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| Reviews Summary for Scorpion Antennas SA-680S |
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Reviews: 7
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $649
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Description: SA-680S Shorty covers 10 through 80 meters.
Length retracted: 28”, Extended: 36”
3” diameter coil with 14 gage tinned copper wire wound at 10
Threads Per Inch.
Mobile or backyard typical vswr 1.5:1 or less.
Antenna rated at 1500 watts PEP
Weight 13 Lbs
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.scorpionantennas.com/antennas.html
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W7LJB
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Rating: 5/5
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May 14, 2010 22:18
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Excellent Quality and Performance!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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In a nut shell, not one complaint only praise. The workmanship and quality of this antenna simply cannot be shown on Ron's website. It is well worth the wait for this antenna. Most definitely a 5/5!
I replaced my Hi-Q 4/80RT which performance wise it is/was probably about the same (at least in my installation). I control mine with the BetterRF motor controller and my Icom IC-7000 and it's a terrific combination for my needs. I'm on the road allot and I really needed an antenna I could count on working each and every time, which it has.
First time screwdrivers owners would be wise to seriously consider this antenna (along with the other Scorpions) from the get go...especially if they are wondering what else they might need. Yes, it's an expensive antenna, but it's also high quality and very complete (except the mount, coax, & ground straps). But the main components needed to get on the air are included. It takes the guess work out of it that's for sure. Wish I had gone this way first time around, it would have saved me allot of headaches and time (not to mention money).
Two thumbs up without question on this antenna! It's a very quality built antenna and it's no wonder Ron charges what he does for freight. As mentioned the hardest part was unpacking the antenna. 22 lbs shipped, and over a 13 lb antenna.
Nicely done Ron! I plan on running this for many years.
Larry / W7LJB
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W5LZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 6, 2010 05:02
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Nice!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Having used a bugcatcher for HF mobile for a lot of years, and since I'm getting lazier, I decided to try one of these. I am very pleasantly surprised.
This antenna is large and heavy, count on using a big mount. I didn't originally and found that out the hard way. You really can break a metal tool box loose from it's mounting in a truck bed! Wound up re-mounting it with a homebrewed mount (big one!).
So how does it compare to a bugcatcher? Needless to say, I don't have to stop and adjust the taps anymore, nice. Honestly can't say that there's much difference between the two.
Complaints.
As already mentioned, do yourself a favor and use a large matching coil for 75/40 meters, it saves time. You might also invest in a 5 gallon bucket of torroids. You won't need that many but why not have a few extra? You will need a few, but depending on the installation, that's about normal for any antenna like this.
Had a problem about the thing getting stuck at one of the 'limits'. After getting over the anxiety attach, and calling Ron, found that just giving it a twist or two by hand "un-stuck" it. Only happened once, so no idea why it happened (probably my fault anyway, imagine that!).
Unpacking the thing from the shipping container was the hardest part of the installation! There are instructions for that and I would definitely advise following them.
Would I recommend the Scorpion Antennas SA-680S for mobile HF? Yes. It works very well. The quality is -very- good. I like it. Would I do anything differently if I could? Of course! But those 'anythings' don't amount to much besides personal preference.
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KE7HOP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 16, 2010 22:31
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Outstanding Performer
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Well I bought this antenna used from a silent key in Virginia and Ron told me he would still keep the lifetime warranty even though I did not purchase it directly from him. It came just like it was brand new when I first recieved this antenna I really did not realize it was so large and heavy. The only possible location for me to mount it on my car was on the back of the hitch. I was hesitant about putting it there and having more ground losses. But while installing it I came across several problems all of them I'd say due to bonding issues, 75 meters was a joke I just couldn't get a good match so I called Ron several times to help me get pointed in the right direction. I know I have spent several hours hours with him over the phone to help me work out these issues one of which I had to homebrew my own shunt coil to make it quite a bit bigger than the standard one that it came with the antenna . As far as customer service is concerned you will not find any better. The build quality of this antenna is far past any MIL-SPEC I've ever come across! I am a 100% satisfied with this antenna. My motto in Alaska is ready to go at -50 below! I have operated my antenna at these extreme Arctic Temperatures with no ill effects. Many Thanks to Ron and K0BG for their help in making my installation a Success. I Will definitly buy another Scorpion for all of my vehicles in the future. This antenna is the BEST OF THE BEST!
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KC2MIB
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 1, 2009 21:14
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WHAT A BEAST OF AN ANTENNA!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've owned this antenna about 6mths and I was very enthused when I came across this antenna's specifications. I must confess that I'm a very satisfied Tarheel antenna user since I've been operating mobile, so knowing the Tarheel antennas performance, durability and their 2nd to none customer service this must be the cats meow of an antenna for me to even look at it much less purchase it and believe me it is the Lion's Roar not a cat's meow. I ordered and received the antenna in reasonable time as Ron makes the antennas to order. WoW, 1st the packaging must be apart of the total cost of the item, because you could probably drop this thing out of a UPS delivery truck doing hi-way speed and you could pick it up, unpack and install it, and it will play like it was delivered by Santa Claus. The craftsmanship and robust build of this antenna is striking, first of all it weighs about 15lbs +/- a lb. so no 'half-a**ed' installation will hold this antenna, and remember this is the Shorty version. I have it mounted in the center of my trunk via a Breedlove mount. I've operated from 10M -> 75M with outstanding performance and reports. I am absolutely satisfied with the performance of this antenna. The M1A1 tank of screwdriver antennas. Check it out.
s/f
KC2MIB
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K5LLY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 18, 2009 21:02
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Great Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have had the 680s for 2 months and must say is a great antenna. It is my first time at mobile operation. It was easy to install without any probems. Very high quality construction and the antenna operates very smooth and quite. Ron was great to deal with and very helpful. Antenna performs much better than exspected. All contacts, local and DX, tell me i have a great signal, and when i tell them i am mobile, they cant belive it. I am very satisfied!
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KD3KB
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 13, 2008 13:51
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Great antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This antenna just beams with quality in workmanship .I can't say enough about this antenna.My truck was well prepared before installation using the suggestions on K0BG's mobil installation web site.It's not only the amount of contacts that you make it's the quality of them.When tou recieve a 5/9 report and they say its a fantastic signal from a mobil,you know that you picked a great antenna.
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KC7GF
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 12, 2008 10:50
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Built like a brick ........
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is the shortest of the Scorpion screwdriver antennas at about 3 foot (body) extended. I needed something to mount on my motorhome and it had to be heavy duty to to take the pounding. Built out of stainless steel with Delrin insulating material and a Lexan coil cover this has got to be one of the most heavy duty screwdriver antennas I have used. Weighing in at 13 pounds it is not a "lightweight" in the screwdriver category. It mounts on a solid aluminum "quick disconnect" that is 1.5 inches in diameter and is mounted with a 3/4" bolt.(try breaking that off) It comes with a simple up/down control switch box but it has built in sensors to use with an automatic antenna controller so I went for the Ameritron SDC-102 memory controller which is plug and play compatible with this antenna. (just add connectors) It comes supplied with a 6 foot whip for 80 thru 10m and a 12 inch whip for 6m operation. All components are built to last out of heavy duty materials and this antenna should last me a long time. Ron is a professional machinest and takes great pride in his product. Putting that together with Ron's 30 day return policy and lifetime warranty, I felt comfortable in purchasing this antenna. Check out the numerous pictures on his site.
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