| TGILLAN |
Rating:      |
2009-06-13 | |
| Excellent product |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Carl & Alexander,
Thanks for taking the time to ship the V1, even though you are preparing for vacation.
The antenna arrived well packed and without damage. Inspection on the components revealed
a product well constructed and without any tears or pin holes in the covering. The heat shrink
extended far enough so that when the elements were tightened, a good weather seal was created. I did however seal all joints with duct seal, just to be sure.AND the end was completely sealed by a heat shrunk cap.
The Chameleon is mounted atop a Max-Gain Systems 43 foot nested fiberglass mast using tie-wraps, and the counterpoise runs alongside the mast, terminating about 6 feet above the ground. I’m feeding the V1 with 50 feet of Radio Shack RG-58 (soon to be changed to 213, or better), with the last 10 feet coiled as a choke. The operating equipment is a vintage Kenwood TS-530S Hybrid thru a Distronix active Wattmeter, LDG AT100-Pro tuner to the Chameleon V1 system.
Initial observations (using the questionable coax)
First and most noticeable was the very much lower noise level. I’m able to QSO with SSB stations that were in the weeds with my 40m dipole. Second: The stations that previously reported my signal as ‘light’ and barely readable now report good signal and audio, taking into account propagation, QSB, and QRM. The best comment I received today was “there’s nothing wrong with your rig or antenna, it’s the band”.
When the band is quiet, the Chameleon is quiet, unlike my wire antennae.
When tuning the Chameleon both the Wattmeter and the LDG AT100pro power and SWR figures agree, so I have what I consider a valid cross check. Unfortunately I do not yet own a Rig-Expert, but I will. The first few times I tuned, I honestly thought either I broke something, or the Chameleon had failed. Want to guess at the reason??
THE SWR WAS SO LOW, I THOUGHT THE METER WAS FAILED, OR WORSE, the V1 was defective. I was so used to high SWR (3:1 minimum) with the wire antennae, when the Chameleon registered 1.2:1 on 7245kc, I really thought something had failed. Then the RST’s started coming in, prompting me to try 80m, and 20m. Whatever the frequency, I have been able to match below 2.5:1, and that was on 80m.
As you see from the photos included, I live in an antenna restricted development. As you may or may not see in the photos, the CHAMELEON lives up to the name. Unless you know the V1 is there, or just happen to be looking up at the blue sky as you drive by, the CHAMELEON tends to disappear. Mounted on the mast, the base of the V1 is about 10 feet above the roof line and so far no complaints. I imagine I’ll have to lower eventually.
Tom Gillan, K4GIV
Savannah, Ga
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| KJ4CSI |
Rating:      |
2009-06-02 | |
| Great Mobile antenna! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have been running this for a few weeks on a Land Rover Discovery II with a FT-857D and tuning it with an FC-40.
Although I haven't had a chance to make contacts on HF it has no problems receiving on those bands. I have been hearing hams from as far away as Europe, Mexico and S. America.
What I have done is worked some 2 meter simplex and duplex with it with excellent results.
I am now testing a smaller version for Alex since I spend a lot of time in the mountains and needed a smaller antenna for in the brush and I have to say the results are the same, excellent!
The FC-40 has no problems tuning either antenna.
I even put quick disconnects on them so I can change from mobile to stationary.
Alex has been great to work with.
If you need a rugged antenna for running mobile I recommend these two.
73's |
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| KE2EP |
Rating:      |
2009-05-25 | |
| Works with minimal install |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
FINALLY got to use antenna. I am on vacation in a camper at Cordell Hull Lake Park - an army corps of engineers RV park.
My setup is an SGC SG-2020 QRP 20 watt ig. I also use an Elecraft T1 tiny tuner that works great and only needs 2 AA batteries for a LOT of use. The setup did not allow me to use the radials in my campsite. I lashed the antenna - mounted on 4 feet of water pipe with gorilla tape to a pole at the site = elevation about 9 feet. Tuneup was fine using the balun and my little tuner = a nice match everywhere. I had 20 watts into this really quickie setup and the results were joy for me. I am by Nashville Tenn, spoke to New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, and Canada. I was not a solid copy all the time but did get legal contacts with exchange of location, rig, sig reports, etc. I answered the CQ's that I heard and got a response 1/4 of the time - mostly worked midday on 40 meters ssb but some also on 20 meters. The little elecraft t1 is the perfect addition to this most wonderful antenna especially for a little qrp station where every millewatt counts. I plan to compare to a standard dipole next trip - but most RV sites just dont want or allow wires hanging all over the place = so your Chameleon is perfect for RV use. Thank you for making a quality product that really works under the worst of possible conditions. |
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| KJ4KLU |
Rating:      |
2009-05-11 | |
| The Best Antenna Hands Down |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
This is a very unique antenna design that works exactly as described and more. I bought this antenna back in Janurary 2009 from Ebay for $150.00 and I have been very happy with its performance from day ONE.
The Chameleon Antenna is an excellent choice for portable, base station, or for even mobile use; granted that I make the purchase specifically for portability. The quality is TOP NOTCH as well as the customer support from the Chameleon Team; every question was answered promptly with detail to spare. I wish every company displays the respect for their customers such that Alexander and his crew does. GREAT JOB!!!
