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| Reviews Summary for Scorpion Antennas SA-680 |
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Reviews: 45
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $749
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Description: SA-680 covers 10 through 80 meters.
Length retracted: 39” Extended:57”
3 inch diameter coil with 10 gage tinned copper wire wound
at 6 Threads Per Inch.
Mobile or backyard typical vswr 1.5:1 or less.
Antenna rated at 1500 watts PEP
Weight 18 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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write your own review of the Scorpion Antennas SA-680.
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N3JCV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 18, 2012 17:50
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They think I am a base station
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I purchased a Scorpion antenna last year and what a difference it made to my mobile HF experiences. I installed the antenna on my truck with an Aluminum bridge in the bed of my truck. I typically run 300 to 400 watts and if I can hear them, I can work them 100% of the time. I love it every time I hear, "you don't sound like a mobile station". Ron Douglass helped me with a few issues I had that were my fault. Another great source of information about mobile HF was Alan Applegate, K0BG. You must study his website if you want to take mobile HF seriously. This antenna, when installed correctly, is the best money can buy.
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K5WBM
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 8, 2011 06:42
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Excellent Mobile Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Ron was extremely helpful helping me decide on a proper mounting location and setup for my truck. He custom modified the tube length for my application to get the coil away from surrounding metal. The SWR is less than 1.5 on 80m-10m. My first contact with the mobile setup was the T32C DXpedition. This antenna works really well with a Icom 7000 and BetterRF tune control.
I highly recommend this antenna!
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KJ4INB
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 13, 2011 11:35
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wow
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Wow! excellent antenna. Defiantly worth the money. I've only had it a month now and just finished installing it on my truck. I will say that it requires a very sturdy mount...anything less than over kill on the mount won't cut it. I up graded from another well know screwdriver antenna and lets just say that upgrade is an understatement. I can hear many more stations than I could before. In the first day I worked numerous stations, all said i had a wonderful signal of 59 or better and they wouldnt have known I was mobile unless I told them. I also worked Ireland, Britain, and Germany on the first day.
Set up was supper easy. The SWR is 1.5 to1 or better on 80 thru 10 meters. Less than 20 minuets adjusting the shunt coil, and most of that was tuning thru the bands.
Ron has a first rate product, I would have rated it higher on craftsmanship alone if there was anything higher than 5 stars. Ron will take the time to answer any questions you may have.
I would definitely recommend this antenna to anyone looking to do HF mobile.
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K5ALU
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 12, 2011 06:26
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75,000 miles and going
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Hi Guys and Gals ! Some of you may know me if you work CW, I am a very serious mobile CW guy having used about ever mobile antenna ever made over the last 51 years. My last mobile was a HIQ, and what a terrible experience, even though they represent legal limit, I blew two of those out ! Now this Scorpion is a different story ! It has gone 75,000 miles thus far, even to Alaska and back, actually has been in about 40 of our states, all kinds of weather, various conditions and has never burped ! Have been running 700 watts into it for most of its life. You want a REAL antenna, spend the money and get the BEST ! 73 de RED K5ALU
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KB7CPP
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 30, 2011 08:25
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SA 680 Home Installation
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Dealing with Ron is a pleasure. He worked with me by email and telephone to come up with a complete package for home install.
Because of the timing of my purchases, I bought the home assembly piecemeal; Ron arranged for the various shipments to meet me at different places around the country.
There was some confusion with my order (mostly my fault; should have at least glanced at the billing paperwork); Ron responded very quickly to get things right.
His product exceeded my expectations in quality of materials and workmanship. The machined parts fit together well; the antenna assembly is solid and tight fitting.
Great product; great service; friendly and knowledgeable service.
Although I've assembled the package, I haven't had a chance to finish my install and use it. I will update after I get on the air.
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KS1P
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 17, 2011 10:14
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The gold Standard
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I saw, I bought, I transmitted. WOW!,in 15 minutes Japan JG3UVN-JR7DXE 10meter, Christmas Island T32C 12meter and 17meter, CA WB6IMO. All contacts 5/7-5/9 the WB6IMO contact I had to turn the volume all the way down. The reception on this antenna has so many layers very very weak to very strong you have to pick the ham you want to talk to on the same freq, very impressive! The construction is what Dr. Deming (father of Quality 1955)describes as quality improvement you should watch for. This means not only is this the gold standard of scrwdriver antenna's, but Ron is the driving force of quality customer care. Excellent Job Ron, I will update you in one year. Thanks for reading, 73 KS1P
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WB4QIZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 30, 2011 17:47
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Fantastic Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased the Scorpion vertical antenna built by Ron in 2010. It is mounted on a tripod instead of going mobile with it. I live in a retirement center and have it in my backyard where it is not seen. I use the radials that you can purchase with it since I am not running mobile. It is expensive, but it is worth the price and I think it will give me many years of service.
