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Reviews For: Solarcon I-MAX 2000

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Solarcon I-MAX 2000
Reviews: 101MSRP: 80 SHIPPED
Description:
3 piece, over 21 foot tall fiberglass 10 meter base antenna
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001014.5
KC8CXZ Rating: 2008-08-19
Great, inexpensive antenna for 10 and 15! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Some may mock this antenna as being a 'CB antenna', but truth be told, the wire radiator inside this antenna does not know the difference between the CB and the Ham bands people! Anyway, i've had the I-MAX 2000 going on 10 years or so now. It's never failed me, and continues to surprise on 10 and 15, where the SWR is flat (you need to adjust the 2 rings at the base of the antenna, every time when you switch bands though... not a problem if the antenna is just a few feet above ground mounted), and DX is worked easily. My 'elmer' used to come over frequently when sunspots were high just a few years ago, and we worked some great DX (including VK and ZL) on 10 and 15 CW/SSB with good signal reports. Also worked some good Sporadic-E recently with excellent signal reports. The 'icing on the cake' is that the antenna requires NO RADIALS! I continue to be AMAZED at how well this simple great value antenna works, and how long it has lasted without a single problem.
WI0H Rating: 2008-08-18
Tough, dependable, cheap, and it works. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
You know, the Antron 99 and its big brother the iMax 2000 are like cocroaches. They will still be here after we are dead and gone, ready to transmit and receive. Something the Solarcon does very well I might add. I ran one of these for years and was always very happy with it's performance. I worked into Europe and South America from my inner city QTH with no issues, and a surprisingly low noise floor. It survived several hurricanes, countless severe thunderstorms, and a couple of nasty blizzards before it got taken down and given away. man, what was I thinking?? That was a mistake I still regret by the way. The next one will be a keeper.

Yeah, it's a CB antenna. Big deal! I am sure the retailer would be happy to write 'Amateur radio antenna' on the box in magic marker and charge you double the price if it would make you feel any better. Otherwise, get over it and just put one up. It's tough, it's versatile, and it works pretty darn well.
K2HAT Rating: 2008-06-20
Very Happy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my Imax 2000 for over 10 years,
long before I got my Ham ticket,
I was using it for 11 meters.

When I got my license last year,
{March 2007} I tried the Imax 2000
on 10,15 and 20 meters and made a lot of
contacts even into Europe on 20 meter.

I would gladly buy the Imax 2000 again,
for 10m 12m 15m etc thru 20m use.

I also owned a couple of A-99 "Antron99"
made by Solcarcon, they did not have near the
broadband good SWR's of the larger Imax 2000.

Well worth the $100.
check Ebay if you can't get one locally.

73
K2HAT
Lee

VK2FTNY Rating: 2008-04-11
Great 10m vertical Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Ive owned this antenna for well over 2yrs.In that time it has served me extremely well and seems to be robust despite its tendancy to flop around in the wind.I have a majar problems with galahs and cuckatoos and at times have seen the birds (around a dozen) bend the tip down almost touching the 5 element beam underneath. And till this day there have been no major problems with the build quality.Also works great on 15m with a tuner.For the money its been a great investment and hope to have many more years and contacts on this big beauty.
N6ELO Rating: 2008-01-10
Decent Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased this antenna about 1 year ago. I will have to say, I have had many contacts and the reports of how well they resonate on different bands is all true. The problem I have is the overall quality and so far, the customer service at Solarcon is lousy. During our recent storm (50mph), the antenna (rated at 100mph)collapsed and folded over like a wet noodle. I contacted Solarcon through the contact page on their website and through email along with photos 1 week ago and have not received a reply. What kind of customer service is that? I like the antenna, but the company may not stand behind their products.
VE7REN Rating: 2008-01-06
works for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
tunes on 20/17/10/11 no problem. get good results. for the price,this antenna is worth the money. if it last as long as my solarcon a99(16yrs) ill be happy. it takes the beatings of our b.c winters and drastic climate changes.
ROMEODELTA1 Rating: 2006-11-28
A great deal Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I replaced a decades old and crumbling A99 (still working with SWR 1.1) with a new Imax 2000 with radial kit. It took one hour start to finish to take down the old and put up the new. SWR 1.4 out of the box, half the static as the old one, twice the local range, DX from here in San Diego to Australia, Florida, Oregon and more. No more TVI. If you are an antenna wonk and like to assemble and adjust im sure you can beat the Imax, but probably not by much. If you like easy, trouble free install, no adjusts needed, durability and price, theres nothing better short of a beam.
W5ONV Rating: 2006-09-04
Good for me ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had one of these for 4 years now and have no complaints at all with it.Mine is 28 feet above the ground or about 15 feet above the roof.Perfect SWR with no tuner on 10/11 and my TS-570 will tune in easily on 15.Great,cheap and easy to install antenna. 73, Jim
W3ADC Rating: 2006-07-02
Good SWR Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I put the Imax up today installing was very easy.I put it on a AB-577 Rocket Launcher at 50 feet. The SWR was very nice especially on 15 meters.

27.400 to 28.200 1.0 SWR

28.300 1.1 SWR

28.600 1.3 SWR

21.000 1.0 SWR

21.450 1.1 SWR

On 15 meters very good SWR it hit 1.1 at 21.325 it does bend in the wind so time will tell the story. I will give another update in about 6 months but right now it's working great.

73 W3ADC
KA4CMT Rating: 2006-05-10
Works great for me! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this antenna up for over 2 years now with excellent results for a vertical antenna of it's size. It suits my purposes nicely although it looks pretty scary when that top section blows around in the wind. (I believe that the lord above must be holding it together!) I use it on 10 thru 17 meters with excellent reports and reduced perfomance is noticed as you go lower in bands of course. I have tried it on 20 meters on an occasion or two, nothing spectacular there but it works using a tuner. All in all it's been great for what it is. I have it mounted at the top of a natural tower of about 65 feet (oak tree, okay have a laugh but it works great there and didn't cost me a tower installation!) I don't operate on the bands much below 20 meters anyhow. The biggest problem with these antennas now is that DAS distributing has bought out Solarcon and now the prices have gone through the roof! ($99 to over $125 at some retailers) You may be able to find one locally in existing stock at a lower price but as soon as they re-order, they will go up!