As some of you know, I have a IMAX 2000. I have a couple posts about this antenna. One on AC crackling hum, (some may call it static), I call it received interference. In dealing with this Stray AC interference over the last couple months, led me to start getting a grip on my SWR.
They all say that the IMAX 2000's SWR is a good 1.4:1 on the meter right out of the box. Well, that might be so. At least mine was at first that is.
I use a PAL KW-1 SWR/Watt meter. But it was telling me that I was putting out 10 Watts on TX. Which led me to believe this meter was out of whack. Especially when I went to put the needle on (SET) right before getting my SWR reading. It was always 1.4:1. But it also always reads 10 Watts on TX.
I just now purchased a Workman SWR/Watt meter. Low & behold my SWR on channel 20 was a solid 1.5:1 and my TX wattage was about 5 Watts like it should be. But 1.5:1 is just way too much for my liking.
So up I went to the tuning rings on my IMAX. As I lowered the rings all the way down, (let's say from the 1/2 mark of the tuning threads and down to the bottom, I got nothing but a 1.6:1.
From the half way level of the tuning threads and all the way up, nothing but a solid 1.4:1 and no better.
What I wanted to know, is there anyone out here who has a better reading than a 1.4:1 on their Imax's? I'm just wondering if a Imax is even capable of a better SWR reading than the 1.4:1 from the factory.
Back in 1976 or 77 when I had the original Avanti Astroplane, I had nothing but a solid 1.1:1 always. Those were the good o'l days. I'm thinking it may be from a not so perfect solder job on my PL-259's. Not that I don't trust my own work, but sometimes I wonder.
Also, I wanted to know if there are other ways of improving one's SWR? Is it possible to raise or lower the antenna height to improve on this? I sometimes also wonder if my antenna is too high. 60' to the tip. Penny for your thoughts.
J.
They all say that the IMAX 2000's SWR is a good 1.4:1 on the meter right out of the box. Well, that might be so. At least mine was at first that is.
I use a PAL KW-1 SWR/Watt meter. But it was telling me that I was putting out 10 Watts on TX. Which led me to believe this meter was out of whack. Especially when I went to put the needle on (SET) right before getting my SWR reading. It was always 1.4:1. But it also always reads 10 Watts on TX.
I just now purchased a Workman SWR/Watt meter. Low & behold my SWR on channel 20 was a solid 1.5:1 and my TX wattage was about 5 Watts like it should be. But 1.5:1 is just way too much for my liking.
So up I went to the tuning rings on my IMAX. As I lowered the rings all the way down, (let's say from the 1/2 mark of the tuning threads and down to the bottom, I got nothing but a 1.6:1.
From the half way level of the tuning threads and all the way up, nothing but a solid 1.4:1 and no better.
What I wanted to know, is there anyone out here who has a better reading than a 1.4:1 on their Imax's? I'm just wondering if a Imax is even capable of a better SWR reading than the 1.4:1 from the factory.
Back in 1976 or 77 when I had the original Avanti Astroplane, I had nothing but a solid 1.1:1 always. Those were the good o'l days. I'm thinking it may be from a not so perfect solder job on my PL-259's. Not that I don't trust my own work, but sometimes I wonder.
Also, I wanted to know if there are other ways of improving one's SWR? Is it possible to raise or lower the antenna height to improve on this? I sometimes also wonder if my antenna is too high. 60' to the tip. Penny for your thoughts.
J.