I test the Chameleon Antennas Tactical Delta Loop portable on the beach #hamradio #DeltaLoop #hamradioantenna chameleonantenna.com chameleonantenna.com/shop-her...
I've been lucky to chat with a few of their engineers. Chameleon is absolutely overengineered for performance. Im envious of course not being able to afford their products. The TDL had to be the best mobile setup I've seen from any company so far. I'm impressed by their mobile mast system that really stretches the ability to reach far away places.
This was a great video Walt. My antenna of choice is most always Chameleon. My dad just got the G90 and I set him up with the same vertical setup you did and he loves it. This summer when my wife and kids go down to Ocean City, MD I’m going to use your setup on the beach to make some QSOs while sitting under a beach umbrella sipping on a cold 🍺. Enjoy your weekend. Bill KC2KNA
Thanks for such a great video - amazing job showing this antenna in different configurations - it really is an impressive antenna, the contacts/reports really good. Will put one of these on my wishlist !
Walt great video ! That tactical delta loop is awesome ! You nailed when you said "With Chameleon you get what you pay for". They make incredible antennas that work well.
So happy to hear this. I'd hoped to get one before I left for AK but didn't decide on which antenna to get. My 20m dipole has worked pretty well.The local club recommended vertical antennas to get over the mountains. Next time I'll be better prepared. Thanks for all your videos.
Great video Walt! The Chameleon antennas are great. I use the MPAS Lite all the time and it always works great. I've had the TDL for a while, but haven't tried it yet. Seeing your success with it, I will definitely give it a try soon. Chameleon antennas are not cheap, but they are built like a tank and work great. Be well, be safe. 73, George K2WO
Great looking antenna, gotta check it out real close. And you're on my beach. I lived right up the street from there. I lived on the Little Bay side of Willoughby. Miss it.
Great video Walt. I use the Chameleon transformer and a 5m telescopic whip for a few years now and it is just great. The built quality is awesome. 73, Stephan, DF6PA
Nice video Walt! I have had Chameleon antennas since 2020. I have the MPAS 2.0 kit and the TDL. With just the 17 foot vertical I have worked 113 countries and over 6800 contacts. Worth the price and a great dx antenna from my HOA compromised location in central Florida. I can consistently make 9000-11300 mile contacts from my QTH . My QRZ has my log. All the best of 73s de k2cmc - charlie
Great review Walt, thank you so very much for sharing. I am in the market for a portable antenna and I am pointing in the direction of a Chameleon brand antenna. I feel very confident that they produce a quality antenna due to the fact that they sell military grade antennas. You might have sold me on this one. Thank you for sharing Walt.
Awesome. Thanks for the review. Always excellent. I have looked at this antenna a couple of times. If you travel back over the pond again, I hope you can take this with you. It would be interesting to see how it does when you are inland vs on the beach.
I love my “antenna building kit” from Chameleon, too. That TDL is a very low compromise antenna with more effective performance balance than any of my antennas, and I have way too many. Each antenna usually has a use case and area of best performance. The TDL is reasonably efficient, of durable construction works near AND far and works just about as well with each. If I had to pick just one antenna (with size not being a deciding factor) the TDL kit would be the one.
Boy, that antenna's a keeper for sure; I love its flexibility, can use as either a Delta Loop or a vertical; & yes, Delta Loops are great antennas, as I have a homebrew full-wave 40m Delta Loop!
Nice video Walt. Delta loops have always been known as dx low angle ants, with great reception. My old 40m half grounded loop was a dx winner, but verticals give a little lower angle but slightly more noise on rx.
Walt: I've had my eye on that antenna. Loops have the quietest receiver and being a vertical loop it is directional. You could have spun it around to try pointing at Japan or South America. Since a loop is a balanced antenna like a dipole, I'm not sure the salt water amp has as significant impact on it as a vertical. I look forward to your impression of it away from the water. Once again, you've got me bothering the CFO (Cheif Female Officer) of the house for a higher radio budget....lol. Great video.
The most expensive antenna I bought is the classic dx commander. I bought it two years ago and still haven't built it. Soon enough I will set it up but I have too much fun with EFHW antennas. It only takes me 10 or 15 minutes to put it up. I assume after many times I would be able to do that with the dx commander. NOW, this CHA TDL is interesting cause it seems very easy to setup, but twice what I paid for the dx classic, BUT I wish I bought it cause I would be using it. Thanks Walt! Keep on keeping on!
Nice video! I sure wish I knew what was in that pvc, lol. I like building my own antennas and being successful with them. I buy whips, and I did buy a Wolf river coil mini used, but I make all my transformers. That is very cool, but out of my price range. Look forward to see how it works inland in a future video.
I have something similar made with 2 20ft fiberglass fishing poles on a pvc mount fed wth a 4:1 balun for abt $85 covers 80m through 6m with a tuner. Delta loops are NICE.
