Chameleon Antenna MPAS 2.0: How to Set up the 9 configurations | K7SW Ham Radio

[@DK5ONV]

Good Morning Kevin...you definitely should be nominated for "HAM of the Year 2023". What you doing is just amazing. You YT Channel is a potentially high Learning Curve to Newbies on the Portable HAM Radio Sector- Even the experienced older HAM Farts can learn from you. I think you truely earned highest Ranks and Honors. This Video is already one of my favourite Videos you made. Excellent Job in explaining Details and perfect Audio Video Performance. What more can we ask for...?Tnx for sharing. Have a nice Sunday 73 de Your Friend Guenter 💯🎙🙋‍♂

[@Stewart0494]

I have owned one of these for a couple years. I operated out of the Marshall Islands with the Yaesu FT-857D and the Chameleon MPAS 2.0 in a vertical configuration. Just shy of 10k Qsos in about 8 months. I now have this setup at my house in an efhw with the matching unit up at 30ft. External tuner is a must as you have shown but for what it is I have zero complaints. 48 states worked from the Marshall Islands and all 50 from the house. 73 de WV7MS formally V73MS.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

That is crazy good results. I appreciate you sharing the details . This should definitely help someone looking for an antenna like the MPAS

[@nvrumi]

For field operations, this is one of my go-to antenna systems. I can have a complete station setup in less than ten minutes -- Yaesu FT-897D, MPAS 2.0 in vertical configuration, coaxial cable, and battery. This is great when activating a POTA in the winter when it's FYBO cold. ;) I suggest keeping a right-angle UHF adapter in the kit for those applications where you raise the matching unit. That will give some strain relief on the socket at the matching unit.

[@l.a.2646]

Chameleon makes high quality equipment. I've always built my own antennas vuntil i became ill with a spinal cord disease, i bought Chameleon's Emcomm ii portable outfit to use in the field, the only problem was i accidentally dropped and broke the unun so i bought the Emcomm iii portable. I like that antenna so much that i made it my station antenna. If i could afford one of these MPAS 2.0 i would use it for my field antenna

[@hamradiowithkevin]

With what you described, this antenna would be a really good application.

[@nvrumi]

I'm late to the party, but Chameleon has always had good customer service. If you have the matching transformer, I'd call them and see what they would charge to repair it.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Make the most out of every antenna you own by getting out and setting them up in the field.

[@MW-lw8em]

I Like mine, Glad I bought it a few years ago. cheaper back then. Also bought the parts to make the Delta loop for a somewhat smaller directional antenna. All there parts are great quality.

[@beefbusiness7314]

Amazing video, thanks so much for putting this together. Trying to get a better understanding of HF antennas and this video showing all the different configurations including how to set them up is super helpful.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

I just put up the Hybrid Mini, 17' whip, and hub on top of a 6m Spiderbeam pole; used to be 12m-I broke it :( . Also hung a couple of drooping radials. It works. Looking forward to the company coming out with 25' whips to make the TDL larger.

[@mrkopecky]

Great comparison and versatility. Quick setup.

[@StephenW1SKC]

This is excellent! Just what I needed. Thank you! I'm subbed!

[@jeffbetts2]

Hey Kevin, I was just looking at Chameleon Antenna's website this morning and you show up in my youtube feed? Spooky! Another great video my friend. Cheers! VE9FLM

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thanks Jeff

[@bassangler73]

Very cool antenna! Good for experiments

[@temporarilyoffline]

Lots of options with this antenna

[@Bill-HRT]

Thorough and enjoyable video, my friend. You mentioned, "the right way" with the throw line. The right way for Hams is the way that works, lol (safely and legally, of course) 73 de K0WHW

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Absolutely agree with you, Bill. I appreciate you, my friend.

[@larrybushman1]

Outstanding.. Many thanks.

[@truckinguy92]

Great video Kevin on explaining & showing most of the configurations for this antenna system. I wonder why they use a 5:1? It’s one of the only antennas I’ve seen using it, although I think Alpha Antenna has something very similar. It may well be that band conditions weren’t all that great but the antenna may have had something to do with it. 1.5:1=4% loss, 2:1=11%, & 3:1=25%. Although a tuner makes the radio happy it still doesn’t take away all of the losses in the antenna. Hence why I say the antenna plays a big part in poor band conditions. With 100 watts you’re at somewhat of an advantage, but QRP not so much. This antenna system really boils down to convenience vs efficiency. But an antenna tuner is just another thing to lug into the woods. $600 is a hard pill to swallow for such an inefficient antenna.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

All excellent points, Mark. Generally, when I am gaging band conditions, it is merely on receive and lack of other hams on the air. For this video, most of the footage was made during the week, and in my experience, a lot fewer operators are on during the week. So many compromises in this hobby for sure. 73. Kevin

[@Bob814u]

Excellent video. I appreciate the showing of different configurations. Thanks for all you do. de KE5ES. 72!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

More to come!

