Who remembers the Turner Tri-Kicker electronically switched beam antenna?

[FPR1981]

Forget about the AS Super Scanner, who remembers Turner's innovation on that concept, known as the Tri-Kicker?

With four dipoles and the Turner "Base Kicker" antenna in the middle, this antenna gave you eight different switchable positions in directional mode and claimed to be 1.5dbi more potent than the Super Scanner, and with the advantage of greater directional abilities.

I can safely say that I have NEVER seen one of these before. My understanding is that they delivered on the hype, but they were an absolute bear to assemble and mount.

 

[zzdiesel]

I don't remember seeing these here in the Missouri Bootheel or around NE Ark. I would've loved to have had one back in the day. We had mucho many Super Scanners around. What were their power limitations?

 

[FPR1981]

From what I can ascertain, virtually none. I know some "allege" that the later Super Scanner versions were weak on power handling in the omnidirectional mode due to an inadequately-rated capacitor, Jim Dent claims to have fully restored over 20 Super Scanners and said that claim is internet rumors run amok.

 

[KB4MSZ]

Since you are featuring 70's antennas, I will use 70's terminology: When it comes to antennas, I prefer to "roll my own".

 

[FPR1981]

Since you are featuring 70's antennas, I will use 70's terminology: When it comes to antennas, I prefer to "roll my own".

 

[dispatch235]

The CB dealer I worked for tried to get one of these for us to try but they were always on backorder or some excuse... I only saw one somewhere around Lake Ozark but never knew who ran it, though we knew almost all the crowd up there at the time... seem like early 80's

 

[JayMojave]

That would be interesting to see the assembly instructions.

Be advised in my opinion some of the 1970's antenna manufactures produced antenna designs that were NOT seen used my military, commercial, or ham radio. Meaning there was some advertising hype in the antenna gain ratings and design. The 1970's CB Craze drove all this I believe.

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert

 

[spongella]

Yes I remember those well. I think there was another antenna manufactured during the CB craze that had three vertical elements at 120 degree spacing.

 

[FPR1981]

Yes I remember those well. I think there was another antenna manufactured during the CB craze that had three vertical elements at 120 degree spacing.

That would be the Antenna Specialists Super Scanner

 

[outpost459]

Had to get in on this one. This summer while looking for old radios I came across an Ultra Kicker in an attic where it had been sitting since new. The elderly lady said her husband had purchased it in the 70's but it was so big he never got around to putting it together. I purchased it for $100 and was glad to do so.
This monster weighs 52 pounds in the box !!!!. this is a 42 pound antenna assembled. It is 14 feet in diameter and 22 feet tall. If you were a cb'r in the 70's this would have been the most outrageous cb antenna around.
I originally had thoughts of altering this antenna for use on 10 meters, but just like the last owner I'm not sure I want to put this monster together.
I will post the entire manual here. The picture on the front of the manual is a bit deceiving as there is no ground plane with this antenna. What you see at the bottom of the antenna are support guy wires.
Enjoy and 73