Palomar Engineers BULLET-4006: Compact 40–6 m OCF Antenna for SOTA, POTA & Stealth HF
Want reliable multi-band HF from 40 through 6 meters without bulk or feedpoint drama? The Palomar BULLET-4006 is an end-fed, off-center-fed (OCF) wire antenna that delivers wide band coverage, quick setup, and a compact footprint — ideal for SOTA, POTA, EMCOMM, RV/camping, and HOA/stealth installs. It uses a 55 ft radiator while your coax braid forms the other leg of the OCF system, giving you the range of a classic OCF dipole with simpler deployment.
Why OCF (and not EFHW)?
- Safer feedpoint: avoids the high-voltage 49:1 transformer typical of EFHWs.
- More bands, shorter wire: 40–6 m coverage with just 55 ft of wire.
- Cleaner operation: reduced RFI and simple portable deployment.
Key specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Frequency Coverage | 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 11, 10, and 6 meters (most bands typically ≤ ~3:1 SWR; touch up with rig ATU as needed). |
| Radiator Length | 55 ft wire; coax outer braid used as the other OCF leg. |
| Coax Choke Placement | Place a feed-line choke at approximately 12 ft from the matching unit. |
| Recommended Feed Line | 25 ft+ of 50 Ω coax; longer runs may affect SWR depending on soil/nearby objects. |
| LMR-400 / RG213 / RG8X Users | Use 3 turns through the choke; if more choking is needed, add a second SOFLC with another 3 turns in series.For RG-8X use 5-6 turns thru a SOFLC snap on choke. |
| Deployment Styles | Sloper, Inverted-L, horizontal between supports; zig-zag and 90° bends (horizontal) are acceptable. |
Portable & stealth friendly
Raise the matching unit as high as practical, route the radiator as a sloper or inverted-L, and keep it clear of metal or wet foliage. Add the choke at ~12 ft on the feed line and run at least 25 ft of coax back to the rig.
Setup (5 quick steps)
- Mount the BULLET matching unit on a mast/tree or convenient tie-off.
- Run the 55 ft radiator as a sloper, inverted-L, or horizontal path.
- Install a coax choke ~12 ft from the matching unit (SOFLC).
- Feed with 25 ft+ of 50 Ω coax; longer runs can modestly affect SWR.
- Check SWR across bands; touch up with your transceiver’s ATU where needed.
Recommended accessories
- SOFLC ferrite choke (12 ft from the BULLET matching unit).
- Coax noise filter near the radio to reduce common-mode noise/RFI.
- UHFMBNCF adaptor for BNC-input radios.
Notes & operating guidance
- DC grounded (not RF grounded): the matching unit bleeds static but is not an RF ground.
- Duty cycles: reduce power if the matching unit becomes warm during extended operation; plan lower duty for CW/digital.
- SWR caveat: SWR varies with height, ground, layout, and feedline length; gallery SWR plots are examples, not guarantees.
Choose Your Power Rating
| Model | Max Rated Power | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| BULLET-4006-100 | 100 W PEP / 100 W digital | Portable rigs up to 100 W; SOTA/POTA |
| BULLET-4006-500 | 500 W PEP / 350 W digital | Mid-power base/field use; longer duty sessions |
| BULLET-4006-1500 | 1500 W PEP / 1000 W digital | Full-power HF amplifiers; contest/expedition durability |
| BULLET-4006-5000 | 5000 W PEP / 2000 W digital | High-power systems; includes CU-4-5000 (approx. 3 lb; 4 in × 4 in × 2 in) |
Note: Only the matching unit power rating differs among variants; band coverage, radiator length (55 ft), and installation are the same. If the matching unit warms during extended transmit, reduce power to prevent damage.
Helpful resources
📘 Download the BULLET-4006 Quick Setup Guide (PDF)
Get on the air — anywhere
From HOA stealth installs to SOTA/POTA activations, the Palomar BULLET-4006 makes 40–6 m portable HF a breeze.
FAQs
What bands does BULLET-4006 cover?
40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 11, 10, and 6 meters. Most bands are typically ≤ ~3:1 SWR; your rig’s tuner can touch up quickly as needed.
How long is the wire, and where does the choke go?
The radiator is 55 ft. Place a coax choke ~12 ft from the matching unit. Use at least 25 ft of 50 Ω coax to the radio.
LMR-400 / RG213 / RG8 feed line — how many turns?
Start with 3 turns through the choke. If more choking is needed, add a second SOFLC with another 3 turns in series.
Do higher-power models tune better or add bands?
No — coverage and tuning behavior are the same across variants; only the matching unit power rating changes.
Is the matching unit grounded?
The output is DC grounded (helps bleed static) but not RF grounded.
Which layouts work best for limited space?
Sloper and Inverted-L are fast and effective; a horizontal run between supports works too. Zig-zags and 90° bends (horizontal) are acceptable where space is tight.
