Antenna ground spike mounts compared
A ground spike mount lets you push a vertical antenna straight into the dirt at a park or campsite: no tripod, no clamp, no table. Here are four popular ones side by side, with the specs each maker or dealer publishes.
We make the POTA Pounder, so we’ve listed where the others do better too. Specs checked October 30, 2026.
Specs side by side
| Feature | POTA Pounder (ours) | Super Antenna UM3SP | Chameleon Spike Mount | Opek GM-3101 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 (plate only) to $42.99 (complete kit with spike) | $29.99 on Amazon. $14.95 at Ham Radio Outlet when we checked, but HRO sells the SP3 spike alone for $39.95, so that may be a short-term deal | About €76 in Europe; hard to find in the US when we checked | $39.95 at Ham Radio Outlet when we checked |
| Spike material | Solid stainless steel | Aluminum | Stainless steel | Not listed |
| Spike length | About 8.5 in (22 cm) | About 11.4 in (29 cm) | About 15 in (38 cm) | About 11.4 in (290 mm) |
| Spike thickness | 3/8 in or M10 (about 10 mm) | 9 mm | Not listed | 10 mm |
| Spike-to-plate thread | Your choice: 3/8-24 or M10 | 3/8-16 | One piece (no separate plate) | Not listed |
| Antenna thread | 3/8-24 (M10 antennas need an adapter) | 3/8-24 | 3/8-24 | 3/8-24 |
| Coax connector | SO-239 elbow | SO-239 | None built in | SO-239 (Opek SM-1 body plate) |
| Radial connections | Quick-disconnect terminals | Two 6 mm (1/4 in) push-on tabs | One thumb screw for a counterpoise wire | Two 6 mm terminals |
| Weight | 12.5 oz complete (spike alone 6.7 oz) | About 5.4 oz (0.34 lb, per one dealer listing) | About 12 oz (3/4 lb) | Not listed |
| Can you buy parts separately? | Yes: plate only, plate with SO-239, or complete kit | Yes: UM3 plate and SP3 spike sold separately | Replacement thumb screw only | Not listed |
| Where to buy | Ham Radio Dude on Etsy | Ham Radio Outlet, Amazon, other dealers | Chameleon dealers (one UK dealer lists it as discontinued) | Ham Radio Outlet stores and website |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Which one is right for you?
Super Antenna UM3SP
Good pick if: You want the lowest price, mostly operate on soft ground, or already own Super Antenna gear like the MP1.
Chameleon Spike Mount
Good pick if: You run a Chameleon MPAS or Hybrid antenna and often set up in sand or very loose soil.
Opek GM-3101
Good pick if: You want to buy at a Ham Radio Outlet store today, or want a longer spike for soft ground.
POTA Pounder
Good pick if: You operate on hard or rocky ground, want a stainless spike, or need M10 threads.
See it in use
Common questions
Which ground spike mount should I buy?
It depends on how you operate. Pick the Super Antenna UM3SP if you want the lowest price, mostly operate on soft ground, or already own Super Antenna gear like the MP1. Pick the Chameleon Spike Mount if you run a Chameleon MPAS or Hybrid antenna and often set up in sand or very loose soil. Pick the Opek GM-3101 if you want to buy at a Ham Radio Outlet store today, or want a longer spike for soft ground. Pick the POTA Pounder if you operate on hard or rocky ground, want a stainless spike, or need M10 threads.
Do I still need radials with a ground spike mount?
Yes, for most vertical antennas. The spike holds the antenna up, but pushing metal into the ground is not a good RF ground by itself. Clip a few radial wires to the mount’s terminals and lay them out on the ground.
What does 3/8-24 mean?
It is the standard thread on most portable HF verticals and mobile whips: 3/8 inch wide, 24 threads per inch. M10 is the metric thread some antennas use instead.
Where these specs come from
- Ham Radio Outlet: UM3SP listing
- Ham Radio Outlet: SP3 SuperSpike sold alone ($39.95)
- WiMo: SP-3 SuperSpike specs
- Amazon: UM3SP listing
- Moonraker: CHA Spike Mount (specs)
- WiMo: Chameleon Spike Mount
- Ham Radio Outlet: GM-3101 listing
- Our own specs come from our product listings.
We checked every listing on October 30, 2026. Prices and stock change often, so check the seller before you buy. Where a seller doesn’t publish a spec, we say “Not listed” instead of guessing. Spot a mistake? Message us on Etsy and we’ll fix it.
Super Antenna UM3SP, Chameleon Spike Mount, Opek GM-3101 are names and trademarks of their owners. Ham Radio Dude is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.