What is SPOOLTENNA?

Designed and Handmade in Cary, NC

SPOOLTENNA is a compact, lightweight 40-10m end fed half wave antenna that was specifically designed for portable amateur radio operations like Parks on the Air® (POTA) and Summits on the Air™ (SOTA). Its innovative spool form factor is intended to ensure rapid deployment and teardown, providing a frustration-free operating experience that doesn't compromise performance.

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Spend Less Time On Tangles And More Time On The Air

SPOOLTENNA is designed to streamline the setup and teardown process for portable HF operation. Its functionality allows for easy winding and unwinding, eliminating the need to spend time untangling wire.

Unique Design

Simply place a screwdriver, pen, or tent stake (not included) in the center hole of the antenna to act as an axle. As you hold the axle, walk towards your operating location, letting the spool unwind as you go!

Field-tested and Approved by VE3IPS

"The SPOOLTENNA’s compact, lightweight design and quick-deploy spool system make it a perfect companion for portable operators who want reliable HF performance without the hassle of bulky gear. Whether you’re chasing POTA activations or just enjoying portable operations out in the field, its versatility across multiple bands and straightforward setup mean more time on the air and less time wrestling with your antenna."

- John Leonardelli (VE3IPS)

Proven Performance

  • Low Standing Wave Ratio (SWR)

    Performs with a low SWR (≤1.5) on all supported bands

  • No Antenna Tuner Required

    Arrives factory-tuned, with additional length available for end-user final tuning based on your conditions

  • Operating Power

    Designed to support 100W SSB and 50W CW & digital

Field Test Report

Each antenna is individually field tested and shipped with its Field Test Report.

Why Two Models?

Both SPOOLTENNA models were designed for portability, ease of use, and rapid deployment in the field.

SPOOLTENNA Parks prioritizes simplicity and ease of handling.

SPOOLTENNA ULTRA prioritizes minimal size and weight for maxiumum portability.

See Comparison Chart

Choosing a Feedline

designed for field use with a lightweight coax feedline

As a field antenna optimized for portable operating stations, SPOOLTENNA was designed to be deployed and operated with a lightweight coax feedline such as RG-316 or RG-174. Nominal lengths of these coax feedlines at HF frequencies have minimal losses and provide a good balance of performance, size, and weight for portable operating.

Using a heavy coax (eg, RG-8, RG-8X) on a field antenna may put undue strain on your BNC connector.

Our RG-316 Coax

  • Features a preinstalled RFI choke
  • Combines lightweight (ideal for POTA!) and low loss properties
  • Provides a reliable and durable solution for outdoor operators
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Open Source Design

Want to design your own wire spool antenna?

True to the spirit of ham radio and its community-driven approach to innovation, SPOOLTENNA is an open source project. The design files are available for download and use according to the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

To view a copy of this license, visit:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Design files can be found at this publicly accessible GitHub repository:

https://github.com/modulo8/KO4HUI-Spooltenna