I MAX-2000 Questions & Concerns

[FLA727]

I recently picked up the MAX 2000 antenna for my base setup. I finally got it connected and in the air; currently about 23’ from ground to antenna base (I need an extra set of hands to raise it up to 30’). I am using about a 65’ run of LMR 400 and the antenna is grounded to my home service ground.

On the initial SWR test I was getting around 2.0 – 2.3. I was under the impression based on the antenna documentation the this was a great 11 meter out of the box antenna so I started searching only to find a lot of conflicting information.

I have read that the 3rd section (top) was recently (Jan 2020) shortened for shipping compliance by Solarcon and most of the post I have found are fairly old.

I have seen on a variety or boards people have replaced the 3rd section with a 102” whip but there is still a lot of conflicting opinions. I believe that I will need to lower the antenna and actually measure the 3rd section so that I can determine if I have an older version or the newer shorter one. I believe it needs to be 96.5” but need to look it up.

1. If it is the proper length, is this a matter of just adjusting the tuning rings?
2. Is there any documentation on the tuning rings so that I know how to adjust them? The instructions do not have any good details.
3. If it is not the proper length, can the 102” whip be used (trimmed or not trimmed)?
4. Would adding the Antron GPK-1 ground plane kit help the overall situation and performance?
5. Should I count as a loss and get a different antenna?

I have also read that you could add a 10” antenna riser but that seems to me that it would be too much additional length since supposedly the 3rd section was only shortened by about 1.18” (3 cm).

Again, there are so many opinions from none of the changes are true to almost that the antenna is worthless for 11 meter.

Unfortunately this entire project has been a whole lot more complicated than I originally planned on.

 

[KB4MSZ]

I can't attest to the accuracy of the information below, but this is what I found on the WB3ANQ website:

For CB operators… The rings should be already set from the factory to CB channel 20, (27.205MHz). This setting should provide an even SWR rise to the highest and lowest frequency of 11 meters. But if you use one specific channel most of the time, and wish to tune the antenna to that frequency, you can raise or lower the tuning rings for the lowest SWR on the channel of your choice. Raise the rings higher, for better SWR on the higher end of the 11 meter band. Or tune the rings lower for lower SWR on the lower end of the 11 meter band. When retuning the rings, move the rings only 1 full turn, then check the SWR. Keep moving the rings 1 full turn and checking the SWR until the SWR is as low as it can be.

Here is the site if you wish to read further;
The Solarcon I-MAX 2000 | HAM Radio site (wb3anq.com)

 

[FLA727]

I can't attest to the accuracy of the information below, but this is what I found on the WB3ANQ website:

For CB operators… The rings should be already set from the factory to CB channel 20, (27.205MHz). This setting should provide an even SWR rise to the highest and lowest frequency of 11 meters. But if you use one specific channel most of the time, and wish to tune the antenna to that frequency, you can raise or lower the tuning rings for the lowest SWR on the channel of your choice. Raise the rings higher, for better SWR on the higher end of the 11 meter band. Or tune the rings lower for lower SWR on the lower end of the 11 meter band. When retuning the rings, move the rings only 1 full turn, then check the SWR. Keep moving the rings 1 full turn and checking the SWR until the SWR is as low as it can be.

Here is the site if you wish to read further;
The Solarcon I-MAX 2000 | HAM Radio site (wb3anq.com)

Appreciate the info, I will go read it over.

 

[FPR1981]

Rooster from Rooster CB Connection says to avoid the new version of this antenna at all costs due to tuning issues. Dozens have reported issues.

I hate these fiberglass antennas anyhow. Give me aluminum any day.

 

[FPR1981]

There you go. I'm not sure how this pile of crap got such recognition. Get a Hy Gain Penetrator or anything Sirio. Send that IMAX back.

 

[FLA727]

There you go. I'm not sure how this pile of crap got such recognition. Get a Hy Gain Penetrator or anything Sirio. Send that IMAX back.

Unfortunately I am past the point of returns. I was messing with it last night and I am now getting anywhere from 1.7 to 1.5 SWR readings. I will mess with it a bit more this weekend and see but based on what you are sharing I may be at my best right now.

