• To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:

    Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.

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    For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).

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IMAX 2k

KOK5CY

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
540
Location
Open Road
I had a close friend of mine talk me into buying this great antenna for my house base . Well after buying a 22’ push up pole and raising it up to 50’ and then checking the swr which is a 1.2 on the band . I start transmitting on lower side band and it’s like I’m not making any progress. Before I bought the antenna I read the reviews and the db gain was way more than I expected. I’ve got the pole / antenna 10 ‘ over the roof line and the mast might be 4’ away from the house but I don’t have the mast grounded . My friend told me that I wouldn’t need a ground plane kit but I’m starting to wish I had bought it. I can hear the skip fine but other people can’t hear me and my equipment works perfectly fine. 1 watt dead key , 12 watts of swing on SSB . I spent a lot of money on getting the station running. Just don’t know what to do or think? . Just need to know if I need a better antenna or just work with what I have?
 

alcahuete

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
2,558
Location
Antelope Acres, California
The vast majority of people you hear are likely using illegal amplifiers. 12w is fine for working DX...people do it on 5w or less all the time on the ham bands...but it is definitely not ideal. You're simply going to be crushed by all the people running illegal amplifiers.
 

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
2,360
Location
Fort Worth
40-50W describes an AM/SSB dual-final “Export” radio. Pretty much the start point.

It’s not enough juice to cause problems, but it should be enough to get your running head start. Adjust RF Power to suit.

ANYTONE AT5555-N2
RADIODDITY QT60

are pretty much the same. Incredible value for performance. Any pre-2023 radio needs another job.

IMG_5052.jpeg

There are other choices, besides.

IMO, add:
DRX-901 Speaker
MYANTENNAS CMC-130Ks Choke/Filter


.
 

prcguy

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
15,750
Location
So Cal - Richardson, TX - Tewksbury, MA
12w during a pile up on a busy channel like 38 can be difficult due to most people running much more power. If you go to a lesser used channel and start calling you might have better luck. I know a few people using an IMAX2000 and they put out a very respectable signal even at low power. A ground plane kit will help keep some RF off the coax but it’s not going to make any significant difference.
 

KOK5CY

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
540
Location
Open Road
I’m currently using a president Lincoln 2+ @ 25 watts . Probably need to get a ground plane kit .
Thanks again for the suggestion .
 

Dr_DX

Newbie
Joined
Jul 18, 2024
Messages
1
Location
Down around the Alamo
I had a close friend of mine talk me into buying this great antenna for my house base . Well after buying a 22’ push up pole and raising it up to 50’ and then checking the swr which is a 1.2 on the band . I start transmitting on lower side band and it’s like I’m not making any progress. Before I bought the antenna I read the reviews and the db gain was way more than I expected. I’ve got the pole / antenna 10 ‘ over the roof line and the mast might be 4’ away from the house but I don’t have the mast grounded . My friend told me that I wouldn’t need a ground plane kit but I’m starting to wish I had bought it. I can hear the skip fine but other people can’t hear me and my equipment works perfectly fine. 1 watt dead key , 12 watts of swing on SSB . I spent a lot of money on getting the station running. Just don’t know what to do or think? . Just need to know if I need a better antenna or just work with what I have?

If the Imax2000 was made in the last 3 years, it is made for 10 meters (unlike the old ones). Make sure you have the "Optimizer" - a 12" extension - that will lengthen the antenna so it will work properly on 11 meters. It is cheapest to buy them both at the same time, but you can buy just the 12" section (for crazy $$$). That will get your 1.2 down to flat and help with your RX.

Currently, IMHO, the best bang for your buck is this on AliExpress. Free Shipping. Sale ends 7/21. Ridiculously easy conversion - clip a wire and move a jumper. Qixiang does a great job of setting these up ready to go out of the box.

1721304519460.png
 
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