Base New Imax wont tune 11m....this sucks

[lonestarbandit]

Think my current box is screwing up comparison numbers as you can see the wattage was different on 1 and 40 so I did 8 watt barefoot on channel 1 and 40 had to use the Dosy test center as the digital wont read that low in the spirit of duplicaple results. Not trying to mislead anyone.
My current box is on its last legs and I have to drive it extremely low off the 2950CD and most people know trying to run a 2950 below 2 watts that isnt modified in some way is difficult it doesn't like DK below 2 watts I got it there but its extremely touchy probably why the wattage numbers varied 1 and 40 on the digital.
So added some 8 watt DK barefoots to show yes it is that low with NightThumpers antenna mods.

 

[NightThumper]

Those are awesome numbers! Way to go Lonestarbandit…you rocked the house

 

[lonestarbandit]

Not at all. All credit to you my friend. Your idea and parts numbers.
I am just a hanger on, gleaning knowledge from those more endowed with out of the box thinking lol.

 

[NightThumper]

Success baby…it’s all about helping each other be successful

 

[twa77]

I just measured my old imax from around 2005. 94.5 95 95.5.

 

[Slowmover]

Gentlemen the parts and the results are in.
NightThumpers fix took a best of 1.45 and a worst of 1.6 on the Max2000 to now:

Channel 1 = 1.10
Channel 40 = 1.13

Rings are 3/4 way down.

I could probably adjust more but pain of death from the spouse helping if I continued.
I am beyond happy for those numbers and feel confident to hook my new box up when it arrives next week.

Good for ya!

 

[lonestarbandit]

Switched to my new backup KL203 and channel 18 modulated and unmodulated.
I know we dont check modulated SWR but just for giggles. This KL 203p hasnt got the best input tune but its new not staggering like my old palomar cobra. In any event its clear the fix has worked. I was afraid to run this before as it was showing a 1.7 SWR on deadkey prior to antenna mods.

 

[lonestarbandit]

ANNNDDDD I let the 10 ohm smoke outta the Kl203p. Was so jazzed over antenna performance forgot to turn the variable power down when I went off sideband and back to AM. I was looking at the meter wondering how a KL203p does 230 watts AM when I discovered it DOESN'T in a stinky bit of smoke lol thank God it was only a 120 dollar box lol. RIP mosfet box. Nice 120 dollar mistake but the weak old cobra 350 has resumed duties.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Dang that sucks about the amp but glad to hear the 10" spacer trick worked.

 

[lonestarbandit]

Luckily my hopperbuilt base box should be here next week. The KL203 was an unfortunant waste but not major in the grand scheme of things. 120 buck little box blown (by my own radio power setting not SWR) vs risking a 900.00 box with high SWR. I'm sad that my stupidity cost a box but thank God it was a cheap one. Yes I highly recommend NightThumpers fix.

 

[lonestarbandit]

Hopperbuilt is here and working "Bigly".
Also notice the SWR cant thank NightThumper enough for that fix.
Let the DX roll! Next dream a beam.

 

[NightThumper]

Damn those SWR’s are sweet! Hey how’s that hopper built working? How many pill? We need pics

 

[lonestarbandit]

Ignore the mess. *NEW style ICA cabinent*
Haven't taken the cover off to peek as I've seen his work quality and have no reason to assume it isnt the same on mine.

 

[NightThumper]

Nice baby nice!

 

[heffer]

I have the same antenna as of a year ago and was getting high s w r readings as well. I got a new antenna and new coax so at this point I had no idea what my issue was originally until I started to research and find out that the antenna in fact was shortened. I have been reading online about people adding an extension to the top third of the antenna, and another post on Facebook showing where a guy put a choke in. I just took my Max 2000 antenna down recently and I am trying to figure out where to go with it. People have told me within a fairly close to stands that I sound very far out. I seem to get it better with my Wilson 1000 mobile antenna than the Max 2000.