Chameleon LEFS Lightweight End Fed Sloper 40-10 Meter Antenna

  Рет қаралды 14,305

Ham Radio Tube

Ham Radio Tube

Күн бұрын

Introducing the Chameleon Antenna LEFS Lightweight End Fed Sloper Ham Radio Antenna. This antenna is resonant on 40-10 Meter Ham Radio bands with No Tuner.
Chameleon LEFS: chameleonanten...
Chameleon RFI Choke: chameleonanten...
Consider becoming a Patron @ / k8mrdradiostuff
Follow me on Twitter. / k8mrd
K8MRD Radio Stuff Shirts:
Happy Skull Guy: grapevineamate...
Tower of Terror: grapevineamate...
Affiliate Links to a bunch of stuff I use:
~~~5% off RigExpert Analyzers at Gigaparts~~~
**Use Code HRMR at checkout for discount to apply**
www.gigaparts....
~~~5% off Comet Antennas at Gigaparts~~~
**Use code K8MRD**
www.gigaparts.....
~~~5% off PO4Power Batteries at Gigaparts~~~
**Use code HRM4 at checkout**
www.gigaparts....
~~~5% off Messi & Paoloni Coax at Gigaparts~~~
**Use Code HRMM at checkout**
www.gigaparts....
~~ 5% off Genasun products at Gigaparts
~~~~~Use Code MKGS at Checkout~~~~~
www.gigaparts....
~~~$15 off most purchases over $65 at Radioddity:
radioddity.refr...
Here's a bunch of links to stuff I use.
Yaesu FT-891:amzn.to/2XaTkof
Xiegu X5105: amzn.to/2U4jrtM
Xiegu G90: amzn.to/30fszPD
Bioenno BLF-1203W: amzn.to/3bXsRhP
Bioenno BLF-1203AB: amzn.to/39OAW74
Bioenno BLF-1206A: amzn.to/2XaWQ1L
Bioenno 20AH LiFePO4 Battery: amzn.to/2XfZPWT
Bioenno 12AH LiFePO4 Battery: amzn.to/2WHU9kp
Bioenno Charge Controller: www.bioennopow...
Battery Charger: amzn.to/2YARsSt
Rich Solar 100 Watt Panel: amzn.to/3enp4vD
Carhartt Lunch Box: amzn.to/2xQfbGO
Shakespear 20' Wonderpole: amzn.to/2Rd9IiG
Powerwerx Power Pole Crimping Tool: amzn.to/3eDbpSo
Powerwerx Power Pole Distribution Block: amzn.to/2WHI3Ym
Powerwerx Volt Meter: amzn.to/2IG8AAw
Ailunce HD1: amzn.to/35HqBYZ
Baofeng UV-5R: amzn.to/2Ot3NX7
Tactical Backpack amzn.to/2k6jya7
Condor Rip EMT Pouch: amzn.to/2XjLUPG
iPad mini Bluetooth Keyboard: amzn.to/2IOtI7o
Red Rock Outdoors Sling Pack: amzn.to/2FdCKdf
Portable Operating for Amateur Radio Kindle: amzn.to/2X3I7EU
Portable Operating for Amateur Radio paperback: amzn.to/330xW7J
I may make a small commission on purchases made through the links above.
Be sure and subscribe to these great channels:
Ham Radio 2.0: / hamradio20
Ham Radio Crash Course: / hoshnasi
KG6HQD: / @kg6hqdjerrysota
N0SSC: / n0ssc
K6UDA Radio: / k6uda
K8MRD Radio Stuff: / k8mrdradiostuff
Signal Search: / channel
Ham Radio Now: / hamradionow
Kyle - AA0Z: / kyleaa0z
SevenForty1: / sevenforty1
100 Watts and a Wire Podcast: 100wattsandawir...
DX Commander: / m0mcx
W6RIP Radio Adventures: / 11dayscrape
The Smokin Ape: / thesmokinape
Goodgame Ham Radio, Bees, and Outdoors: / goodgamehamradiobeesou...
