Now even better! Chameleon LEFS 8010 Lightweight End Fed Sloper Antenna

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

Starting next month - all LEFS 8010 purchased at our Website will have an extra wire to roll the 80M wire section.

[@forgetyourlife]

Opened mine up last Saturday and there it was. Nice desert tan extra winder included. Thank you.

[@stevenkunde7427]

Just ordered and received mine last week. Looked in the package while watching this video and yes the extra winder is there. Thank you! 73 -KM6TTF

[@WalshPhoto]

You picked one of the last nice Fall Days in Wisconsin to shoot this video. Great information.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

My previous deployment of the antenna was the cold rainy weekend in the previous video (you can see it in the opening sequence). I'm glad I had a beautiful sunny afternoon later in the week to put it up in the neighborhood city park for the b-roll.

[@WalshPhoto]

@@KB9VBRAntennas I love living up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin also!!! I love the idea of POTA. I think it might be the thing that gets me back on the air. Love your videos. And I am finally going to put your j-pole up on the house.

[@joseneves2822]

Thanks for sharing Michael ... another excellent video

[@philstrons]

Thanks for this review. It is a good reference for judging the performance of my diy 80-10 efhw

[@DK5ONV]

That's a great Documentary Video Michael. You gave me some more input how to go horizontal polarized with my EFHW Antenna of 67ft. Lenght. KB9VBR rocks 💯🙋‍♂

[@janiceemery2008]

Thank you Michael for sharing this does look like a good antenna. I have the Myantenna 80-10 and love it. Thank you.

[@walteredwards544]

I hope one of the next antennas you review will be the EmCom 2 QRP antenna (160-10). I have one of these too and I really like the performance and the form factor.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

We've done the Emcomm III portable, which is a similar design, in a video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmakeX53r5iNnpY. But we haven't done anything with the Emcomm II. I'll have to add that to the list.

[@kengerace]

I’ve got the original emcomm II. 60ft wire. Came with a winder. Really don’t need an tuner until you get in 80 or 160 but my internal tuner tunes every band to 1:1. Directions aren’t very clear if the feed point should be mounted low or high. They do mention putting it high if in a tower and using the tower as a ground. Thought about switching ends of the antenna to see what difference it makes. The way it is seems to work well. It’s not a full wave delta loop mounted 80ft but seems to work well.

[@davidp73]

I have the emm comm III with the feed point mounted at about 9 feet and sloped up to 40 feet. It works well

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The Emcomm II and Emcomm III are a slightly different design with a 5:1 unun and random wire radiator. You can mount them low with the counterpoise on the ground or elevate them and let the counterpoise dangle in inverted L formation.

[@kd5you1]

I set my Emcomm III up like an inverted V with the feed point on a mast at about 24 feet and it worked pretty well. At the time I didn't like having the feed point near the ground especially with kids running around at the event where we were demonstrating.

[@walteredwards544]

I love my 40-10 LEF's and I'm looking forward to buying this one too. I know I could just add the extra wire myself but I want two complete antennas. One for my home station (40-10) and the 80-10 will be my travel antenna.

[@rickyb2200]

I think the Antenna worked great , on 20m you were solid 59 booming into GA. Thanks for the contact and the great videos. KZ4DX

[@richardbogert7675]

KI7OOM I use an EFHW antenna and I have been super pleased with it. Mine is a home built unit. It is a quiet antenna compared to my vertical and a dipole. Performance is also very good. If you haven't used an EFHW antenna, you really should.

[@heiser_bill]

You mentioned needing a tuner when using the 80m section. Would the internal tuner in an FT-710 typically be sufficient for this?

[@davewhite7679]

I love the great performance and versatility of the "linked dipole". Now we have an even more versatile "linked EFHW". I'll just have to find a WAY bigger campsite and some tick repellent. KZ9V

[@travisaugustine7264]

Plenty of room at Black Lake Dave...just sayin'

[@johnsnyder7021]

An excellent review, Michael. Is the rating given for this coil? About 110 uF? Thanks de AB3JS.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I'm not sure of the amount of inductance. I didn't test as it is hard to do a measurement of it in a non destructive manner.

