Simple, Elegant, Low-Cost, Low-Risk.

Also Available in 40, 30, 17, 15, 12, 10 and 6 Meters

Someone once said the best things are usually the simplest, how very true in this case. This adage can be applied to amateur radio antennas as well for one of the ham radio lessons learned over the years is- if you can put up a dipole, you should. This is a different method for operating portable QRP. Since we need to maximize the 1-25 watts available to us, eliminate feed-line loss by connecting the antenna directly to the radio. No bulky, heavy coax to carry. No lossy RG8X or RG58 to deal with. If your radio has a BNC female connector, this antenna will directly connect. If you wish  to connect to another terminal such as an SO-239 an adapter is required.

For Portable, Stealth, Emergency or Everyday low power operation, a resonant dipole is one of the most cost effective, highest value, best performing antenna solutions available. Using these principles, we have created an ultra-portable, mono-band, rapid deployment, half -wave dipole antenna.  Our dipole requires no assembly and can be erected in minutes.  Designed as a QRP primary antenna, it also functions as a quick deployment auxiliary, emergency or backup antenna in the event a primary antenna experiences difficulties. It's also a great, inexpensive gift to give to those involved with amateur radio that requires no additional finishing. It fits easily into your pocket, glove box, bag or carrying case.

For 22.00 you will receive:

• An Original 50 Watt half-wave dipole as depicted in the pictures, tested and described below

• Two hook & loop wraps appropriately sized for each radial. Radial wires may be black or blue

• A 6" x 3.5" waterproof carry pouch

• Free shipping within the United States

• Your order will be shipped within a maximum 24 hours of payment being received (Sundays excluded).

• A 30 day right of return - return the unused/undamaged item and your money will be refunded (less shipping)

Many experienced hams would agree that it's easy to erect an antenna system inferior to the standard half-wave dipole, but very difficult to out-perform one. It seems to me that wire antennas, in general, tend to be overpriced for what you get. Determining what type of antenna to use for radio operations can be a frustrating experience but justifying the expense for some of them may even be more so. As a new ham, I wanted to get on the air with something that was worth what I paid for it and have it perform to expectations. This wasn't always the case, either in cost or performance. So I now offer something that I would have wanted, but could never find: a simple, functional, easy to use and deploy resonant dipole antenna for around $20 bucks. That's all there is to it.  

This antenna shown is a classic 20M half-wave dipole optimized for QRP / QRP Portable and Stealth operation. It takes almost no space and weighs almost nothing, and is nearly invisible 20 feet in the air. It consists of a binding post with a BNC Male connector, 20 AWG stranded, UL-1007 tinned-copper antenna wire and two (2) ring connector eyelets at each end, thoroughly insulated with waterproof marine-grade heat shrink on both ends for maximum strain relief. All electrical connections are soldered using silver bearing rosin-core solder. Weighing less than 5 ounces,  (141 grams) this antenna is a half-wave dipole on 20 Meters. When compressed, it fits into a space 4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5" (115 x 64 x 39mm). Extended, the dipole is cut for the middle of the 20 meter band. Thus, the entire antenna is approximately 33 feet in length. It can be used in any of the standard dipole configurations, flat-top, inverted V, sloper, etc. Most often I use the flat top configuration without any center supports, it's that light. But every operator will have judge the conditions, landscape, and operational needs for themselves. Like any antenna however, it should not be used near power lines.

The SWR values have been measured with an antenna analyzer, see the photos for a chart. The 20 meter version is displayed but all bands from 40 meters up are available. Here in the Great Lakes area we have many trees, so to elevate the radials for portable use, one of the better solutions is an arborists throw bag and slick line. This makes 30 feet or so perfectly routine and reasonable. With practice and skill, more height can be gained and these items are easily found on eBay. No doubt each operator will have their preferred method, but I find these to be exceptionally light, compact, portable and trail-friendly.

Nothing else comes close in terms of value. I have used end fed wires, portable verticals, rubber ducks, mobile ground-plane antennas, loading coils, you name it. If purchased retail, all of these things are significantly more expensive than this antenna. Even as purchased components and hand assembled, they are all more expensive and will not perform any better. For example, one can purchase, as I have done, a 9:1 matchbox for an end fed QRP portable. One would still have to purchase the wire and assemble the antenna. One also has to pay for shipping and wait for the unit to arrive. In total, this can't really be accomplished for less than $50... try it. One could also purchase the individual components and assemble the unit themselves, there are no special tricks or techniques. In fact, I encourage the home-brew-antenna-making art, but you would end up spending as much or more.