First Use of the SOTABeams Bandhopper 3+ 20 30 40 meters 082119

Today I got out and tried my new antenna.  The Sotabeams Bandhopper 3+ on 20, 30, and 40 meters is a fine antenna and will work well with my small QRP station.  It packs down small and gives great performance.

Antennas

Let me start by saying it's hot here in Florida...nearly unbearable.  So, needless to say, I have not been out playing ham radio portable in the past couple of months.  However, I have been looking for a new antenna system.  I have several options already.  I love the Chameleon F-loop antenna for the ease of deployment and the fact that there are no counterpoise requirements.  The Wolf River Coil and whip option is great as well.  I think it may perform better than the mag-loop, but it requires one (or many) counterpoise wires along the ground.   This becomes a trip hazard in high traffic areas in parks and such.

Those antennas are fine, but we know that in the world of antennas, the simplicity of a dipole rules. Now, I have a Windcamp 40M off center fed dipole I have used with my 100 watt FT-891, but I want something small and lightweight to use with my FT-817 or my newer Recent RS918 qrp rig. I would also need a way to deploy it. So, after seeing a local ham and friend using this antenna at a portable event, I decided on the Sotabeams 3 band linked dipole (20, 30, 40 meters) and the 10M telescoping mast.  I plan to run this in an inverted V arrangement.

Well, that's the plan. A new antenna to fill a niche that is currently empty. I look forward to the better performance I should get from a dipole. The antenna is on order and I look forward to getting out and getting on the air...once it gets a little cooler.