[@michaelpoczynek]

Hey Kevin! Great work. Very impressed. Great audio, great video, very well told. I am going to order one today to experiment with portable HF. Have a great day and weekend. VY2MJ. Cheers! 😀

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KS0JD]

Nice antenna with a lot of options. 73

[@pasjeihobby]

Amazing guide.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

I really like my TDL.

[@off-trailseeking3965]

Wondering why you refer to the wire for the antenna being 73ft when it's a 60ft wire that is sold with the MPAS MICRO on their web site? Great comparison on the setups!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I would need to re watch the video, likely mispoke. Thanks for catching that

[@puddleduck112]

The website mentions horizontal whip for NVIS configuration, but it doesn't mention it in the manual. Curious if you have details on that configuration. Not sure of the best way to support the whip horizontally?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Agreed, theat is a lot of sag and could deform the whip, so long term usage that way would not be good.

[@bodstrup]

Any idea if we should expect difference in performance between the MPAS brass masts - and the telescophic whip delivered with other config - like the Tactical Delta Loop. - appear to be the same length

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Should work the same, I suspect. Couldn't hurt to call and ask them.

[@lancejohnstone2648]

Thank you for a great video! What can figuration do you believe to be the best for NVIS?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

5 to 8 feet off the ground if you ahev no trees on 40 or 80 meters I think. But you are not limited to that. Some days can be better or worse for making contacts. I totally encourage trying many setups so that you get a feel for what you and you gear will do. Don't be discouraged by bad contact days. It is just how it goes. 73 Kevin

[@mattsartori2624]

Amazing video neighbor well made congratulations 🎉 and thanks for sharing 😊 73 de K7BCW dit dit

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thanks Mateus 👍

[@luissanchez3214]

Would , the hybrid micro + vertical mil extension + whip with specifically cut counterpoises elevated off the ground as you did in a previous video, perform better than on the ground? If so , would you recommend running a ground cable to the spike in the ground directly below it? Thank you

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I may give that configuration a try and we will both have that answer.

[@RobPetty622]

Pretty much the question I had I used to elevate this about 6-8 feet above ground on a tripod with elevated radials sloping about 45 degrees and attached to plastic or wood sticks to prevent ground losses. I recently bought Chameleons 15 foot rollover the tire aluminum mast and began putting the micro unit, extension and whip up in the air at a variety of heights depending on the wind. I've had success but don't know if it's more efficient than on the tripod or the spike. I do worry about having all that metal 15 feet up. I keep thinking the threaded part is the weak link although it is tight and secure. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[@Francois_Dupont]

for those wandering you can buy those whips online direct from the Chinese manufacturer for 40$...

[@daab25]

Is that blue patch cord that's used with the Mic a straight thru pin-out? Thanks again for sharing all this information. KN4FRK, 73s

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Yes that is a 6 inch blue straight through patch cord. Easy to replace or make and super helpful

[@daab25]

@@hamradiowithkevin Perfect I have all the tools and materials for it. Thank you again.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Do we know how lossy is the hybrid micro?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I do not have those numbers, you may want to contact Chameleon for that detail.

[@rameshkuthumbaka3821]

5:1 design plz

[@westmc45]

Do you or anyone here know how I can set this up on my sailboat I have a 70 foot mast and hull length of 47 feet, do I need to have a ground to use this or can I run the ground into the ocean. I would be using this while at anchor not while sailing any help or advice from anyone would be helpful.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I would run a vertical wire up your mast and then , away from the mast about a foot, and then drape a counterpoise out the back of the boat.

[@KF7UCK]

That hat tape is teasing me like crazy. I want to know what’s underneath it. -Ben in Utah Wanna be my Elmer?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Hey Ben, thanks for watching. Under that Tape be Eckles Paving 😉

[@denelson83]

Metric, please.

[@MrMudsHamRadioRadioTime]

A fellow ham just sent me the link and said he swears it’s me at around 13:11 mark. Sounds like a Mr mud to me🎉. VA5MuD

[@Sv1dkn]

I Have this antenna and is of excellent quality. Very nice presentation indeed !!! de SV1DKN

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you 👍