August 2001 Web Edition Click to go to cover page

Solarcon I-Max 2000

The Solarcon I-Max 2000 is approximately 24 feet high, 6 feet longer than the A-99. This is a full-length 5/8-wave antenna. The antenna is a three-section unit with each section approximately 8 foot long. This does present a shipping problem. The antennas are packed 6 to a case. It just so happens that when measuring the outside dimensions of the container, the size is just over the UPS over-size limit and UPS charges for a 70 LB package, increasing the shipping charges substantially.  The only way to keep the shipping cost down is for the case to be broken open and the individual boxes taped or strapped together. There is still an additional fee of $6.00 because the box is over 5 feet long. In addition, the boxes arrive looking as though the have been sitting around the shop for ages and may have been open because of the excess tape used to tie them together. When I try to explain the situation to a customer, I’m greeted with a lukewarm OK, but I know they leave suspicious, and I hate that happening. I wish Solarcon would pack them less to a case to alleviate this issue.

Once the antenna is removed from the box, two improvements over the A-99 are apparent. First, the fiberglass is smooth with a nice polished-look finish. Second, the base of the antenna has a heavy duty mounting plate. Instead of the two u-clamps going around both the base of the antenna and the mast, the mast is held against the base plate with the two u-clamps going through the plate. This is a far more secure mounting scheme. Under high winds, the antenna can’t twist and lean to one side even though the antenna is 25% taller than the other antennas of this type. My CB shop I-Max 2000 was first installed in November of 1999. It’s mounted on the flat roof of the 28+ foot tall building, which is located in a wide-open area. Almost every day there is a strong breeze, and under storm conditions, the wind is ferocious. Last year we had some very tough snowstorms with heavy snow and high winds, some were so bad I was reluctant to look up at the antenna. Many times the antenna was bent over; so far, it didn’t look as if it could possibly return to its upright position. Amazingly, it is still up there in fine shape.

Below are some photos the demonstrate the location of the antenna and wide open area the building is located in:

Click On Photos For Close-up View.
I-Max 2000 From Front Of Boston Market Terminal	I-Max 2000 From Side Of Boston Market Terminal
Left Side Of Building	Right Side Of Building

There have been some failures. There was a bad run of I-Max antennas about a year ago. The bottom chrome plated brass end cap of the middle section was drilled out too deep. This caused the middle section to snap of at the treaded portion of the antenna. I had replaced one of these sections for a customer and called Solarcon some months later about the antenna section when I came across it after moving some supplies from a corner of the shop. Solarcon replaced the piece, no questions asked! The other failure was in the top section. I have had a report that the top whip had broken. The top sections aren’t available through distributors. They just haven’t carried them. This is probably due to a low failure rate. Surely if the demand were high, the distributors would stock them. I was able to convince Solarcon to sell these to me direct, as I would not be competing with their distribution network. This is the first direct contact I have had with Solarcon since the new ownership, it was a pleasant experience.

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