You might notice a slightly better radiation pattern with radials elevated, I use my old Hustler mobile loading coils with 2 elevated cut radials for each band. They are 1 metre off the ground.

I see that you did end up listing this for sale again on eBay. In your ad, you mention selling this and getting the vx-6. I will say after having both radios, I love the vx-7 and the vx-6 is frustrating in that the vx-7 menu is much better and is dual RX while the vx-6 only has one vfo. Anyway, just thought I share my thoughts as comparing them, I would choose the vx-7 by a lot over the vx-6. Peace, KF7GQY

I struggle to understand what the difference/gain is to doing this versus just using the 5:1 micro?

Would adding the 2 pack mast extenders help with 80 at all? That would add 4' to the mast.

Each DMR repeater is on a different frequency. So I assume I would have to do a 4000 hot key for each repeater?

Looks great, but is it heavy to carry for sota, wwff, pota etc. What if stony ground or activation spot on the rock. There must be then alternative way to set it standing up.

I use a wire Rybakov for POTA. This will make setup easier for me. I also use a 17.5’ whip as well when I need a quick set up. Definitely going to buy one. Thanks, N1XXU

These work well on the higher bands mainly because from 17-10 the current maximum is way above ground so radials do jack to improve things. They matter more on 20 as it’s a 3/8 wave and MUCH more on 40 where it’s a short antenna. Expect this to be 6dB down on a quarter wave on 40 using the same number of radials. Forget 80 for SSB.. it’s just too short to be efficient and the re-tuning of your auto tuner shows the massive reactance on 80 and more importantly the high voltages stressing out both it and the 4:1 unun. Run anything more than around 50w consistently through it on 80 and you run a risk of cooking up your tuner or unun as the Rybakov antenna system is trying to push huge power through your tuner, feedline and unun in a vain attempt to squeeze out the 100w from the radio.

I'm going to try to WSPR the CHA25SS on the loading coil with isolator on my PORTA-MAST fully retracted ... should be about 6' off grade feed point ... gonna run the puck first, then maybe try sloped elevated radials.

Wondering if you can connect the CHA25 to the HYBRID MINI ... ALSO - What waterfall / software are you using?

Where did you get that portable table???

My simple formula for determining my radial needs is a bit simpler than your super-scientific theorem 😉). I simply ask what is the lowest band I will regularly use (40m, in my case). Then, I just deploy four wavelengths of wire on the ground cut for that frequency in meters. So, four wavelengths at 40 meters is 160 meters or 520 feet. So, I can get extremely close to that with 32 ground radials which are 16 feet in length each - 512 feet. My Hustler 6-BTV is extremely happy with it, doesn't require much real estate, and I get strong signal reports from all over the world as anecdotal evidence. Great video as always, Bob. Thanks so much for sharing with us! -K5SFC

Great video! de W2CSI

Their product lines confuse me. I need a configuration selector playbook.

I ordered the Chameleon basic limited edition END FED 60' yesterday can I do the same that you did, it's 5:1 UNUNs and maybe add a their sloper as well.

I also live in a HOA. I was told about a law that might help. Is the OTARD law real about antennas? I live in the North East, what would you recommend for an antenna is the winter for my house. I work a G90 so I don’t need a lot. I thought about a simple spike in the ground with my Shark Sticks. Thank you for all you do for us stuck in HOAs

Good review! Using the SS25 as the radiator makes setting up a Rybakov style antenna fast and easy. I've been running with that configuration since the whip came out. I've also found that adding 28 feet of wire to the top of the whip and extending it horizontally as in inverted L really helps with low band performance. I've got a couple videos on the channel that demonstrate the setup.

Thanks for the video. I wish they had some instructions or basic kits for beginners. I really have no idea what to get there. They have the antenna out of stock, but what else does it need? Counterpoise, spike, coax with choke? By the time you add the $100 mount or the $70 ground spike and I guess you need the CHA MIL EXT 2.0 and the coax, the CHA HYBRID, and RFI filter you're at like $700. For an antenna.

Thanks for the info! This is very useful. 73

The SS25 - always unobtainum! I spent a boatload of money on their site today with their sale.

N6WIP - Great video. Thank you for sharing. I see SDRuno running while you are transmitting. It appears to be connected to your IC-7300? I would love to know how you connected it. Please drop a note so I can do the same. Thank you for any help.

Chameleon should make a 4:1 and also a switchable 49:1, 56:1, and 64:1 inside the hybrid micro and mini footprint and call them the “gecko” and the “viper” or something similar.

