Solarcon IMAX-2000 / MAX-2000
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| Frequency | 25.5-28.7 MHz usable (tuning 25-32 MHz) |
| Bands | CB (26-28 MHz), 10m, 11m |
| Type | base station vertical |
| Gain | ~4-5 dBi realistic (manufacturer claims 9.9 dBi, widely disputed) dBi |
| Polarization | vertical |
| Modes | AM, SSB, FM |
| Length | 740 cm |
| Weight | 5 kg (11 lb) |
| Connector | SO-239 |
| Mount | mast/roof mount |
| Year | 1990 |
| feedpoint | SO-239 |
The larger sibling of the A-99: 24 feet of 5/8-wave fiberglass rated 5000W PEP, outperforming the A-99 by 1-2 dB in real-world testing. Broad bandwidth covers 25.5-28.7 MHz without a tuner, with a 100 mph wind rating and DC grounding. It is now sold as the MAX-2000 and MAX Optimizer variants, made in the USA.
24 feet is a serious antenna that needs a proper mast and mounting. The '9.9 dBi' gain claim is disputed; realistic gain is roughly 4-5 dBi. The fiberglass is heavy. An optional ground-plane kit is recommended for best performance (~$110 extra).
A large CB/10m base-station vertical. For maximum power on CB with a top base antenna, the IMAX-2000 is a common standard, and its 5/8-wave design genuinely outperforms shorter antennas.
The Solarcon IMAX 2000 is the taller, higher-performance sibling of the popular Antron 99, a fiberglass omnidirectional base vertical for the 27 MHz CB band and nearby frequencies. At around 24 feet it is one of the largest fiberglass CB base sticks, and the extra length is meant to lower the radiation angle for better reach to distant stations along the horizon. It covers roughly the 26 to 28 MHz range and feeds easily with a tuning adjustment at the base.
As with the A-99, the marketing gain claims for the IMAX should be taken with a grain of salt: the often-quoted high-gain figures overstate what an omnidirectional vertical of this type actually delivers, which is a few dB at most. What you really gain over the shorter A-99 is a slightly lower takeoff angle from the added height, not a dramatic jump in raw gain. It is rugged, weatherproof, and handles high power.
It is a current product and a favorite for CB operators who want the biggest fiberglass vertical they can mount. The shorter Solarcon A-99 is the more manageable version of the same idea, and for a vehicle the Wilson 1000 is the mobile benchmark.