Temporarily Offline: / temporarilyoffline
K0LWC: / k0lwc
#hamradio #ChameleonAntenna #lefs

Пікірлер: 171
@MrTommy001
@MrTommy001 6 ай бұрын
I just bought this antenna for $10 at a ham meeting in Reno last weekend (9/3/24). It was right in front of the Cameleon store! They had several boxes of 'stuff' for sale - cheap. DX Engineering was also set up at this meeting. I wasn't sure what I had with this antenna but you have helped explain it. Thank you.
@wushock92
@wushock92 3 жыл бұрын
I owe Eric a lot as he's the one that turned me in to your channel at Dayton a couple of years ago. Now I can't get enough Pota-wan Kenobi!
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Oh thats good to hear. Eric is really good people and one I'm glad to call a friend.
@AlanElBee
@AlanElBee 3 жыл бұрын
Showing SWR with vs. without the choke was very useful, thanks for taking the time. K7KS
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Awesome, glad you found it helpful.
@Brighamdoc
@Brighamdoc 3 жыл бұрын
Awesome job! So glad to see actual contacts not JUST SWR sweeps But… $180 for the antenna + $50 for the choke = $230 I hope it works well!
@daveycrockett9447
@daveycrockett9447 3 жыл бұрын
Agreed- Ridiculously expensive- is it really worth $230
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching. The only comment I would have on the price is that every other (resonant) antenna I own does not cover as many bands. Including my DX Commander Expedition. I don't have 30 or 12 on that antenna and that costs about the same price. You'd have to get either 2 antennas to cover all those bands, or get something like a 9:1 antenna and bring an external tuner or have a radio the will tune it. Either way, I much prefer resonant antennas. Buy once, cry once.
@FreemanWithrow
@FreemanWithrow 3 жыл бұрын
$180 ! They've bumped there heads.. I have the chameleon 50ft coax with the chokes and like it but $180 for $75 worth of kit come on now ..
@IowaSheepdog
@IowaSheepdog 3 жыл бұрын
@@FreemanWithrow Businesses invest time into research and building their product, plus the overhead operating costs of the manufacturing equipment and a facility to house everything, so $105 on over the DIY kit price you mentioned seems reasonable. It would be different if Chameleon made crap products, but their antennas are quality built and perform well.
@dandypoint
@dandypoint 3 жыл бұрын
Obviously the antenna works! I would like to see the SWR curve as you move out of the bands as a sanity check. I always do that. The SWR should be very high somewhere. I get suspicious when the SWR is too flat. It usually means I have too much loss in my coax.
@josephgomes8543
@josephgomes8543 3 жыл бұрын
another great show Mike. You always look like you're havin' fun, Joe, KC1MTM
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thats because I always am! I'm playing radio. How could I not be having fun?
@thed8229
@thed8229 3 жыл бұрын
Yes to Chameleon antennas & yes to their choke. My first antenna was an EmcommII (with that choke), still in use. If gonna "buy" an antenna personally think CHA is a good move. Love yer vids buddy. Keep em comin'.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Right on man, thanks for sharing and thanks for watching. 73
@TheNoCodeTech
@TheNoCodeTech 3 жыл бұрын
TeamReplay for the win! Great review. Thanks bud. Keep on rocking. Party on Wayne!
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Party on Garth!
@jlca320
@jlca320 3 жыл бұрын
Looks like a great antenna. I was in a park Sunday 8/6 and got 20 contacts on 17 meters. The band is getting better. Love your videos.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Wow! I'll have to get on 17 meters more often. The noise was almost non existent up there. It was like the antenna wasn't even plugged in!
@kennethblackwell1137
@kennethblackwell1137 3 жыл бұрын
Excellent review. Great that you can integrate field testing.....not just box opening.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. Doesn't make much sense to talk about an antenna and not show off what it can do.
@omnisteverino
@omnisteverino 3 жыл бұрын
Nice and concise. Looks like a great piece of wire.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
I love this antenna. Used it many times. Always a solid performer.
@enriquediaz7547
@enriquediaz7547 Жыл бұрын
I have this exact antenna strung up at my qth & take it down for portable use. I tell anyone I can about it! No brainer & saves weight, cost, complexity of a tuner, antenna analyzer, wires, space, & fiddling (& cost!)
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube Жыл бұрын
Really? You leave it up all the time? Rain? Hail? Sleet? Snow? I'm only asking. I absolutely love this antenna and if it can handle the elements that makes it even more better.
