The Band Hopper IV, four-band portable dipole antenna system
At a glance:
Bands 20m,30m,40m,80m
Other bands: should also cover 15m using 40m settings and suitable ATU
Weight 585 g, 21 oz.
Power rating 125 Watts
ATU needed? No. Connects direct to your radio
Balun included? Yes
SSB, CW, data? Yes. Fine for all modes
How long is this antenna? About 48 metres end to end.
Mast A lightweight telescopic pole (7 - 8 metres pole length recommended for Band Hopper IV)
***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 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
- Built-in balun
- A guying system for a lightweight telescopic pole (7 - 8 metres pole length recommended for Band Hopper IV)
- 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!
Is this the right antenna for YOU? Click here for help.
Instructions are available HERE!
How to erect your BandHopper - video
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Also available from our international agent(s):
Details
Designed to compliment modern miniature HF transceivers such as the Youkits HB1B or the Elecraft KX1, the Band Hopper IV covers 20, 30, 40 and 80 metres (3.5 - 3.7MHz 1.5:1 VSWR bandwidth using our "Hopper Jump" system) in one neat package. Using all our innovative techniques and laser-cut hardware, the Band Hopper IV works straight out of the packet on all your favourite portable band. Full sized dipoles on each band means no-compromise performance. Not sure what a linked dipole is? Click here.
The Band Hopper IV covers four 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 IV 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 don't 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 pre-terminated 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 nearby tree to support the centre of your antenna and you're good to go!
This Band Hopper IV is super light too! The whole package consisting of the antenna, the Wirewinders and the back guy weighs in at less than 475g; that's under 17oz!
No need to adjust the Band Hopper IV, 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 IV is supplied in a stylish carry bag complete with lightweight aluminium pegs.
The Band Hopper IV is a truly amazing package for a bargain price.
Balun
The Band Hopper IV is supplied with a high performance ferrite-core balun; not just a few turns of co-axial cable!
35 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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BandHopper 4 used on Museum on the Air
Hi Richard, I have to give your BandHopper IV a review as I used it this weekend as part of my station setup for GB2NM "Museum on the Air" at the Norris Museum, St Ives in Cambridgeshire. My other operators were a little skeptical to its operation as it looked a little flimsy (that was their words, not mine). After set up we were on the air at 08:15Z to a station in Yorkshire who gave us 59+10db. Conditions were not brilliant on 40m throught out the day, but we managed to work over 60 stations (G's, GI's, GW's, DK's and PA's), I can confirm that most were in the RST 58 & 59's with a large number giving us 59+10 and 20db. The station was my KX3 with KXPA100, using 50 watts. What a great Antenna for /P and Special Events.
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Very happy
A great antenna for a good price. Well made and easy to get up in the air. I use mine with a 12M push up mast and ended up making the guy lines a little longer to account for the extra height. Overall a great, lightweight, multi band resonant antenna ideal for ARPOC activations.
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Band Hopper
Really happy with the antenna. Easy to put up and loads of 5/9 reports from around the uk. Works well on RX. Brilliant fast service and support from Sotabeams. Thank you.
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So easy ...
Excellent product .. it is so easy to set up and be 'on the air' on 4 bands in an hour ! Thanks also for very fast delivery. Delighted with the results. For example 40m is superb in the daytime and as the skip moves so the options come in. Towards mid evening signals from USA and Canada means that on one band alone you can work almost anywhere !
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Singing, Dancing Antenna.
Have been looking for a plug and go antenna (that works) and all I can say, is thanks for your help and advice, I am very happy indeed. The design for the hopper is unique in as much, no tangles, no mess just easy to erect using the 7m telescopic pole with all the parts that you need in one well made bag to carry it in. Workmanship is very good, you can see that nothing has been rushed and it all fits great. Cant wait for the summer to return in 2015....
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used on holiday
bought for holiday in france,was not dissapointed in results.didn't do amazing dx mainly around europe,only used battery pack on the 817nd so maybe 3watts at most.every contact was suprised at signal from this nifty antennae.so thanks richard,some added pleasure for my holiday..
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4 steps to Heaven!
I have just returned to the hobby, but can't operate from home, so portable it is. The 4 band dipole is light & compact in its bag, it is very quick to deploy singlehanded on my 10m telescopic pole. I've operated mainly on 20m & 40m using 10w SSB, consistently I've received good reports, I work most of what I can hear. It may be lightweight but it is robust, wind got up to over a force 5 during one session & all appears well. Quick to change bands as well, so easy to check conditions to look for more dx. Very happy, good kit.
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island hopping
Just what was needed. This Bandhopper iv is super. Used it for WAB sq activation on Westray Island and got excellent reports using my ic-746. Even on 80m band at 9m height it works. Only refinement is changing crocodile clips for powerpole connectors as clips eat into antenna wire insulation when shortening for SSB use. Thanks for another good product 2m0des
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Works great, easy to use
This antenna has been out a lot recently with my 7m SOTA pole. Very easy to use and set the required band, and performs well. Literally up and running within ten minutes every time.
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"Designed to compliment..."
....Allow me to offer mine in return. Very many thanks. Very clever; in every way. SB - 'BZ'
