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Imax 2000 from Palco

Robb

Robb

Honorary Member Silent Key
Dec 18, 2008
11,432
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Silicon Valley CA, Storm Lake IA
Just ordered the IMAX 2000 from Palco Electronics in Michigan. Had a friendly chat on the phone with a guy named 'Cory' - who took my order. I was relieved that the price of shipping that 8 ft box from Michigan to California was only $21 and it would be here in 4-5 days. Total price was $110 plus change. I can't argue with that price for a 5/8 wave with a reputation with loyal IMAX fans. I sure hope this was the right move! I've owned a 'Big Stick' before; but I am a loyal fan of aluminum antennas for the most part.
http://www.palcoelectronics.com/p1003823.aspx

I asked Cory if he was a member of WWRF, and he said no. I told him that it cost nothing to join, and he said he was very interested in joining and would probably do so later this evening. He's on the band from Michigan, and says that he runs a 'bit' of power thru his 99' and does his share of skip.

I bought the IMAX 2000 because of all the good reports that I've read about it. What sold me on this antenna was the fact that it has a flat SWR across several bands - 10, 12, and 15. Even capable of tuning it at 17 and 20 meters with 2:1 or less! Using a tuner makes it even possible to get 6 meters as well. The gain on it is also another important consideration. I don't think that gain on 20 meters is possible - but I will have to wait and see. The overall length of this model is 24 ft.
 
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moleculo said:
Did you get the Ground Plane Kit?
Click to expand...

No; I didn't.
That's an interesting question.
I'm wondering if putting up some measured length wires (2-1/4 wave of 20 meters, 2-1/4 wave of 17 meters, and so on...) for the 10-20 meter from the base of the antenna wouldn't be a better idea.
At least - I figure - it would help get the 17 and 20 meters with a better SWR.

I'm going to use it on my Ham radio too, so that I can finally get some trigger time on the upper Ham bands. My IC-718 doesn't TX/RX on 6 meters; but at least I can use it for 10-20 meters. Gonna go down to HRO and get som 9913 or LMR 400 - that is still up in the air. Need a couple of antenna switches - too.
Then - Thank God - I will be on the air!

What do y'all think about this plan?
 
Rob KI6USW said:
What do y'all think about this plan?
Click to expand...
The bandwidth of the Imax is less than 2MHz. Although your "tuner" will fool your radio, the SWR at the feedpoint (where SWR is measured) will be high. It may even arc as the feedpoint voltages increases.

The different length radials will do nothing to improve the mismatched antenna. Different length radials work well on a multi-band antenna that is resonant on the desired band. The Imax is NOT resonant unless you tune it for that band.

Besides, the tuning rings aren't actually "tuning" the resonant length of the antenna.

If you want a good and inexpensive antenna for the ham bands, feed two lengths of 55' wire with 450 ohm ladder line and use a tuner.

At the end of the day, EVERYTHING works, including the mismatched Imax2K, but some things work better.
 
Another thing you'll find about the Imax on 17 and even more so on 20 meters--- Noise! Lots of dreadful noise.

Not saying you didn't make a good purchase---I have an Imax and love it. But don't expect much out of it outside of 10/11 meters. 15 meters shows me a flat SWR on mine, but there just isn't much signal-wise. I flip the switch over to my W5GI "Mystery Antenna", and all kinds of signals will be popping out.
 
It is a OK antenna
Far from the worst
However far from the best also

I will use my Interceptor I-10K any day of the week
 
I don't know if I want a GPK for the IMAX now - after one of the above comments. The antenna is pretty quiet right now, as it is raining and night. During the day, the static rises to no more that 3-4dB's. Pretty good really. I also hooked up the OmegaForce, that radio absolutely is a really nice radio. Nice recieve, and great modulation/TX with the stock power mic. The TopGun modulator gets a lot of good reports with the IMAX. I have no problem getting out 15-20 miles from this antenna on AM; I don't even have the RF output up all of the way - only half way up. And that's inside urban sprawl - too. Additionally, I don't even have the system grounded with a grounding rod yet; as it is pouring rain right now. Got to wait a few days before I can...

BTW - The box that the antenna came in doesn't say 'IMAX 2000' on it; it just says 'MAX 2000'. The paperwork that came with it does say 'IMAX 2000' though.
 
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Your not alone. And I thought 1.5 Db worth of ground floor noise was H_LL. I just can't imagine what 3 DB's worth of noise sounds like. I have a good 1.4 SWR though. I too bought the Imax in hopes of a good install, but lots of problems arose for me here. Here's my sob story if you have a handkerchief handy. Who knows, you might have browsed this thread already. Take care, and (GOOD LUCK) to you. You'll need it. Next antenna I get will be a Astroplane, Maco 5/8th or some kind of other aluminum antenna. I might even throw up my Dip Pole that I have specifically tuned for 11 meter CB band. Gots to be better than the problems I'm dealing with now. Ciao.

http://www.worldwidedx.com/cb-band-...hannels-row-every-4th-channel-clear-bell.html
 

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