@enriquediaz7547
@enriquediaz7547 Жыл бұрын
@@hamradiotube California.. so no snow. But we did have wind/rain storms, high heat (110), & lows in the 20’s. At under 200 I’d probably buy it each year if I had to #seriously. Bonus: I live in an HOA & it’s kind of stealth in my back yard:)
@AlvinMcManus
@AlvinMcManus Жыл бұрын
@@hamradiotube I want to know too?
@Chameleon_Antenna
@Chameleon_Antenna Жыл бұрын
Yes indeed - you can keep the CHA LEFS installed 365 days a year! I just removed one of the FIRST prototype I made from my QTH in Phoenix Arizona few months ago! The CHA LEFS was installed for about TWO years ago under the Arizona sun and it's still performing as if it was brand new! I had to take it down because I've been testing the NEW CHA LEFS 4010 which is a NEW product that we'll be releasing PRETTY soon!
@brianumbrell4049
@brianumbrell4049 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike, love mine too. Great for hiking, pota and sota.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Oh cool, you've taken it out SOTA too? I was wondering if it might be too heavy for those who were trying to shed every ounce. It's certainly a fantastic antenna.
@HammockRadio
@HammockRadio 3 жыл бұрын
The LEFS is one of my new favorite antennas. They "recommend" the choke in the manual, but it should be "required" in order to get all of the bands they say it does without a tuner. After I got one, I had the same improved results as you.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Yeah you've had it for a while now. They could change the verbiage to say you do need a choke to get all the bands. Even still, it works just like a regular 49:1 with out a choke.
@8thspirit
@8thspirit 3 жыл бұрын
Amazing video, full of pure Ham vibe. 73
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@mikeh4524
@mikeh4524 3 жыл бұрын
This is the addition I need for my POTA kit. Thanks, Mike! -KE0VIM
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Hey awesome! Glad to help.
@artadams1
@artadams1 3 жыл бұрын
Great video Mike, thanks for all you do - the Yoda of POTA strikes again.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Lol thank you!
@K3JRZOnTheAir
@K3JRZOnTheAir 3 жыл бұрын
That antenna works pretty good!
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
It works great!
@aldewitt9
@aldewitt9 3 жыл бұрын
I have the EMCOMM III and I love it
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
I've heard a lot of good things about that antenna.
@j.d.-alawyerexplains5064
@j.d.-alawyerexplains5064 3 жыл бұрын
@@hamradiotube When I activated Chewacla State Park in Auburn last year I used that antenna and I did pretty well with it on a day when the propagation was against me. Mostly 20 and 40, but I also got one on 15 I think. They make good stuff. I have the EMCOMM III base as my primary antenna here at the house and do okay with it (when I can find time to do radio).
@josempantaleon
@josempantaleon 3 жыл бұрын
Not bad Mike, given that it is capable on 40/20 and 30m I'm sure it will catch the attention of the SOTA folks that operate the MTR3B as well as their other multi-mode, multi-band radios. 🤘😎😼
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Maybe. It is a bit heavier than other antennas that I have in the arsenal but it is a very capable antenna for sure. I was trying to work K6ARK on 30 when I was filming this but I just couldn't make him out. I think there was a WWCW contest going on at the time.
@josempantaleon
@josempantaleon 3 жыл бұрын
@@hamradiotube I'm working from home and my rig is literally 3' away, hit me up when you're out testing.
@donh5794
@donh5794 3 жыл бұрын
Awesome, 17M contact!
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
I was amazed.
@dbmusic8323
@dbmusic8323 3 жыл бұрын
I'm listening to you on my shortwave radio right now, lol
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
lol thats awesome!
@dbmusic8323
@dbmusic8323 3 жыл бұрын
@@hamradiotubeYou came in loud and clear in Omaha Nebraska on 40m. You were telling someone about the chameleon antenna. which brought me here. I'm only a sw listener now but seriously thinking about getting licensed. 2 months ago I knew absolutely zero about this stuff. What a rabbit hole I've gone down.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
@@dbmusic8323 that’s awesome you we’re picking me up. This is a fantastic antenna. I’ll warn you about ham radio though. It is a very addicting and fun hobby. Beware 🤣
@reidlanham2011
@reidlanham2011 3 жыл бұрын
Great video, keep it up!
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, will do!
