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Reviews For: CHA F-LOOP (Chameleon Antenna)

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : CHA F-LOOP (Chameleon Antenna)
Reviews: 34MSRP: 350 to 450
Description:
The F-LOOP was designed with weight, durability, portability,
versatility and cost in mind.

The unique craftsmanship of the CHA F-LOOP distinguishes itself from
the competition. The antenna is built to last.

The unit covers everything between 10M to 60M (or 29,700MHz to
5,300MHz) continuously.

A single switch is used to tune the F-LOOP from 10M to 30M or from
40M and 60M.

The F-LOOP can be assembled and operated under 3 minutes.

The unit radiator is made of LMR-400.

The Faraday coupling loop is made of an aluminum bar which is
supported by a proprietary screw together hardline feeder.

Our specially and uniquely designed hardline feeder prevents SWR
fluctuations if the antenna is rotated or moved on itself which greatly
facilitated antenna tuning & operation.

The base of the unit is equipped with an anodized aluminum plate for
tripod assembly and for table top stability.

The F-LOOP antenna is fed from the rear of the unit by a SO-239 with
the provided coax cable.

The provided 12’ coax cable is equipped with an integral RFI choke
that will prevent or eliminate any possible RFI problems.

The front panel of the tuning unit is made of a clear piece of
polycarbonate which protects the tuning quadrant indicator.

The unassembled antenna comes into a high quality MOLE tactical bag
for easy carry and storage.

Each side of the tuning unit has been fitted with a custom designed
aluminum “L” shaped bracket that will be used to hold the optional 36”
diameter collapsible aluminum loop radiator.

The optional 36” diameter collapsible loop radiator is made of 1”
aluminum pipe. Each joints of the collapsible loop are made of high
tolerance aluminum connectors that minimize RF losses. With that
collapsible loop the F-LOOP will cover 10M to 40M.

The optional 36” diameter collapsible loop radiator greatly increase
antenna radiation by an average of 114%.

Specifications:
Frequency: 10M – 60M
Power: 10W CW or 25W SSB
RF Connection: SO-239
Weight: TBA

The antenna system consists of:

1 X CHA F-LOOP Matching Box
1 X LMR-400 Coax Cable
1 X 12' RG58A + Integrated RFI Choke
1 X Coupling Loop
1 X Screw Together Hard-Line
1 X Molle Bag
Product is in production
More Info: http://chameleonantenna.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00344.7
K0BSR Rating: 2015-08-07
great antenna! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
it is made well and works great with my limited space living situation
KP4MD Rating: 2015-05-30
CHA F-Loop Antenna Parameters: 5-30 MHz Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Antenna Parameters Measured with a Vector Network Analyzer.
The Chameleon CHA F-Loop is one of several commercially available compact magnetic loop antennas. A full size antenna is preferable when the space is available. Small antennas such as loaded monopoles, loaded dipoles and magnetic loops compromise gain but offer practical communication solutions when space is limited and when portability and rapid deployment are essential.
My data measurements posted at http://www.qsl.net/kp4md/chafloop.htm confirm that in operation the CHA F-Loop, similar to other compact antennas, is expected to yield signal strengths between one to a few S units lower than a full size antenna. The NEC models presented may be useful to optimize desired operating characteristics when planning a particular installation.
VE3FAL Rating: 2015-05-18
Excellent performer Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Since my first review I have had the chance to use the antenna indoors on WSPR and outdoors on voice and cw.
Indoors in my stucco/steel wire home at 2.5 watts out on WSPR I was heard in Europe.
From outside on the picnic table at 10 watts ssb on 17 meters I got a 5x8 into Spain (Video is on my YouTube Channel (ve3fal1_fred).
I have operated portable from other locations with the same results.
It is a stealthy , light weight antenna and can be assembled in a short period of time (Under 3 minutes). Tuning is very quick as well, tune for max noise and you are very close.
The antenna has some direction and you will be surprised when you turn it and watch a signal.
Support and quality control are super from Carl at Chameleon Antennas, he is quick to answer any questions.
DL2AKV Rating: 2015-05-04
Well made. Excellent performer. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
In my experience the F-loop comes in at the high-quality end of the market. Its price is comparatively steep, but the quality you get in exchange is excellent.

The regular F-loop consists of coax cable elements, which I bought but haven't used. I bought the optional aluminum loop for increased efficiency and that's the version this review is about.

Initial assembly is a matter of minutes. You can be on the air in under ten. All parts are well-made. The most important component, the capacitor box, is sturdy and the frequency scale very helpful. The tuning knob has a reassuring resistance and movement to it. Audio tuning (using your ears) almost always gets you in the SWR ballpark of under 1.5 to 1.

The antenna comes with a coax feed cable, including an RFI choke. I don't know how effective the choke is, but so far I haven't had any complaints.

I use my F-loop indoors. It's mounted on a sturdy tripod (not supplied) about 6 feet behind me in the radio room.

I've experimented with a different commercial magnetic loop before buying the F-loop, so I have a pretty good comparison. The important point is this: the F-loop is better on transmit. I would say about 6 dB better, and for a station running 10 watts, that makes all the difference.

I live in Germany. My first QSO was with K3RA in Maryland, something that never worked with the other loop. Second contact was a guy in Mongolia. Similar distance, different direction. That never worked before either.

Since that first day, I've had many similar contacts, even in SSB. Almost every time I reveal to my QSO partners what antenna I'm using and how little power I run, there is some disbelief or at least astonishment.

If you want an indoor antenna or an antenna you can use on the go in a dry environment, I can certainly recommend the F-loop. It's quick and easy to use and it gets your signal out.