| Author |
Message |
    
Freebird
Intermediate Member
Username: Freebird
Post Number: 423
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 2:48 am: | 
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I looked up at my antenna today its an i max 2000 and the top section is just gone its not even there anymore.IM guessing it came off in the high winds we had here a few weeks ago.can i buy just the top section for the i max 2000?you know whats strange everyones signal is the same without the top section so im wondering what good it is anyway..hmmm |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 664
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 8:57 am: |
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How is the SWR with the top out, OK? |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 436
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 12:21 pm: |
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go 2 ratshack and get a 102ss whip works great |
Nobodyknows
Intermediate Member
Username: Nobodyknows
Post Number: 157
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 2:06 pm: |
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Hopefully you still have the reciept, Contact solarcon and see if they'll replace the broken part for free. You might have to pay shipping?
I think people have had good luck with solarcon replacing parts that break. It's worth a try.
I have a imax-2000 also, what kind of wind speed did you have when it broke? |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1568
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 2:37 pm: |
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Yeah, i would say your SWRS should be
sky-rocketed into the red.
I don't think they sell just the Top Section.
You will have to try a 102" whip like Dale
mentions or look around for a used Imax top
section or buy a new Imax... Did you ever find the Imax Top Section??? |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 665
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 3:33 pm: |
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Dale says "go 2 ratshack and get a 102ss whip works great"
I have heard that too and know of several that actually have 102" in the top and in all cases it did not, according to the owners, change a thing in their Imaxes. If that antenna, without the tip, tunes without a noticable difference in match and bandwidth, then my suspicion might be true, that the Imax actually radiates mostly off of the feed line.
I might even try a test with that idea. If true then there is a good chance that the length of the feed line is all that is really important in installing your Imax and it probably needs to be at least a wavelength would be my guess.
We will know something, when Freebird lets us know what he finds scanning the band a bit with his SWR meter on that broken Imax. If he is Ok then I might be right. Interesting situation here. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1569
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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Interesting indeed if those SWRS are ok
without the Top Section. |
Yankee
Senior Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 1227
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 6:15 pm: |
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If it's anything like my IMAX-2000 the threads on the top of the second section are all stripped out, so it wouldn't do much good to try any other top section.
I have the top section here in the house and the threads on it don't look to bad, I'm guessing the top of the second section is the problem and can be fixed with a heli-coil repair. |
Yankee
Senior Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 1228
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 8:16 pm: |
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I just finished an SWR test with just the first and second sections of my IMAX-2000 in the air, at 25 feet to the feed point, with about 60 feet of RG-8 coax.
These are the readings I got, CHNL. 1 SWR was 1.5, CHNL. 20 SWR was 1.5, CHNL. 40 SWR was just a hair above 1.5.
This test tells me that two sections of an IMAX-2000 is still usable. |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 897
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 9:28 pm: |
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If the imax radiated from the feedline I wonder how mine does so much better now that the feedline is FIRMLY attached to the tower that is insanely grounded?
BTW the Balun is gone Marconi! Seems getting the ERP up away from the sensitive gear was the ticket. ALSO my Imax had a darn good SWR laying on the ground, with 3' of feedline going to it 
As for good SWR. My dummy load has a great SWR but makes a really crummy antenna
chad |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 899
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 10:42 pm: |
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See what reports you get on that 2/3's sized Imax! I would get the 9 foot whip if it would fit. Might even improve recieve...if that is possible.
Mikefromms |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 666
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 1:20 am: |
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Well Yankee, that is an interesting report that tends to confirm my opinion of the Imax and what Freebird reports. I am going to try two elements of the Imax also if Freebird confirms to us it doesn't make much difference on his. I could be wrong, cause it don't make sense, but I'm thinking that my Imax radiates pretty good from the feed line as well as the radiator. |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 440
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
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i wonder what he found out?im curious now how my imax would work with a 102ss whip.trying 2 quite my recieve has alot of white noise.might even try the gpk dont know |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 170
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 2:46 pm: |
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Hey Yankee, you say that the threads on the top part of your second section are stripped. How did this happen? Was it from the top whip constantly going back and forth in the wind? How long did it take to get stripped? Thanks. |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 670
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 3:48 pm: |
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Well guys, I only went 10' high and that provides only a 1/4 wavelength of feed line in the vertical and I used a 1/2 wl line cut for the middle of 11 meters and let it go to the earth before turning away. Plus I wasn't too far away from my 5 element beam antenna.
Freebird and Yankee both got more favorable readings. They were likely using longer lines and the antennas being higher also could make a difference. Not likely that line losses just made them look better. I used an analyzer to look at my match.
Earlier reported readings would have been adversly affected somewhat by the feed line length and the location of the SWR meters in the lines, particularly with the match way out of kilter as the antennas would have been. Likely a classic case of the old adage; "low SWR for the wrong reasons." My readings are also skewed due to the tuned line and resonant antenna being at much different frequencies.
