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$149.95
6 Bands - 100 Watts -No Tuner Needed
The newest Linked EFHW "Fleep-tenna" for HF Ham Radio. Available with BNC or SO 239 Connectors. Lightweight, Durable and Rugged - This is a complete, ready-to-use antenna system.
For $149.95 you will receive:
One original, newly fabricated, ready to use No Tune End Fed Half Wave antenna as depicted in the photos, tested and described below. Made in America, by Hams for Hams with materials sourced from U.S. sellers.
*An 8" removable wire grounding anchor with ring connectors
*Stainless Steel Half-Wave Element and Ground Lug Hardware
*A BNC or UHF end protector cap.
*A drawstring carry pouch as pictured
*Free Shipping within the United States
*30-day Free Returns
The Fleep-Tenna is a high-performance, multi-band End Fed Half Wave (EFHW) antenna system designed for various amateur radio applications, including SOTA, POTA, Field Day, and stealth installations. Engineered for 80/75/40/20/15 and 10-meter operation without a tuner, this fully assembled, rugged antenna prioritizes portability, durability, and ease of deployment.
The Fleep-Tenna is comprised of three interlocking sections and a resonating unit. Like our other Linked End Feds- The Primary wire is used for 10 and 20 meters. It is a short section (approx. 32 feet) designed for rapid deployment. The Secondary wire is used for 40/20/15 and 10 meters and is the standard configuration for a 40 Meter End Fed Half Wave Antenna (approx. 65 feet). The Tertiary wire attaches to the end of the 40 Meter section and allows for operation on the lower end of 80 meters (without the resonator) and 75 Meters with the resonator in line (approx 128 Feet). The Resonator is installed between the 40 and 80 Meter sections.
Performance Characteristics:
The EFHW design offers a compromise between portability and efficiency, with reduced radiation efficiency compared to a half-wave dipole but superior adaptability for constrained environments. Its lightweight construction (1.5 lbs) and compact collapsed form factor (stored in a 9" x 7" pouch) make it ideal for portable operations. The antenna’s stainless steel hardware ensures corrosion resistance, while the 18 AWG wire provides flexibility and durability for repeated deployments. Field performance is documented by various operators on YouTube such as KA4KOE and Outdoors on the Air, showcasing effective QSOs in various configurations.
Regular size 80 Meter End Feds work poorly on 10 meters. The multiple at the 8th Harmonic results in an out of band frequency. 80 Meter End Feds also tend to work best on the lower range of 80 meters but do not function efficiently in the higher range (75 Meters) of the band. There are many ways to combat this issue, including coils and traps, but these tend to be lossy and inefficient. We think the best way to offset these problems is to introduce a 470 ppF capacitor installed at the halfway point (between the 40M and 80M links). The SWR sweeps shown in the listing pictures tell the story.
This idea is not new and has been explored many times, versions of which are available on the internet. Working with Philip KA4KOE or “Fleep” as he is called, we were able to optimize this configuration to operate efficiently on these bands, without a tuner, while keeping the antenna lightweight and flexible.
Technical Specifications:
Frequency Coverage: 80m (extended link), 75m (resonator-enabled), 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m; no external tuner required.
Impedance Matching: 49:1 transformer utilizing a Fair-Rite FT140-43 toroid core with a 2-turn primary bifilar winding, optimized for efficient power transfer across bands.
Radiating Element: ~65 ft (half-wave at 40m) of 18 AWG UL 1007 stranded copper wire, balancing weight, flexibility, and durability.
Enclosure: Custom 3D-printed weatherized PETG housing (color options available), providing robust environmental protection for the matching unit.
Weight: Approximately 1.5 lbs, including all components, for ultra-portable operation.
Connectors: Choice of BNC or SO-239 (PL-259 compatible) female connector for coaxial feedline integration.
Grounding: Includes 8" grounding anchor and stainless steel ground lug; optional counterpoise recommended (refer to AA5TB’s counterpoise design guidelines).
Radiation Pattern: Moderately directional, with primary lobes aligned with the antenna’s longitudinal axis. Optimal performance achieved up to 100 Watts SSB.
Supported Topologies: Sloper, Inverted L, Inverted V, vertical, zig-zag, or rhombic, depending on environmental constraints.
Installation Requirements: Matching unit must be elevated 8-12 inches above ground to minimize ground losses. The far end of the radiating element should be raised as high as feasible to optimize radiation efficiency.
Counterpoise: Optional, user-supplied counterpoise may enhance performance, particularly on 80/75m (see AA5TB’s EFHW resources for detailed analysis).
Applications: SOTA, POTA, Base Station and Field Day due to rapid setup and no-tune operation.
Stealth Installations: Discreet design suitable for HOA-restricted environments.
Emergency Communications: Lightweight and reliable for EmComm deployments.
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