I have a chance at putting up a super scanner antenna.
I have an antron 99 now.
Good move or bad move?
I have an antron 99 now.
Good move or bad move?
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Super Scanner Antenna
- Thread starter RoadRanger
- Start date
Its a good move if you have one or can get one at a reasonable price. They are very good in the way of gain and have the ability work like a beam and Omni all in one and you save on a rotor. Friend had one 35 years ago and he loved it. if you have one keep it as you don't see too many around anymore.
That actually one of the few from days past antennas I would love to have.
In omni mode it will likely perform slightly less well in comparison to the a99, but that is more because it will have a lower tip height on the same mast. If you can extend the mast so both antennas will have the same tip height you won't be able to tell the difference.
The beam effect is why this is an antenna I would be interested in. Sometimes it would be nice to turn the primary gain lobe in a direction away from a problem operator, or towards someone who is on the edge of my range for that extra little push.
For directionality, this antenna won't compete with a three element yagi, or even a well designed two element yagi, but for primarily local omni-directional use, it offers a nice option that no other omni offers that I am aware of...
The DB
In omni mode it will likely perform slightly less well in comparison to the a99, but that is more because it will have a lower tip height on the same mast. If you can extend the mast so both antennas will have the same tip height you won't be able to tell the difference.
The beam effect is why this is an antenna I would be interested in. Sometimes it would be nice to turn the primary gain lobe in a direction away from a problem operator, or towards someone who is on the edge of my range for that extra little push.
For directionality, this antenna won't compete with a three element yagi, or even a well designed two element yagi, but for primarily local omni-directional use, it offers a nice option that no other omni offers that I am aware of...
The DB
I have heard that these antennas, being old, with their electronic switching is problematic, and may be difficult to get repaired. I think it uses only 1 coax feed line, and it has two boxes to switch...so check it out close and make sure it works good.
Click here: http://www.cbtricks.com/ant_manuals/ant_specialists/m_119/ad/index.htm
In beam mode it performs about like a Penetrator in one direction but also has a little back-door effect.
Omni just plain sucks.
My friend wants to sell his for ~$300
Omni just plain sucks.
My friend wants to sell his for ~$300
There used to be a web site that had plans to make one yourself, along with the switchbox. He also had plans for a PDL-II, and a 4 element quad. Not sure if the site still exists...
73,
Brett
I have 2 NOS Super Scanner Antennas sitting in dry storage. 
I will probably put one of them into service this summer.
I will probably put one of them into service this summer.
I had a Super Scanner back in the 70's. Performance on omni was about same as my Sigma 5/8. Only beam did it match the performance of the Sigma. I took it down and sold it. Then put up a Moonraker 4. I would not waste my time with the SS. Besides, they can only handle about 50watts if I'm not mistaken.
Could be correct on the 1,500 watts.
Just noticed a typo in my original post. I meant to say, performance in omni was not as good as the Sigma 5/8.
The SS is 3 1/2 wave dipoles so in omni its not going to perform as good as good 5/8 wave. Performance in beam mode was about same as the Sigma 5/8. So to me it was a waste. It should have performed better if the claim of 8.75DB was accurate. I ran that Super Scanner for about 6 months and made a number of adjustments trying to get the performance up but never could get it to beat the Sigma in beam mode. At the time I was living in northern Illinois which is very flat country and had contacts in all directions from close in to 30+ miles that I could count on for comparative S unit reports. There clearly was an up tick from omni to beam on S unit reports. But the only value I could find was its rejection capability in beam mode which was just okay. None the less, I threw in the towel and was fortuniate to get a Moonraker 4 and that was a whole new ball game. The Moonraker performance was unreal and I never looked back on the SS. I put the Sigma up on one the other side of the house and flipped back and forth as needed between the Sigma and Moonraker.
I think the idea behind the "beam mode" was more for noise rejection than really improving your signal. The SS was very popular here in the Chicago area and I knew several people that used one.