Welcome back Walt. Now to watch the video ! Pete, Cumbria Later Edit : Another interesting video. They do have a UK agent and I've asked them if they intend to stock this antenna. It looks like something Santa might have to put in his sack for me !
another great video. I have really gotten into the portable ham radio and I am now always looking for a great portable antenna that is easy to carry and setup. I have a motorcycle and I can put my G-90 in the saddle bag with a long wire antenna. But I like this
My go-to antennas system for POTA activations! No fiddling around when I want to mess with different bands. It's wide yes, but no radials needed when delta. Very quiet for me as well. Did you find it quiet as well Wald? Simple tune.....and burn!
The receive audio is great on those delta loops, I'm always blown away by the audio when I put up my 40m full wave vertical loop. No torch review? Hahahha. Cheers VK5BRU
It might be fun to try it out and compare using the window screen radial vs. the 25' speaker wire. I have this antenna and many times it is a go-to for me.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Walt: Could the TDL be set up on your QTH roof/fire escape area temporarily for elevated testing? Maybe all that metal up there would interfere with it. Just a thought.
With results like that, I'm almost tempted to buy a commercial antenna. Of course, the beach could be more expensive. But I guess the Worked All Europe contest helps with the DX too! 😁
I have the 500w set up and the Delta Loop, next video for vertical attach the 17' whip. I use the 73' random wire a lot and also brought their 132' random wire and the backpack is nice. So far I am able to make contacts all over
Chameleon antennas are monsters among the beasts. No wonder they have like second company just to sell military grade equipment. This is THE biggest bang you can get for your buck. If anyone complains about prize it means they never had equipment like this in hands ;) 73 !
@K3JRZOnTheAir strange, I explained in the email that my wife is having some serious medical issues and I wouldn’t be able to get away much this weekend.
Great review! I have the CHA MPAS LITE and love it - and am now going to add the parts to make the Delta Loop (another whip, the hub, etc.). Btw how it is there in the winter? It was chilly last time i was there (Chesapeake) but i never tried playing radio there. Anyway, again... great review!
Another good Vid ,Walt. I like that antenna but there was NO wind the day you tested.I imagine it turning circles in the breeze . Versatile and fairly portable . I'm geussing over 300?
People can "gripe" about the price......remember though it's Made in America! I am blessed in my retirement to have the choice to support Americans and the ham radio items they offer. I have this system and it is amazingly versatile if you swap out the whip with the wire! It's like buying 5 or more antennas in one. KD9MSP
I use delta loops almost exclusively at my QTH and have several strung around different trees and facing different directions, all going through an antenna switch to function as a poorboy rotor. I make contacts around 9,000 miles often. The issue is that they need to be around 1 wavelength above the ground for low angle radiation, 65ft high for 20m. I use a fishing pole to cast a line over huge trees and pull the delta loop into place. Not hard to do if you have big trees where you camp or at your QTH. I have pics on my QRZ page showing the radiation pattern and setup. 73s. KF0NKI
thanks for the video.. Great results. I’ve often considered one of these and now i’m just one step closer. I wonder if it works in a corn field, LOL.. thx for sharing. k0klb
Sorry to hear about your wife I hope she’s on the mend. I wonder if the results would’ve been as good if you would’ve done the trial over regular ground, which is where most of us operate that don’t have a beach nearby. Like someone in the Midwest. I’d imagine that being right near the salt water and the high moisture content of salt water in the sand played a big part in why it worked so well. I’ve watched quite a few videos about Chameleon products and find mostly mixed reviews/trials of them. The one video I watched on the MPAS 2.0 antenna was quite extensive. When he took it apart he found very shoddy workmanship of the assembly of the 5:1 transformer. Several of the strands from the wire didn’t even make it into the oversized ring connector, it was for a much bigger gauge of wire. He wound up cleaning it up before he tested it. He also did a loss analysis and found the 5:1 transformer had a 12db loss. In the end he sold it to someone else. I don’t mind paying, even overpaying for a top notch quality product. But his video majorly turned me off to buying one. I love your no nonsense approach to your content. But as far as I’m concerned you’re starting to head down a slippery slope when a company sends you something to review that you don’t initially pay for. It just makes you like every other RUclipsr creating ham radio content that does the same thing. I hope you get back to the roots of what makes your channel so great.
I will absolutely stay to my roots, but would you honestly not try this antenna yourself if it was given to you? I stated in the video that I get offers constantly for free stuff and I turn it down. This one was something I was honestly thinking about buying anyway. I’ll be back to wires and the usual, that’s who I am.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I’d be stupid not to try one if it was given to me. But I’m not a RUclipsr either, so Chameleon will never just send me one for free. Yes you were very upfront about getting it for free but the RUclips content providers usually do the same, especially after they’re called out on it. Please understand that I wasn’t trying to say you were doing anything wrong or being dishonest, just that you were moving away from what your usual content is.
Hello Walt. It’s a shame I haven’t heard you on the air yet but I’m sure sooner or later I will. Man I will tell you that the inverted delta loop was my best home made antenna ever. Receive wise was even better than the Moxon I built after it. I’m wondering how this little delta can work 40 and 80. 73 de PU1MOZ
Hey Walt! great video and that antenna is beautiful looks and performance! On the chart it said Loop(elevated) how much elevation at the least should be to get better SWR? Thank you, de VE3DAL.
