REZ Antenna Systems: Serious Portable HF Gear Now at ML&S

Portable HF operating has grown enormously in popularity over the last few years, driven in large part by the Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA) programmes. With that growth has come a proper market for portable antenna gear that is genuinely well-made rather than just lightweight, and REZ Antenna Systems is one of the more interesting names to emerge from it. Based in the USA, REZ designs and CNC-machines its components from aircraft-grade 6061 aluminium and Delrin with stainless steel hardware throughout, and the whole range is built around a common 3/8-24 thread standard so that coils, whips, mounts and accessories all work together without adapters or improvisation.

ML&S now stocks the full REZ range, covering their flagship HF loading coils, telescopic whips, mounting systems, carry bags and a handful of useful accessories. Here is a tour of what is available and how it fits together.

The Coils: Where the System Starts

The heart of the REZ system is its range of base-loaded vertical coils. Paired with a suitable telescoping whip, these give you a compact, tunable HF vertical that can be up and operational in minutes. REZ currently offers three coils at ML&S, each targeting a different part of the HF spectrum.

Ranger 80 II (REZ-RNGR80-II)

The flagship of the coil range, the Ranger 80 II is a high-performance base-loaded vertical coil covering 80m through to 6m when paired with a telescoping whip extended to at least 2.8m (around 9ft). It is rated at 200W SSB and 100W digital at 50% duty cycle, which covers most portable and QRP-to-QRO field setups comfortably. The updated Mk II version integrates radial ports directly into the coil base, accepting up to eight 4mm banana plugs, so there is no need for a separate radial puck when deploying in the field. The coil itself is wound from 14-gauge solid stainless steel wire on a CNC-machined Delrin former, with a black anodised 6061 aluminium body and SO-239 coax connection at the base.

Recon 40 II (REZ-REC40-II)

The Recon 40 II takes the same proven construction approach as the Ranger 80 but focuses on 40m through 6m coverage, making it a slightly more compact option for operators who do not regularly need 80m from the field. Like the Ranger 80 II, it features integrated radial ports, stainless steel coil wire and the same 3/8-24 thread mounting standard, and is fully compatible with the same whips, mounts and accessories.

Scout XF Loading Coils for 40m (REZ-SC-4017 and REZ-SC-4025)

For operators who already have a 17ft or 25ft telescopic whip and want to add 40m capability, REZ offers the Scout XF 40m loading coils in two versions matched to each whip size. These are a more compact and affordable entry point into the REZ system and attach via the standard 3/8-24 thread, sitting between the whip and the Scout XF Mounting Base to add the inductance needed for 40m operation.

The Whips

REZ makes three telescoping whip options to pair with their coil range, all using the standard 3/8-24 thread at the base.

[Z]-17 Telescopic Whip (REZ-Z17)

A 17ft (5.2m) multi-section stainless steel telescoping whip. The stainless construction is notably more durable than the fibreglass or thin aluminium whips often bundled with budget portable antenna kits, and the 3/8-24 base threads directly onto any REZ coil or Scout XF mounting base.

[Z]-25SS Telescopic Whip (REZ-Z25SS)

The larger of the two options, at 25ft (7.6m). The extra length makes a meaningful difference to low-band performance when used with the Ranger 80 II, bringing the whip closer to a full quarter-wave on 40m and reducing the loading coil contribution. Also in stainless steel with the same 3/8-24 base thread.

Heavy Duty 7-Section Military Whip (REZ-HDMILW)

A rugged seven-section military-style whip for operators who need something that will take more physical punishment in the field. Built with the same 3/8-24 thread base as the rest of the range.

Mounting Options

REZ offers several ways to get the antenna off the ground, all using the same 3/8-24 thread standard.

Radials and Feed Accessories

A vertical antenna is only as good as its radial system, and REZ makes it easy to deploy a proper one in the field.

• [Z]QD Radial Kit (REZ-ZQD-RK). A quick-deploy radial wire kit with 4mm banana plug terminations, designed to work directly with the integrated radial ports on the Ranger 80 II and Recon 40 II coils. Pre-cut radial wires with banana plugs, ready to deploy and pack away quickly.
• XFORM 4:1 Unun (REZ-SXF-41). A modular 4:1 impedance-matching unun for operators who want to run the REZ system as an end-fed or non-resonant vertical, or who are experimenting with different feed arrangements.
• CM7 Common Mode Feedline Choke (REZ-CM7). A compact inline 1:1 choke for controlling common-mode currents on the coax feedline. Recommended for any portable vertical setup where RF on the feedline could cause noise or pattern distortion.
• DLWK Delta Loop Antenna Wire Kit (REZ-DLWK). A wire kit designed for building a portable delta loop antenna, for operators who prefer a wire antenna option alongside the vertical whip system.
• 4-Band Scout Linked Dipole Kit (REZ-LDK). A DIY linked dipole kit for four-band coverage, for POTA and SOTA operators who prefer a dipole configuration over a vertical.

Carry and Storage

REZ offers dedicated carry options for getting the system to and from the field.

• FlexPack Antenna Bag (REZ-FP-B). A rugged and versatile carry bag designed to hold a complete REZ antenna system including coil, whip sections and accessories. A non-slip strap kit (REZ-FP-SK) is available separately.
• Ranger Backpack (REZ-RB). A rugged field pack designed for portable operations, carrying the antenna system alongside other field equipment.
• Ranger Pro Backpack (REZ-RPB-B). The larger, purpose-built field pack option for operators who need more carrying capacity for a full portable station setup.

Putting a System Together

Because everything in the REZ range shares the 3/8-24 thread standard, building a complete portable HF station is straightforward. A typical starting point for someone new to the range might look like this:

For operators who prefer an elevated mount, swap the GSPIKE for the [Z]Pod II tripod, which also accepts the [Z]Pod Weight Hanger for stability in exposed locations. For SOTA and portable use where a surveyor tripod is already part of the kit, the Surveyor Tripod Adaptor offers another neat option.

The Antenna Base Insulator (REZ-ATBI-IM) is a small but useful accessory for isolating the antenna base from a metal mounting surface, recommended when using the Universal Mast Mount or a vehicle-mounted setup.

Who Is REZ Antenna Systems For?

The REZ range is aimed at operators who take portable operating seriously and want kit that will not let them down in the field. What you are getting is CNC-machined precision, stainless steel hardware that will not corrode or seize after a winter in a damp bag, and a modular system that can grow with your operating style over time.

For POTA activators, SOTA operators, Field Day enthusiasts and emergency communications volunteers who want a proper portable HF capability rather than a compromise, REZ is worth serious consideration.

Quick Reference: Full REZ Range at ML&S

Disclaimer: This post is an independent overview based on REZ Antenna Systems published product information, current at the time of writing. Specifications and availability are subject to change. Please check the product pages at ML&S for the latest stock status and pricing before ordering.