@Blue-Collar-Radio
@Blue-Collar-Radio 3 жыл бұрын
Seems like a nice antenna!
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
It's pretty awesome i'm not gonna lie
@bodstrup
@bodstrup Жыл бұрын
I wonder how the choke at the feed point affects efficiency - you are removing the ability of the coax to act as a counterpoise this way ?
@gutyup101
@gutyup101 3 жыл бұрын
[KD2QBV] Looks like a great antenna and no tuner needed! Thanks for the video.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
No tuner antennas are the name of the game.
@9M6WST
@9M6WST 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video..
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
My pleasure
@Linas_LY2H
@Linas_LY2H 3 жыл бұрын
If the boots pictured in the User's Guide were included in the kit I would probably considered paying USD230 for this simple EFHW antenna with non even weather-proofed transformer and antenna socket :). What seems really cool though is the paracord's and Kevlar antenna wire's quality! 73! Linas LY2H
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
It does more bands than any other EFHW that I own though. I don't really care about weather proofing. I'm not operating out in the rain. I can't think of a single antenna designed for portable use that is also compact having any weather proofing. It's just not necessary.
@daveN2MXX
@daveN2MXX 3 жыл бұрын
Why would adding a common mode choke at the feedpoint allow a 40M efhw to resonate on 30M???
@tangle70
@tangle70 3 жыл бұрын
I wondered that myself.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
I actually show 30 being resonant without the choke.
@forgetyourlife
@forgetyourlife 2 жыл бұрын
Doesn’t a choke at the feed point of and endfed HW and no counterpoise mean it only 1/2 an antenna? ​@@hamradiotube
@theElderberryFarmer
@theElderberryFarmer 3 жыл бұрын
A great video about a great antenna! Thanks for putting this together, Mike. 73, KO4AZY
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Many thanks!
@pale_2111
@pale_2111 3 жыл бұрын
Looks like a solid antenna. It would be nice to see if they make an 80m-10m version. Been using a MFJ 1982MP 80m-10m EFHW. SWR on 15, 20 and 40 is flat as Kansas. Only need a turner for 10m and 75/80m. I was outside today on HF with my IC-705. Working 20 and 40m. I think I just missed you on the air. Had a thunderstorm rolling in and had to shut everything down. Maybe next time I'll get to catch you on the air. 73, W4ISB Mike in Sunbright, Tn
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
You'd need a lot more wire and the loading coil would prob need to be moved a bit too but I would suspect it would be possible. Too bad we couldn't make a contact. I was trying out a longer whip for my Tarheel antenna on my car. There will be plenty more opportunities.
@kareneighth6045
@kareneighth6045 3 жыл бұрын
Do you use a counterpoise when using the choke? If not, where is the “other half” of the antenna? Normally an EFHW uses the coax as the counterpoise.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Nope, and I have no idea.
@willian.direction6740
@willian.direction6740 3 жыл бұрын
Why don't they fit the "choke" straight into the transform on a piece of coax then just add a line socket type so239 then you wouldn't need all the adapters.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Not sure about the choke, but I did talk to them about the 90 degree and they couldn't find a good enough so239 (not an adapter) that they were happy with to put into proaction. You don't "need" to have a 90 adapter, I just chose to use one.
@Reclaim68
@Reclaim68 Жыл бұрын
Does it matter which end of the antenna is on the ground and which is up the mast?
@Bob814u
@Bob814u 3 жыл бұрын
Huntsville State Park looks lovely!! Looks like a great antenna! Glad to see you out and about!! de KE5ES PS Have you looked at Mother Neff State Park? Just a thought. 73!
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
The only thing its missing is a wide open field for me to spread my antennas out in. Haven't looked at Mother Neff. That's quite the hike from me.
@paulhastings3109
@paulhastings3109 3 жыл бұрын
Nice end feed 73 KQ4CD Paul
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
thanks pal
@mikemiles3068
@mikemiles3068 3 жыл бұрын
Mike do you think this antenna would work OK if you used a short piece of coax, say 10ft. and then strung the opposite end up in the tree so you would have the feed point down on the ground❓
@tangle70
@tangle70 3 жыл бұрын
I bought an efhw from qrpguys and set ti up that way and it seemed to work well. Made a contact from eastern WV to middle TN and got a good report. IT was only strung about 15' in the air.
