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That is good to know The DB. Now it all depends on which can produce the best dispersion of angles for long DX and the lowest between the Solarcon MAX2000 and the Gain Master.

Maybe what I am experiencing on my very long haul DX 8,000 to 10,000 miles is relatively weak skip and blaming radiation angles.

I suppose it is hard to know which of your lobes actually got to it's destination and on how many hops compared with others local that made it through. (if you have split lobes as opposed to one nice big one from very low to mid range angles)

With the Sirio Gain Maser I think I know where I stand from a common mode issue, as the built in coaxial choke kills that off as far as I am aware.

With the Solarcon MAX2000 being an end fed 5/8 that could be more cantankerous and unpredictable due to any common mode being relative to coaxial lead lengths and absence of ground plane radials (in my existing set up)

I do have a ferrite based MJF 1:1 isolator I can employ under the IMAX. (Though oddly enough that says it should be put inline at the radio end)

I will have to try the MAX2000 out a few times to see how that shapes up in comparison. I imagine that would need to be built up experience as to rule out merely some days being better conditions than others.