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| Reviews Summary for CHAMELEON V2 HF/VHF/UHF Multiband Antenna |
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Reviews: 10
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $199
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Description: CHAMELEON V2 HF/VHF/UHF Multiband Antenna™
Covers 6m, 10m, 11m (Citizens Band), 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m,
30m, 40m, 60m & 80m +2M/1.25M/70cm (144MHz – 500MHz)
Description:
As our excellent CHAMELEON V1 HF/VHF/UHF Multiband Antenna™,
the optimal antenna length for Ham Radio frequencies is 102”
as this represents one quarter of a wavelength. However,
mounting a 102” (8.5 foot) antenna to a vehicle is usually
not always an option. The V2 is made for vehicles without
available strong antenna mount support locations, height
restrictions due to low overhead obstacles or just an
esthetical look. Made of premium fiberglass tubing and at
approximately 4’2” high, our CHAMELEON V2 HF/VHF/UHF
Multiband Antenna™ has been designed specifically to address
those very common problems. Designed with a similar coil
traps system technology used for the Chameleon V1, the
Chameleon V2 doesn’t require any adjustments on the antenna
after installation. To change the operating band the
operator will only have to activate an antenna tuner. The
Chameleon V2 is 50% smaller that our Chameleon V1 and offers
an HF/VHF/UHF antenna alternative for Ham operators desiring
to have HF/VHF/UHF capability on their vehicles. Due to its
short length (4’2”), the better the ground plane, the higher
the antenna on the vehicle and better will be TX/RX
performances. Good mobile antenna knowledge and proper
antenna installation (grounding and ground plane) are
required for good Chameleon V2 performances. Mounting
location is a difficult topic to advise upon due to each
individual’s unique circumstances and preferences. As for
general guidelines and optimal performances, 2/3 of the
antenna should be above the roofline. An antenna mounted
higher on the vehicle tends to perform better. And it will
be critical that the antenna mount be well grounded to the
vehicle chassis because it is the “metallic” masse right
under the antenna and not on the side of it that define a
good ground plane.
CHAMELEON V2 HF/VHF/UHF Multiband Antenna™
Specifications:
Frequency Range: 80/60/40/30/20/17/15/12/11/10/6M +
2M/1.25M/70cm (144MHz – 500MHz).
Max Power: 150W
Connectors: 3/8-24
Size: 4' 2” High
Requires a Tuner
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.chameleonantenna.com
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KD6LSJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 30, 2012 09:40
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Mobile Antenna Shoot-Out
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The baseline for testing was that the antennas chosen would have to be multiband mobiles. I chose the Little Tarheel II ($389), the Chameleon V2 ($189), and Maldol HMC-6S with HMC-7 Coil ($192). This was the mount I bought for the test: http://amateurradiostore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23_4&products_id=5. I bought three of these mounts and installed them at just about the same place on my truck.
RESULTS
Little Tarheel II - 7/10
This antenna was the most difficult to install. As I used my 3 position antenna switch to go between the antennas, I received reports that this antenna was transmitting on par with the V2. Having to tune the Tarheel between frequency changes on the same band was a pain.
Chameleon V2 - 9/10
The weakest signals were heard using the V2, most likely because it sounded like it had the lowest noise floor as I switched between the different antennas. I was able to use an entire band after just tuning once with my autotuner. The V2 is built like a tank!
Maldol HMC-6S with HMC-7 Coil - 6/10
I vote this antenna as the most likely antenna to break. I might use it as a base antenna, or go with the big brother to the V2, which is the Chameleon V1. I had a time of it trying to get this antenna tuned for all of the bands, but once it was tuned, I was able to enjoy QSO's from across the country.
If you enjoy tinkering with antennas, perhaps the Chameleon V2 isn't for you. I would, however, encourage you to read the reviews for each antenna before making your decision; and 73s!
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KI5SO
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Rating: 3/5
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Oct 11, 2011 18:39
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Gets you on the air..
