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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excellent value
Does as it says and very easy for band changes, also to erect single handed. Mac/G4OEC
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Band Hopper IV
First of all, I realised I needed a portable HF antenna just days before I actually needed it... Poor planning I know but the guys at Sotabeams sorted me out, the day after it was ordered it arrived on my doorstep and I was able to operate HF at the scout camp that weekend to the scouts great enjoyment. 5*+ to Sotabeams for the great service! But, this was to be about the antenna itself so: To me there are 3 things that are important when it comes to portable antennas; Portability, Ease of erection and that it gives / receives good signal. So, at the previous mentioned camp it turned out that 3 of us had our radio gear with us. Person one had a surplus military dipole as an antenna, person two a vertical antenna and then me with my BH4. I first helped person one getting his mast together and left him to sort the dipole out then got my BH4 up, connected it to my FT-857, checked the SWR and made contact with a guy in the Netherlands just to make sure it all worked. Then I helped the chap with the vertical to guy his antenna out before we both helped the guy with the military gear to get his string in to the air. - Point 1 to the Sotabeam solution. When it comes to send / receive, I did manage to make contacts with people all over Europe on 80,40 and 20m, none of the others managed to do this on all bands. My furthest 5&9 was with a chap in Ukraine. OK, the others did manage to get in to US but they weren't limited to 10 Watt! (I only got my foundation licence) - Point 2 to the Sotabeam. So, portability? No contest, my arial is a lightweight fishing pole and a small pack I don't even notice in my rucksack, the others - well what can I say... - Point 3 to the Sotabeam solution. 73 M6SWE
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BH4
I erected the BH4 in my garden for 40 metres and connected it to my FT-817 and the results were brilliant. Took 10 minutes to set up and get on the air. The results were better than an antenna that I spent five times the amount on. Great stuff.
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Band Hopper IV
I setup the BH 4 in the yard on a 31 foot Jackite pole and used my KX3 with it. It did a great job whether QRP or QRO ! Signal reports were good on all four bands, you've got another winner here Richard, thanks ! My plan is to use it this spring and summer with the KX1 and 20 foot Black Widow pole in the Everglades NP and some SOTA activations up in northern California. I would recommend this antenna whole heartedly ! N7EDK
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BH4
I put it up in my garden for 20 metres and contacted Lithuania with 5 watts cw - it was cold and raining so I took it down. It appears to be as advertised - quick to erect in poor weather - excellent matching without the weight of a tuner and quick to pack away - I dried it before storage and will take it out to play with in better weather.
