Chameleon SS25 Rybakov Antenna; Performance, Review, and Setup for POTA, Backyard and Portable Ops

[@timg5tm941]

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.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Fantastic technical explanation Tim, which perfectly coincides with my practical experience. Thanks for the knowledge sharing!

[@timg5tm941]

@ you’re welcome! 73

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

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.

[@moga864]

I intended to suggest the very same until I read your remark. The inverted L config is brilliant. So excited abt your report that its a strong contender for 15M (my fav band for SSB).

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look Michael, I appreciate the feedback. Will definitely take a look at the inverted L config. Thanks for all you do for all us amateur radio operators in our forever learning journey through this ham way of life!

[@TheLutero23]

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

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for the feedback, I always like to know how others' experiences compare to mine.

[@christianknight2905]

Just wanted to say thanks for all you do. I made your counterpoise/radial kit for my cha surveyor tripod adaptor...works beautifully!

[@HOAHamRadio]

Appreciate the kind feedback, thanks.

[@jptrade8575]

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.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks, always good to see others with the ham way of experimenting. Glad you found this thought provoking.

[@stevo791]

Bob,it’s great watching you try out all the Chameleon products you are lucky enough to get your hands on!, here in the UK it seems we can only dream about owning an SS25 antenna ( on order for over a month) or even more so a SA-1 SWR Analyser which Ive had on order from September..both from Chameleons UK distributor!..Im begining to think these products dont really exist and it’s all a been a terrible dream😉..Please tell me it’s not true Bob…

[@HOAHamRadio]

Uh oh! I knew when they developed the SS25 they were going to have trouble keeping it in stock; it is / was bound to be in high demand. It is indeed a real product, I have two of them sitting right next to me now : ) Its not a dream, its all real; hoping the international distributors get their hands on some of this great gear soon!

[@Michael-t4c]

Ok! I finally see up my rybakov! It shows swr 4:1-2.3 between 40 to 6m Without the tuner! I did not use the patio umbrella stand. I went to my local scrap yard.I got a aluminum plate 14x31 inches and some other pieces And made a flat base. It holds my 25ft whip with better stability than my Wolf River tripod.I can adjust the angle if the ground is not level! Any way I made contacts to Canada and los Angeles with it. It is nice to Not having to rush outside to change bands. 73 Mike

[@HOAHamRadio]

Sounds like a great setup you made there Michael, congrats on the contacts! You give up some efficiency with the broad banded set up, but my argument is, who cares? If its the difference between a 5:7 and a 5:9 signal report, who cares?

[@a_american_]

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.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Don't know how you would pull that off, but it would be an incredible piece of gear.

[@a_american_]

@ there is already a switchable 49:1, 56:1, and 64:1 on the market(x-tenna). Once they make it and then the 4:1 you can thank me. 😂

[@HOAHamRadio]

@@a_american_ Is the existing one on a winder? Making something like this that is part of the antenna support...that's gonna be the trick.

[@a_american_]

@@HOAHamRadio Chameleon can go to the moon and back.

[@Wretchedone69]

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

[@HOAHamRadio]

I think this would make a great POTA set up for sure!

[@JeffreyWilliams-x4x]

You do good work! ,,,love the rybokov

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for the compliment, appreciate it.

[@JimmyKI5PRK]

Great video Bob. I would love to see a video from you on how you setup your SDRuno. I’ve been looking around for a good tutorial and haven’t found anything that runs through all the connections and settings. Maybe an idea for a future video. Enjoy your channel, 73.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for the feedback. I do have that on the schedule, its probably a few months out. The set up requires a relay (MJF Enterprises) which of course is no longer available. I'm trying to source an alternate from China, and dealing with an Asia distributor as no one in the USA is carrying anything like this. If I am successful, it will be on the channel by end of Q1.

[@JimmyKI5PRK]

@@HOAHamRadio Looking forward to it. I know Flex sells the SDRplay and I just assumed you were using one of those.

[@Michael-t4c]

I have received my ss25 the other day! I will be experimenting with this tomorrow. I will be using my metal patio umbrella base with a hb mount to hold the antenna. I will ground the base to a ground rod about six feet away. My Wolf River base will hold the antenna with ankle weights on the legs but I am 100 feet from Long Island sound and we get really nasty winds here! What swr do you see at the unun From 40 to 10 meters without the tuner. So far I have done antenna experiments on my front patio, but so far the HOA police haven't noticed it even though they drive by every hour or so. I have no back yard as the back of my house is six feet to the road behind my house. Your readings will help me judge my setup. 73

[@HOAHamRadio]

You'll have great success with the SS25 I suspect; the feedback has been positive. Unfortunately, I didn't record my SWR readings and that was so long ago I don't remember. I'll be sure to check the next time I set up.

