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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Absolutely love it!
This antenna is great for field portable use. It's a bit long because it covers 80 meters, but this antenna is a perfect fit for the Mountain Topper 4B, Yaesu FT-891, or any of the Elecraft radios. IMHO this is a good antenna for all amateurs to keep at home packed with an SO239 to BNC female adapter for emergency use.
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Bandhopper 4-Band Portable Antenna
I am quite ecstatic with the Bandhopper IV you sent to me. It works brilliantly on the 20m, 30m, 40m and 80 meter bands and packs down easily into the pouch you included with it. I have built quite a few antennas of my own and was happy with them, but the design and workmanship in your antennas showed me I still had much to learn. Keep up the good work, guys. Your portable antennas are the best. I recommend them with all my heart. 73 from Down Under. Sincerely, David vk2dmh
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Bandhopper IV
Have it erected with the 10m travel mast and it’s a great pair. I’ve used it to SOTA on 40m SSB with a Discovery TX-500. Worked well SWR 1:1 reaching Switzerland. Great support and advice from the team here as always
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Band Hopper IV
I have a few of these Sota beamen Band hoppers now. Its a nice tidy product. I am amazing how the SWR is just about no existing on all bands.. i have used them all in the field and have had more success with these than anything else. My first contact was from Germany to cambridge, within ten minutes of setting up. 73 Michael M0IEQ
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Band Hopper IV
Wonderful product and support. Works well with my tactical mini mast. Thanks!
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4 band portable dipole 20-30-40-80m
took it to Ibiza to do portable work, performed well, easy to set up. 5 stars if it had some quick disconnects for the wire elements at the feed point.
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Four band dipole antenna
Just wanted to drop you a line to say how delighted I am with my 4 band dipole and heavy duty mast (7m) combo. The mast/antenna system went up beautifully simply and I connected my new (to me - second hand) KX3 in a nearby farmer’s field for my first go. I enjoyed numerous QSOs on SSB on 20m, 40m and 80m all over Europe with 8 watts and never had a signal report lower than 5/8!! The whole set up worked magnificently. The wire winders worked a treat - ingenious design which does exactly what it says on the tin.
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band hopper
yes worked very well on 40 meters tried in a local park within 24 hours of receipt had 4 contacts interstate immediately on air 800 to 1200 kms
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4-Band
When used with the telescopic pole, I have great reception on all four bands. Made my first HF contacts with this setup. Used twice thus far, on a Kentucky ridge and in my backyard. The 4-band with pole even withstood a strong thunderstorm. SWR is skewed to the lower end of each band, but that is understandable as most will want to use this for CW. I use with a FT-818ND and a tuner, but the tuner isn't really necessary as the SWR is usually below 2 in the phone section of each band. I can also receive pretty well on 10m.
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A good EmComm antenna
Just got this antenna couple of weeks ago. Very lightweight yet well built. Easy to deploy. Good SWR's so haven't needed a tuner. Easy to change bands. Deployed twice so far. Oncewith a 20' crappie pole for feed point. Another with a military fiberglass mast with FP @ 23'. Being an 80m wire antenna they do take up a bit of real estate. In an ARES environment sometimes you don't have that much space. I am going to see about changing the antenna on day to run paracord with the antenna to allow it to be erected in less space. Below is a youtube video of me using this antenna in a mock EmComm deployment running Winmor Winlink on 80m. Antenna in 'semi-NVIS' config. Setup was in a National Wildlife Refuge. https://youtu.be/9LJIXEBGu7o
