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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Perfect Choice
This antenna has made me 1000's of contacts during my /p WWFF activations, takes minutes to setup and no tuner needed. Always have excellent reports and has withstood near gale force winds, rain, snow and ice conditions. A great choice for any portable activator.
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stellar performance
Never worked hf before as ive only recently qualified Easily erected and straight into the "worked all Britain" net and made ten contacts northern ireland .Liverpool and Holland and sweeden from Dorset uk Amazing antenna very impressed :)
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Band Hopper 2 survives two Winter storms in Northeast US
I erected my Band Hopper 2 20/40 dipole utilizing the 10 meter collapsible pole in the side yard of my home in Northeast Pennsylvania back in June of 2015. It is still going strong as of today 15 February 2016! I have been able to work domestic and European stations on CW and SSB with ease on 20 & 40 meters. Last week I worked Roman UX2IO on 40 SSB with a 5x9 signal report! My grid is FM21bf. Antenna is well built, simple, and strong. It has survived several wind and rain storms during the Summer and Fall months of 2015. Most recently it has weathered two winter blizzards with winds gusting at 30-40 MPH. I did have to "cinch up" the collapsible pole after the aforementioned heavy winds. Antenna wire and guys show very little wear and remain taut and secure. 73's to All Howie WA3MCK
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Nice product, really lightweight
Arrived in some days, the antenna was really light and well packed. I tested the dipole in a field. The antenna shows little bandwidth due to reduced wire diameter, as expected, but nothing that could cause troubles. Mounted on a 7mt pole in a couple of minutes, i'm now looking for some free time to pack it with 817 and test on the field. Unfortunately i can't see free-time bundle for sale on sotabeams... ;)
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Best QRP antenna I have found...
If your into QRP or SOTA you know that using an antenna tuner is a very bad idea. This antenna needs none and works great. Very simple to put up and gets a great signal. Changing bands is very fast and easy. I like this antenna so much I bought a 4 band version for my GO-BOX rig.....
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EXCELLENT ANTENNA
Very well designed and clever antenna. When I first used this antenna it was amazing how well it got out, especially when QRP with 5 watts. I made several 5/8 to 5/9 contacts all around Australia with only 5 watts. Even made contact into New Zealand on 20m and again I was running QRP. Basically a bloody fantastic antenna. Highly recommend to all.
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Works well on 15m as well
My very first contact with the Two-band portable dipole antenna system for 20m and 40m was on 15m. I worked the States from EA8 running just 2.5 Watts SSB from my FT817ND. Very pleased.
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Excellent
Neat kit - really well put together that will simplify your life a lot on top of the hill. You only need a pole, a radio and a paddle and you are ready to go. If there are trees around you can even skip the pole. Everything coming in a neat bag to keep things tidy. Definitely recommended!
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Exceeds expectations!
I finally made time to use my Band Hopper2 (40 & 20) last Wednesday when I travelled to Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park in the Southern Flinders Ranges (South Australia) The antenna was very easy to erect on my 7 m. squid pole & when checked with the analyser it had 1.05:1 SWR & impedance of 50 ohms @ 7.100.Similar readings on 20m also. I then proceed to have a good number of contacts with my FT817nd. A great day made better by a great antenna, well done Sotabeams.
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EXCELLENT ANTENNA
A Brilliant Antenna, Worked 100% straight out the box on both 20 and 40 metres With my FT 817 at 5 watts. From central France to most of the UK and beyond. Very simple to set up and very stable in quite a brisk wind on the day. I was strugling before with a vertical whip antenna But not now !!! Enjoying my Portable/QRP operations again. Many thanks to all at SOTABEAMS for producing a quality product. Thinking of buying a Band Hopper?? Do It You will not regret it !!!