@mikemiles3068
@mikemiles3068 3 жыл бұрын
@@tangle70 Thanks Tom❗️I’ve got a crazy 😜 idea 💡 that now I would like to just drive up to a park through an antenna up in a tree and leave the transmitter on the dash and operate from my car 🚙. I am not near as mobile as I used to be and I think I could do this.
@tangle70
@tangle70 3 жыл бұрын
@@mikemiles3068 I was thinking along the same lines.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Not sure. Every other EFHW I own I put the feed point at the ground and run the wire to a telescopic mast. This is a bit heavy for that. Perhaps that's why Chameleons instructions recommend the feed point be higher. I have seen others deploy it in this configuration though. It's not totally uncommon.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
I've done that plenty of times. When I wanted to POTA in Michigan during winter I would sit in my car. No way I'm gonna sit out in that cold.
@DayAtTheBeach
@DayAtTheBeach 3 жыл бұрын
Hey Mike! Love your channel. Question -- since the antenna is a multiple of a half wave on nearly all important bands, the voltage and current, and therefore propagation characteristics will be the same at each end of the wire. That being the case... why do you run the 49:1 transformer all the way up in the tree as opposed to running the bare wire up there and having the transformer right on the ground, allowing you to fly less weight and use less coax? Should work the same regardless of which end you feed it from, yes?
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching. The answer is simple. Because that's how Chameleon recommends it being deployed in their manual. I typically run my end feds with the feed point near the ground. I haven't done that with this antenna yet so I can't say if I would get the same results.
@DayAtTheBeach
@DayAtTheBeach 3 жыл бұрын
@@hamradiotube That might be an interesting test, to see if feeding high or low makes a difference. Even though you have those chokes in line, maybe the shield of the coax affects the antenna differently whether it's laying along the ground or flying down from the top. Anyway, the results you found on so many bands were really excellent! Don't know how you could get any better performance than that from a piece of wire thrown over a tree. Joe W9HK
@anthonymitchell6831
@anthonymitchell6831 3 жыл бұрын
@@hamradiotube I had the same question as DayAtTheBeach. Can you do a video with wire run backwards and put it on the Analyzer.
@DavidMitchell79
@DavidMitchell79 3 жыл бұрын
@@anthonymitchell6831 Yes. The other Mitchell would like to know if there is a difference. The Parr End-Fedz SWL antenna I have recommended the balun be at the bottom with a ground rod. But as you demonstrated, it seems to work quite well as specified, balun/choke at the top.
@CharlesSmith-dh7gf
@CharlesSmith-dh7gf 3 жыл бұрын
east texas here looking to find you on the air waves
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Too far for 2 meter simplex but prob too close for HF. Maybe some NVIS? I really need to set up one of my antennas for that some day.
@donbarker6783
@donbarker6783 3 жыл бұрын
Nice content Mike. You’re definitely on a roll. 73 KM4SON
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Don, I'm "working" hard!
@thehappyhogger4484
@thehappyhogger4484 Жыл бұрын
The link doesn't work.
@wjess3569
@wjess3569 3 жыл бұрын
Good video Mr Mike.. I haven't seen much lately.. so hope you and your job situation are good. That said..This antenna looks great.. but, I'm guessing it isn't set up for a semi permanent hang? Thoughts? Also, 17m has been a POTA go to for activations for me from here in Idaho. It's a great band.. all across the country from here. At least a few thousand POTA contacts, all on Shark sticks. I haven't been on lately, so have no idea what 17 is like from here.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching. I've decided to do youtube full time for now. Been putting out a lot more videos and having a lot of fun. I don't think I'd use this antenna for a permanent installation. It's designed for portable use and isn't sealed for weather. If you take it down before rain I'm sure you'd be fine. I need to get on 17 more often. It was nice not having any noise at all on the band. Prob the only reason I was able to make that contact.
@scottkn4vvj216
@scottkn4vvj216 3 жыл бұрын
Mike, great content. What about KM4ARK antenna? $39.00.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
I've done a review on that antenna as well. It's fantastic. This one handles more power and has way more bands.