The setup of this little "Wonder Wand" is easy to assemble and includes everthing need to get on the air. The package includes a 9:1 Balun(unun) which gives the user the availability to transmit with-in the safe 1.5 to 2.5:1 SWR range without the need of a tuner. The mounting bracket, clamp, connector and counterpoise allows the antenna to be installed virtually anywhere in just a matter of minutes.
Like I said before, my purpose of this antenna is for portable/ base station use due to limited yard space and the convenience of moving around. With the help of my “elmer”, I have received DX stations as far away as Spain, Japan, and even right here in our own country with reports of 5 – 9 signal clarity. The only minor complaint that I have with this product is that it’s noisy at times when the propagation is not so good…. then again most is to blame on propagation. The 4 things that I have taken to correct this problem are:
1. properly grounded the radio (Yaesu FT-897D)
2. added 2 extra counterpoise wires equally spaced, connected to the base of the antenna
3. raised the antenna 6 feet above the ground
4. added a RF choke by winding the coax a few times in a circle.
By doing these 4 things, I have been able to reduced the noise level exponentially.
In conclusion and after reading the reviews from the other happy customers, I will have to agree with that the antenna is an excellent product. I’m even thinking of purchasing another to build a dipole (buddy-pole clone) but, that an experiment for another day. I have talked with Alexander about the noise problem and he tells me that he has already started to work on improvements.
In my opinion, there’s no comparison or product out there that will receive and transmit from 80 to 6 meters that is an all-in-one package. Did I also mention that it works on 2m, 1.25m and 70cm with a tuner and NOT with the supplied balun. As Alexander stands behind his product, I stand behind him and say that this is not a gimmick, lemon, or a dud of a product. It’s the real deal and that’s the “rest of the story”.
73’s
KJ4KLU |
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| KD5RTL |
Rating:      |
2009-02-28 | |
| Fantastic Antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
From inquiring about the quality, ordering, and receiving the antenna everything went smooth. No problems what so ever. I had a question and got an immediate response that completely answered my question.
This is the first time I have been able to run my rig without a tuner on ALL the bands that my Icom IC-718 is able to talk on. And guess what, I am going to have to purchase an all band rig now because this antenna works on 6m, 2m, and 70cm as well. WOW!
I just reserved two more for two of my local ham buddies and as soon as I am able I am going to purchase another one for base use. Thanks for a truly good quality product.
John
KD5RTL
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| KE5JLB |
Rating:      |
2009-02-12 | |
| Great Antenna! Superior Quality |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I received the Chameleon antenna the other day and I am really impressed with the quality of this antenna. Simple and easy to setup on a pickup and get on the air. I made several contacts on 80, 40 and 20 meters. I had good reception reports from those I talked with. I really highly recommend this antenna. |
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| N2PKN |
Rating:      |
2009-02-07 | |
| great |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I just started playing with the antenna,although pretty tough wx (snow and cold )but have made contacts .This looks real promising and its really plug and play a KEEPER !!! |
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| FORMER_K0PD |
Rating:      |
2009-01-28 | |
| Excellent Antenna !! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I bought this antenna more out of curiousity and have been very pleased with it.At the time it is only attached with my iron Horse tri mag mount to the roof of my metal carport.The swr's are good and those that are a little high are easily brought down.The antenna at 8.5 ft is is hearing stations that my Dipole which is up at least twice as high is loosing in the noise. Construction of the antenna is very good and would make a really good mobile antenna so about all i can say is buy one and be surprised. |
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| KG4COQ |
Rating:   |
2009-01-20 | |
| Good antenna within theory |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Bought one of these antennas.
Works as advertised, Low SWR,however, made very flimsy.
Antenna bends too much at hiway speeds. Alot more than a cb 102 inch SS whip does. Almost 2/3rds horizonal. Would be better made if it were made of larger fiberglass rods,Perhaps hollow tubes should be used.
Also top of top section needs a cap or should be sealed to prevent water from getting into antenna.It was not sealed at all.I used liquid tape to seal it.
The counterpoise wire was not soldered and wire was only taped to the end connector.
I needed this antenna for mobile use but will not. Afraid this antenna will break so will only use it as temp base antenna.
Very disapointed... At $155 + shipping could have been better constructed.
Will go back to using ham sticks and AH-3 tuner on my IC-706.
KG4COQ
Tampa,Florida |
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| WILLIAMH |
Rating:      |
2009-01-20 | |
| Small & Efficient HF Antenna – A real multiband antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
First of all the seller offers a top class support and an excellent communication. Everything was delivered from UPS on time and it was very well packaged. I have this antenna since a week now.
In my opinion the chameleon v1 performs very well and its build quality is excellent. It assembled in minutes and was perfect right out of the box. The antenna tunes extremely well and puts out a great signal. I was amazed to discover that the antenna works better on 2M and 70cm than I was expecting!
It’s a real multiband antenna without the pain of having to play with coils all the time! I personally own an excellent Palstar AT1KP so no real needs of the balun 9:1. I already purchased another v1 antenna for my 45’ boat! It works perfectly with my old sgc230 smartuner.
You won't be disappointed. This is coming from someone who is notoriously hard to please when it comes to amateur radio equipment. I highly recommend the chameleon v1 for its build quality, multiband range (10 bands and up) and for the quality signal vs the antenna size. It’s a keeper!
I got mine at 155$ on ebay. The 110$ version is not available anymore. But even if the antenna was at 200$ it would worth every penny.
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