Band Hopper III Multiband Portable HF Dipole Antenna System
***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.***
"The perfect match for your LNR MTR Mountain Topper"
At a glance
Bands: 20m, 30m, 40m - the most popular portable bands! (covers 15 m using 40 m settings and ATU)
Weight: less than 500 g = 18 ounces (antenna+feeder+guying system+winders+pegs+bag)
Balun: Yes - current balun
Power: 125 Watts
ATU needed? No. Connects direct to your radio - pretuned.
SSB, CW, data? Yes. Fine for all modes
Length: About 28 metres end to end.
Mast A lightweight telescopic pole (6 - 8 metres pole length recommended for Band Hopper III).
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
- A high performance current 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
Download Instructions
How to erect your BandHopper video
Band Hoppers work out of the packet - no messing, just fun!
Not sure which Band Hopper to choose? Click here for some ideas.
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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. See our Wirewinder video for more information about using the wirewinders
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 a mast or use a nearby tree 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.
Each Band Hopper is supplied with a stylish antenna bag and three pegs.
Balun
All Band Hopper antennas are supplied with a balun. This is a high performance ferrite-core balun; not just a few turns of co-axial cable! It's a real plus for using your antenna on;
- datamodes; or for
- power levels of 100 Watts (especially on SSB).
The Band Hopper III is a truly amazing package for a bargain price.
Also available from our international agent(s): 
Videos Hide Videos Show Videos
59 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Fabulosa
Gran rendimiento y muy práctica.
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easy setup, easy on the air
1st setup under 10 mins. Checked into a Christian Net and everyone out of state was booming in at a s9+ except for one who was way down in Texas,and I am in Illinois and running QRP with a ft817
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cute antenna
Ideal for travelling by plane, small and light in the suitcase, great performance
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Very Impressive Antenna
I opted for the 20-30-40m version of the Band Hopper III. Very easy to put up and pack away. Vary light weight and takes up little space when stored. I know it works as I was heard in the USA on 40 running only 5 watts from an FT-817ND. Just couldn't manage to work him because he had local QRM.
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Bandhopper III, ideal
I had tried making my own /P 20m dipole and it worked ok but it wasn't particularly sturdy although it worked fine until the coax fell off the connector. Richards antenna is particularly light yet incredibly strong. It tuned up perfectly on 40/30/20 on my KX3 with no tuner required. On my first SOTA on GM/SS 064, I made about 10 QSO on 40 then tried 20m before I froze to death :-) Another 4 QSO's with the last one to NA. Not bad for 5w CW and a low dipole and the other op was QRP as well. Completely happy with the purchase although I may try verticals also.
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Great /P antenna
I have used this in the field with a lightweight pole and also in France on holiday in a mobile home. Excellent results every time and easy to erect and take down. The wire winders are superb and allow you to tie off to anything available to hand, fences especially. The design has allowed me to put up better antennas than I would otherwise have done. Like all the best concepts, simple yet brilliant! Every Ham should have one (or probably more than one!)
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Bandhopper 3
Tested this at my QTH comparing it with a G5RV before I go walkabout with the Bandhopper. Easily erected (10 meter Sotapole) low SWR and about 1 S point lower in transmit value than the G5RV should give it 5 stars really!
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Best thing since sliced bread :) Band Hopper III
I've been using the 60/40/20 version now for at least 50 SOTA activations in all weather conditions. Linked to my Yaesu 817 and a 7m fishing pole it is truly a 'plug & play' device which means that as soon as you are set up you can get the activation underway immediately without any tuning. VSWR is negligible so the 817 never complains. With comments from fellow Amateurs like 'whatever set up you've got there, don't change it' and worldwide contacts is enough to convince me that this antenna is truly value for money. Although it may look flimsy mine is still in tip top condition proving that it is a strong piece of kit and I really love the lightness of it when trudging up to a summit. This is not the only Sotabeams linked dipole I have used and my co-activator Steve MW0BBU uses the 40/30/20 version for his CW contacts with great results. See our activations on http://mw0bbu.blogspot.co.uk For specific band operation the Bandhopper linked dipoles are a perfect addition to your portable activations. 73 Allan GW4VPX
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Fantastic.....Band Hopper III
I needed something lightweight and easy to setup. I had a couple of 20 foot Black Widow fishing pole gathering dust for years, so when I heard about Richard's antennas at SOTABeams, I got real interested. I've used end-fed wires, and the Buddipole for years on portable ops camping and kayaking. But there was always too much to take with, set up was never easy and the weight was a problem. I purchased a BH III, got out the old BW fishing poles and set it up in my yard. The antenna worked great and was easy and quick to set up. I used my KX1 and K1 with the antenna, got great signal reports on 40, 30 and 20 meters QRP ! I think I've finally found a portable antenna that makes portable ops fun again ! I'm even going to get into SOTA seriously now ! Thanks Richard for a great product, the attention to detail and the craftsmanship is superb ! You got a winner on your hands here ! I'd highly recommend this to anyone for portable ops of any kind ! N7EDK in Arizona
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Why did'nt I think of this?
If you are like me, you have tried all sorts of antennas for portable ops always looking for the holy grail. Well, stop - it is here in the Bandhopper series of antennas. They are light, very easily deployed with a telescopic mast, enjoy excellent SWR across the band(s) designed for, and best of all, give excellent results. Richard's service is first class, and his Youtube videos on antenna erection etc are of high quality and worth a look before you buy. As, that old ad said - "Don't leave home without one".
