Imax 2000 only 7' off ground??

[CB590]

As most know I live in an HOA type mobile home park..

I have a post by my deck that goes up a tiny bit..

I was entertaining lashing a piece of fence top rail post to that and installing an Imax 2000 antenna to use as a base antenna..

Would mounting it so the feeepoint/base is only 7' or so off the ground be totally a waste?? I don't want the neighbors or onsite superintendent to really see it. I plan on painting it maybe brown to match the wood posts on the deck..

Will I need to tune the crap out of it?? Will it even tune up for me on 11m??

I will be using about 25-35' or LMR240 to feed it.. I don't plan on installing the GP kit as I don't have room..

Would the A99 be better for this whole thing? I heard stories of people just sitting them on the ground.. literally..

Help..

 

[Klondike Mike]

My present setup with an IMAX 2000 is not much better than yours at only 12ft. Not very good for local contacts (if there were any). See map below for DX contacts I was able to make;

 

[Mudfoot]

Optimal? No, but if it's all you got and can do, then go or it. You'll make contacts. You'll likely draw hate from the OCD parade rainers, though.

 

[Riverman]

Optimal? No, but if it's all you got and can do, then go or it. You'll make contacts. You'll likely draw hate from the OCD parade rainers, though.

OCD parade rainers.

That is downright hilarious. If that term isn't in Webster's next year, it should be!

 

[Riverman]

. . .

Sorry. Can't stop laughing.

 

[undertaker]

My Imax was 1.3 right out of the box.... Works for me

 

[Delta 1]

I live in a condo, have you thought about running a Di-pole ? I have one in my bedroom that I have had great success with.. that is shooting skip.. there's nobody else on the radio where I'm at, so it serves it's purpose, I was amazed when I first started using it, couldn't believe it got me out as well as it did.. running a RCI 2950DX about 40 watts (pep) .. being that your limited to how high you can go with it, you might want to give the Di-pole a try.. 73 Rick

 

[Dmans]

Optimal, No. Workable, Of course! Best of all it seems installation would be a breeze. So if it didn't work at all, you aren't out much time and expense.

Might be worth it to get access to a telescopic mast of 20'-30' that you could raise after dark and lower when pulling the plug at night. Might reach further and may not! Same installation trouble in my eyes.

Good Luck!

73's
David

 

[Mudfoot]

Park a beater out front with a whip on it.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Maybe put it up in the tree.

 

[CB590]

No tree out that side.. new bench on opposite side of house..

Do you think I will be able to get the swr low enough without the better height??

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I would think that the SWR would be OK even if it is not up high. Even if the tree is on the wrong side of the house, I would still try it. You could throw a line over a tall branch and tie it to the tip of the antenna and hoist it up. I have not seen it done this way but I would think that it could work. Just putting it out there.
Chris

 

[fourstringburn]

There is a saying that goes " any antenna is better than no antenna "

I live in an HOA and have been getting away with a wire dipole for years now.

I recently put a Maco 3 element about 14 ft high on the corner of my house. It sort of looks like a TV antenna anyway being horizontal and I'm allowed those along that it's not more than a certain height above the roof line.

Point is a low antenna still works for DX but not so good for local ground wave. DX is my preference anyway.

Work with what you got and you"ll do fine!

 

[357magnum]

I myself use a 30' galvanized steel push pole , I found it down back when I purchased my home . I attached my A-99 to it and put it up by myself fully extended . I look @ it now and say how in the H@#l do I do that ? I remember it being awkward but as some know when your're a one man band you do what you have to do ! Just stupidity on my part I knew those bolts were there for a reason . #dumbfrenchmanhere

 

[CB590]

I would think that the SWR would be OK even if it is not up high. Even if the tree is on the wrong side of the house, I would still try it. You could throw a line over a tall branch and tie it to the tip of the antenna and hoist it up. I have not seen it done this way but I would think that it could work. Just putting it out there.
Chris

Not my tree really. It's the development.

I'm just going to to do a top rail on the wood deck post and throw it up..

Can always put up just the post with a flag.. wait a week and then put up antenna on it.. give the post time to be seen and then ignored..