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Band Hopper III; three band linked dipole

The Band Hopper III stores in one small light bundle. Add pegs, a mast and a radio and you're good to go. Neatly fits in a rucksack or suitcase.
  • The Band Hopper III stores in one small light bundle. Add pegs, a mast and a radio and you're good to go. Neatly fits in a rucksack or suitcase.
  • Optional rugged antenna bag with internal pocket for pegs. Colour may vary.
  • The package is supplied on three Wirewinders for the ultimate in portable convenience. There is nothing to lose as everything is attached!
  • We are pretty proud of our custom antenna centerpiece. It has been designed to give the ultimate in performance and utility.
  • Typical Band Hopper VSWR Curve (20m)
  • Typical Band Hopper VSWR Curve (30m)
  • Typical Band Hopper VSWR Curve (40m)
  • Our link insulators are specially made for us - to our own design.
  • Using a telescopic pole the linked dipole finds its own height, usually at the junction between the top section and the next section down.
  • If you are using another sort of pole, the centerpiece has slots for cable ties (supplied) so you can still use your linked dipole.
Price:
$56.54
Rating:
( 7 product reviews )
Shipping:
Calculated at checkout
Quantity:

Product Description

Product ships WORLDWIDE

The secret of most successful HF portable operators is not hard to find: it's an efficient antenna! No wonder that the linked dipole is the most popular portable HF antenna type used in Europe. The Band Hopper III is designed for the lightweight portable specialist; it also makes a great holiday antenna to have in your suitcase! Not sure what a linked dipole is? Click here.

The Band Hopper III covers three HF bands with a high efficiency full-size halfwave dipole on each band. It's not a compromise loaded antenna. It's also designed to allow you to get the feedpoint high - that's important for good performance. Band selection is by easy-to-use jumpers; quick to change!

Using the Band Hopper III could not be easier. The custom designed centrepiece fits on an tapered pole (such as our famous SOTA pole). It slides down to the optimum height (usually the junction between the top and second sections of the mast). If you don't have a tapering mast dont worry, the centrepiece has slots for cable ties too so you can attach it to most anything. Don't like masts? The centrepiece has an attachment point for a throwing line to use in the forest.

Unrolling the dipole elements is a breeze using the Wirewinders supplied. When you unroll the elements you will notice that the Wirewinders are attached to 4m (13ft) nylon braided extension cords. This not only means that you cannot lose them but also that in rocky areas you can guy your pole by putting the Wirewinder in a crack in the rocks or just by putting it under a rock. The Wirewinders also make great snow anchors too so guying your pole in the snow has never been easier! We also provide pegging loops for use with our high-quality pegs.

The feeder is a 10m (33ft) length of RG174 preterminated in a BNC plug. This is wound on a third Wirewinder. Also on the third Winder is a 10m (33ft) back guy for your mast. No need for any additional guys and the two dipole elements plus the back guy are all you need for a stable and robust system. The back guy is attached to the Wirewinder to give you the flexible guying options above.

This is super-light too! The whole package consisting of the antenna, the Wirewinders, the feeder and the back guy weighs in at 390g (20m/30/40m version); that's just 14oz! Just add pegs and a mast and you're good to go!

No need to adjust the Band Hopper III, it is supplied pre-tuned. We do the tricky stuff leaving you to have the fun. This is a fully assembled product that works out of the packet

The Band Hopper III is a truly amazing package for a bargain price.

Available for the following bands (select at checkout):

  • 20m + 30m + 40m (the most popular SOTA/portable bands)
  • 20m + 30m + 60m (made to order)
  • 20m + 40m + 60m (made to order)
  • 20m + 40m + 80m (made to order)

Notes

The 20m + 30m + 40m version is a stock item. Other variants made to order (normally 5 working days).

Options

Add an antenna bag and three pegs for just £5.99. Saves £1.50.

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Product Reviews

  1. Band Hopper lll

    Posted by Terry G0VWP on 21st May 2013

    Hi Richard,

    Used the link dipole on 20/40/60 yesterday on Birks Fell worked very well nice and easy to put up on the 7m pole up in 10mins, It is a lot lighter than my 5 bander and well made to, the croc clips are better to use as well better for cold hands if doing a winter activation and the bag came in handy to put all the other bits in like pegs ect

  2. Enjoying /P

    Posted by Richard M0RBG on 20th May 2013

    I now have 2 link dipoles supported from one pole and I can't believe how well they work running 100 watts from an IC-706MKIIG. They really have brought the fun back into /P as they are so quick and easy to erect and the lightweight construction stops them from putting strain on the pole even in stormy weather. Everything you need on 3 wire winders, put them in a SOTA bag and you have one neat and tidy antenna.

  3. Band Hopper 3 QRV in 10MINS

    Posted by Paul G4AFU. on 14th May 2013

    Quick to erect in ten minutes with a SOTA 7M pole and be QRV.

    Easy to QSY to 30 when I found the contesters cutting up 40m.
    I worked a W3 on 30m with 5 watts of CW. Sloping site was giving me extra gain I'm sure.
    This antenna is load of fun for portable work.

  4. BANDHOPPER III

    Posted by Richard M0RBG on 23rd Feb 2013

    Hi Richard
    Just to let you know that I tested the link dipole yesterday, centre height was 20 ft with legs inverted down to ground level.
    I must say that I was pleasantly surprised that the bandwidth was much greater than I expected with such thin wire and we put 100 watts through it without any problems. We used FT2000 with auto ATU.
    I will report further when I've run it /P

  5. BANDHOPPER III

    Posted by Dave G0AYD on 29th Jan 2013

    What a brilliant concept.
    ordered this aerial one day delivered the next day.
    brilliant communication and well packed.
    what a pleasure to deal with a brilliant company.
    the antenna works very well and unity SWR on the bands I love.
    It goes well with the SOTApole which I also purchased.
    thank you Richard.

  6. Brilliant!

    Posted by Barry MW0IML on 26th Oct 2012

    I purchased the 20/40/60 linked dipole and have used it on the three bands to great effect. In particular I liked the light weight and user friendly design. I used to carry a 65ft long wire, tuner and Un . Un. This set up weighs in at approx one third of the weight.

  7. Fantastic well made antenna

    Posted by David M1AGJ on 19th Oct 2012

    This is a brilliant concept.

    Just add something to get the centre point high and everything you need to create a 1:1 matched antenna (without an ATU) on 3 bands with no bits to lose* is in the pack

    Combined with a SOTAPole I had this in the air and on the air in about 10 mins first time. Each band was spot on 1:1 VSWR and it weighs hardly anything.

    Its not stealthy with 2 yellow wires and neon green winders but it will mean I wont have to carry bits of high vis to tie around the pegs and wire.

    Everything feels solidly connected and it came well packed. Order to delivery was 2 days

    Very very impressed.

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