@johndeere1034
@johndeere1034 3 жыл бұрын
Does anyone now what antenna analyzer that is I see it's a mfj but can't see model number thank you
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
MFJ-223
@scorpiodrg
@scorpiodrg 3 жыл бұрын
Nice antenna 📡 ,, but what about 11 meters will it work on 11 meters !??🏍️
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Huh? Why? It's a ham radio antenna.
@DM-fz3ly
@DM-fz3ly 3 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike, When you are doing antenna videos please give more build details. Wire length, placement of the loading coil, number of turns on the coil, counterpoise, etc. Many hams want to just purchase the antenna but others may want to build their own. I know you are reviewing a commercial product but some specific build details would make your videos more useful and appealing. Keep up the good work. 73 N7KBC
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Its a 49:1 with 2 primaries and 12 secondaries. Don't know the toroid mix or size but i would guess 240 43?? 63' of wire with a loading coils about 60" from the feed point. No idea how much inductance. It looks about 5-6 turns on a 1" PVC pipe. No counterpoise.
@DM-fz3ly
@DM-fz3ly 3 жыл бұрын
@@hamradiotube Thanks brother! If you watch any of steve ellington's videos he always does a good job of describing in detail the construction of antennas. Good luck in growing your channel. 73, N7KBC
@chucksw1
@chucksw1 3 жыл бұрын
Nice, there on back order. Maybe you can ask them for a discount code for the viewers as there a bit pricy;) Thanks
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Good idea! I'm sure they are having trouble getting parts just like every other company in the world right now.
@ulliBG
@ulliBG 3 жыл бұрын
Can you tell me, for which Bands is the loading coil and how long is the wire after that ?
@almcrorie4132
@almcrorie4132 3 жыл бұрын
in Steve Ellington's video kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6vJgqyYjrKfi8U studying effects of the feed line on the 49:1, he found that deploying the system with a choke right next to the 49:1 transformer showed little current in the antenna and he found the best configuration was to locate the transformer just above ground and then ground it and locate the antenna up and away from the transformer. I am left wondering if the deployment layout suggested by Chameleon of the transformer 25' in the air and antenna going down to the ground would affect the performance of this antenna or any other 49:1 system. Interesting question? al ve3gam
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
See that's how I've always deployed my other EFHW's. I've watched his videos too. I usually run them in an inverted V. Never used a choke either until they sent me this. I'm gonna have to experiment with this more. Either way it works. I have seen others deploy their EFHW's with the transformer elevated though. It's not uncommon, but most of my activations just required me to do it in an inverted V as Michigan doesn't want you to put anything in the trees so I've always used telescopic masts to deploy (I'm in Texas now). It was just easier to setup than a sloper in my opinion. This method is far easier though. Get an arborist throw bag, hoist up the feed point and stake the wire in the ground. Way less stress on the wire not having to support the feedpoint/coax too. Thanks for the insight. I still have much to learn. 73
@KC5UNL
@KC5UNL 2 жыл бұрын
How does it work if you raise the wire end and leave the transformer/winder nearer the ground?
@popsinabox
@popsinabox 2 жыл бұрын
Per John Miller at Chameleon - "Reversing the layout will still work at slightly lower efficiency, but the impedance will be higher necessitating the use of a tuner to match the antenna to the radio."
@Chameleon_Antenna
@Chameleon_Antenna 2 жыл бұрын
In our literature we recommend to put the transformer at the highest point of the antenna installation. The reason is that the current coming out the transformer is the STRONGEST thus radiating more power than the section at the end of the antenna where the current is the WEAKEST thus radiating the LESS amount of power. So an antenna with an elevated feedpoint will radiate more RF and reduce transmission loss because the ground (which will absorb RF) is away from the transmitting wire. That will maximize the transmitting power of a QRP system. Doing the opposite will work but with a reduced transmitting efficiency.
@jamesrospopo3137
@jamesrospopo3137 3 жыл бұрын
Mike, just watched this video. I see you using the separate choke that Chameleon sells. I see they also sell coax cable with a choke built into it. Do you think that will work in the same way as the separate choke that you used in this video ?
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
I would suspect they should both do the same thing.
@AliReza-zx8km
@AliReza-zx8km 3 жыл бұрын
Nice........................
