Chelegance MC750 - Portable HF Antenna Review

[@Paulio91184]

this is my go-to POTA antenna... super easy setup, well made, great bag and I have made QSOs over 4,000 mi away on 20 watts. Can't beat it

[@houseofhamradio]

Thanks for sharing. I really do love it and it is my Go To for POTA as well.

[@vladtepes481]

I bought adapters for 3/8 24 to M10 1.5 from McMaster-Carr so I can mount the antenna on other 3/8 24 mounts. They were rather pricey but of high quality.

[@houseofhamradio]

I have heard the same thing but a good solution. My friend Bob over at HOA Ham recommended those same things awhile ago. I might have to invest in one.

[@Upnorthof48]

I’ve had my antenna for about a month, and have used it many times. I really like how easy it is to set up and get on the air, and the ease of tuning. Just ordered the 80m coil, and will try out during Winter Field Day. Thanks for the good review.

[@houseofhamradio]

Thanks for sharing. I didn't know they had an 80M coil. I would really like to see a 30M coil. Tried tuning 30 with the 40M coil but you have to shorten the whip so much, I don't think it would be very effective. 73 Bob

[@MikeN2MAK]

The bag looks great. The laser engraving is a nice touch too. It's good to know it's a little shorter than the WRC whip too. I have the original and the new enhanced WRC 213" whip, which fits into carry-on luggage. With that whip a little shorter than the WRC, it'd be even better for travel.

[@houseofhamradio]

It is a very nice kit. My carry on antenna is the Gabil 7350T as it packs up super small. More compromise than this one but takes no room.

[@GiantSequoiaNation]

Great video, comparison and editing. Im subscribed!

[@houseofhamradio]

Thanks for the sub!

[@GiantSequoiaNation]

@@houseofhamradio yes sir. I'm taking a few notes for my own videos and channel. Lol. Noteably, you're very well spoken and i can tell you took your time with edits. 73

[@hogluvr1]

Interesting.... It's a pretty neat package. I'd think that if you're not already invested in the WRC ecosystem, this becomes a "must buy".

[@houseofhamradio]

Agreed, If you already have a 17' whip, I would not advise spending extra. (says the guy that did exactly that)

[@leftcoastexploring1389]

@@houseofhamradio As a new ham, if you were to pick between this and the WRC which would go for? I'm trying to pick my first antenna!

[@houseofhamradio]

The WRC is a great choice for a first portable antenna. It is versatile and affordable.

[@leftcoastexploring1389]

Thanks! Appreciate it 😊

[@BobBroeking]

There is an exact clone of this antenna on Alliexpress for $108 and $22 shipping. I tried their JPC12 antenna last year and returned it after a week. your comment about the WRC (which I used now) struck home. I ought to just get a ground spike for that if I want that versatility besides the tri pod. I activated a park on 40m with a very low SWR with my WRC yesterday... makes me wonder why I am even considering any other antenna.

[@houseofhamradio]

I didn't buy the Chelegance for performance, I bought it for convenience. For performance, any 17' whip will do since they are all just a 17' piece of stiff wire. Since you already have WRC, I would just build a ground spike and get on with operating.

[@timdbl7804]

Hi, thanks for the overview. I think that metric to 3/8 thread adapters are available, at least in Europe.

[@houseofhamradio]

I don't know about the EU but those are harder to find in the US.

[@Steve-qn6bt]

6:33 I prefer to call myself... OK you're right.

[@houseofhamradio]

Hey, we work hard for our cash and throwing it out the window isn't something we all want to do. Then there are those of us with real ham radio hoarder issues and well, need I say more.

[@Sparks-720]

Thanks for the post. Very interesting. 73

[@houseofhamradio]

Thanks Mark 73 Bob

[@daniellockhart8594]

Picked this up several weeks ago, and it is much nicer than expected. You’re review is spot-on. I can’t tune mine with the 40m coil. The best SWR I can get at 40m is 2.0, even after playing with my grounding wires and adding a magic carpet. Do you get better?

[@houseofhamradio]

I have had no issues with 40m and supplied radials. Are you using an analyzer? You may need to adjust from the mark to get a good match. 40 is also fairly narrow banded compared to the others.

[@daniellockhart8594]

@@houseofhamradio, thanks for the reply. Yes, using an analyzer, and hunting around with the vertical length. Ditto for 30m (which also requires the coil). I get 1.1 on 20m and fast without the coil with the same setup. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tedhammett1823]

Any thoughts on how this compares to buddipole?

[@houseofhamradio]

For 20M and up this is a resonant vertical. The Buddipole is a loaded vertical for all bands. Doesn't mean that one is better than the other, they are just different. I find the Chelegance to be less fiddly and quicker to set up so long as you have an analyzer. I have never done a side by side comparison as far as signal reports but I would imagine they would be similar.

[@n3jppjohnhamoperator238]

can it handle 100 watts .

[@houseofhamradio]

Yes it can handle up to 100 watts just fine per the specs.

[@QRPGUY]

I have one too. It works good

[@houseofhamradio]

Mine got me a successful park activation on Sunday.

[@coreysheckler4777]

How does it perform on 10 meters?

[@houseofhamradio]

I don't do a lot of 10M stuff but it does tune up well and seems to get out there.

[@coreysheckler4777]

@houseofhamradio I have a Xiegu 6100 with a built in ATU, do you recommend getting a Rig stick to fine tune to 10 meters? Or would the internal tuner get it dialed enough. I'm into POTA so just looking for some advice. Thanks again and 73 Corey.

[@FreddyNietzsche.]

Do the radials have to touch the Earth, will they also work when placed on a concrete surface ? I am asking the question due to HOA issues.

[@houseofhamradio]

I don't have a definitive answer to that. I have had issues with radials running across pavement but your milage may vary. There would be no danger in trying it. If it works good for you, go with it, if not, try and get over more organic ground.

[@FreddyNietzsche.]

@@houseofhamradio Ok I will write back when I have done some tests and share the results . 73s

[@KaL_Terow]

I don't think it matters. They should receive either way. Some people even bury them, so they don't interfere with the lawnmower. Walt K4OGO throws 'em in the water often, out in Norfolk. Check his videos out (Coastal Waves)... but I'm no expert! 😂

[@houseofhamradio]

@@KaL_Terow Walt does a great job. Radials in the water will outperform just about anything else. It isn't so much a receive thing as much as it is a transmit thing. As I said in my above comment, that radials over some pavement has been less than optimal. My only failed POTA activation was radials over pavement. Could be coincidence but my friend who had his antenna in the grass did fine.