[@royceweslowski3730]

Good video.

[@patriot9455]

I like good, easy to deploy antennae. For now, I am looking at QRP radios. I may get a 50watt radio, but that is down the road. I like QRP for POTA operation.

[@45auto]

Is there a particular reason that Chameleon recommends having the matching unit at the elevated end? Have you tried it with the matching unit at the bottom and seen any difference? As someone who doesn't (at least at this time) do digital modes I'm glad the 80m is still usable on SSB, especially since I don't have a tuner. I'd hate to shell out over $200 and still have to trim the 80m element.

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

Yes - the reason to have the matching unit elevated is to maximize performances. The current is STRONGER (which mean MORE RADIATION) at the first 30% of the section of wire coming out the transformer. So by elevating the transformer at the highest point, you'll maximize the antenna output.

[@joeblow2076]

I started off with the transformer at the low end coupled with the 50' coax choke combo and my antenna analyzer was giving me a reading of 70 ohms on the 10 meter band, when I reversed the position it dropped to 50. Not sure why this happened as the connections were secure, but I was glad to see the improvement.

[@ai5dd]

Nice review, I have several antenna's from Chameleon and they are built like tanks. If you want another wire winder, they sell them stand alone. 73

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I bought a used jigsaw last summer so I could make things like wire winders, forms, and supports out of plywood or plastic. Unfortunately time slipped by and I didn't get to work with it as much as I hoped.

[@billhewitt8965]

@@KB9VBRAntennas I hear you Mike. I did the same, but ended up buying the antenna. Thanks for the discount!

[@paulct]

I dont see this as very useful for POTA in many parks. Maybe in more desolate places, but in the 200+ parks I have done, lofting stuff into the trees is really not an option, and brings the rangers. If you can use it with the wire end up (not the transformer end) then it will be fine on a 11m spiderbeam, just like any EFHW. Then run 80 m in an inverted Vee mode. I will have to look at the web site and see why they don't recommend having the xformer at the base. thanks for your vids. w1ip

[@thelostiowan]

I agree a wire winder for the extended cable would of been ideal......The wire winder could of been with holes on the end, a great strain relief as well for the mid connection between the 2 runs of wire here.....Still a great MFG of antennas as I too have 3 of them currently. 73's DE KC0QNA

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Not sure if you saw it, but Chameleon commented in another post that they will be including a 2nd wire winder with the antenna kit.

[@thelostiowan]

@@KB9VBRAntennas excellent news 👍👍👍

[@brianfields4479]

Great video Michael, I presume you could simply shorten the 80m wire for ssb. 73 zl3xdj

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

That's a great question. The next time I deploy it, I'll try coiling the end of the wire to see if I can move the resonant point up the band.

[@okhouri]

Can you please explain the difference between the resonant part of the antenna and the lowest SWR part

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Joe and I talked about resonance and SWR on the December livestream. Please stay tuned as it will be this Sunday's excerpt.

[@banihex]

I have the mfj 80-10, this is much higher quality though. I love the idea of being able to leave 80 at home. I’m actually looking at buying a Wolf River coil for 80-10 while camping. You don’t always have as much space, and even my linked 40/30/20 dipole on a 6m pole can take up too much space at campgrounds.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I always carry a couple of antennas with me, a wire antenna and a vertical. The Wolf River Coil is very handy for small campsites or tight locations where I can't get wire in the air.

[@forgetyourlife]

Did you choose not to use a choke at the feed point? I didn’t see one when you raised it up. I thought the instructions called for one at the feed point.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

You've got a keen eye. The instructions do recommend a choke, and I usually use one with EFHW antennas. But the connector on my long coax with the integrated choke broke, so I had to link together two smaller pieces of spare coax.