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
thank you
@KC4LZN
@KC4LZN 3 жыл бұрын
Great vid Mike. What rig is that and what's the model Bioenno battery you were using? John KC4LZN
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks John, i'm using my Yaesu FT891 and its a 20ah bioenno BLF-1220A
@J0HN3
@J0HN3 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. I have this antenna and love it too. I didn’t get a choke with mine but will make one and test the SWRs. I don’t understand why the ferrite chokes would change SWR though.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching. I have no idea why it works either. It goes against everything I know about the EFHW.
@carllavoie3804
@carllavoie3804 3 жыл бұрын
It's because you isolate the coax cable from the antenna which will be used as counterpoise.
@JReed305
@JReed305 3 жыл бұрын
Impressive fancy wire.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
That wire is really sick. I like it a lot!
@6point8ar
@6point8ar 3 жыл бұрын
What model mfj antenna analyzer is in the video?
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
MFJ-223
@THESPORTINGCAMP
@THESPORTINGCAMP 3 жыл бұрын
Great review Mike! - W5SWX
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
@pd9rd
@pd9rd 3 жыл бұрын
Looks like a great antenna, what exactly does that choke do to get the already good SWR even better? .. Thanks for sharing Mike. 73
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
I wish I knew. Other then stopping common mode current from going back down the coax I have no idea. It really defies everything I know about End Fed antennas. Usually you want the coax to act as a counterpoise to some degree but not with this antenna. There is no counterpoise at all.
@pd9rd
@pd9rd 3 жыл бұрын
@@hamradiotube Exactly, I'm wondering if this Cha choke works with other than Chameleon end fed's as well .. Thanks for the reply Mike! 73.
@carllavoie3804
@carllavoie3804 3 жыл бұрын
It's to decouple the coax cable from the antenna.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
@@carllavoie3804 I'm going with what Carl says. He made the antenna! I can't wait to be a good enough ham to know what that means but how cool is it that Carl himself is responding?!!
@tangle70
@tangle70 3 жыл бұрын
This may be a dumb question, but, why do you hang the coax end in the tree?
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Because thats what the instructions from Chameleon said to do.
@Jb-qf8nx
@Jb-qf8nx 3 жыл бұрын
Who’s the “degen” that gave you a thumbs down? They should be ashamed of themselves
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Frickin degens.
@master_the_mind
@master_the_mind 3 жыл бұрын
What Meter is that?
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Mfj 223
@davidbeam8406
@davidbeam8406 3 жыл бұрын
How do u hang your antenna??
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Paracord over a tree branch. Hoist up the antenna.
@williampeacock9473
@williampeacock9473 3 жыл бұрын
What kind of price are we talking for the antenna. It looks like it is built real good. 73 AE4OY William Peacock 🦚 EM-81uf SOUTH EAST GEORGIA 🤓😎
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
It's selling fr $180. The choke is another $50.
@alvarogaitan2529
@alvarogaitan2529 3 жыл бұрын
Okay Mike vip for me 😂
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
You have always been VIP to me.
@roywood7290
@roywood7290 2 жыл бұрын
The problem with adding a choke at the feed point of ANY end fed half wave is that it will seriously degrade the performance of the antenna unless there is a ground on the shield side at the feed point. Modern end fed design like used on the CHA LEFS, connects the bottom of the secondary to the coax shield to eliminate the need for an external counterpoise. When you add a choke at the feed point, you are preventing the antenna from using the shield as its counterpoise, and now that current has no where to go. This means the antenna will not radiate nearly the amount of RF it would without the choke. You can easily verify this using a field strength meter. It will however, fake out an SWR meter because the choke is removing current from the shield of the coax which the meter sees as a standing wave. Normally, not having current on the shield is a good thing, but in the case of a half wave end fed that doesn't have ground separate from the coax shield at the feed point, that current must be present in order for the antenna to work correctly. The amount of degradation is dependent upon the amount of choking impedance provided by the choke, which in the case of the choke provided by Chameleon is probably pretty low which is why the antenna still works at all, but it is clearly not zero. You can certainly bring the antenna to its knees and completely prevent it form working at all with enough impedance at the feed point, like using a high performance choke. Now its perfectly OK to add a choke near the transmitter or at the entrance to the shack in order to prevent RFI in the shack if need be, but never near the feed point of an end fed. The bottom line is that a 40 meter end fed half wave will not work well on 30, 17, or 12 meters because those are not harmonics of any frequency on 40 meters. You will get 30, 17 and 12 on an 80 meter efhw because those are harmonics of 80 meters. If you take out a field strength meter and test the actual output of the antenna, you will find that with the choke attached, output is degraded on all bands/frequencies. And you will gain nothing on 30, 17 and 12 meters with a choke as far as performance is concerned over just tuning those bands with the internal tuner of your radio. The problem with the choke method is it degrades performance on this antenna across all bands and while the SWR will look better on a meter, the performance on the non-harmonic bands will not improve at all. There is nothing magical about this antenna. It is a 40 meter half wave end fed with nice wire and very good construction for portable use, and it uses the same design and acts just like every other 40 meter end fed half wave antenna on the market. My disappointment with Chameleon is that they certainly know that telling people to put a choke at the feed point is a smoke and mirrors trick on a half wave end fed. As Mike mentioned when talking about the performance on 17 meters with a choke at the feed point in the previous comment, "The noise was almost non existent up there. It was like the antenna wasn't even plugged in!" Yep, exactly like that. :)
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@christophersmith1155
@christophersmith1155 3 жыл бұрын
WHAT ABOUT 11 METERS ?