[@norm_sueb122]

Thanks for the video!!

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for watching! Hope you found the video helpful.

[@Rob-Radio]

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

[@HOAHamRadio]

Only guessing here, cause I'm not an engineer. I suspect the shape of the toroid for the 4:1 is challenging to get it in matching unit that can double as a mount....just a guess. But I do agree, would be awesome.

[@mediocreman2]

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.

[@HOAHamRadio]

@mediocreman2 ham radio can be intimidating at first, it was for me. There are lessor cost antennas out there that will allow you to play radio, but if you want to start with one of the best manufacturers with high quality, Chameleon it is. Start with the basic system like this one, it is a complete antenna system to get you started, just add radio with a tuner. Chameleon stocks out quick so you will have to check back at their site or one of the many distributors. chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/mpas-lite/v/CHA-MPAS-LITE-MICRO

[@joejoslyn7667]

I started purchasing one or two pieces at a time, Over the coarse of a year and a half, there isnt an antenna system I cant duplicate. Put it in the budget, You wont be disappointed. Go to their manuals page, open up and start looking, there are tons of different set ups to try, their instruction manuals are some of the best ive seen. You can pick or chose what ones to use and buy just those parts. Their manuals are for both the Nerd who wants to read charts, down to the practical guy who just wants to try it out and see what different contacts he can get.

[@HOAHamRadio]

@@joejoslyn7667 Great advise. Chameleon does their best to have modular components so someone can do exactly what you did.... Accumulate various components to be able to create many different configurations to fit the use cases. Nice!

[@Krispin291]

Thanks for the info! This is very useful. 73

[@HOAHamRadio]

You bet @Krispin291. No trashcan mods in this video : )

[@SQL_HAM]

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.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Basic Edition End Fed 60' should be a solid performing antenna; how are you planning to deploy? Would work great as a sloper, inverted V or inverted L.

[@mrkopecky]

25' with a sloper attached works great. I use 2 radials, really helps alot.

[@HobnailJohn]

I wonder how/if this would work with the stinger ground plane kit?

[@willian.direction6740]

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.

[@ScottSligowski]

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.

[@HOAHamRadio]

...testing and comparing deployment options, love it!

[@Mandarin110631]

thanks for another very informative video Bob! BTW- i cannot seem to find this item for sale- do you have any idea when it will be available?

[@HOAHamRadio]

This is not a current CHA Kit; I assembled this set up from various of the MPAS Ready components. The SS25 is currently out of stock, Chameleon says about 2 weeks they will have another delivery. Here is the: Spike: chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-spike-mount Puck: chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-puck-hub Insulator: chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-ss-insulator 4:1 unun: chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-ununbalun/v/CHA-UNUN-BALUN-CHA-4

[@Mandarin110631]

@@HOAHamRadio Thank you Sir-

[@jarmojarvinen1585]

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.

[@HOAHamRadio]

SOTA operators are minimalists; from a size and weight perspective this wouldn't make sense in that use case.

[@jeffwinget5928]

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

[@HOAHamRadio]

As it isn't extending the radiator, I do not think there will be any positive impact on 80; and 40 and down already work great. Not think it would make much difference; but if you have them, give it a try.

[@w9awx1]

The whips were originally glued. This was a problem and that's why the change.

[@HOAHamRadio]

My MFJ one is spinning now, same issue. Wish everyone would pin them.

[@KD9ZHF]

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

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

1,500 units should be ready in about 2 weeks or so….

[@HOAHamRadio]

They sell out quick when they come into stock. It is every bit as popular as I predicted it would be...game changer.

[@ScottSligowski]

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

[@HOAHamRadio]

Yes, in my introduction of the SS25, I used it with the Hybrid Mini -- perfect use case. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYPMh2CIlrJ3mqM I am using SDR Uno with my SDRplay using a MFJ relay and OmniRig with my IC-7300. Will be making a video on it in a few months.

[@MVBriscoVolante]

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?

