Broadband Folded Dipole HF Antennas

Marines check out our HF Field Expedient Kit


Antenna shown rolled up and attached to optional FDMK mounting kit
*Click Here for our Antenna Review in Popular Communications*

These antennas are so unique that they were even patented! They can offer fully automatic, low SWR operation over the entire HF band without need for an antenna tuner, plus 6 meters with a tuner. Yes, that includes the new 60 meter band. They are frequency agile, which is a necessity to operate ALE capable radios. They will propagate NVIS, local, medium or long distance. Try that with a vertical! Delivery of the quietest possible reception is integral to the design, with automatic static bleed off from wind or thunderstorms. Ready to go right out of the box, no taps to change, nothing to tune - ever! Designed for the military and built to last. Work any frequency you want without going through a lot of knob twirling and measurements to get a good SWR match - just set your frequency and go!

Why utilize a broadband antenna?

MARS, ARES, RACES, CAP, Amateur	This one antenna does all of your "out of band" frequencies! If your frequencies change it isn't a problem. For regular amateurs, it is a single antenna solution.
Cost	Low cost compared to multiband antennas. Utilize one antenna instead of several. No need for an antenna tuner. No antenna switches needed.
Performance	Not limited to conventional ham bands. Tune any HF frequency in the antenna's bandwidth, and have VSWR of 2:1 or better. 6 M VSWR of 3:1 or better. Capture weak signals in receive mode. Much better performance than any vertical. Very reliable.
Simple to Install	Easy to install as inverted Vee, flat top, or sloper. Just put it up! No adjustments of any kind. No tuning. Completely assembled. No grounds to play with. Installation kit available (FDMK).
Simple to Use	Work any frequency you want without going through a lot of knob twirling and measurements to get a good SWR match.

This unique antenna design covers a continuous frequency range up to 1.8 to 30 Mhz, with a VSWR of less than 2:1 across the entire range when fed with a 50 ohm coaxial cable. No antenna tuner is required for HF for most radios. The fact that this antenna is folded over on itself and terminated gives the advantage of EMI rejection far greater than that of other antennas, making receive mode extra quiet. There are no adjustments required when changing frequency, making operation fast and simple for contests or emergency work. There are no mechanical parts like relays or motors to wear out, as in some other broadband tuning systems!

It's Simple . . . It's Reliable . . . It Works!

These antennas are ruggedly built. We use only stranded copperclad steel, and stranded stainless steel wire. Properly mounted they will withstand hurricanes. Tens of thousands are in service on every continent in the world, from the tropics to the antarctic regions. Installation is simple, allowing configuration as an inverted Vee, flat top, or sloper. Recommended minimum height above ground for 80 meter operation is 25 feet, 40 feet for 160 meters. The higher the installation, the more effectively the antenna will radiate, especially at the lower frequencies. NVIS propagation is performed as a flat top at 6 - 12 feet, and will radiate approx 250 miles omnidirectional with no skip.

This antenna was designed at Barker & Williamson at the request of the United States Government more than 25 years ago. Since then we have supplied tens of thousands of them to the U.S. Armed Forces and many other military organizations including NATO, UN, international disaster relief organizations, emergency management operations, and countless commercial organizations around the world. It is also a favorite among amateur operators. They can be found on every continent in the world, including Antarctica. From the desert, to tropical rain forests, to frozen tundra - we know that they are very tough and deserve their excellent reputation for performance worldwide.

Choose the correct model for your needs

Always use the longest antenna that will fit your space, as it will have better radiation efficiency at the low frequencies and give you a stronger signal.

Copperweld Antennas

Model	Length	SWR <2:1	SWR <3:1	Use
BWD-20	20 Ft	14 - 30 Mhz 20 - 10 M	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Attic antenna for 20 - 6 M
BWD-45	45 Ft	7 - 30 Mhz 40 - 10 Mtrs	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Larger attic antenna covers 40 - 6 M
BWD-65	65 Ft	4 - 30 Mhz 75 - 10 Mtrs	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Short MARS antenna
BWD-90	90 Ft	1.8 - 30 Mhz 160 - 10 Mtrs	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Covers all of HF in 90 Ft
BWD-180	180 Ft	1.8 - 30 Mhz 160 - 10 Mtrs	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Enhanced 160 M, about 1 S-unit better

Stainless Steel Antennas

Model	Length	SWR <2:1	SWR <3:1	Use
BWDS-20N	20 Ft	14 - 30 Mhz 20 - 10 M	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Extra short outdoor antenna
BWDS-45N	45 Ft	7 - 30 Mhz 40 - 10 Mtrs	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Short outdoor antenna
BWDS-65N	65 Ft	4 - 30 Mhz 75 - 10 Mtrs	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Short MARS antenna
BWDS-90N	90 Ft	1.8 - 30 Mhz 160 - 10 Mtrs	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Covers all of HF in 90 Ft
BWDS-180N	180 Ft	1.8 - 30 Mhz 160 - 10 Mtrs	30 - 54 Mhz 6 meters	Enhanced 160 M, about 1 S-unit better

Common Specifications:

SWR less than 2:1 over entire HF frequency range for the model
SWR less than 3:1 from 30 - 54 Mhz
Lowest noise for unmatched reception
No antenna tuner required for HF
2 KW PEP Input Power, 1 KW PEP Output Power SSB/CW ICAS (Intermittent Commercial and Amateur Service)
#14 stranded copperweld or stainless steel
50 ohm input with SO-239, N connector on S/S models
Comes completely assembled, easy to install
Install as inverted Vee, flat top, or sloper
Mounting kit FDMK for three pole installations available

You must use FDMK / three pole installation for 180 foot antenna.

Old Part Number Cross Reference:

BWD-1.8-30 is now BWD-90
BWDS-1.8-30 is now BWDS-90
BWDS-1.8-30N is now BWDS-90N
AC-5-30 is now BWD-65
ACS-5-30 is now BWDS-65

All products proudly made in the USA