didnt have the army big stick ,he may of had the old big stick.Or maybe they guy with the i max had a better radio or his antenna is up higher or he may of been using an amp who knows.i still dont see anything on it that makes it a better antenna.peace....... |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 5:54 am: |
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Ok, not only have I heard both I have also used both.
I wasnt impressed with the bigstick.
Imax all the way. |
Marconi
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 1:21 pm: |
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Taz, did you have them side by side on a switch box when you made your observations? 833, it right.
Even if you have them side by side and did this check at the same time, it will not be a totally accurate evaluation. However, it is better than comparing something this week with something next week, if that is the way it happened.
Just another viewpoint!
Marconi |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 3:32 pm: |
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Exactly,
I used them side by side and I wasnt impressed with the big stick.
Imax all the way. |
Karatebutcher
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 5:20 pm: |
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I am running an old Big Stick, it is 25 years old, a two piece, sprayed black,by me , and I am still happy with it.I may put a rotor on it ,and this winter I will try to get Taz on it, |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 11:19 pm: |
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hahaha
why a rotor on a bigstick?
Omnis dont need rotors |
Karatebutcher
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 9:26 am: |
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HA HA HA HA GOT YOU , GONE FISHING WHERE WERE YOU ON LAST SAT DX ? |
Taz
| | Posted on Friday, October 04, 2002 - 2:34 am: |
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no, I was here. Listening to see who the reald ducks were.
Hehehe, you will all soon hear me. But for now Im doing some upgrades and some little projects. |
Swamper
| | Posted on Monday, October 07, 2002 - 10:25 pm: |
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oh well i still dont see anything that makes the i max better than the big stick,trying to find out is like pulling teeth..lol |
Marconi
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 7:00 am: |
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Swamper, there are probably differences in the Army type Big Stick and the old Big Stick and the Super Big Stick. I guess we will just have to wait until 833 gets his reports done and posted.
Marconi |
Tech833
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 12:17 pm: |
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Swamper,
I gave very precise information in a previous post comparing the Imax to the ABS for those making a purchasing decision between these two antennas. I don't know how I can make this any clearer than the last line of my post which was presented in context of mounting height above ground: "Lower height- ABS, taller height- Imax. " I reprint below:
The Imax 2000 with GPK added has essentially the same pattern as the ABS will have at an elevated mounting position. However, the ABS is certainly going to be able to handle stronger winds than the Imax 2000 will. Also, if you choose the Imax 2000 without the GPK and mount it less than 20 feet above ground level, you will not get as clean of a pattern as the ABS would at that same low elevation. In that case, the ABS would give stronger horizon signals than the Imax 2000 would.
When choosing between these two antennas, first consider how windy it gets in your area. If it gets above 50 MPH on a regular basis- ABS. If not, next step:
The next thing is to consider the mounting height. For the most gain on the horizon, the Imax needs elevation. The ABS is not affected as much with its off-center feed system. Lower height- ABS, taller height- Imax. |
Swamper
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 3:19 pm: |
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ok well im gonna mount the antenna about 40 feet from the ground so i guess i will go with the i max 2000.  |
Tech833
| | Posted on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 1:20 pm: |
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That would be wonderful! |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 10:52 pm: |
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Swamper, get the Army Big stick. You won't have to add the GP/kit. The Tech said they are about the same.
Mikefromms |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 10:54 pm: |
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What did you do, Swamper? We'd like to hear your thoughts on the antenna you chose?
mikefromms |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 10:41 pm: |
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Swamper, did you get the Imax 2000? Give us a report.
mikefromms |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 3:28 pm: |
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Mikefromms
He doesn't HAVE to get the GPK anyways. It was only used as a comparison with the ABS as far as the wave pattern was concerned at lower mounting levels. The GPK gives the Max (or the 99) NO gain on transmit.
But my question is, why would anyone want a Max if it's only going to be mounted at a low level? I see no advantage. As much as I love the I-Max, I know that there are other antennas out there that will out-perform the I-Max when mounted at low levels. And the ABS is just one of them.
However, when mounted at 35-40 feet and above, the I-Max is hard to beat. And it's FAR tougher (just ask Lon) than most people believe it to be AND it's bandpass is better than ANY antenna on the market today.
I've lost count how many times this very discussion has been done on this forum. I'm going to try to simpify what Tech833 has said many times before. Hopefully I'll get it right.
The ABS is a better choice at 20-35 feet above ground level. The I-Max (and Maco V-5000, Maco Alpha V 5/8) is a better choice than the ABS at 35 feet and above. This does not mean that one is better than the other. They both are superior designed antennas for BEST operation at DIFFERENT heights.
Jeff, kc0gxz |
Tech833
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 12:21 pm: |
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Nicely done. |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 7:16 am: |
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So if the tip of the antenna is above 35 feet you are going to get a little better performance from the Imax and Maco? Makes sense to me. Didn't think I'd be able to get over that height here but now find I can. Wow, I could have had a v-8! Heard that one before too, huh? The Astroplane is doing what I thought it would do now, except it is not as broadbanded as I thought. I'm enjoying it.
mikefromms |
Tech833
| | Posted on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 6:41 pm: |
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Mike, that 30 foot thing is the base of the antenna, not the tip. |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 2:39 pm: |
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Mikefromms
Read Tech's "Monday, September 30, 2002" post again. And then read his "Tuesday, October 08, 2002" again. I don't think you are understanding his comparison beteen the two (ABS and MAX) antennas.
He is painstakingly trying to explain the comparison between the two antennas with their bases mounted at the SAME level above earth ground at 20 feet or less.
No where in his posts did he mention antenna tip height because in this particular case, it is of little importance at a 20 foot or less base height unless you are putting the horizon in the equasion.
Bottom line, between these two antennas, ABS is the one to have at 30 feet and below. Max-2K for heights above that. This information comes from a highly trained antenna designer and engineer. End of story.
--------------------------------------------------
Many people have the tendency to buy a antenna based soley on that given antenna's advertized specs. They soon become dissapointed when they find that their antenna does not do what that advertizing claims. Your last post varifies that.
I have seen post after post written by you asking for comparison after comparison of the Max. You even STARTED one asking us if we would buy the I-Max again. And from all of the positive information you have received from the owners of the Max, you're still not convinced.
If you were to get one yourself and hook it to that new coax you just recently bought, mount the base higher than 30-35 feet, your SWR problems would be over and it would band farther than you would probably ever use. Only then will you see for yourself what the rest of us Max owners are telling you is true.
Or do you need more tests and comparisons done on it? You don't know what your missing pal. Get a Max-2K from Copper and find out. Only then will you know. By now, you should be an expert on them.
Jeff, kc0gxz.
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Mikefromms
| | Posted on Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 2:31 pm: |
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I'm convinced. Thanks for all the help. Think I'll put the AP up for sale.
mikefromms |
Twa77
| | Posted on Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 4:03 pm: |
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how much mike |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 8:56 pm: |
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I'm going to sell locally so I won't have to ship. It's assembled and I will probably let someone haul it off in a truck. Thanks for asking.
mikefromms |
Twa77
| | Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 10:02 pm: |
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ok thanks anyway i'll probably get it from copper. so your gonna get a imax. i think you will like it.
peace
tony |
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