Buddipole (Portable Dipole System)
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| Frequency | 7-54 MHz continuous, 144-148 MHz |
| Bands | 40m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m, 2m |
| Modes | SSB, CW, AM, FM, digital |
| Connector | BNC (via VersaTee/Versahub feedpoint; includes 25ft coax assembly) |
| Year | 2003 |
| feedpoint | VersaTee or Versahub feedpoint with integrated choke balun. BNC connector. 25ft MILSPEC RG-58 coax included with BNC terminations and removable SO-239 adapter |
Estimated (unverified): This page covers the Buddipole dipole packages; the Buddistick vertical is a separate product.
A modular portable antenna system that configures as a dipole, vertical, or Yagi, covering 40m through 2m (7-54 MHz continuous plus 144-148 MHz) at 250W PEP. It breaks down into components that fit a carry bag (the standard antenna collapses to ~22 inches, the Deluxe package to 24 inches, the Mini to 13 inches). Adjustable coils with a tap system tune to any frequency in range, and the VersaTee feedpoint includes an integrated choke balun. It has been made in the USA since 2001.
Setup takes 10-15 minutes (multiple components to assemble). Performance is a compromise on lower bands (a coil-loaded short dipole). The standard antenna is ~3.5 lbs; the full Deluxe package at 9.5 lbs is not ultralight by SOTA standards. It is more expensive than wire antennas with similar performance. The tripod is lightweight and can blow over. Band changes require adjusting coil taps.
A commercial modular portable antenna. The Buddipole gives operators a packaged, engineered solution covering 40m through 2m without homebrewing: dipole, vertical, and Yagi configurations from one kit. It is popular at Field Day, POTA, and DXpeditions.
The Buddipole is the modular portable dipole that turns antenna setup into assembly rather than construction: a VersaTee center block, two aluminum arms, two tapped loading coils, and two telescopic whips that click together into a full horizontal (or vee) dipole for whatever band you choose, 40 through 2 meters, handling QRP to 250 watts. Change bands by moving a coil tap and re-extending the whips; the whole standard kit - VersaTee, arms, coils, whips, choke balun, and 25 feet of coax - packs to 3.5 pounds.
Be clear about which package you are buying, because the specs differ. The standard package is the antenna itself with bags and manual. The Deluxe Package (9.5 lb) is the field station: it adds the tripod, a 9-foot-6 mast, the Rotating Arm Kit for vertical and sloper configurations, an extra whip, and a padded system bag - the version most portable operators mean when they say "a Buddipole." The related Buddistick PRO is the company's vertical with a different feedpoint and its own profile; the Mini-Buddipole and BuddiHEX round out the line.
The honest trade-offs are those of any shortened, coil-loaded portable antenna: narrow bandwidth on the low bands, efficiency well below a full-size wire on 40 meters, and a real setup ritual to tune it. In exchange you get a repeatable, airline-packable antenna system with a huge community of documented configurations. Compare it with wire alternatives like a PackTenna random wire that trade convenience in the other direction.