Nice job with the video, as always! 9:40 Do you know for a fact that "they make equipment for our military"? I don't see them on the DOD supplier list with active contracts. I am actually interested in how the military uses these (or other) Chameleon antennas. Thanks.
Thanks, the TennTennas in vertical config is a DX machine when I use it. Probably not a fair comparison as a vertical. The cool thing about this antenna is being able to configure it in different forms.
I wonder how this works compared to a delta loop you make with just wire (I'm sure it would be larger without the base coil) coax and a isolation transformer made from coax coiled up. I like the Chameleon, but considering it's cost.....can homebrew work just as well?
Hey Walt! Hope you don't mind me asking another question. What is the length of the wire between the two whips? I am looking at how this thing works, and the length of the wire would help in that understanding.
Nice antenna, hope I can get on some day… ( I’m not sure that they are going to call me….😢) But we made and use a 10 m quad antenna at field day, it was 16 m high with at rotor. Work grate even in bad band conditions…. I have a field day video on my Channel.
If u wanna imagine what it'd be like having even more gain & directivity with that Delta Loop, just look at a "Maco v-Quad"; yes, mine will work on 11, but it's also a great antenna on 10 & 12m! 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 😃
@@forgetyourlife I’m sorry, but for $625 for some of their configurations, they should be ashamed of themselves for letting this get out the door this way.
I know your thing is saltwater, and I completely appreciate it...but I really wanna know how that'll DX when it doesn't have saltwater to amp it 🙂I'm giving serious thought to this antenna for a bunch of reasons, including hopefully fighting RFI at home!
This is old school American engineering at it's best. Built to last and more importantly does what it says on the tin. Takes me back in time to when quality was the measure not price. To all those bitching about the cost think hard about what you get for your money and then consider all the cash you have wasted on antennas that either don't work, break or both. Great video Walt.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I'll keep praying for you all, Walt! We've gone through some pretty mighty health struggles here, but we're making it! Waiting for my little AX1 to get here, from Elecraft! Gonna take the little t(ru)sDX to the beach in a couple weeks, along with my 891. We'll see what happens, there! Anyway, all the best to you both!
Looks like you had a good radio propagation day (and salt water). Don't be too quick to gush over this antenna, a simple resonate antenna would have worked far better. The 5 to 1 transformer is very lossy, usually 6 to 9 db down from a resonate antenna (usually 2 "S" units less transmitted strength than something like the Wolf River Coil antenna). Wait until conditions are not as good and put up a resonate vertical next to it and you will find out why many people buy these overpriced antennas and then end up putting them away. They are good if you are using ALE or need a broadband antenna to change bands very quickly, but performance will be way down from a simple EFHF. It's just physics. Broad banded antennas do work, but their signal loss is pretty bad. There is a price to be paid for low SWR across all bands. Very good quality, but the performance falls behind much lower cost antennas. Chameleon sends their antennas out like candy to content creators. If someone is out on a good day and does not have a resonate antenna to compare it to, they may think they are pretty good. You'll notice most creators review these antennas, but then when they are out trying to make the best or most contacts, this antenna with the 5 to 1 transformer is not the one being used. They are throwing a wire in a tree, even though it takes longer. There are videos out there with hams using good test gear that shows just how lossy these antennas are (as are all broadband antennas). Of course, they don't keep getting free antennas....soooo. Go inland and set this antenna up next to one of your home made, low cost, resonate vertical or EFHW antennas on a so-so day and get back to me. 73 Walt !
I hear what you’re saying and yes a good resonant antenna will absolutely out perform this antenna. I wouldn’t say I’m gushing over this antenna, I just think it’s pretty cool to make a delta loop out of two telescopic whips. Yes it has losses and yes I absolutely had the advantage of the saltwater (that’s the theme of this channel, operating by saltwater). I get daily offers from Chinese sellers who hand out products like candy. I’m actually glad I accepted this from Chameleon, I had fun with it, was surprised by the performance when it was in the delta loop configuration and overall I’m impressed with how well it’s built here in the USA 🇺🇸. I absolutely love building my own antennas and experimenting with my own ideas, it’s more rewarding but occasionally it’s nice to play with something like this and experiment. All the best and 73, Walt
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I understand what you are saying. I mention the losses with the Chameleon because it's not touched on often in reviews. Michael, KB9VBR and many others have found the Chameleon has a 2 "S" unit loss in transmit strength compared to the Wolf River Coil antenna as well as other resonate antennas as well as EFHW etc.. Many others have found the same amount of loss in their testing. If people are willing to lose 2 "S" units in general use, at least they understand that the Chameleon may not be the best antennas for making good contacts in less than ideal conditions. If you need a wide band antenna, maybe the Chameleon is what you are looking for. The two "S" units are lost in heat in the 5 to 1 transformer. That is a lot to give up. The Chameleon tends to be a little bit quieter than some others as long as it is receiving a stronger signal. If the signal is low, you may not hear it at all with the Chameleon. I just think it's important for people to realize the shortcomings of this design of antenna. The quality is very good, but like all Broadband antennas, it's very lossy. If they are OK with this loss, then rock on. Chameleon does state it's a Broadband antenna but omits telling it's customers that there is this big of a loss due to the design of being a Broadband antenna. Many people buy this expensive antenna only to find out it does not perform nearly as well as many other lower cost antenna designs and the antenna ends up in the corner. This is more of a specialized antenna. In general use when being copied and hearing in weaker signal conditions is important or making the maximum amount of contacts is important, people may wish to look elsewhere. You had nothing to compare it to in your test. I don't blame you for your review. I feel sorry for people who buy this design antenna who are not aware of the losses when using a Broadband antenna. I don't need a Broadband antenna. It's not worth the cost to buy something that does not perform well compared to so many others. Most portable antennas are already a compromise. Two "S" units less than these antennas put out is unsatisfactory in my opinion. Love the channel Walt !