[@HOAHamRadio]

If I took the radiator directly into the spike, I'm sending my signal into the ground....

[@Retired_Five-0_W4WAG]

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

[@HOAHamRadio]

Rumor is it will be back in stock within 2 weeks. They sell out quick once they get them....

[@Emcipio]

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

[@HOAHamRadio]

Options and preferences; showing people what can be / do so they can determine they own operating set up. When I introduced the SS25 in August, I used the Micro (5:1) and demonstrated it this way. This is just another option, that some people prefer (4:1). I prefer the Hybrid Micro because of its ease & speed of set up...it also works.

[@scottleeney7717]

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

[@HOAHamRadio]

OTARD is Over The Air RECEPTION Device protection; as hams we RECEIVE and TRANSMIT. OTARD does nothing to protect amateur radio antennas, it is normally applied to TV receive antennas, more specifically satellite dishes which receive only. Some people aren't fans of hamsticks, but I have had success on higher bands 20 and up; never tried 40. If they work for you, I'd stick with it. I haven't had the misfortune of trying to deal with snow and ice. As much as I like sloping wire antennas that kind of disappear from sight, I'm not sure what they do in an ice storm -- would they accumulate ice and sag? If you want to get more fancy than hamsticks, you could go with a coil antenna like the CHA PRV or something similar. If they freeze up from snow and ice, but they are already tuned to frequency, they would continue to work; as would your hamsticks.

[@GPSJayDog22]

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.

[@HOAHamRadio]

It requires a MFJ relay...no longer available of course. I'm looking for an alternative. If I find one, I'll see if I can get the manufacturer to send me one. Its a bit complex, meaning lots of settings / hardware / software all working together; but the results are priceless.

[@GPSJayDog22]

@@HOAHamRadio Thank you for your response. Complicated is my backyard. I love a challenge. If I could get a name and part number, I may find one on the used market and I will put out a request it on the swap net @ 7.235mhz, 11:30am, M.W.F.Sats'. I'm on QRZ for email. Again, thank you. I am so excited to have found your video. I've wanted to do this for some time. N6WIP

[@HOAHamRadio]

@@GPSJayDog22 Here is the MFJ item: MFJ-1708B-SDR RF Sensing Switch I have it on my list of videos to create; setting up the SDR with the MFJ switch and CAT control of the IC-7300 with my computer. Probably won't be until a few months into the new year.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks Sr great job congratulations 73from kb2uew

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for the view and comment. Appreciate you stopping by for a look.

[@jctrame]

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.

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

Not real differences. Power handling is the most important. CHA 4:1 UNUN Power Handling: SSB=1KW CW=700W

[@HOAHamRadio]

I show various ways of set up so people can envision all the options and how they might fit their use case. In my SS25 introduction video, I used it with the Hybrid Micro, and to me this makes all the sense in the world. I used the 4:1 here for the Rybakov purists who would only consider it with a 4:1. In my opinion, the performance is very similar, so then for a pragmatist like me, it comes down to convenience...Hybrid Micro it is!

[@roadrunner156]

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!!

[@HOAHamRadio]

It requires a MFJ relay...no longer available of course. I'm looking for an alternative. If I find one, I'll see if I can get the manufacturer to send me one. Its a bit complex, meaning lots of settings / hardware / software all working together; but the results are priceless.

[@roadrunner156]

@HOAHamRadio yes after they went out of business their unit is no longer available. There is a British KZbinr who bought a Chinese unit and it seems to work. I've already shut down my desktop so I cannot look better. The unit costs about $140 and he says that it works well. Thanks for your answer. 73 KG5WUT

[@MINI-4X4-RADIO]

Is you Flagpole an Antenna.? If not get a New Rybakov sized Flag Pole... :)

[@HOAHamRadio]

I like the way you think!

[@tomKZ8TOM]

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

[@garylanders1470]

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

[@HOAHamRadio]

....longer, can't make it longer...

[@Mr3bairs]

@@HOAHamRadio Curious about adding the sloper to the whip in this config.

[@HOAHamRadio]

With the extra length on the SS25 I would be concerned how much it would stress it.... That said, I haven't tried it so maybe that needs to make it to the test list.

[@Mr3bairs]

@HOAHamRadio definitely would need to guy it.

[@ncphotos]

Great video! de W2CSI

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks Chuck, appreciate the view and feedback.