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Reviews For: Buddipole Portable Dipole/Vertical

Category: Antennas: HF Portable (not mobile)

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Review Summary For : Buddipole Portable Dipole/Vertical
Reviews: 215MSRP: 199.
Description:
It's a dipole... It's a vertical... It fits in your travel bag!. The Buddipole™ is more than an antenna, it's a versatile system for launching your signal. Optimized for transmit power and proven for DX work, the Buddipole™ is the secret weapon used by HF portable operators all around the world. Precision engineered for maximum performance using ultra light composite materials and High-Q coils. Zero-loss balun with Quick-Connect feedpoint. This antenna can be used to cover any band from 40M to 2M
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.buddipole.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
212154.5
WX9DX Rating: 2013-01-28
An Ok antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Setting it up takes time to do it right!
Using it is a compromise with the sticks and coils. On 6 meters it will out preform a Halo antenna from M2... It works ok on all
the HF bands except 75 meters and there It is
next to a dummy load. It is fair on RX, but the
Counterpoise wire works best if you use it for
the antenna and run a second wire for the
Counterpoise groundside on 80 meters. I started
keeping a second counterpoise wire with me
and using the antenna as a dipole using both
Counterpoise wires and not using the sticks at all. Works better and is more efficient. The stand and vertical support is great and well made. If I use the sticks and Buddi coils, I find that if I make a shunt coil and run it between the connections of each side I can get a
better match, like a shunt coil on a Screwdriver antenna.

Everything is well made and is a great way to get into portable operation. But I believe that using the antenna tripod stand,vertical mast, center connector and guy ropes, as the middle of a portable wire dipole works best. But there are times I still use the kit as is to demonstrate it to Clubs, Boy Scouts etc! Thanks Bud for a great kit.
E29BUQ Rating: 2013-01-24
Great!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
For the first time, I contacted Guam 579 CW Mode (frq 15 M)by 20 W abt 3 M fm my truck.

I recommend for anybody fine out portable ant, this is great es join ur vacation.
VK5CZ Rating: 2013-01-19
Not as quick as end fed Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I found this antenna a time waster ,by the time its tuned up its time to go home. I ended up giving mine away could not take money for it. The only time I really was successful getting it resonate on 40m nobody could hear my signal very well. The mounting bracket claiming the multi mounting positions, failed I am afraid. Sorry I am an end fed convert now .
de Ian vk5cz ..
KC7ZWG Rating: 2013-01-17
not user friendly Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Decided to try it after seeing how popular these things are, wish I had not.

Really does not tune very well on 40m at all, when changing bands can be tricky to get it right where it needs to be for effeciency.

When I called they told me that I needed to buy additional parts if I really wanted to have fun, so I did, now I have over $400 invested still not performing at the level of all the hype.

Called again and they advised I get an analyzer for another $200-$300..lol...really?

To sum it all up I ended up with a really neat bag of "stuff" for big $$$ that sits in my closet, my conciense will not allow me to sell it, so it is a total waste.

If you like to fiddle with taps, meters and ajustments all the time than this is the "antenna" for you, but don't expect superior performance!

For less than half as much of my hard earned money I now have a system that I actually enjoy making contacts with.
KC2TKD Rating: 2013-01-17
Very marginal performance Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the Buddipole for 4 years. It can be a decent antenna but is very difficult to tune. Yes, I have followed the directions and use and MFJ259 analyzer when setting the Buddipole up. I have found that the antenna is very sensitive to its surroundings. I can tune the antenna to 2:1 SWR or less and the minute I raise the antenna the settings change. Then down it comes and start to adjust from there. I have the 16'mast. The antenna is easy to transport and takes up little room but just does not live up to its reputation. Mine sits at home most of the time.
KE2SX Rating: 2013-01-07
Outstanding product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This product is versatile, well made, and the documentation is clear and accurate. I shouldn't have waited so long to use it. From my Soap Box comments for the 2013 ARRL RTTY Roundup:

Been at the new QTH for 6 months now with no shack. Set up my Buddipole Deluxe (first time used in 7 years of ownership) on the back lawn and put the IC-7600 on the kitchen table. Worked 78 stations and 37 multipliers including 12 DX in casual operating with between 25 and 60 watts and a short dipole that was 16' AGL. All I can say is, the Buddipole works! And I had a blast.

Highly recommended for portable, emergency, or temporary ops. Be sure to guy it when using the tall mast.

KC4RSN Rating: 2012-12-23
Buddipole for weak signal work, WSPR Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Recently started operating WSPR, Weak Signal Propagation Reporter, using my base inverted L antenna. Thought I would give the buddipole a try and set it up on the back deck as a vertical on 20 mtrs., one elevated radial and WOW!!, amazing reception!! Hearing and being heard in Europe with no problem! Going to Florida right after Christmas, will set up portable operation on WSPR down there and add a few radials, can't wait to see how it performs. A great portable antenna, TNX Budd.
N6AZ Rating: 2012-08-20
Great Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this antenna for about 2 years and it is great. Very easy to tune and set up.
W1TXT Rating: 2012-07-01
Impressive Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I can't add much here except that I've been very impressed with the design, materials and craftsmanship that have gone into the Buddipole.

Sitting in my backyard with a KX3 by my side and working Ireland on 5 watts with an solid S7...it doesn't get much better than that!

W1TXT

W5QC Rating: 2012-06-25
Great Product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received this antenna a month ago and set it up in the back yard, tuning was very simple and directions was very easy to follow, made several contacts on ssb 20 mtrs, recently got a palm mini paddle and have worked numorous cw qrp contacts with my 817 yaesu. I let the wind blow it over and broke a whip and ordered a replacement tho it had a spare with the antenna, recieved the replacement in less then a week. If you want a portable antenna to travel or take on the trail this is it, you are on the air in less then 10 minutes.