I've been lucky to chat with a few of their engineers. Chameleon is absolutely overengineered for performance. Im envious of course not being able to afford their products. The TDL had to be the best mobile setup I've seen from any company so far. I'm impressed by their mobile mast system that really stretches the ability to reach far away places.
Yes it is a well engineered product. you can tell just by looking at the build quality.
This was a great video Walt. My antenna of choice is most always Chameleon. My dad just got the G90 and I set him up with the same vertical setup you did and he loves it. This summer when my wife and kids go down to Ocean City, MD I’m going to use your setup on the beach to make some QSOs while sitting under a beach umbrella sipping on a cold 🍺. Enjoy your weekend. Bill KC2KNA
Totally agree with you Walt; I'm a huge fan of the Chameleon performance and quality. Always enjoy your enthusiasm for the ham way of life.
Thank you so much sir!!!!!
Great stuff Walt, always love your no nonsense approach to your vids, keep it up!
Thank you so very much!
Excellent! Thank you for the review! I’m impressed
Thank you for watching!
At last, a video presenter with real world results. Thanks and 7 3.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for such a great video - amazing job showing this antenna in different configurations - it really is an impressive antenna, the contacts/reports really good. Will put one of these on my wishlist !
Excellent video Walt! Thanks for the review. Hope all is well with the family. Take care. 73
Thanks so much! I had fun with this one!
Thank you! My wife is going through some health issues but she's a fighter!
Walt great video ! That tactical delta loop is awesome ! You nailed when you said "With Chameleon you get what you pay for". They make incredible antennas that work well.
Thanks! yes they do!
I was not considering this antenna. Now I'm buying it. Thanks for the video review!
Thanks for watching, hope you have as much success with it as I had.
Awesome results Walt! The delta loop for Rx is definitely a winner! Thanks for taking the time to share ...
73 - KF6IF
Thanks for watching my friend!
So happy to hear this. I'd hoped to get one before I left for AK but didn't decide on which antenna to get. My 20m dipole has worked pretty well.The local club recommended vertical antennas to get over the mountains. Next time I'll be better prepared. Thanks for all your videos.
Thanks for watching! 73
Great video Walt! The Chameleon antennas are great. I use the MPAS Lite all the time and it always works great. I've had the TDL for a while, but haven't tried it yet. Seeing your success with it, I will definitely give it a try soon. Chameleon antennas are not cheap, but they are built like a tank and work great. Be well, be safe. 73, George K2WO
Thanks so much George!
Great looking antenna, gotta check it out real close. And you're on my beach. I lived right up the street from there. I lived on the Little Bay side of Willoughby. Miss it.
That is my go to place when the waves are to big and rough in Virginia Beach. The OV!!!!!!!
Great video Walt. I use the Chameleon transformer and a 5m telescopic whip for a few years now and it is just great. The built quality is awesome. 73, Stephan, DF6PA
Thanks Stephan!
Nice video Walt! I have had Chameleon antennas since 2020. I have the MPAS 2.0 kit and the TDL. With just the 17 foot vertical I have worked 113 countries and over 6800 contacts. Worth the price and a great dx antenna from my HOA compromised location in central Florida. I can consistently make 9000-11300 mile contacts from my QTH . My QRZ has my log. All the best of 73s de k2cmc - charlie
Thanks and thanks for commenting! 73, Walt
Awesome review! New ham here out of Hawaii. Looking forward to see you put it through the paces. I’ll definitely check out Chameleon. 73 🤙
Thanks! You’re in an awesome location to be a ham. I’ve operated in Kauai and it was incredible. 73, Walt
Great review Walt, thank you so very much for sharing. I am in the market for a portable antenna and I am pointing in the direction of a Chameleon brand antenna. I feel very confident that they produce a quality antenna due to the fact that they sell military grade antennas. You might have sold me on this one. Thank you for sharing Walt.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting! 73, Walt
Walt....that surely is a keeper. and so flexible in it's setup.....WoW..
Yes it is, I was pleasantly surprised.
Awesome. Thanks for the review. Always excellent. I have looked at this antenna a couple of times. If you travel back over the pond again, I hope you can take this with you. It would be interesting to see how it does when you are inland vs on the beach.