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
what about it?
@christophersmith1155
@christophersmith1155 3 жыл бұрын
WILL IT WORK ON 11 METERS ? SWR ?
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
@@christophersmith1155 I have no idea. I say in the video what bands its resonant on. Being that this is not made for CB it would seem unlikely that it would work. Out of curiosity, do CB guys use antennas like this??
@christophersmith1155
@christophersmith1155 3 жыл бұрын
YES.
@mikemiles3068
@mikemiles3068 3 жыл бұрын
👍KV5P
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching
@Ei2iP
@Ei2iP 3 жыл бұрын
End Fed antenna a compromise antenna, no biggie, except for price... build it with 26awg , as stealth antenna and run 100w.. No propagation, no magic
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
I have many EFHW. Most of them with 26awg. None of them cover all the bands this one does.
@hobie1dog
@hobie1dog 3 жыл бұрын
Sure is expensive at $180.00 for no more than is there in materials, but all that advertising and salaries cost money.
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Can you name another antenna that is cheaper that does every band 40-6?
@danielhorvat4340
@danielhorvat4340 3 жыл бұрын
In case you really do not know why SWR is low on all bands including WARC bands, guess what, that transformer has a substantial loss, and reflected power is also attenuated which gives you a false low SWR at the radio end. Add more coax/more loss and SWR will be even lower. In the amateur world, Low SWR is taken as a rule of thumb for efficiency, which is not always the case especially not in this one. Unfortunately, Chameleon antennas are all based on huge loss in transformers fooling the Joe Ham how their antenna is best after sliced bread... :) Then there are KZbin hams promoting that without any real understanding of how it works.
@AliReza-zx8km
@AliReza-zx8km 3 жыл бұрын
Nice........................
@hamradiotube
@hamradiotube 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
KM4ACK End Fed Half Wave Antenna Build
18:34
Ham Radio Tube
Рет қаралды 16 М.
How to treat Acne💉
00:31
ISSEI / いっせい
Рет қаралды 108 МЛН
Enceinte et en Bazard: Les Chroniques du Nettoyage ! 🚽✨
00:21
Two More French
Рет қаралды 42 МЛН
Lightweight End Fed Sloper Antenna?
14:59
Off-Grid Ham Radio OH8STN
Рет қаралды 9 М.
Chameleon CHA-LEFS End Fed Ham Radio Antenna
12:08
Ham Radio Crash Course
Рет қаралды 13 М.
Downloading Images From US Military Satellites
26:51
saveitforparts
Рет қаралды 1,1 МЛН
This Awesome "10 Meter Radio" Has a SECRET!
12:22
Ham Radio DX
Рет қаралды 130 М.
Easiest PackTenna EFHW Antenna Deployment Ever
15:35
Ham Radio Tube
Рет қаралды 25 М.
How-To Build, Cut & Tune an End Fed Half Wave Ham Radio Antenna!
22:43
Ham Radio Crash Course
Рет қаралды 112 М.
PackTenna Linked EFHW | 5 Band Version K8MRD MOD
15:09
Ham Radio Tube
Рет қаралды 19 М.
San Jacinto Battleground Parks on the Air full length activation.
41:21