Ground Plane / Counterpoise Permanent Stinger Kit from Chameleon Antenna -- Use & Review

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

You’re going to love the results especially with the TDL. Break out the 6 foot ladder you’re going to need it!!!

[@HOAHamRadio]

Yep, two of them on the way, and I have a prototype wire...so TDL it is, supersized!

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

@@HOAHamRadio Really the 25’ whips & 34’ wire TDL are going to be reviewed!!!

[@forgetyourlife]

@@Ammed_KN6STXwhat’s this about longer whips and wire? Is a lower band version of the delta loop coming out?

[@moga864]

Have the TDL and the stinger kit yet never thought to use them together before now. TY 🤘🏼

[@HOAHamRadio]

@@moga864 The TDL does not use a ground plane or radial system.

[@synonyx]

Literally 1min into the video I was thinking "I wonder how this would work with my MPAS 2.0 for home permanent use"... and there you demonstrate it! Thanks Bob! - I now plan on doing a portamast in my backyard and putting the stinger on it with the MPAS 2.0 on top.... I probably could use the TDL on top too..... I will be raising it up at night so nobody from the HOA will see it.

[@HOAHamRadio]

I'm glad I could demonstrate something you would use. That is how I approach my videos...what are others going to want to do with this, and can I demo that? Thanks.

[@synonyx]

@@HOAHamRadio Maybe go more in depth with how the MPAS2.0 in a vertical config with the stinger performs on the portamast?

[@henfrilangy3842]

TNX for this video. I have the quick release adapter and couldn’t figure out how to use it. Noobe Ham here.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Glad my tip was helpful. Welcome to the ham way of life.

[@JamesHindsW5ATJ]

Great video Bob. I have been using a Faraday cloth with my vertical, but every time it looks like rain I need to take the antenna down and bring the cloth in. This looks like a much better solution.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks Jim for stopping by for a look. So many options out there we all can really pick what fit our use case best.

[@KC4NWK]

Every time I watch one of your videos I see something else I "NEED." ;-) Another great video! 73!

[@HOAHamRadio]

I have that affect on people : ) Thanks for stopping by for a look.

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

Great video Bob, as usual keep it up!!!!!

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks Ammed. I think I have a package headed my way with something 25' long inside........

[@thelongislandguy]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@HOAHamRadio]

My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by.

[@emacUTube2]

As always great Video. There appears to be two version of the "Stinger kit" one with banana clips and one with hex screw. In your experience is it better to have the Stingers off the ground or does it matter? Thanks Again.

[@HOAHamRadio]

I'm using this in areas where traditional radials aren't feasible; on hardscape, on a mast. If you are using a ground mounted antenna (instead of mast) then you have a counterpoise...i.e., needs to be somewhat tuned to the antenna. On the ground I was using them like radials, on my mast like a ground plane. I stay away from counterpoise cause I don't like to tune radials -- that's just me.

[@BLACKHEAT1028]

Bob how does the compare to the CHA CAP HAT? Want to know if they are similar?

[@HOAHamRadio]

They are doing two different things. The stinger kit is replacing radials, offering a ground plane to reflect the RF. The cap hat is "lengthening" the antenna electrically. Ground reflection is necessary, lengthening the antenna electrically, while improving performance, is optional.

[@fredstaab6063]

@@HOAHamRadio I imagine there is no reason you can't use both at the same time. Eeek out every bit of performance while having a great ground plane?

[@HOAHamRadio]

@@fredstaab6063 Spot on! Both used as intended would create an excellent antenna.

[@brentOhlookAsnake]

Have you noticed any comparable difference between the stingers and a normal radial ground plane

[@HOAHamRadio]

They are completely different set up / use case, so I have not done a comparison with them. The ground plane is designed to be used when traditional radials cannot be deployed. Oh look, a snake, Brent. Love the name!

[@ludoka58leo]

Will this work with the Super Antenna system?

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

Yes!

[@SheepDog1775]

What are you getting for SWR? Can you use it without a tuner?

[@HOAHamRadio]

I didn't keep a record on the SWR. The Micro almost always gets me to 2:1 or better on 20 meters....so I would use that without a tuner. On 40, you would definitely need a tuner...if my memory serves me well.