I use the IC 7000 with it and purchased the 7000 Tune Control and the 7000 Screwdriver Control. All I have to do is push a button on the IC 7000 and the antenna goes to the correct resonance with an swr about 1.5. It works like a charm. You have to follow the directions carefully on the Tune Control and 7000 Screwdriver Control built by BetterBF.com. Alan Applegate K0BG gives excellent support. You don't have to have these controls. Ron sends a switch to move the antenna up and down with a 12 volt power support to find the best swr.
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WQ1H
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 13, 2011 12:48
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Best Mobile Antenna
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have been mobile for way to many years and have used about every manufactured mobile antenna made. I thought I had the best until I purchased a Scorpion.
Ron made me a custom SA-680 with the Black Widow finish. It is just beautiful, looks fantastic on my van, and the performance is outstanding.
I am coming up on my first anniversary of ownership. No regrets. Thanks Ron a perfect Mobile Antenna.
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W8NYY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 18, 2011 17:54
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Best Well Kept Secret for Mobile HF
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've been operating mobile HF for about 10 years now and high power mobile HF for the last 4 years. After replacing my FT857D with an Icom IC-7000, I figured it was time to look into possibly replacing my Tarheel 100 A/HP. The Tarheel was starting to have some issues due to age (3 y/o)and had already been returned once for repair due to failing connectors.
Having been a close follower of K0BG, particularly since he purchased a 2006 Honda Ridgeline, the same truck I drive, I figured I'd check into why he made the switch to the Scorpion SA-680. After all, until making that switch, he wasn't a strong supporter of screwdriver antennas but he was clear that the Scorpion was an exception.
Sure the SA-680 is an expensive antenna. Your casual mobile HF operator isn't going to consider making this kind of investment. They've either never heard of the Scorpion or have 100 reasons not to spend the extra money for the SA-680.
I made the extra choice of getting the Black Widow model. On my black Ridgeline it looks slick but the real story is how it operates. I also added the BetterRF 7000tune control and have a super strong Dupont Delrin mount (thank you Alan) and the performance and ease of operation has been fantastic. Sure my 100 A/HP was a pretty good antenna and I made a lot of great contacts with it but the build quality of the Tarheel as compared to the Scorpion? No comparison actually. The Scorpion is built very very well. Solid is just one word to describe it. Quiet is another (thanks also to good grounding and tuning).
I also use an SG-500 and the tuning with this setup has never been easier (and safer). Just looking at my inductance coil tells a story. With the Tarheel the coil looked like an elongated cork screw. I barely had to expand the coil to get the right Reactance and Resistance. Tuning the Tarheel took at least an hour of back and forth between 40 and 80. Tuning the Scorpion took no more than 10 minutes. Of course the quality of the RF ground and mount is a large contributor but mounting the Scorpion and getting a good RF ground was just easier than the Tarheel.
I like many of the others here would have rated it higher than a 5 if I could. Sure it's not a yagi on a tower but if you want to take mobile HF seriously and particularly if you are going to run any power, in my mind, there is no other choice. Thank you Ron Douglas for the great support and for making a great product.
W8NYY
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WC4E
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 5, 2011 17:14
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SA-680 rocked the Florida QSO Party
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I give this antenna an 6! First class shipping and first class antenna when you have it up and running! This antenna is first rate and it is worth every penny!
In my first Florida QSO Party with the antenna, it helped produce amazing results mounted on my Nissan Frontier! I worked over 1800 QSOs in about 20 hours of the FQP contest Single OP CW using 100w! Worked almost every state and several European countries. I can’t wait to use antenna again next April! I will be mounting the antenna for daily use as well.
Be sure to read Ron’s documentation before opening the shipping container. Also,be sure to have a good solid mount, this is a heavy duty antenna that wants a heavy duty mount. There great pictures of all types of great mounts on the Scorpion website. Be sure to read K0BG.com for great mobile information. If you are looking for a HF mobile antenna, save up a little longer and look no further. You will not regret it.
- Jeff WC4E
HF Contester since 1981
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