I have been comparing the Imax 2000 vs the Maco 5/8 wave antenna. Both have 5000 watt pep capabilities, just wondering what kind of success any of you have had with one or the other? I like that the new 2000 is longer and has more Bandwidth. Anyone have/use an Imax?
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Imax2000 antenna.
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I have used all of the variants. Repaired all of the variants. Tested all of the variants. The current Imax is trash. The old Imax is old. The Maco is not going to fall apart within 18 months, as an Imax will and won't have RF on the coax shield.
There is better than a Maco out there, but if I had to choose between them, I would pass on the Imax.
What should I look at that is better than the Maco? The other ones appear to be junk. Thanks
I really like the Imax because I can use it for 17M-10M with my tuner, 17M is only good when the conditions are Ok. I know its not as robust as my Maco 5/8's. I will say you want to limit the Imax to 1KW max!!!!!! The only time I have damaged the Imax is when running more the 1KW. It IS NOT SAFE TO 5KW as far as I have experienced. If your only going to use one band, either 11 or 10 meter I would suggest the Maco. If you are a Ham and want multi bands with a vertical I would say go with the Imax and a tuner. The ground plane kit is also needed for the Imax so don't skip that add on. When testing both side by side no one ever says one is so much better then the other and my receive is basically no difference either between the two. Both are mounted at 23' to the bottom of the support of the antenna base. Side by side is a bad statement, they are about 40' apart. As stated there are better options out there but these are the only two I have owned that are up in the air. I do have the Siro Vector 4000 but have not even opened the box yet.
The Ground plane kit is my Problem. My House is surrounded by Trees, so without hiring a Tree Trimmer to remove a lot of limbs and Branches, I'm leaning towards the Imax. I have had good luck with the A99 so far.
I've also got lots of branches to deal with, so radials were going to be an issue. I have an old IMAX and it works well.
Every fiberglass antenna I have used over the last 40 years gets wrapped in plastic automotive wiring loom. The loom becomes sacrificial. The UV rays eat it up instead of the fiberglass antenna. That's allowing me to get decades out of fiberglass antennas and whips that would otherwise only last a few years.
Every fiberglass antenna I have used over the last 40 years gets wrapped in plastic automotive wiring loom. The loom becomes sacrificial. The UV rays eat it up instead of the fiberglass antenna. That's allowing me to get decades out of fiberglass antennas and whips that would otherwise only last a few years.
Interesting! I imagine it takes multiple size loom to do it properly to match the Taper of the Antenna?
The Imax is only rated for 2,000 watts but that's a lot of power. I would try more than 1K on it.
Kindof depends on what you'd like and local WX conditions. Cheaper aluminum 5/8's may not stand up to high winds & ice. If you like the aluminum antennas and have hard conditions you can always get a Colossal 10K from Zero-Five Antennas. That'd be "the best" for heavy-duty construction and high power handing ...... but they come in currently at $509 bucks.
I'm using the new Imax with the extra little section for 11 meters and it is flat 1:1 SWR in CB. Also tunes very well on 10 & 12 meters and also works really good on 15 meters and with a good tuner will work on 17 and 6 meters. Being just a stick it has the least wind load of anything and it should last for years.
https://zerofive-antennas.com/product/colossal-10k-5-8-wave-heavy-duty-groundplane-antenna/
I'm using the new Imax with the extra little section for 11 meters and it is flat 1:1 SWR in CB. Also tunes very well on 10 & 12 meters and also works really good on 15 meters and with a good tuner will work on 17 and 6 meters. Being just a stick it has the least wind load of anything and it should last for years.
https://zerofive-antennas.com/product/colossal-10k-5-8-wave-heavy-duty-groundplane-antenna/
imax for multiband use and ease of install.
maco is what it is.
if both are at same height you never tell the difference in tx or rx.
pick whatever your budget allows,
wire verticle dipole will work just as good. cheaper.
maco is what it is.
if both are at same height you never tell the difference in tx or rx.
pick whatever your budget allows,
wire verticle dipole will work just as good. cheaper.
Good to know! Thanks for the Info. Did you have to adjust the Tuning Rings, or is it pretty much "plug and Play?