If I make that trip I will bring it for sure!
I recently got the Mpas lite and I can only confirm that they make absolute jewelry of products.
Great video. That antenna is amazing. Thank you for your contributions to the ham community. N4alr
Thank you so much!
I have the MPAS LITE vertical and it works great. Glad to see the TDL in operation
Awesome! thanks for watching
Thanks for taking me to the beach, Walt. 73
Thanks for coming along!
That's awesome to "hear" the receive quality on the delta loop is so good (pun intended). I haven't tried one yet but it's on the list now.
haha it really did sound great!
I love my “antenna building kit” from Chameleon, too. That TDL is a very low compromise antenna with more effective performance balance than any of my antennas, and I have way too many. Each antenna usually has a use case and area of best performance. The TDL is reasonably efficient, of durable construction works near AND far and works just about as well with each. If I had to pick just one antenna (with size not being a deciding factor) the TDL kit would be the one.
It's a great kit!
I thought it was great when I tried it out. I am looking forward to using it again.
Yeah I'm really looking forward to playing with this one some more!
Spot on. Great antenna, and pretty neat that you can configure a few ways. A little sticker shock , but worth it.
Thanks, I really enjoyed using this antenna.
Just got one can’t wait to try it!
Good luck, hope it works well for you!
Boy, that antenna's a keeper for sure; I love its flexibility, can use as either a Delta Loop or a vertical; & yes, Delta Loops are great antennas, as I have a homebrew full-wave 40m Delta Loop!
Yes it is!
That sounds amazing
It really did have great audio.
Chameleon antennas are great.
Nice video Walt. Delta loops have always been known as dx low angle ants, with great reception. My old 40m half grounded loop was a dx winner, but verticals give a little lower angle but slightly more noise on rx.
Thanks Brian, I really enjoyed playing with this one.
Great video
Thank you very much!
They seem to make really good antennas. I have a few ham friends in my area that love their stuff.
Yes, very well built.
You’re making me go crazy with such wonderful QSO made. Congratulations. Hands up on you and 73 de 4G1KLG
Awesome! Thank you!
Great test! That antenna is definitely a Swiss Army Knife, which adds to the appeal for me. I think Chameleon's quality justifies the cost.
Thanks! I agree
Walt: I've had my eye on that antenna. Loops have the quietest receiver and being a vertical loop it is directional. You could have spun it around to try pointing at Japan or South America. Since a loop is a balanced antenna like a dipole, I'm not sure the salt water amp has as significant impact on it as a vertical. I look forward to your impression of it away from the water. Once again, you've got me bothering the CFO (Cheif Female Officer) of the house for a higher radio budget....lol. Great video.
hahaha thanks so much my friend. I'm a navy guy so my boss is called COMMNAVWIFELANT LOL
That looks like a really nice antenna!
I'm really enjoying it!
The most expensive antenna I bought is the classic dx commander. I bought it two years ago and still haven't built it. Soon enough I will set it up but I have too much fun with EFHW antennas. It only takes me 10 or 15 minutes to put it up. I assume after many times I would be able to do that with the dx commander.
NOW, this CHA TDL is interesting cause it seems very easy to setup, but twice what I paid for the dx classic, BUT I wish I bought it cause I would be using it. Thanks Walt! Keep on keeping on!
Thanks so much my friend!
great job thanks
Thank you! 73, Walt
Very nice antenna
Thanks, I enjoyed using it.
Nice video! I sure wish I knew what was in that pvc, lol. I like building my own antennas and being successful with them. I buy whips, and I did buy a Wolf river coil mini used, but I make all my transformers. That is very cool, but out of my price range. Look forward to see how it works inland in a future video.
Thanks! I will use it inland and see how it does.
Pretty sure it's a 5:1 binocular core type.
I have something similar made with 2 20ft fiberglass fishing poles on a pvc mount fed wth a 4:1 balun for abt $85 covers 80m through 6m with a tuner. Delta loops are NICE.
That's awesome!
Welcome back Walt. Now to watch the video ! Pete, Cumbria Later Edit : Another interesting video. They do have a UK agent and I've asked them if they intend to stock this antenna. It looks like something Santa might have to put in his sack for me !
Thanks! Hoping Santa delivers you the goods my friend!
That pond behind you probably helped. wink wink. Looks like a pretty good antenna.
Oh yeah! that pond is my secret weapon LOL
another great video.
I have really gotten into the portable ham radio and I am now always looking for a great portable antenna that is easy to carry and setup.
I have a motorcycle and I can put my G-90 in the saddle bag with a long wire antenna.
But I like this
Thank you!!!
My go-to antennas system for POTA activations! No fiddling around when I want to mess with different bands. It's wide yes, but no radials needed when delta. Very quiet for me as well. Did you find it quiet as well Wald? Simple tune.....and burn!
The receive audio is great on those delta loops, I'm always blown away by the audio when I put up my 40m full wave vertical loop.
No torch review? Hahahha. Cheers VK5BRU
hahaha no torch review!
It might be fun to try it out and compare using the window screen radial vs. the 25' speaker wire. I have this antenna and many times it is a go-to for me.