X=+28 to +37 across the 11 meter band and was like +8 at 28.900>. This would tend correctly towards theory.
R=41 to 45 across the same span 27.200 - 28.900 at less that 2.0:1 SWR with 1.8:1 being the lowest reading.
The resistance is OK, but the reactance is out of whack even while showing less than 2.0:1 SWR all the way. A likely higher SWR exists due to my mis match in line and antenna frequencies. Probably a big factor in all of our testing due to the error.
Yes the antenna probably will work without the tip, but I have a feeling it really needs it. Maybe it doesn't matter too much how long the tip is just as long as it is long enough. So maybe a 96" and 102" might just work about the same.
The matcher in these antennas control the feed point resistance exceptionally well. They are remarkable radiators, except maybe for a bit of excess noise when conditions are quite.
An effective ground plane and a nice balun or choke might just solve some of the problems with this one. Don't know if you could tell the difference or not, but if the noise would not be reduced then it probably is not worth the effort. Some report one way and other report the other.
Maybe you guys can give us a report of monitoring your shortened Imax and tell us if they show a big difference in RX or none. I don't recommend you TX on these elements while short without a tuner.
The Imax is still a curious beast. |
Moderator1516
Moderator
Username: Moderator1516
Post Number: 237
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 4:13 pm: |
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moderator1516
i sold a guy an a99 and he put it up without using lock washers between the sections. and he had the same problem ,top section came loose and
wore out the threads, so remember those lock washers are importantalso i put up one without the washers and later i noticed the swr varied ,took down the antenna nd the top section was loose,replaced washer noproblem
moderator 1516 |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 900
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 9:58 pm: |
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I also recommend heading to a fastener place and getting good SS lockwashers. Mine were loking a little worse for wear after a year and a half.
Chad |
Yankee
Senior Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 1230
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 1:02 am: |
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OK, this is no joke. This is the second time this has happened, within the past six years.
I'm only guessing, but the most resent second and top sections were only up there like maybe two and a half years now.
The 60 to 70 MPH flat winds we get here, just rocks the top section back and forth. Most of the time so about 6 foot of the 8 foot top section lays almost horizontal. I have always used the locking washers that came with the antenna.
I guess you people can understand if I raise another vertical omni antenna, it will be metal and no cheap one. Possible I'll get the best all metal 5/8 wave.
Or maybe I'll just continue working with just the PDL-ll and forget about a vertical omni directional antenna.
I did just that when I lived in Northeastern New York, for several years all I used was the PDL-ll with not a moments problem.
Carl |
Freebird
Intermediate Member
Username: Freebird
Post Number: 426
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 1:05 am: |
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My swr's are not good without the top section I just checked them.on ch 1 they are way high 2.5 ch20 they are 2.5 and ch 40 for some reason there a little lower about 2.2.This is the 2nd time the top section has come off.The first time it was the top section that came with the I max 2000.This time it was a 102" steel whip...IM going up on the roof after work tuesday to see if the SS whip is on the roof someplace...I may go back to the antron 99 im getting tired of the top blowing off this thing ugh.I had the antron up before this i wish i kept it. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1373
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 10:16 am: |
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Here's a possible help...
Once the top section has been attached (using the split washer). use 3M brand high strength electrical tape and stretch it about 20% as you wrap the joint between section 2 and 3, putting the tension in the direction that would further tighten the 3rd section into the second.
I installed the Imax 2000 I had at my office, then later at my home in this manner, and it took winds near 100 MPH for over a year. At my home, it gets windy nearly every afternoon. When I took the antenna down (to send it to Tech 808), it was still just as tight as the day it was erected. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1764
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 9:45 pm: |
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freebird, are you using a lock washer when you install the top section?
if not, the constant swaying in the wind is going to loosen it in a very short period of time,
no matter what you are using for the top section.
has anyone ever tried using a dab of locktite on the threads?
i bet this would help, but not sure of how good the electrical connection would be.
im thinking that it would be just fine. dont know.
electrical tape is a good idea, but here in vegas it would get too hot and melt away.
happens every time.
one thing i can tell you for sure; hand tightening is not good enough.
i dont care how strong you are.
you must use a pair of channel locks on the lower section to hold it in place, and a big crescent wrench on the upper section.
tighten it down until the washer is completely flat, and then try to tighten it some more.
aw heck, just wrap some fiberglass around the joint and be done with it. J/K!
later,
matt |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1580
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 6:29 am: |
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When i had mine up i used the 3 M Electrical
tape as Tech 833 mentions with coax seal
over-top the tape. |
Dcrusty
Junior Member
Username: Dcrusty
Post Number: 13
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 8:24 am: |
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I put mine up about five years ago, screwed everything togther real tight and used a product call plasti dip or plasti-kote on all of the screw in sections.It's flexible and won't crack or become brittle. It also waterproofs the connection so I used it on the coax connection also.It comes in about every color you can think and when you are done with the antenna you can do your tools!!! |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1434
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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On both of my Max 2000's I believe it was split type lock washers that came with the hardware. Maybe internal tooth lock washers would work better.
