Is everyone measuring from the coax connector to the top of the top section with all sections assembled with the lockwashers?
Recon, good point Recon.
In my efforts to measure my old Imax I measured and recorded the individual element lengths for all individual parts from top to bottom.
I was only interested in the radiator length to use with my Eznec model of the Imax. I took my measurements with the antenna fully assembled, but I found it difficult to measure the overall length accurately with a tape measure.
So, I recently used my element length measurements and added them up. I could have made a mistake in adding or leaving a small measurement out. I no longer have my Imax. A Ham buddy I sold it too is recovering from a stroke...so he is not able to help me with measurements.
I also used the information in the images and text of the document below. Note here that Tech 833, the author, shows different dimensions that I recorded on my Imax. It is true we find different measurements from different folks. IMO, this is not quite the same as the recent questions raised about the Imax being noticeably shorter than in the past.
Click below for link to article "Imax 2000 Exposed":
http://www.copperelectronics.com/discus4/messages/7750/10782.html?1011570399
Take good note of the images to get the parts in mind. Also check the Schematic #1 closely as well. I see the bottom end of the Imax radiator wire near the middle of the brass capacitor and from there down it is 16" inches to the coax connector.
I also have the matching section including the wire inside the base section from the connector to the tip of the wire. I find the length of the area from the connector to the
center of the capacitor is about 16" inches. So, if one wants the length of the Old Imax radiating element, just take the overall length of 288" - 16" = 272" inches as measured from the bottom of the mounting bracket at the coax connector to center of the capacitor where the Imax radiator starts. The Imax radiator seems to be just floating above ground. Inside the capacitor the two PVC insulators are end to end with the wire plugs in the plastic. This places the radiator wire and the matching section wire close together with a small gap. This is my opinion.
My 27.205 MHz model I posted earlier uses the overall length dimension of 284.75" - 16" = 268.75" inches for the
Imax radiator length. Here the model shows resonance with the value of (R) resistance = 38.02 ohms and the value of (X) reactance = +J 1.501 ohms at 27.205 MHz, and SWR = 1.318. I tweaked the length to get the reactance as low as possible while maintaining the maximum gain possible. This is how I come to an overall length of 284.75" inches.