[@SheepDog1775]

Do you think it was under 3:1 on 40m? I’m wondering if a built in tuner would be good enough. How does the SS25 rank in your Antenna toolbox? What’s your favorite HOA antenna?

[@HOAHamRadio]

@@SheepDog1775 Went back to my video files and I did get SWR readings. 12-20 were all below 2:1. 40 was 2.6 to so an internal tuner should do it. The Micro is doing the matching getting the good SWR. Favorite HOA antenna? Well, for permanent set up, my Flag Pole Porta Mast with Wire Antenna. Any stealth wire that can stay up is awesome. For portable up and down up and down would be the MPAS Lite because its 17' instead of 25'; just a little less obvious. And of course you are having to set up and tear down.

[@SheepDog1775]

I really appreciate the wealth of experience in your videos and of course the quick replies here. Thank you.

[@ny4i]

If one had the CHA PUCK HUB, do you suspect you could make a mechanical connection of a stinger to a banana plug for ease of portable deployment?

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

Thus product already exist but it’s fir portable and temporary installation: CHA STINGER KIT (PORTABLE)

[@ny4i]

That’s exactly what I was thinking. Thanks

[@Andy-M938]

@@Chameleon_Antenna But out of stock :-(

[@norm_sueb122]

Thanks for the video!!!

[@HOAHamRadio]

You bet!

[@HugDeeznueces]

What mast model is that?

[@HOAHamRadio]

That is the Chameleon Antenna Porta Mast; 20' version. chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-porta-mast

[@SteveW6SJK]

How about a CHA SS25 vs Mil EXT 2.0, then CHA CAP HAT with MIL WHIP on top? :) (2nd fl Balcony installation in HOA)

[@HOAHamRadio]

Hmmm. A SS25 on a 2nd floor balcony in the HOA : )

[@SteveW6SJK]

@@HOAHamRadio I suppose the two cases are very similar. Like you I take it down after each use. And I'm at the rear of the complex so not so visible. :) 73

[@KY4TRK]

I can see some improvements I fill should be made. My opinion... set up the ground radios as a screw in option instead of set screws where you don't have to mess with a alien key... less to lose and you can keep them in a sheath of some sort... I live in a apartment complex setup and don't have the funds to buy a setup such as this... it would be nice 😢 to play radio here... though with what I have, it's just not possible... I like the idea 💡 though again I think it would be better if you could screw in the ground plane radios versus set screws. Something like you would have with 102 wips, not the 3/8 24 thread but something like 1/4 20 or there about fir the size and inserting the stinger into the center of the 1/4 20 & the 1/4 20 into the ground plane puck...

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

The reason we didn't go that route is because we're re-using the HUB for the CHA CAP HAT. We didn't wanted to add another part for a specific product. We wanted to stay under the LEGO SYSTEM BLOCK design where a part can be used with different products in different configurations.

[@johnsvideo3403]

Could not get a decent swr from the stinger setup. It was 2. or just under or over most bands over 20 except 18 where it was decent. 40 was useless well over 3. Even with the tuner it only got 20m got around 1.2 For me as a portable qrper I don't like these high numbers and being so inefficient. I add one counterpoise and I got decent swr... like I would if I just attached a counterpoise. Not sure if this thing is even electrically connected. Don't see how its not but it didn't do anything. You did not mention the screw in the middle you need to adjust to get things to mount on the top of the hub. This concerned me because to get my mpas 2 in there it needed to go down quite a bit...wish they would give some better indication of how much thread you need to leave out. If you are not careful you could have very little thread holding this thing together. Sorry but this is a pain to setup and take down and then store. It also doesn't fit in any of their bags...I have both of them. So portable its not, more like luggable with eye pokers. Much easier to bring four radial wires and be done. I see the reviews on the web site are positive and sure you are doing fine with it so I must have missed something. Just really surprised that just adding the counterpoise means that electrically those stingers should be connected, its the same piece of medal. Very confused right now. Next time I may just try the antenna with no counterpoise or stinger and see what swr I get. Do like the quick release idea...I am going to cross thread this one day if not careful.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Were you using a Micro or Mini matching unit, or trying to be resonant with a 17' whip? If you can run a ground radials, that is preferred from my perspective. This is for scenarios where normal ground radials can't be deployed. I used it with the Micro and tuner.

[@ColoRadio6996]

Bob: Please index your videos... thx