I have a question. I own an IC-7300 and the waterfall is useful but not fantastic. I also have an SDRPlay RPS dx which would be perfect as panadapter/waterfall. I've never used them together because I fear I could destroy the SDRPlay. What kind of antenna switch are you using if any? Thanks!!

I have always built my own antennas, But this gives me some ideals. I love the hobby and the constant learning that comes from do it yourself projects. Thanks Bob.

Do you think there's that much difference between 5:1 & 4:1, in other words why not use the 25 footer with the Cha Hybrid and and see if it's worth all the trouble to even buy the 4:1 and insulator. The idea of using the Cha hybrid was its adaptability to so many different situations.

Great video. I wish they made a 4:1 unun in a Cha Hybrid Mini.

You do good work! ,,,love the rybokov

I don’t really understand the use of the isolator that way. Doesn’t the spike break continuity where the wire for a counterpoise is anyway?

Thanks for the video!!

I’ve been wanting to to get that 25’ whip for awhile but they can’t keep them in stock!

Whay are you yalking about? "You can't change the radiator length"! It's a telescopic antenna, adjust the length!

Hello Bob, I’ve had my 25’ whip with an 4:1 unun by LDG with 4 25’ radials by Chameleon and I’ve worked all 50 states including DC using 100w. I’ve made all of these in POTA. All with this setup. Granted, 40m is not that good it still have made contacts with parks on 40m. Oh by the way my QTH is Puerto Rico. I’ve got this idea from watching Walt’s channel (W4OGO). This CHA25 is a winner. I got it up for about 2 months, really since I got the whip and works great. 73’ from KP4YAT

thanks Sr great job congratulations 73from kb2uew

I got mine a few weeks ago, I have not used it yet. I plan to get it out in the field soon.

Trash Cans on The Air.

This was excellent Bob. Question - If I used an 8' portable mast with the 17' whip, would that give me the same performance as a 25' whip?

How many of the three wire ground radials (16.6 ft) do you connect to the the antenna?

I wish the Wolf had a 17 ft whip, it might have been a different results. But maybe not

I built a multi band vertical and hid it in 24ft of false plastic rain downpipe.

Nice compact DMR rig! Thanks for taking the time to make this video for us Bob.

Hi Bob, I love the series and have watched it several times as I am attempting to do the same at my house. I do have a couple of questions. 1. I notice four wires coming from the wire chase directly into the passthru. Should these 4 wires also be attached to the single point ground (SPG)? 2. I have seen the suggestion that a seperate eletrical drop be made from the house panel directly to the shack and attached to the SPG. Was that an option for you? Is you SPG attached to the supply circuit? Thanks!

Great video on a nice system Bob! So the wire measures out to 60'......how many and how long on the radials?

Unfortunately the DB25-D radios I purchased from Radioddity toward the end of 2021 that sat in the box on a shelf until recently, ended up being totally useless pieces of sh!t. They were intended for APRS primarily but have a bizarre problem where the TX light comes on at the preprogrammed TX interval, but the power amplifier in the radio won't actually turn on until you manually cycle through the three sub-audible tone options (QT/DQT/DQI). Makes absolutely no sense. Same result if you use the mic PTT. This was using the newest versions of firmware and CPS. The receive sensitivity is also total crap. I can hear certain clear, analog transmissions on my old TH78A handheld just fine, where the same transmissions on the DB25-D can't be heard at all, even in monitor mode. That means with APRS it transmits in the blind since the receiver is mostly deaf and can't monitor. Then the squelch and volume functions won't adjust. You can lower the squelch to 0 and it won't open, but will if you go through the menu and do it that way. Radioddity support won't help since the radios are past the warranty period even though they were first setup and tested only a week or so ago. Lessons learned - always fully test new purchases regardless of plans to use the product later, and purchase products with a better quality control history even thought they're more expensive. The headaches aren't worth the few extra $$. Many times you simply get what you pay for. These radios will probably go in the trash since they're basically garbage.

Ciro loop solves everything..

Greetings from Sweden! You, Sir, just got yourself a new subscriber and a like 🎉 I got two of them for little more than a year now and they are still free from corrosion and hasn't broken. I heard some have had them break at the base and/or top. With AliExpress i guess some sell these with even less quality. But i always buy from sellers marked with the CHOICE tag. Then you run less risk of counterfeited counterfeits. 😅

I like the type of products MFJ offered. However, I had zero luck having them actually work or work long term not breaking.

Excellent Video and very Educational!!! Thanks, de N1UFO 73.

No good for me. I think our HOA Karens use night vision goggles to look for violations in the dark. LOL

Thanks for the nice introduction Bob. I hope you enjoy your rig. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me. Thanks, WW4US

Very good !! Paul will have your radio performing like the day it was made . I’m excited for you .