[@forgetyourlife]

@@KB9VBRAntennas how does this efhw use the coax as the half of the antenna (ground) if the choke is at the feed point without a counterpoise in use though?

[@forgetyourlife]

I’d love an answer to my question, seems multiple antenna makers have counter intuitive and often cryptic answers to this. The ARRL antenna books says if an end fed doesn’t have a counterpoise while a choke is at the feed point it’s only half an antenna and therefore attenuated.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Of all the end fed half wave antennas that I've seen, both commercial and home built; I'm not sure I've seen very many, it any, that utilize a counterpoise. It's my impression that the EFHW is a complete antenna, we are just moving the feed point from the center of a dipole to the end. In the ARRL antenna book (22nd ed) sections 9.5 and 10.3 both talk about end fed antennas and how the impedance is very high (3000-4000 ohms) at their feedpoint. The book recommends parallel line and a tuner as coax, without a transformer, will be highly inefficient. (my copy of the book is old, maybe they remedied this in the latest edition). The book also lists their tendency to exhibit common mode currents on the feed line. This can be a big issue with parallel line when only one half of the wire is being fed. But in the next breath (10.4) they say that "It should be emphasized that any radiation form a feed line is not 'lost' energy and it not necessarily harmful." They go on to mention that feed line radiation can affect directional antennas and cause RFI issues, but is not much of an issue for omnidirectional antennas. Otherwise, I don't know. It seems to me that dangling a counterpoise or using your coax as a radiator with an EFHW will have similar effects. Thanks for sending me down this rabbit hole.

[@gary6212]

Would this antenna fair well as-is in a heavy thunderstorm or should I try to put that transformer in a box or dry bag?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Chameleon stats that you can install it in a permanent fashion. I not sure, and if I was going to put it up long term, I'd put the transformer in a box.

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

This 40M version of this antenna has been installed for about 3 years now in Phoenix Arizona and everything still work perfectly! So yes - you can use it permanently!

[@docpearson]

Thank you so very much for this with you. I learned it off the lot. But I wanted to add something that you might take into consideration please, sir. That was a wonderful review and I appreciate it very much. But there is some thing that I think many people miss these days. They are all wanting to get as many bands as they can on an antenna just to make a sale. But if you have ever been in a hurricane and seen the destruction where there’s no Internet and there are no cell phones and 2 meter Towers are gone then when you need communication to save your self, or someone else’s life, it is just not there. Then you would understand the extreme importance to life and health by being able to use NVIS. It is simply is this. The talking portion of the 80 m which is the 75 m portion of the band becomes a lifesaver by being able to exchange information to people by the NVIS properties of that band to reach help from people that are not very far from you so they can come to help. The 75 m band is the best and works great at night time, the 40 m is not as good but it can work a little better during the day. Therefore those two bands are golden. They do not need to be there just to barely get by on them just so you can make a sale on an antenna. That kind of thinking is very poor. If you’re wanting to use it for NVIS to save your life after a hurricane has destroyed, all means of communication. Those are the most important bands to save peoples lives. And I watch and watch these reviews wondering when someone with stress those important facts. And to stress the importance of those two bands that can they be used for NEAR communication. If you can get them both on the talking portion of the same Antenna it is difficult. Usually if you get on the 40 m portion of an antenna you cannot get on the 75 m portion where the talking is. But there are some companies that have worked hard at getting this to happen. Once you realize how extremely important those two bands are in an emergency after a hurricane, you will look at these antennis in a whole different light. And I was looking to hear it doing this with you. And it turns out that the 80 m is better than it used to be as I heard you say. Thank you for this review and God bless you and please keep these things in mind. It looks like this Antenna may fit that bill after exchanges. But there’s another one I want to bring your attention to. myantennas.com/wp/product/efhw-7510-lp-2/ But since this chameleon antenna appears to be more portable, I am going to get one and investigate the NVIS properties of those two bands. This chameleon may be a keeper here.

