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Reviews For: Chameleon Hybrid Micro

Category: Antennas: HF Portable (not mobile)

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Review Summary For : Chameleon Hybrid Micro
Reviews: 17MSRP: $230
Description:
The CHA HYBRID-MICRO is a lightweight highly portable
broadband antenna system designed to offer maximum
portability and performance. The antenna weights about 1 lb.
The antenna will operate at all frequencies in the 1.8-54
MHz band without any adjustment with most modern external
antenna tuners. No masts or guying are required.
The antenna will work successfully supported by trees,
masts, the tops of vehicles or any convenient object or
structure. The antenna works most effectively when elevated
at a reasonable height.
Product is in production
More Info: http://chameleonantenna.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
25175
N4KGL Rating: 2015-11-11
A versatile antenna component Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I operate outdoors portable and sometimes moveable (Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio aka RaDAR). I have used the CHA Hybrid Micro in conjunction with several other Chameleon products that gives me lots of versatility. In addition to the sixty foot wire supplied I have the jaw mount, MIL whip/whip extension, top hat, and four wire counterpoise kit. The many possible configurations and are outlined in the Chameleon user manual. I have done an inverted L from tree limbs or use the whip/counterpoise. I have had good luck even with the whip. I use it with the internal tuner on my Elecraft KX3 and the LDG external tuner for my Icom 7100. I just pick a frequency and tune. It is small and very rugged. It is rated at 100 watts on SSB so back off the power to half that on CW. I have had success on many outings. I would take a look at this antenna for RaDAR, EMCOMM,and Field Day.
K7JLJ Rating: 2015-10-18
Excellent build quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the micro and mill whip as an alternative to my LNR 40/20/10 that I use for man-portable with my FT-817.

The LNR was my first antenna and I found myself quickly growing tired of stringing trees and sometime not able to when at RV parks.

The micro was recommended by the YouTuber "Survival Tech Nord" and I'm glad I saved up for the micro as its versatility with the milwhip addition covers every configuration from NVIS to manpack whip.

All parts are precision made and of high quality.

The setup does require a tuner which I don't have yet, but comparing it to the LNR and a dipole, it brings the signals in strong even quickly mounted to my truck.

I will update this review in the future, but I would not hesitate to recommend any of Chameleons products based off of what I've seen in this sample and reading others experiences.
WB4RFQ Rating: 2015-10-18
Rugged build quality & it just works Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I live in an 8th-floor apartment in downtown San Francisco, CA -- a space that doesn't lend itself to putting up great antennas. I've had good luck dangling a 35 foot wire out the window from a painter's extension pole, but I decided to get serious and purchase the Chameleon Hybrid Micro, which has a 60 foot wire.

The first thing I noticed is that the build quality is, like, military quality. The Hybrid Micro base is heavy for its size (a good thing, to me) and just feels indestructible. I especially appreciate the removable shackle and carabiner, which takes the strain off the antenna wire connector.

Using the extension pole + Hybrid Micro setup, I can operate my 450D (with built in tuner) on every band from 160 to 6 meters with less than a 1.2:1 SWR. Let me repeat that -- 160 to 6, <1.2:1 SWR. That's pretty impressive, and it means I don't have to fiddle with the antenna after I hang it out the window.

Totally worth the money.
NY2MC Rating: 2015-01-03
Great machined product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Picked up the Hybrid Micro as a lighter weight version of the hybrid mini and so far it is great. Seems to work just like the Mini but lightened up my pack. Made solid just like the mini. Use it with the 60ft wire and the Mil-whip. I feel confident in recommending Chameleon Antennas to everyone. NY2MC
KG7JAL Rating: 2014-12-26
Outstanding Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased this antenna to use when hiking with my KX3. The design, build quality and materials are simply excellent. In addition, the ability of the antenna to receive signals amazes me to this day. I was so impressed with this Chameleon product (my first) that I jumped on the waiting list for their M-Loop magnetic loop antenna immediately. If you are looking for a great performing antenna that will fit in a trail pouch, this is it.
AA6RV Rating: 2014-11-12
Well Built Portable Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
One of the best built coils that I have ever seen. I hooked it up to my KX3 and was on the air in no time. I was playing with 40, 20 and 15 meters and had no issues tuning up. I like quality products and this company has nailed it. I haven't tried my Antenna Analyzer on it yet but plan on doing that in the future. I'm so impress that I planning on purchasing the M-Loop when it's released. That's how happy I am with the product.
VE3FAL Rating: 2014-10-15
Great Product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own a number of Chameleon products and am very happy with all of them. The products are well designed and built to withstand some harsh conditions for field deployment.I currently own the Hybrid Base, HyBrid Mini, HyBrid Micro, EMCOMM II, V1 Whip,CHA MIL Whip, CHA CAP Hat and a number of the jaw mounts. The HyBrid base is currently used in a permanent location atop a 15' pole that is grounded, about 180' of wire taken out in a "L" shape with the short end dropping to within 5' of the ground giving me some NVIS use as well. I operate all low to regular power(QRP-100w) and have not seen any issue with heat. A great product built to last.
I use the Hy-Brid micro for most of not all of my portable operations, I use it in the backyard at the picnic table either on a 15' painters pole or will use a jaw mount connector for it on the picnic table or the backyard swing. I will use either whips or wire for the setup. I also use this on my PRC-104 manpack. I am able to screw the coil into the whip portion of the PRC-104 and use a short piece of coax to come from the whip to balanced side of radio and switch it on, tunes fast and easy. The micro is a great little gem to have in your EMCOMM pack.