I-max 2000 ground plane
 

I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on it?

On Wed, Sep 7, 2005, 11:10am (EDT-3) (Jaa=A0Jaa) hit up
the group with:
I have a i-max 2000, is it worth the time to put

a ground plane on it?


If you already have one, it won't hurt anything to add it, but it won't
give you any noticeable improvement, either. If you're thinking of
purchasing one, save your cash.

Good antennas, but the ground plane will not make much of a difference, but
if you need a noticable difference get a good 10 db increase in gain from
your antenna with a add on amp, now that will do some goood.
If 3-6 watts out peaking to 12 is good, then 40-60 watts out peaking to
120 is much better, now thats gain.





"Steveo" wrote in message
...
(Jaa Jaa) wrote:
I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on it?

You gonna stack em? :)

"TNT" wrote:
Good antennas, but the ground plane will not make much of a difference,
but if you need a noticable difference get a good 10 db increase in gain
from your antenna with a add on amp, now that will do some goood.
If 3-6 watts out peaking to 12 is good, then 40-60 watts out peaking to
120 is much better, now thats gain.

"Steveo" wrote in message
...
(Jaa Jaa) wrote:
I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on it?

You gonna stack em? :)


"TNT" wrote:
Good antennas, but the ground plane will not make much of a difference,
but if you need a noticable difference get a good 10 db increase in gain
from your antenna with a add on amp, now that will do some goood.
If 3-6 watts out peaking to 12 is good, then 40-60 watts out peaking to
120 is much better, now thats gain.

Nah, that's voodoo when you look at the subject header. An operator needs a
good antenna and coax/ground first.

On Wed, 7 Sep 2005 11:10:18 -0700, (Jaa Jaa) wrote:

I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on it?


I put one on mine, mostly because it was cheap, and I put it up when I installed
the antenna. My receive is super quiet, and my performance is great. But I don't
know if it is better with or without. Right now, I wouldn't change a thing, and
I left it on. My CB is a Grant LT. I use that setup mostly for local chat. I
also use the antenna for DX with my Icom 746, and it tunes 10-17 meters fairly
well. I made a contact on 17 meters today. I also called Solarcon, and they said
it improves the receive.

So, for the $35 it costs, I would put it up. It won't hurt, and it would be
easier than putting it up later.



Vinnie S.

Steveo wrote:
(Jaa Jaa) wrote:
I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on it?

You gonna stack em? :)

Apparently I'm unaware of the add-on radial kit that you are asking about.
I've never owned one of those.

I'd ask Jay if he thinks it helps, he's sorta our resident antenna guru in
this group so far.

Ask him about his credentials first tho.

Hello Steveo:

I am not real impressed with the short ground plane radials I have seen
advertised for the I Max 2000.

I think 3 or 4 each 96 inch Francis Amazer Fiberglass Whip Antennas
would be a good ground plane radial kit. Not the shorter ones I have
seen advertised.

Kreedenitials attached:

Kreedentials:.

Rock n Roll Fan
Owner 1977 Ford F250 4x4 with the worlds loudest Public Address System,
great for whistling at girls, or at Oldie but Goodie night at the drive
in, or inconsiderate driver on their cell fones.
Member Mojave Desert Radio Association, cost 9 bucks, but I didn't get
change from a 10 spot?!?!?
Would roll up drivers window on truck, if only I had one....
Kollage Credits, 5 ea 3 for passing, and 2 for leavin early.

Jay in the Mojave

Steveo wrote:

Steveo wrote:

(Jaa Jaa) wrote:

I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on it?


You gonna stack em? :)


Apparently I'm unaware of the add-on radial kit that you are asking about.
I've never owned one of those.

I'd ask Jay if he thinks it helps, he's sorta our resident antenna guru in
this group so far.

Ask him about his credentials first tho.

On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 10:56:19 -0700, Jay in the Mojave wrote:

Hello Steveo:

I am not real impressed with the short ground plane radials I have seen
advertised for the I Max 2000.

I think 3 or 4 each 96 inch Francis Amazer Fiberglass Whip Antennas
would be a good ground plane radial kit. Not the shorter ones I have
seen advertised.


Jay, what if the radials are coiled? At the correct length?

The antenna does very well from 10-15 meters. I get only a 1.8:1 on 15 meters
with 10% reflected power. On 17 meters, the SWR is 3.0:1, 25% relected power.
Yet with my tuner tunes very easily on 17 meters, and I made a contact in
Switzerland. Forget 20 meters.

Vinnie S.

Vinnie S. wrote:
Jay, what if the radials are coiled? At the correct length?

You trimmed his kredentials!

Too much antenna voodoo now, Jay.

Your walkin' papers are still impressive imho.


Jay in the Mojave wrote:
Hello Steveo:

I am not real impressed with the short ground plane radials I have seen
advertised for the I Max 2000.

I think 3 or 4 each 96 inch Francis Amazer Fiberglass Whip Antennas
would be a good ground plane radial kit. Not the shorter ones I have
seen advertised.

Kreedenitials attached:

Kreedentials:.

Rock n Roll Fan
Owner 1977 Ford F250 4x4 with the worlds loudest Public Address System,
great for whistling at girls, or at Oldie but Goodie night at the drive
in, or inconsiderate driver on their cell fones.
Member Mojave Desert Radio Association, cost 9 bucks, but I didn't get
change from a 10 spot?!?!?
Would roll up drivers window on truck, if only I had one....
Kollage Credits, 5 ea 3 for passing, and 2 for leavin early.

