IMAX2000 (1998 version) Vs MAX2000 (2016 version)

[9C1Driver]

I have had an IMAX 2000 up since 2008, it was purchased new in 1998 and used for three years by a local radio operator before I got it. Last week we had 70-80 mph winds and the mast pipe broke off at the tower, when the imax came down the threads between section one and two broke. This is too bad because it has been a great antenna. SWR on 11m was 1.1 and on 10m 1.7.

I purchased a MAX2000 new in 2016 as a backup. It should be noted this is not the new “Optimizer” version. This antenna is 4 inches shorter than the older antenna. It came tuned great for 10m but 11m is 2.1 to 2.3 SWR. I am having trouble getting it to cover what I want. I might try swapping out just the center section.

Pictures to follow.

 

[9C1Driver]

 

[doffo]

I am going to try to haul back the two Imax 2000 antennas I have. One was given to me around 2017. The 2nd one was from a lot of radios I picked up around the same time. One could use some help in protecting the fiber glass, but may as well do the same on the other one that is in better shape.

Didn't realize there was a difference on the Imax 2000 antennas. Did the Antron99 antennas fall the same fate?

 

[9C1Driver]

So three of those pics loaded twice sorry. You can see in order how much shorter each section is when they are lined up together. So I just got done swapping out the center section only and did not use the ground plane kit. I tilted the tower down real quick and plugged in a 5 foot section of mast with the imax and pushed it back up. SWR is 1.1 on channels 36-40 on 11m. Much to my surprise at 28.400 the SWR was only 1.4. These readings were on an mfj259c. This is just temporary but promising.

 

[9C1Driver]

I am going to try to haul back the two Imax 2000 antennas I have. One was given to me around 2017. The 2nd one was from a lot of radios I picked up around the same time. One could use some help in protecting the fiber glass, but may as well do the same on the other one that is in better shape.

Didn't realize there was a difference on the Imax 2000 antennas. Did the Antron99 antennas fall the same fate?

I don’t believe so because the Antron is 18 feet long. Supposedly the change with the IMAX antennas was so they could ship them cheaper since they are 24 feet long.

 

[nomadradio]

Tuning rings didn't help?

73