If I wasn’t next to saltwater I’d consider the window screen.
Definitely well made and impressive. Chameleon might make a mount suitable for vehicles in fixed locations in addition to that ground stake.
Yes, I want to get this out mounted to a mast soon.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Walt: Could the TDL be set up on your QTH roof/fire escape area temporarily for elevated testing? Maybe all that metal up there would interfere with it. Just a thought.
@@stevecolby6505 I’ve been having that same thought, will probably play around with it and see.
I have one and it’s my favourite I purchased the mpas kit and got the delta loop kit add on .
Awesome!
With results like that, I'm almost tempted to buy a commercial antenna. Of course, the beach could be more expensive. But I guess the Worked All Europe contest helps with the DX too! 😁
That contest really was a blessing.
By the beach helps a lot, with skips!
Yes indeed, that's why the channel is called Coastal Waves & Wires
I have the 500w set up and the Delta Loop, next video for vertical attach the 17' whip. I use the 73' random wire a lot and also brought their 132' random wire and the backpack is nice. So far I am able to make contacts all over
Awesome, thanks for sharing.
Chameleon antennas are monsters among the beasts. No wonder they have like second company just to sell military grade equipment. This is THE biggest bang you can get for your buck. If anyone complains about prize it means they never had equipment like this in hands ;) 73 !
Roger that my friend! 73
You missed a good time this weekend. Never heard back from you. 73!
Sent you an email early Friday morning. Sorry I couldn’t catch up with you. 73
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Never got it.
@K3JRZOnTheAir strange, I explained in the email that my wife is having some serious medical issues and I wouldn’t be able to get away much this weekend.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Wow. Sorry to hear. Hope she’s on the mend! There will be another time. 73.
Man Walt you’re on fire there
That was a fun day on the beach!
Great review! I have the CHA MPAS LITE and love it - and am now going to add the parts to make the Delta Loop (another whip, the hub, etc.). Btw how it is there in the winter? It was chilly last time i was there (Chesapeake) but i never tried playing radio there. Anyway, again... great review!
Thanks so much! the weather here in the winter can be strange, one day 65 the next day 25. It really just depends on the weather pattern.
I love my chameleon gear. My CHA 17foot vertical is the BEST.
Yes, good stuff!
Walt, get the CHA TDL elevated up in the air, it will show you a whole new gear. You will be amazed how much better it will be!!!!
I will do that!
Another good Vid ,Walt. I like that antenna but there was NO wind the day you tested.I imagine it turning circles in the breeze . Versatile and fairly portable . I'm geussing over 300?
It actually stayed put, I'll find out in the future when I take it out on a windy day.
People can "gripe" about the price......remember though it's Made in America! I am blessed in my retirement to have the choice to support Americans and the ham radio items they offer. I have this system and it is amazingly versatile if you swap out the whip with the wire! It's like buying 5 or more antennas in one. KD9MSP
Roger that! 73, Walt
It's probably a great antenna, I just enjoy trying to figure out my own antenna,and the success when I works.😮
@@jamesabc372 For sure! I do a lot of that as well. I like Frankentannas!
I use delta loops almost exclusively at my QTH and have several strung around different trees and facing different directions, all going through an antenna switch to function as a poorboy rotor. I make contacts around 9,000 miles often. The issue is that they need to be around 1 wavelength above the ground for low angle radiation, 65ft high for 20m. I use a fishing pole to cast a line over huge trees and pull the delta loop into place. Not hard to do if you have big trees where you camp or at your QTH. I have pics on my QRZ page showing the radiation pattern and setup. 73s. KF0NKI
I will check it out, thanks for sharing.
A good antenna, and a great introduction to it. Wonder if it will work any good on 80, or maybe a compromise nvis. Thanks Walt, great video!
Thanks! I'll have to give it a try on 80 and 40 in the future.
thanks for the video.. Great results. I’ve often considered one of these and now i’m just one step closer. I wonder if it works in a corn field, LOL.. thx for sharing. k0klb
Thanks Kevin! I'm thinking it will do the trick in the corn field hahaha
Sorry to hear about your wife I hope she’s on the mend.
I wonder if the results would’ve been as good if you would’ve done the trial over regular ground, which is where most of us operate that don’t have a beach nearby. Like someone in the Midwest. I’d imagine that being right near the salt water and the high moisture content of salt water in the sand played a big part in why it worked so well.
I’ve watched quite a few videos about Chameleon products and find mostly mixed reviews/trials of them. The one video I watched on the MPAS 2.0 antenna was quite extensive. When he took it apart he found very shoddy workmanship of the assembly of the 5:1 transformer. Several of the strands from the wire didn’t even make it into the oversized ring connector, it was for a much bigger gauge of wire. He wound up cleaning it up before he tested it. He also did a loss analysis and found the 5:1 transformer had a 12db loss. In the end he sold it to someone else.