KV, Your right that you need to really tighten the sections but not to tight! While tightening mine I could feel that if I did it to much the stud would break. I used to be real bad at over tightening stuff, sometimes stripping bolts and even breaking them. one day I learned my lesson over tightening the drain plug in the aluminum gear oil case on my bike, but thats another story! Oh and beware using Locktite! You will never be able to take it apart with out a torch! 2 kinds of Locktite, red and blue. One is WAY stronger than the other so be careful.
Something else on the Max 2000s that may help new owners. Use WD 40 or silicon lube or 2 in 1 oil on the threads of the sections. It helps very much cause they are real easy to cross thread. Also once you start tightening them up it helps reduce the strain on the ends and you can get them as tight as possible with much less effort. I found this out the first time I assemled one and heard the creaking sound once the threads started getting tighter.73
Hotwire |
Drexel
Junior Member
Username: Drexel
Post Number: 26
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 11:49 am: |
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The top section of my I Max split wide open just above the connector.Read somewhere to take a 102 in steel whip and trim it down to same length as I Max top section and install on I Max. DID NOT WORK..... signal strength dropped 3 S units and antron out performed it. Taped the broken top section back together and reinstalled....Signal strength back up to normal.. |
Freebird
Intermediate Member
Username: Freebird
Post Number: 428
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 6:50 pm: |
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Sorry i cant remember if I put the lock washer on or not but i sure will remember this time lol...I did find the 102" steel whip it was in a small tree in my back yard.so It didnt break it just came off I have to take the antenna back down this weekend and put it back on with lock washer in hand i may try the tape thing to with it.where do I get 3M brand high strength electrical tape anyway?would HOME DEPOT or Walmart SELL this? |
Freebird
Intermediate Member
Username: Freebird
Post Number: 429
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 6:55 pm: |
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what is solercons phone number? I want to order a new top section and I hope its free since the one that came with my I max broke last year. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1585
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 7:13 pm: |
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Not sure if Solarcon is even still the company making those antennas.
3 M tape can be found at most Hardware stores. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 10215
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 7:24 pm: |
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From my post on:Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 3:59 pm:
OK, Here is the SCOOP!
The K-40 Antenna line was purchased by Das Inc. / DAS/Road Pro
They are NOT out of Business.
The  LINK for the K-40 Antenna's Web Site for CB ANTENNA's is below:
K-40 Antennas and Accessories (A Division of DAS Inc.)
Phone Support
1-800-228-1291
Monday through Friday
8:30am ~ 5:00pm EST
24 Hour Fax Support
1-800-311-3845
DAS Inc. / DAS Road-Pro is also the Company that purchased the Solarcon Line of Antennas ie: A-99 and IMAX 2000 and other Solarcon Antenna's.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9CEF
CVC#2 |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 454
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 10:42 pm: |
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neither maco5/8...lol |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 675
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 7:13 am: |
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Hey Drexel, what do you think the reason is for the SS whip not working in you install on the Imax? |
Cdn_superpower
Member
Username: Cdn_superpower
Post Number: 52
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 8:00 am: |
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The 9 foot whip works on the old shakespear bigsticks,back in the day, since the imax is 4- 8 foot sections, you need to trim your whip, nice lil stinger on top.(don't forget your neon light)
As for the threads, I swore somebody unscrewed mine but it was in the top of a tree.
I cranked that thing tight as I could and it unscrewed itself in some wind, threads intact.
Locktite would be the best idea, if not tack it with the welder or somthing. |
Drexel
Junior Member
Username: Drexel
Post Number: 28
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 12:01 pm: |
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Marconi. Do not know why the SS whip did not work. What I "Should Have Done" is to cut the whip a tad longer so I could have trimmed it as needed.The swr was a 3, so I quit using it.... |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 676
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 6:43 pm: |
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As far as I have been told, the 102" whip in the top will work just fine without cutting. It is longer, but maybe it doesn't make much difference. It stands to reason to cut the thing, it has a bigger diameter than the wire inside the top section and it is longer, but several guys I can rely on, tell me the full length will work. |
Milkman21218
Junior Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 45
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 9:57 pm: |
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Drexel,did you try to tune the rings for a better match? If not it may help. |
Drexel
Junior Member
Username: Drexel
Post Number: 29
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
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Thanks Milkman21218..No, I did not touch the tuning rings.
Marconi..Yes, I have heard the same thing. One guy here suggested putting one of the Francis Fiberglass whips on the I-Max. |
