Phil, thanks for the info.  My tuner does not have a balanced line input. I'll bring the ladder line right up to my house and from that point its about 6' of coax to my rig. This setup will be a major improvement over my current one which is a 31' vertical that's 150' away. It has been frustrating especially since antenna's are my weak point. That's why I was looking at the Chameleon thinking it would be a quick & easy way.  I learned with CW there's no such thing.  Now it just needs to warm up so I can do this. (Of course an ice storm would "test" my installation)
73,
Eric

And having read thru all these pages, I'm still not convinced.  I think I will make my own antenna.
On page 1 of this thread, Phil (N4CR) posted a way to make an antenna out of ladder line, ladder-loc, and copper wire.  I think that's what I will do.  Will probably only cost about $40.  Phil, if you, or anyone else, could tell me what balun (if any) I need for this set up, then I'll be good to go.

Eric

Wow!  This has become an interesting read!  If Chameleon were to offer a 30 day money back guarantee then I'd do it. But if I can build something similar for 1/4 of the price I'd rather do that. Then if it doesn't work, I've learned a $30 lesson instead of having a $125 piece of wire and a box.  N4CR; I like your idea of getting the ladder line and using the copper wire I have.  Seems that if I home brew an antenna I'll learn more about what works.  I should probably do a search for a home brew antenna tuner too.  Thing is most of these "one size fits all" antenna's have some claims that I'm skeptical of... like the verticals that say "no ground radials needed."  I'd just like to read more reviews by those that have the EMCOMM2 and have been using it for awhile.  Not just during a contest. I know from my limited experience that I can just leave the coax disconnected, stretched out across my yard, call CQ using PSK-31 and get a reply. And besides... $125 will buy me a CW filter for my ICOM...

Eric

I thought it might be a scam. I have a 90' piece of copper wire. Maybe I should just run it out to a tree and see what my results are. 

http://chameleonantenna.com/CHA%20EMCOMM%20II/CHA%20EMCOMM%20II.html

Hope the link works.

Anyone have any experience with the Chameleon EMCOMM2 antenna?  I'm just skeptical to the claims of a 60' wire being able to work 160-2m.

WB6BYU, thank you.  The link for the write up on the multi band vertical is great.  I was amazed at the amount of loss below 7MHz.

Eric

I plan on getting the tuner, but if the RG-8X that I currently have is inefficient then I'll replace with it a better coax.
Could you explain the homebrew switched coil/capacitor or a link to it?  Thanks.

I don't mind starting over.  Live and learn!  No sense of torturing myself with an inefficient setup.
What coax should I get? RG-214? LMR-400?

I'm using RG8X coax.  The antenna is 150' from the house because I don't have much of a choice.  Don't need to drill holes in my new roof and stick a 31' lightning rod on it.      I live on a steep hill.  Go down about a foot into the ground and it's solid rock.  (they had FUN putting in my septic tank!)  Drain field in the back yard, power lines in the front, and not much of a side yard.  So it was either put the antenna next to the house or near the end of the property.  My only other option might be something like the Chameleon EMCOMM II, maybe off the roof edge to a tree(?). Then I would only need about 25' coax. 

Thank you both for the responses.  I wonder why I was told I needed the balun when I bought the antenna?
I did tune up on 10m, 20m, and 40m and noticed that my SWR readings were right around 1.5 (both on the Icom and a separate SWR meter) with the balun at the antenna.  Makes me wonder if I really need the antenna tuner.

Been researching this and I'm finding different answers about which to use.  Here's my situation:  I have a 31' Eagle One vertical in the back yard 150' from my house.  It came with a 4:1 Balun and I was using my Kenwood TS-440S with auto tuner. BUT now I have an ICOM-706mkII and it doesn't have the auto tuner.  I'll have to get one (looking at the LDG IT-100) So while doing some reading I've found some say there's no need for a Balun with an antenna tuner.  Others say you need it.  Also read the tuner should be in the shack and others say it should be at the base of the vertical.    Would welcome some clarification on this. 

Eric

Got an Icom 706MkII from Brad.  He promptly answered my emails and sent the rig the same day I sent payment.  It was well packaged, and insured with signature required.  (No worries about someone in the neighborhood walking off with my rig!)  Smooth transaction and a great ham!  Rig is in real nice condition.  Thanks Brad!
73
Eric

Signed up for SKCC and after procrastinating, finally decided to get on the air.  I looked for a K3Y station and answered his CQ.  I about froze when he came back!  I must have corrected myself about 3 times.  Had a death grip on my key.   Then the QSB started then QRM.... lots of QRM!  But we got the basic info exchanged.  I'm glad I finally "dih-dit".  Feels good to get that first one done!  Now that I think about it... seems funny that I would go into panic mode on my first QSO.  Must be the novice experience. 

Eric

I find it hard to pass on a $50 rig.  I'm a gambling man.  I figure if it's junk I can sell the power supply and tubes. 
I bought a $50 Swan and brought it back to life and it's staying.  I like it.  As long as your happy with it... if not then you learned a $50 lesson. 
Good luck and enjoy.

Eric