I don’t mind paying, even overpaying for a top notch quality product. But his video majorly turned me off to buying one. I love your no nonsense approach to your content. But as far as I’m concerned you’re starting to head down a slippery slope when a company sends you something to review that you don’t initially pay for. It just makes you like every other RUclipsr creating ham radio content that does the same thing. I hope you get back to the roots of what makes your channel so great.
I will absolutely stay to my roots, but would you honestly not try this antenna yourself if it was given to you? I stated in the video that I get offers constantly for free stuff and I turn it down. This one was something I was honestly thinking about buying anyway. I’ll be back to wires and the usual, that’s who I am.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I’d be stupid not to try one if it was given to me. But I’m not a RUclipsr either, so Chameleon will never just send me one for free. Yes you were very upfront about getting it for free but the RUclips content providers usually do the same, especially after they’re called out on it. Please understand that I wasn’t trying to say you were doing anything wrong or being dishonest, just that you were moving away from what your usual content is.
Hello Walt. It’s a shame I haven’t heard you on the air yet but I’m sure sooner or later I will. Man I will tell you that the inverted delta loop was my best home made antenna ever. Receive wise was even better than the Moxon I built after it. I’m wondering how this little delta can work 40 and 80.
73 de PU1MOZ
Thanks for watching and commenting, I’m sure I’ll catch you on the bands soon! Might have to give it a try one evening on those bands.
73 de K4OGO
Top Video Mr Walt very nice antenna system 73 M7CVK
Thank you Tony!!!
COASTAL WAVES & WIRES Rocks!
Thanks Rob!!!
Hey Walt! great video and that antenna is beautiful looks and performance! On the chart it said Loop(elevated) how much elevation at the least should be to get better SWR? Thank you, de VE3DAL.
I honestly don’t know the exact height but plan to experiment and find out
um... take off angle is much lower at the water.... that was on my extra exam! Hi HI.
Pretty slick antenna and multi setup capability is a great option for a portable antenna! Kd9van
I totally agree!
Just received mine...hope to have it up Thursday....
Paul K1YOU
Awesome, have fun with it!
73, Walt K4OGO
That Croatia sounded like he was 30 over, David in Northern Ireland sounded like he was a 1/2 mile away.
Yes the audio was amazing.
Nice job with the video, as always! 9:40 Do you know for a fact that "they make equipment for our military"? I don't see them on the DOD supplier list with active contracts. I am actually interested in how the military uses these (or other) Chameleon antennas. Thanks.
Search the following document online: QRPX Army NETCOM Annual HF Low Power Competition
Thanks, I'll have to do some research. I see they have a CAGE Code number and show their military products on the site.
Great Antenna. Not in my price bracket. Could your compare this vertical config ($$$) with the TennTennas ($)
Thanks, the TennTennas in vertical config is a DX machine when I use it. Probably not a fair comparison as a vertical. The cool thing about this antenna is being able to configure it in different forms.
I wonder how this works compared to a delta loop you make with just wire (I'm sure it would be larger without the base coil) coax and a isolation transformer made from coax coiled up. I like the Chameleon, but considering it's cost.....can homebrew work just as well?
I'm sure a homebrew will work very well.
Hey Walt! Hope you don't mind me asking another question. What is the length of the wire between the two whips? I am looking at how this thing works, and the length of the wire would help in that understanding.
Oh wow, I’m not sure and don’t have the antenna near me to measure
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES It's OK, I found out it is 25 feet. That makes the loop right at 59 feet.
Nice antenna, hope I can get on some day… ( I’m not sure that they are going to call me….😢)
But we made and use a 10 m quad antenna at field day, it was 16 m high with at rotor. Work grate even in bad band conditions…. I have a field day video on my Channel.
10m quad is an awesome antenna
If u wanna imagine what it'd be like having even more gain & directivity with that Delta Loop, just look at a "Maco v-Quad"; yes, mine will work on 11, but it's also a great antenna on 10 & 12m! 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 😃
I will check that out!
Walt, Did you try setting up this antenna with the base elevated off the ground. Performance should be improved on lower bands
Ross, K8RLB
I have not tried that.
Would putting the choke next to the radio give you an extra useful counterpoise ?
Theoretically it would but I think it would have a negative effect on a loop. I may experiment and see for sure
The swr is good bc it has a binocular style 5:1 transformer in it. It trade’s no tune convenience for a slight loss of power.
Interesting
Slight loss? I don’t consider 12db to be a slight loss.
@@truckinguy92is it that high? I knew it was lossy but not 12db.
@@forgetyourlife I’m sorry, but for $625 for some of their configurations, they should be ashamed of themselves for letting this get out the door this way.
@@truckinguy92 huh? I was asking about the 12db down you mentioned.
I am loving the Chameleon SS17 on 20 meters and with the Shorty Forty coil it works great on 40 too !!! ... de N2JNZ
Yep, and more efficient that way.
Cool, thanks for sharing!
Hi Walt, what does it mean when you give a number after? 5-9 #3??
That was a contest, typically during a contest you give 5-9 and the number of how many contacts you have made starting at 001.
ok cool ty!
I know your thing is saltwater, and I completely appreciate it...but I really wanna know how that'll DX when it doesn't have saltwater to amp it 🙂I'm giving serious thought to this antenna for a bunch of reasons, including hopefully fighting RFI at home!