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I'm still playing with this antenna on my Prius. I have a spring and a k400 heavy duty mount on the hatchback of the car on one side on the high side. I have made a contact on 10 meters and it's pretty hot on 20 meters. I can tune all bands from 80 to 6 meters with the AT-7000 tuner. The Prius puts out a lot of interference noises on 80 meters so it's impossible to hear while driving down the road. I can hear from 40 to 6 on the road. It will receive strong signals while parked but I haven't made any contacts on 80 meters nor 40 meters yet. It is not a good CB antenna so far as I can tell. It will tune up on the band but the signals are weak. The opening comment at the top of the page says that 102" is a quarter wave on ham bands and is the best...no, it is a quarter wave on 11 meters. A quarter way on a ham band is that frequency divided into 234. Anyway, I think when the next solar cycle comes in full bore the antenna will serve me well on the road. For the price, it is doing ok, but I seriously wonder if a 102" whip tuned with a tuner like the AT-7000 wouldn't work just as good and cost 80% less? Of course, it would be a lot longer and be a hassle on a small Toyota Prius. This is my objective review. If anything changes I'll come back and revise this.
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W1RSF
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 5, 2011 07:03
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Highly recommend
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I love my Chameleon V2 HF antenna. Mine is paired with the LDG Z-100Plus auto-tuner, MFJ -910 antenna matcher and mounted on a Military Shakespeare 4244 mount on my 2007 Jeep Wrangler 4 door.
I was looking for a rugged form factor multi-band HF antenna after break two antennas off the jeep. While considering to mounting a screw driver antenna I saw the Chameleon V1 at a TEMA/MARS exercise. The owners suggested researching the Chameleon line of antennas for my application. I was extremely excited when I found the 4’ V2. This was short enough to allow daily driver and limited off-road use while providing multi-band capability.
This antenna performs on par with the 12’ fiberglass Military whip designed to use on the 4244 mount. My LDG auto-tuner can obtain a 1:1 match on most ham frequencies and with the added MFJ antenna matcher it allows me to work my MARS frequencies too.
I highly recommend this antenna to anyone looking for a small form factor that is rugged enough to use on an off road vehicle.
73,
Rick – W1RSF
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ROB1955
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 6, 2011 17:04
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Great antenna on my fishing boat!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This small antenna is perfect for outdoor activities when toughness, robustness and versatility is required.
I've installed mine at the front tip of my Princecraft Yukon 15 aluminum fishing boat. I'm using a spring coil under it and the water proof unun. The unun input is grounded to the boat and the antenna tunes perfectly from 10M to 80M. I did a coax choke right under the unun because I had some RFI. Since I did it the RFI is gone!
I really like this antenna because I can use the FRS/GMRS frequencies with the family for check-in and switch back to HF under 5 seconds.
The quality build of the V2 is excellent! It's made to resist off-road trip and direct hit caused by branches along the river and the lake.
Because of its size it is very important to either ground the input of the unun to the boat or the connector output of the tuner to the boat. When properly grounded this antenna works great.
You can't compare the V2 with a full size dipole or a yagi antenna. But who wants to install a full dipole to a fishing boat anyway?
For its size the V2 is a very handy. When I'm done with the fishing day I pop back the V2 on the truck and drive home still enjoying some HF and some talk with friends and family over the FRS/GMRS frequencies.
VERY RECOMMENDED because it's a fraction of a screwdriver cost which will break over time due to mechanical parts and the customer service from the folks at Chameleon Antenna (Carl) is probably the best in the industry!
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KC2NBE
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 6, 2011 10:55
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AWESOME
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased the V2 over a year ago out of curiosity. I had already owned 2 V1's configured as a dipole. My first contact on the V2, I was mobile in New Brunswick, NJ. I heard a station station calling CQ on 20 meters, I threw my call got a 59 report, chatted a bit. Not until I got home did I realize the station was in South Dakota! Since then I've logged quite a number of stations that I thought would never hear me, Italy and Sarajevo from downtown Brooklyn, Texas from Rochester NY on 20 and 40 meters. When I got it I was told not to expect the same performance as a V1. Well, I'd say it performs quite well as a V1. I just got a V4 and can't wait to try it out. GREAT JOB!
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KF7YN
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Rating: 5/5
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May 18, 2011 12:26
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Surprising performance
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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All things must be put in perspective when comparing apples to apples. HF mobile antennas < 24 MHz are a compromise (all in accordance to the laws of physics vs practicality).
