What Is SPOOLTENNA?
Designed and Handmade in Cary, NC
SPOOLTENNA is a 40-10m end fed half wave antenna. This compact, lightweight antenna 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.
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.
Field-tested and Approved by VE3IPS
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!
For Wherever Adventure Takes You
Whether you're deep in the backcountry or setting up in your backyard, SPOOLTENNA is a durable antenna that is designed to get you on the air quickly and easily.
Field Test Report
Each antenna is individually field tested and shipped with its Field Test Report.
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
SpareSpool
Want to get your POTA go bag more organized? SpareSpool is an empty spool that provides a durable, convenient way to store and deploy your alternate antenna wire, coax cable, or throw line.
Recommended by Vince VE6LK from Ham Radio Workbench
"The SpareSpool from SPOOLTENNA is a wonderful offshoot of their well-designed antenna products. Made from durable materials, it's a simple and straightforward item to wind up your wire or up to 40' of RG-174 coax with connectors. The supplied Bongo Tie will help keep whatever wire you put on it from unravelling while in storage. The larger holes easily accommodate most finger sizes <grin> and the small center hole is designed for a field spindle such as a pen or pencil. It's light weight enough that you will want to carry it on your next SOTA expedition, and small enough to tuck into most corners of your backpack along with your other gear. This thing's a winner in my books!" - Vince VE6LK
High Visibility Antenna Wire (Accessory)
We know that sometimes you need a brightly colored antenna wire option for operating in a busy park or for group events. This high visibility antenna wire is sold as add-on for your pack.
It is pre-assembled with a banana plug plus paracord loops on each end for strain relief. It's ready to connect to SPOOLTENNA!
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: