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IMAX 2000 Above M104 Beams

B

brharrison

Member
Dec 9, 2012
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I would like to mount my IMAX 2000 above my M104 Horizontal Beams, the tower is 100 ft.
My question is, how high above the M104 beams should I mount the IMAX? I have searched around and found some that say 9ft above and then I see where some have them mounted 1-2' above their beams. I do appreciate suggestions anyone can provide.

Respectfully,

BRH
 

for great local talking and groundwave just mount the imax on the tower
then mount the beam on a 30 or 40 foot tower by itself
 
At 100' is setup will not be cheap. I wouldn't risk the possible problems with the Imax. To many things can happen, and the Imax is not known as a durable antenna...even if the supporting mast is very durable.

Put the beam on the top with a suitable short mast, using a very good rotor, and mount the Imax 50'-70' on the side of the tower, or put it somewhere else.
 
Apologies for not being more specific. My 100' tower is already installed and beams are laying flat side with a yaesu rotor. Just curious about the IMAX mounted above. I've read positives and negatives.
 
Last edited:
If you go the high route for the Imax, just ensure each section if firmly tightened and sealed, maybe even use some thread lock compound. Seal the coax connection really well.

At that height, it will get the brunt of wind and weather. Hopefully, it will last a long time. If not, just swap it out for a new one. If you had no plans of running a bunch of power into the vertical, consider an Sirio GM. I noticed mine doesn't bend in the wind like my old Imax did.

Any pics of your tower?
 
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I, in the past, I ran a M104 with an A99 3' above it for years. No problems. The mast was a thick wall (Sched 80 I think) black gas pipe and turned it with a cheap rotor. It will work and the SWR will be ok ... Enjoy.
 
Just curious, I have "heard" that when you mount it close to the beam, that it actually makes the GP somewhat directional with the elements of the beam. As to say, it makes it shoot to the backside and frontside of the beam. Any truth to this, or is it just an old wives tale?

And more on topic, I agree with m42duster about sealing the threads and coax connection. My A99 really took a beating in North Texas, (even 90 mile an hour winds) and it held up really well for over 7 years.

Your 4 element and GP should make a killer combo! Good luck with it.

73,
RT307
 
9 times out of ten if I hear a tower was hit by lightning its a fiberglass antenna. I would use a aluminum one myself. I have a dual polarity beam and thats how I would go. And mount a dipole on a outrigger at 40 ft or so. But guess what.I dont own it lol. Do what feels good just throwing some ideas at ya but vertical does work better than flat for dx some of the time. Its nice talking to ground plaine antennas at 100 miles also but at 100 ft that groundplane would jam anyway .(y)
 
Ok

m42duster said:
If you go the high route for the Imax, just ensure each section if firmly tightened and sealed, maybe even use some thread lock compound. Seal the coax connection really well.

At that height, it will get the brunt of wind and weather. Hopefully, it will last a long time. If not, just swap it out for a new one. If you had no plans of running a bunch of power into the vertical, consider an Sirio GM. I noticed mine doesn't bend in the wind like my old Imax did.

Any pics of your tower?
Click to expand...

Thanks for that important piece of info!
 
Mr Clean said:
9 times out of ten if I hear a tower was hit by lightning its a fiberglass antenna. I would use a aluminum one myself. I have a dual polarity beam and thats how I would go. And mount a dipole on a outrigger at 40 ft or so. But guess what.I dont own it lol. Do what feels good just throwing some ideas at ya but vertical does work better than flat for dx some of the time. Its nice talking to ground plaine antennas at 100 miles also but at 100 ft that groundplane would jam anyway .(y)
Click to expand...

It has been said many times that a tower with a single verticle antenna,fiberglass or aluminum makes no difference, stands a bigger chance of being hit than a tower with large yagis because the yagis have many more sharp ends to aid in discharging static builtup. This of course assumes similar heights and locations.
 
Not unless someone wants to do it. It is a good idea to at least extend the mazt several feet above the topmost yagi to help divert strike energy away from the antennas directly. I mounted a six foot length of 3/4 inch copper pipe eith frayed stainless steel cable on it to act as a static dissapator on the top of my mast.
 

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