I mounted the V2 on my new Silverado 2500 HD last week on the left front fender with heavy duty L bracket. Not the optimum height but it is far enough away from the cab to somewhat lessen obstruction issues. My rig is Icom 706MK2-G with LDG Z11-Pro tuner. I immediately heard a UA in Moscow talking to Italy on 20M. Grayline was strong! My first contacts were S Dakota and Nebraska. They gave me 5x9 and 5x7 respectively. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.
Took a road trip last week to Wyoming and E Utah. Worked WV on 20M and So Cal on 10M right off the bat. I listened mostly but the usual yappers on 14.295 were very strong.
As indicated by Chameleon, good electrical grounding is essential. The LDG tuner does better without the 9:1 un-un for whatever reason but tunes up fast on all bands. I use a heavy duty spring and a Breedlove Machine Shop antenna ball mount which is superb quality. http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/r/breedlove1/page27.html
I may buy the V1 for when I'm camping, Field Day, etc.
Anyway, I love it so far and will post some pics soon as it stops raining here in SLC!
73's, Jon KF7YN
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KB7SKZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 2, 2011 18:29
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Excellent Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Excellent antenna. I have already made a few contacts with this antenna. I currently have it mounted on my truck bed for my mobile HF rig. I would highly recommend this antenna to anyone, and you most certainly can NOT beat the price. It is a heck of a lot cheap than the screwdriver antennas.
I am seriously considering on purchasing the V11 and/or V3 antenna for my home QTH.
I is extremely important to have a really good ground and a decent antenna tuner for the set up. I am currently operating an Icom 706 with a LDG IT-100 tuner.
Once again... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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N0TES
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 9, 2011 07:45
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Mobile DX on the 2-80 Meter Chameleon V2 Antenna with Mount Kit
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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When I bought the V2 Mobile Mount Kit last week and installed my Chameleon V2 Antenna on it, I started to hear something I had never heard before; DX stations! Here's a YouTube video of the 3000 mile QSO made to Barbados.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSzojrKRNSw
Last night I was able to have a QSO with Japan on 20 meters. The reason that this is happening is because the V2 Mobile Mount Kit places the Chameleon V2 Antenna above the roof and establishes a good ground. I had always been able to have state-side QSOs, but am now DX QSOs from a 4'2" 2-80 meter antenna! I am also very happy that the V2 Mobile Mount Kit uses all stainless steel & powder coated hardware, plus it came with everything needed to install the Balun in-line, including enough coax to run the installation from the back of my SUV-under the seats-all the way up to the radio mounted under my dash. I recently installed a Diamond Duplexer on the back of my Yaesu FT-857D and now I use the Chameleon V2 Antenna, and occasionally my V1, for all my mobile operations.
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W7RNA
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 4, 2010 10:53
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Successful Portable Ops
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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"I decided to try it on the roof of my office, about 20 feet up, mounted on an abandoned steel non-penetrating satellite mount. A hail storm of a couple of weeks ago damaged my 40 meter ham stick up there, so I tried the V2 with the balun. It's up in the air, in the clear, and apparently the large sat mount is massive enough and ground enough for the rig to tune it very well. SWR, depending on the band, is as follows:
4:1 on 3950
2.5:1 on 7200
3:1 on 14150
2:1 on 21350
2.5:1 on 28325
I did get a signal report on 80 meters of 5/5, at 60 miles distant at 3:00 in the afternoon, followed by a 5/7 report on 7183 out of Southern California. That seems pretty good for a small antenna like the V2 mounted as it is. I have yet to try other bands on transmit. Since I have to operate in "stealth" mode, the V2 is ideal."
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VE0MAW
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 30, 2010 13:05
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I made a very fast installation of this antenna on my mast
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Follow the complete instructions and forget about the guys telling you it won't works...
I am presently in Bermuda's Islands with my Beneteau 50 sailboat. The Chameleon V2 is on the top of my 66 feet high mast. I'm using an Icom 710 RT SSB radio with the AT 130 tuner. I got excellent signal report almost every morning at 14 118 with a station in Montreal, on the 20 meters band. I also use a Pactor 3 modem that allowed me to access my e-mail almost every day between Norfolk and Bermuda on the 20 and 40 meters bands.
Great antenna... and so small... Mast as to be well grounded (in my case on a keel's boat)
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