[@andrewrussell4597]

Do you recommend this antenna for permanent installation? It looks like it will suffer from water ingress in its original configuration.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I'd probably use something with a more robust transformer box and heavier radiator wire for a permanent installation.

[@YayaOrchid]

@@KB9VBRAntennas What would you recommend for permanent installation?

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

This 40M version of this antenna has been installed for about 3 years now in Phoenix Arizona and everything still work perfectly! So yes - you can use it permanently!

[@thehappyhogger4484]

Is this antenna directional? Does it matter how I install it North South East or West? KD9WFF

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

End fed antennas are for the most part omnidirectional, but they do have major lobes that radiate broadside of the antenna. But to take advantage of that, the antenna needs to be elevated to about a 1/2 wave of your desired frequency. Anything lower than that, and the antenna will radiate in all directions.

[@1polonium210]

Anything made by Chameleon is FIRST-RATE!!!!

[@bodstrup]

Is the UNUN sufficiently water proof for long-time out door deployment ?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

the transformer is covered with heat shrink. It is not waterproof. I think for long term use, you may want to put it into a weather resistant box or case.

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

Yes you can! Mine has been outside for about 3 years now!

[@kd5you1]

I wonder if the 80 meter extension will fit onto the cord winder where the Emcomm III counterpoise wire would be placed, or are the notches too small to accommodate that much wire? 73 KD5YOU

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

Yes it will.

[@kd5you1]

@@Chameleon_Antenna Ok thank you!

[@martywood3648]

They listened...

[@larrystokes8787]

What about 60 Meters. Sometimes certain antennas do not work there and we use that band here in Idaho for remote communications in the inter-mountain area of Central Idaho.

[@carllavoie3804]

You’ll need a tuner for 60M.

[@larrystokes8787]

@@carllavoie3804 not a problem, I carry one in my kit. Thanks!

[@Rusted_Link]

Why can't the feed point be on the ground?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Chameleon, in their instructions, recommends installing their EFHW antennas with the feed point high. They claim this offers the greatest amount of RF radiation take-off. In doing the review, I deployed the antenna per manufacturers instructions.

[@pale_2111]

I got the 40-10m LEFS. It works great without a tuner on 40, 20, 15 and 10m doing SSB. However, one might need a tuner for digital modes. I might end up buying the 80-10m version as well.

[@carllavoie3804]

Make sure to put a 50' coax with RFI choke. It's will help your SWR.

[@Ei2iP]

How much? 20 dollars 💸?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Price is listed towards the end of the video.

[@danielsteele7544]

excellent kd9msf lake station ind

[@PeriscopioTorcido]

Cuánto te pagan para decir que es buena antena la Camaleón. Cualquier dipolo es mejor y más barato. Deja de mentir !!!

[@leobismarck]

Thanks for this great review! I have owned this antenna for a couple of months and I am very satisfied with its performance. I have found that the SWR dips are greatly optimized when using a common mode choke at the feedpoint such as the one built into the chameleon coax cable. Also the height of the feedpoint has a strong influence on the SWR dips so I suggest bringing a network analyzer and playing around a bit. It is worth the extra minutes! vy 73 de Leo DL2COM

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

A common mode choke is a good addition with these types of antennas. My main feed line has an integrated choke, but the coax broke that weekend when I did the tests and had to use the backup. I'm sure the lack of a choke affected results slightly, but I'm sure not in a significant way. Environmental factors do have an effect on performance, I'll continue testing with future deployments to see what changes occur.

[@leobismarck]

@@KB9VBRAntennas I was actually used to not have a choke right at the feed point of an EFHW antenna so the coax shield could also act as a counterpoise but in this special case the SWR did change quite significantly towards the better with a choke at the feed point. But hey, that's ham radio. Experiment, learn, repeat :)