Jay in the Mojave

Steveo wrote:

Steveo wrote:

(Jaa Jaa) wrote:

I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on it?


You gonna stack em? :)


Apparently I'm unaware of the add-on radial kit that you are asking
about. I've never owned one of those.

I'd ask Jay if he thinks it helps, he's sorta our resident antenna guru
in this group so far.

Ask him about his credentials first tho.

Too much antenna voodoo now, Jay.

Your walkin' papers are still impressive tho.

Vinnie S. wrote:
On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 10:56:19 -0700, Jay in the Mojave
wrote:

Hello Steveo:

I am not real impressed with the short ground plane radials I have seen
advertised for the I Max 2000.

I think 3 or 4 each 96 inch Francis Amazer Fiberglass Whip Antennas
would be a good ground plane radial kit. Not the shorter ones I have
seen advertised.

Jay, what if the radials are coiled? At the correct length?

You can't cheat a ground plane reflector with a coil, can you?

On 10 Sep 2005 02:17:15 GMT, Steveo wrote:

Vinnie S. wrote:
On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 10:56:19 -0700, Jay in the Mojave
wrote:

Hello Steveo:

I am not real impressed with the short ground plane radials I have seen
advertised for the I Max 2000.

I think 3 or 4 each 96 inch Francis Amazer Fiberglass Whip Antennas
would be a good ground plane radial kit. Not the shorter ones I have
seen advertised.

Jay, what if the radials are coiled? At the correct length?

You can't cheat a ground plane reflector with a coil, can you?

I don't knwow, that is why I asked.


Vinnie S.

I just re-read that and that's not what I meant to say, sorta. By antenna
voodoo I mean advertised gain factors, which seem to get more outrageous
every year.

Your reflector idea makes sense as long as the mast can handle the wind
load, it would reflect more.

I have to say your ground plane is the best I've seen. Do you still sell
them?


Steveo wrote:
Too much antenna voodoo now, Jay.

Your walkin' papers are still impressive imho.


Jay in the Mojave wrote:
Hello Steveo:

I am not real impressed with the short ground plane radials I have seen
advertised for the I Max 2000.

I think 3 or 4 each 96 inch Francis Amazer Fiberglass Whip Antennas
would be a good ground plane radial kit. Not the shorter ones I have
seen advertised.

Kreedenitials attached:

Kreedentials:.

Rock n Roll Fan
Owner 1977 Ford F250 4x4 with the worlds loudest Public Address System,
great for whistling at girls, or at Oldie but Goodie night at the drive
in, or inconsiderate driver on their cell fones.
Member Mojave Desert Radio Association, cost 9 bucks, but I didn't get
change from a 10 spot?!?!?
Would roll up drivers window on truck, if only I had one....
Kollage Credits, 5 ea 3 for passing, and 2 for leavin early.

Jay in the Mojave

Steveo wrote:

Steveo wrote:

(Jaa Jaa) wrote:

I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on
it?


You gonna stack em? :)


Apparently I'm unaware of the add-on radial kit that you are asking
about. I've never owned one of those.

I'd ask Jay if he thinks it helps, he's sorta our resident antenna
guru in this group so far.

Ask him about his credentials first tho.

Too much antenna voodoo now, Jay.

Your walkin' papers are still impressive tho.

The addition of the ground plane kit in theory would lower the angle of
radiation by a certain percentage. This gives the impression of gain.
If your in a flat open area in Kanas someplace or are a avid DX'er,
this may give you a very slight boost. But if you don't fall into those
2 areas mentioned above, save the cash.

On 12 Sep 2005 11:59:08 -0700, "Dungeon Master"
wrote:

+The addition of the ground plane kit in theory would lower the angle of
+radiation by a certain percentage. This gives the impression of gain.
+If your in a flat open area in Kanas someplace or are a avid DX'er,
+this may give you a very slight boost. But if you don't fall into those
+2 areas mentioned above, save the cash.
******

More important on a verticle antenna is that the ground plane helps to
isolate the feedline from the antenna. Then the feedline is no longer
part of the antenna system and does not alter antenna tuning.

james

I-max 2000 ground plane
 

On Wed, 7 Sep 2005 11:10:18 -0700, (Jaa Jaa) wrote:

I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on it?


Forget about the ground plane kit, and put that antenna as high as you
can get it. Antenna height trumps all.

I-max 2000 ground plane
 

Justín Käse wrote:
In posted on
Tue, 11 Oct 2005 13:37:15 GMT, Wysteria wrote:

On Wed, 7 Sep 2005 11:10:18 -0700, (Jaa Jaa) wrote:

I have a i-max 2000,is it worth the time to put a ground plane on it?


Forget about the ground plane kit, and put that antenna as high as you
can get it. Antenna height trumps all.


That's right!
Any bulky decoupling radials on that antenna are just a waste of effort
due to its basic flatter radiation pattern. Give the coax drop a couple
wraps around the mast on the way down to act as a slight choke for
decoupling purposes.

No one has mentioned the extra wind load that add on radial kit carries.
Don't waste your money on it op. Spend it on grounding instead.