 

[FPR1981]

Unfortunately I am past the point of returns. I was messing with it last night and I am now getting anywhere from 1.7 to 1.5 SWR readings. I will mess with it a bit more this weekend and see but based on what you are sharing I may be at my best right now.

Invest in a good matcher. Although they are not the end all/be all, they have application in a scenario like this.

 

[FPR1981]

And not that I advocate running illegal output power, adding 100 or 200 watts would push that 1.7 well into the 2's and maybe even to a 3 if you decide to push more power.

 

[FLA727]

Invest in a good matcher. Although they are not the end all/be all, they have application in a scenario like this.

At first I was like what is a "matcher" but you just called it by a different name than I knew. I do have an inexpensive Astatic SWR meter but have been looking for a better meter for both SWR, Modulation and watts. I have for the most part been looking for a Dosy TC 4002. Any recommendations?

As far as the illegal power output, I'm not heading in that direction. For now, it looks like I will be sticking with my Galaxy 979 which I did have tuned and peaked but that is it.

 

[FPR1981]

At first I was like what is a "matcher" but you just called it by a different name than I knew. I do have an inexpensive Astatic SWR meter but have been looking for a better meter for both SWR, Modulation and watts. I have for the most part been looking for a Dosy TC 4002. Any recommendations?

As far as the illegal power output, I'm not heading in that direction. For now, it looks like I will be sticking with my Galaxy 979 which I did have tuned and peaked but that is it.

I am not talking about an SWR meter. I am talking about an antenna matcher. It allows you to tune down a marginally high SWR to help protect the radio, and it will yield a bit of performance back, but not all.

You find used ones on Ebay often. I got a Para Dynamics unit and a Barjan unit that are the exact same thing.

 

[FPR1981]

For whatever reason, affordable matchers are hard to find at the moment. I snagged a couple off of ebay recently. I have two PDC-300 SWR/power meters with a built in matcher.

A buddy had reflection issues off an attic dipole that pushed it up into the 2.5:1 area. I easily tuned him back down to a 1:1 match in order to protect the transceiver.

 

[FLA727]

For whatever reason, affordable matchers are hard to find at the moment. I snagged a couple off of ebay recently. I have two PDC-300 SWR/power meters with a built in matcher.

A buddy had reflection issues off an attic dipole that pushed it up into the 2.5:1 area. I easily tuned him back down to a 1:1 match in order to protect the transceiver.

Appreciate the info. I have discovered that stepping into a base setup is a bit more involved. I never had any issues with my mobile setups.

On the topic of a matcher, it looks like Para Dynamics the PDC30. Nothing fancy, an in & out for the coax and two knobs. Do you think this would do the job? The description definitely sounds that it should (Freq. Range: 0-30 Mhz. RF Power: 500PEP)

 

[FPR1981]

That is a fine matcher for the issue you're having

 

[FLA727]

That is a fine matcher for the issue you're having

Thank you for the advice and help.

 

[WA0CBW]

They are sometimes mistakenly called an antenna tuner. Neither of which corrects the problem but can make the transmitting device happy.
BB

 

[FLA727]

They are sometimes mistakenly called an antenna tuner. Neither of which corrects the problem but can make the transmitting device happy.
BB

I think my goal for the time will be to keep the transmitter happy. Later on this year I may just buy a different antenna.

 

[FLA727]

Concerning the tuning rings. Instructions basically just say which way to turn them to adjust SWR.

I was wondering about when tuning the antenna should the rings remains butted up against each other? Should they both move up or down in equal amounts of turns or would one ring may need adjusted more than the other?

 

[jhooten]

The rings stay together. They tighten against each to lock them in place.

 

[FLA727]

The rings stay together. They tighten against each to lock them in place.

Perhaps part of my problem then. Since it is "pre tuned" for 11 meter "out of the box" I did not mess with them but they were not tightened against each other and had about a 1/2 gap between them. Who knows how much they may have moved from their original position during shipping.

Thanks!

 

[KB4MSZ]

Curious, are you using an antenna analyzer to tune this?