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Bluedog
Posted on Monday, October 29, 2001 - 8:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey 307 or Anyone Else:
Do you know where i can find info. about the AS Super Scanner Antenna or can you tell me which way the North position is on the antenna to get it lined up with the north. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks: Bluedog
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307
Posted on Monday, October 29, 2001 - 11:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It has been a long time , I used to own a Super-Scanner. The "Red" dot on the bracket that holds one of the three vertical antennas is the one that points north.
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Harpoonman
Posted on Monday, October 29, 2001 - 12:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

307 is right. Be aware that the color may be more of an orange and you may find a stripe painted on one of the aluminum horizontal booms instead of a dot on the bracket. In either case, this indicates the element that should be pointed north.

Also, eBay has instruction manuals up for bid most all the time (they are usually photo copies and are a bit overpriced, I think, but, if you need one...), and occasionally you'll see an actual antenna up for auction, too.

Have fun...wish I still had mine!

Harpoonman
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Bluedog
Posted on Monday, October 29, 2001 - 4:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks alot i will check it out.
73s---Bluedog
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Vernonott
Posted on Monday, October 29, 2001 - 7:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Harpoonman : I know where one of these antennas is still on a mast up in the air and hasn't been used since 1978.It appears to be all there but really looks aged.Is there anything that age would destroy on it.I can probably buy it cheap or the owner may give it to me just to take it down.
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Harpoonman
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2001 - 12:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Vernon,

Well, that's a LONG time up there for that antenna! I would think that certain parts would most likely need to be replaced by this time, like the screws, nuts, bolts, washers, etc., but you should be able to find replacements at any good hardware shop. One more serious problem would be the condition of the plastic insulators that connect each part of the vertical elements to the aluminum horizontal booms. Weathering over long periods will often cause plastic, even ABS which is very durable, to degrade, become brittle and crack. You'd probably have to get newer insulators from another Super Scanner that is in better condition since the antenna hasn't been produced in many years. Replacing the coax that connects each of the three vertical dipole elements to the relay box should not be a problem, either.

The BIG concern is the condition of that relay box! As I recall, the relay box is pretty well sealed, but I think the relays were electronic relays of some sort and I know little about how they work or where you'd get replacement parts or how you'd repair the existing parts. Don't forget that you would also need a working control box to make the antenna switch from one element to another. I've also seen these upon occasion on eBay.

Actually, there is a house in my area that also has one of these babies sitting up there and it looks really "long-in-the-tooth", too. In fact it has one of the top elements that is bent (not too severely, though). Replacing the element with new aluminum tubing of the proper diameter and length should also not be too difficult. I've been meaning to go up to this house, knock on the door (I don't know the owner), and ask if I can have the antenna and control box for the price of taking it down, or even for a small sum. Such an antenna may not be easily fixable, but at least I'd have a supply of parts for starters!

Harpoonman
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Vernonott
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2001 - 3:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for the comments Harpoonman.

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