The Band Hopper II, two-band portable dipole antenna system
At a glance:
Bands 20 m, 40 m
Power rating 125 Watts
Balun included Yes
ATU needed? No. Connects direct to your radio
SSB, CW, data? Yes. Fine for all modes
How long is this antenna? About 28 metres end to end (20-40 version).
Mast A lightweight telescopic pole (6 - 8 metres pole length recommended for Band Hopper II)
***IMPORTANT NOTE: if you are using a Band Hopper with our 10m Compact Travel Mast, attach the antenna with a cable tie to the top of section 11 (counted from the bottom). This is about 6 metres (20ft) up and is the perfect height for the antenna centre. Any higher and the antenna may not work properly and your Compact Travel Mast could be damaged.***
What do you get?
Band Hoppers are a complete system including:
- A resonant multi-band dipole antenna with Perspex link hardware
- A 10m feeder - high quality RG174 terminated in a BNC plug
- High performance balun
- A guying system for a lightweight telescopic pole (6 - 8 metres length recommended)
- Three Wire Winders to ensure tangle-free operating
- Three lightweight aluminium alloy pegs
- A nylon carry bag with peg pocket
Band Hoppers work out of the packet - no messing, just fun!
Instructions are available HERE!
How to erect your BandHopper - video
Not sure which Band Hopper to choose? Click here for some ideas.
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Also available from our international agent(s):
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 II is designed for the lightweight portable specialist. Not sure what a linked dipole is? Click here.
The Band Hopper II covers two 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.
We include a high performance balun to reduce unwanted feeder coupling - reduces potential interference problems.
Using the Band Hopper II 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 (included).
The feeder is a 10m length of RG174 preterminated in a BNC plug. This is wound on a third Wirewinder. Also on the third Winder is a 10m 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. Just a mast or use a tree and you're good to go!
This antenna is super light too! The whole package consisting of the antenna, the Wirewinders and the back guy weighs in at less than 450g (20m/40m version); that's under a pound!
No need to adjust the Band Hopper II, 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 II is a truly amazing package for a bargain price.
Each Band Hopper II includes an antenna bag and three pegs making it a complete system.
Videos Hide Videos Show Videos
64 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Best Field Antennna Period
I ordered one of these a while back when SOTABeams was just starting. We camp thrice a yr and have used dozens of antennas over the years. By far this is the easiest to tote, set up, and take down of them all. But best of all, the performance. They tuned the 40M portion to my specific needs, and it performs better that every antenna we have used in the field, Including a 543 ft long wire 40 feet up. I was nailing California with 10W on it and my friend couldn't even hear my contacts on his 100W Icom on that long wire, or the 80m dipole. Great Bug Out antenna, but great antenna overall. Squirrels had disabled my G5RV at home and I had a Special Event. I was able to throw this antenna up at my QTH and save the day!
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Band Hopper 2 at IO80kq
Richard further to my April review below which was a quick home test, I am here at Branscombe Beach in East Devon, 80 ft up a cliff in a cabin. I am using my TS 2000 at about 90w into my SOTABEAMS Band Hopper 2 lightweight linked dipole for 40 & 20 meters between two of your 10m Sotapoles. 40m and 20m are great on this antenna and I have also managed to tune it on 17, 21, 28 and 6meters. I have just worked CT8/OE9SDV who was on Graciosa Island in the Azores (EU-175) on 21m and I have also worked IZ1, IS0, CT1 and EA1 on 6m. This is great kit and I'll be looking for a lightweight solution for 80m when I get home as of course this band was impossible to tune up! Martin M0XJP/P
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Beats vertical noise levels
I have a 5 band vertical at my QTH complete with a sophisticated in ground radial system but the increasing S5 noise level is frustrating so I decided to try the 40-20m dipole. What a HUGE difference with noise level dropping to S2 and S1 !! An excellent, well designed, perfectly tuned, linked dipole which is very easily erected and removed. Certainly ideal for parks work but destined for permanence at my QTH Thanks Richard and well done for your excellent service.
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Worked Well on 40-20-15m in a Park Setting
Set it up in an Inverted V configuration in a local park, using the SOTABeams Mini telescopic fiberglass pole as the center support. I connected it directly to my TT Scout 555 (no tuner). I was running 5 watts on CW. Immediately after setup, I made a contact on 20m. I tried 15m, but that band was not so hot - I heard some weak DX, but they were not hearing my 5 watts. Went to 40m and immediately made a contact there. SWR was good on 40, 20, and 15m. Light, compact, quick to setup, quick to pack up, and it works. Can't ask for anything more than that for any kind of portable operation. (And it is really a three-band antenna since you can use it on 15m while it is configured for 40m).
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Good Reports
thanks Richard for the outstanding service with this antenna, sorry its taken for me leave a review, had really good reports from this antenna mainly into europe
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Excellent performance and design
I use this as a temporary antenna at my home QTH at weekends to avoid planning and neighbour disputes. The SWR is around 1.2 in an inverted V arrangement, supported by one of SOTABEAMS fibreglass poles. The design is first-rate - everything has been thought of to allow you to get this antenna up and connected within minutes. Quality gear and excellent service.
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Recently received 2 band portable dipole system
My 2nd SOTA dipole arrived along with 2x SOTA 10m poles etc. All works well and very well packaged 10/10 thank you Richard and the team. M0XJP
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Brother In Law Has 1 of these, now I'm feeling jealous
I ordered 1 of these antenna's for a relative and he tells me the excellent reports he has had, now I'm thinking of buying 1 of these antennas for backup purposes as I already have the bandhopper IV, so Richard please make yourself aware of another order coming through "hehe" in the next couple of day's
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Dipolo 20/40 metri
This afternoon I received the antenna, the packaging looks perfect in a professional manner. The antenna meets the expectations described, it confirms that there is no need ATU resonates perfectly. The materials and its costruxzione are adequate for the QRP, I did no evidence of lack of time connection, but I'm sure I will have the great satisfaction. So I recommend its purchase to all of you, in fact I just ordered the Ebnd antenna Fed with its tuner to build. IZ0YCB Renato 73/51
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Better than a buddistick
I do SOTA activations so a good antenna is paramount when on the summit. The buddistick I had was cumbersome and bulky. Not to mention the distance was something to be desired. Using my Band Hopper 2 I am able to make QSOs from the West Coast (L.A.) to the East Coast (Florida) with 55 reports with my FT-817ND. This is by far my favorite antenna.