Also: does it work as a straight V dipole, without the loop wire, too?
Hi Walt
How directional did u find it
Thanks
Geoff M0CRO
Quite directional, I probably should have shown that more in the video. I could hear signals come up and nearly disappear as I turned the antenna
As usual another fine video from you. I think this might be next on my list to acquire. Thanks,
Frank KI5ZYT
Thanks so much Frank!
This is old school American engineering at it's best. Built to last and more importantly does what it says on the tin. Takes me back in time to when quality was the measure not price. To all those bitching about the cost think hard about what you get for your money and then consider all the cash you have wasted on antennas that either don't work, break or both. Great video Walt.
Thanks so much, I totally agree.
😊 1:14
4:27 Walt, it's so good to hear you back on the air! I hope your wife is doing well!
Thank you Shane, she is going through some struggles but hopefully will get better soon.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I'll keep praying for you all, Walt! We've gone through some pretty mighty health struggles here, but we're making it! Waiting for my little AX1 to get here, from Elecraft! Gonna take the little t(ru)sDX to the beach in a couple weeks, along with my 891. We'll see what happens, there! Anyway, all the best to you both!
Looks like you had a good radio propagation day (and salt water). Don't be too quick to gush over this antenna, a simple resonate antenna would have worked far better. The 5 to 1 transformer is very lossy, usually 6 to 9 db down from a resonate antenna (usually 2 "S" units less transmitted strength than something like the Wolf River Coil antenna). Wait until conditions are not as good and put up a resonate vertical next to it and you will find out why many people buy these overpriced antennas and then end up putting them away. They are good if you are using ALE or need a broadband antenna to change bands very quickly, but performance will be way down from a simple EFHF. It's just physics. Broad banded antennas do work, but their signal loss is pretty bad. There is a price to be paid for low SWR across all bands. Very good quality, but the performance falls behind much lower cost antennas. Chameleon sends their antennas out like candy to content creators. If someone is out on a good day and does not have a resonate antenna to compare it to, they may think they are pretty good. You'll notice most creators review these antennas, but then when they are out trying to make the best or most contacts, this antenna with the 5 to 1 transformer is not the one being used. They are throwing a wire in a tree, even though it takes longer. There are videos out there with hams using good test gear that shows just how lossy these antennas are (as are all broadband antennas). Of course, they don't keep getting free antennas....soooo. Go inland and set this antenna up next to one of your home made, low cost, resonate vertical or EFHW antennas on a so-so day and get back to me. 73 Walt !
I hear what you’re saying and yes a good resonant antenna will absolutely out perform this antenna. I wouldn’t say I’m gushing over this antenna, I just think it’s pretty cool to make a delta loop out of two telescopic whips. Yes it has losses and yes I absolutely had the advantage of the saltwater (that’s the theme of this channel, operating by saltwater). I get daily offers from Chinese sellers who hand out products like candy. I’m actually glad I accepted this from Chameleon, I had fun with it, was surprised by the performance when it was in the delta loop configuration and overall I’m impressed with how well it’s built here in the USA 🇺🇸. I absolutely love building my own antennas and experimenting with my own ideas, it’s more rewarding but occasionally it’s nice to play with something like this and experiment. All the best and 73, Walt
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I understand what you are saying. I mention the losses with the Chameleon because it's not touched on often in reviews. Michael, KB9VBR and many others have found the Chameleon has a 2 "S" unit loss in transmit strength compared to the Wolf River Coil antenna as well as other resonate antennas as well as EFHW etc.. Many others have found the same amount of loss in their testing. If people are willing to lose 2 "S" units in general use, at least they understand that the Chameleon may not be the best antennas for making good contacts in less than ideal conditions. If you need a wide band antenna, maybe the Chameleon is what you are looking for. The two "S" units are lost in heat in the 5 to 1 transformer. That is a lot to give up. The Chameleon tends to be a little bit quieter than some others as long as it is receiving a stronger signal. If the signal is low, you may not hear it at all with the Chameleon. I just think it's important for people to realize the shortcomings of this design of antenna. The quality is very good, but like all Broadband antennas, it's very lossy. If they are OK with this loss, then rock on. Chameleon does state it's a Broadband antenna but omits telling it's customers that there is this big of a loss due to the design of being a Broadband antenna. Many people buy this expensive antenna only to find out it does not perform nearly as well as many other lower cost antenna designs and the antenna ends up in the corner. This is more of a specialized antenna. In general use when being copied and hearing in weaker signal conditions is important or making the maximum amount of contacts is important, people may wish to look elsewhere. You had nothing to compare it to in your test. I don't blame you for your review. I feel sorry for people who buy this design antenna who are not aware of the losses when using a Broadband antenna. I don't need a Broadband antenna. It's not worth the cost to buy something that does not perform well compared to so many others. Most portable antennas are already a compromise. Two "S" units less than these antennas put out is unsatisfactory in my opinion. Love the channel Walt !
Gosh, it is pricey.
$400??? No thanks.