maco 5/9 vs IMAX 2000 "POLL"

[AudioShockwav]

While waiting on Gary to reply, has anyone else used the Ringo for CB?

Yes I did very early in my radio adventures, years ago. I don't remember how much we pulled the top section out , but we got the SWR reasonable and I ran it for almost a year before replacing it.
At one point we tried loading the top of it with a fiberglass whip for the lower bands, that was a failure but I was a radio rookie and had no idea what I was doing ......
As for the OP, the answer is ,"It Depends"
If you are limited on space the I Max would be the choice, but if you have the room for a full 5/8 antenna with full length radials, I would consider the Maco best.
And with the uncertainty of the length and tuning of the current I Max models.....

73
Jeff

 

[Riverman]

The Ringo works great. Replace marginal hardware (didn't used to be this way) with stainless. Works very well if you have long horizons (think Kansas). They do require periodic maintenance.

Can it be lengthened adequately as it comes, or is a small additional piece of copper or aluminum needed for 11 meters use?

 

[AudioShockwav]

Can it be lengthened adequately as it comes, or is a small additional piece of copper or aluminum needed for 11 meters use?

I don't remember adding anything to it, but it was really years ago, I think I just used the stock tubing. And the ring on the bottom had plenty of adjustment.

73
Jeff

 

[Riverman]

I don't remember adding anything to it, but it was really years ago, I think I just used the stock tubing. And the ring on the bottom had plenty of adjustment.

73
Jeff

Cool. Thanks!

 

[GlocknSpiel]

I'd go with the Maco 5/8 all day long. These fishin poles are fine for what they are, but U/V attacks the glass, and you can expect one to deteriorate much quicker than the Maco.

And from first-hand experience, I can declare that lightning seems to be attracted to the fiberglass sticks like a magnet. This is probably due to the static buildup levels.This static builds up on ALL (even aluminum) antennas too, but they all seem to dissipate, or bleed it off better than the glass.. Now that's just my theory. All I know for certain is that lightning LOVES them!Add to this, the survive-ability of aluminum over glass sticks due to climate in addition to "U/V consumption" from the Sun.

Performance is comparable IMHO, but I would simply put it up there once and forgedaboudit. You just can't do that with an Imax2K and expect it to last 15 years. It won't down here in Fl anyway.

And no, I don't have a bone to pick with Imax2K's... It's what I'm using presently, and have had countless other fishin poles from all the former makers over the years. They all werked great for the short times they survived... Well --- Maybe the Antron99 sucked a bit performance-wise. JM $.02

 

[SuperLid]

While waiting on Gary to reply, has anyone else used the Ringo for CB?

I had an original Ringo in 1981. I bought it at Lafayette Radio as a temp antenna outside mounted to a window sash. I ran a Lafayette Comstat 25 or Telsat SSB-50A. It worked great for me.

 

[somicide]

I can declare that lightning seems to be attracted to the fiberglass sticks like a magnet.

thats the skin effect. nobody can put a rhyme or reason why skin effect exists yet its right there. its why RF burn exists, etc

the material used to conduct a signal (read: electricity) is irrelevant. the universe...aka sine waves, light itself, [insert anything here]...does not agree with math nor conductive material. define "vacuum"

basically, youre right. thats not a theory...peace

 

[Alexis Mercado]

I don't remember adding anything to it, but it was really years ago, I think I just used the stock tubing. And the ring on the bottom had plenty of adjustment.

73
Jeff

Remember, by that time, 11 meter Ringo Ranger was available as well as the 10 meter version. If there is any difference between these two antennas, I honestly don't know because I've never had either of them.

 

[hotrod]

Having owned the Imax and switching to a sirio 2016 . I'll take the aluminum any day over the fiberglass ..mainly cause the receive seems quiter .I never owned the maco but I would think results would be similar.also those fiberglass do have great swrs ,but so do dummyloads

 

[Rick330man]

My fiberglass antennas have lasted me 30 and 40 years because I always wrap them in wiring loom. The loom becomes sacrificial as the UV rays damage it instead of the antenna. My A99 is close to 20 years old. My IMAX is close to 15. The fibrglass on each is holding up fine. A Workman Bandit (A99 copy) that I put up years ago unprotected (without the loom wrap) delaminated and buckled under its own weight. It barely lasted two years.

The metal antennas need quality hardware. Stainless hardware, weather sealing, proper lubrication of fittings and occasional maintenance will make all the difference.

You can make either work. It depends largely on what you need. Someone dealing with HOA restrictions may need a "fishing pole". Others can go the aluminum route.