The SECRET to mastering the Chameleon SS25 vertical whip

[@jackK5FIT]

I finally got a chance to deploy my SS25 this weekend. I was testing how the extensions worked and got the swr to 1.2 :1 on 20m to make a few contacts. I'm very happy with the SS25 so far. I did have to sandbag the tripod legs just in case.

[@gregmihran8616]

As always Michael, outstanding review of the Chameleon 25' whip. Your analyses and deployment options are excellent. I also appreciate you featuring my Dominator Halfwave Vertical for 10M-20M as one of your deployments. I have been using that configuration a lot lately on the upper bands at my POTA activations with amazing DX! In fact, I took it one step further recently creating a 2-element vertical beam by adding a second 25' whip in front of it as a parasitic director for almost 4 dBi forward gain and 9 dB front-to-back! (I had to borrow the second whip from a friend to test the new configuration.) From the west coast, I was getting 57-59 signal reports on the east coast! I know the price is prohibitive for many operators but the deployment options are numerous. I also hear rumors that Chameleon is creating a capacitive hat for their whips - that would be amazing! It would potentially replace a small coil at the base and improve the overall efficiency. Keep up the great work 😀73 KJ6ER

[@sdmay1980]

I did see it on Chameleon website. I'll get one when they are back in stock. I love my SS17 that I have 2 of. I think I may add a permanent vertical SS25 as I just have horizontal wire antennas for HF. For portable I'll still use my 17 with wrc and my EFHW depending on location.

[@TheLutero23]

Hey Michael, I'm using mine as you showed, with the 4:1 Unun (as the Ryvakof) and have had great results, I'm working on all 50 States as a hunter on Parks on the air and have 3 states to go, mostly the furthest away from my location, Puerto Rico. Only need WA, ND and HI. So this is working out great for me. I had really good success on all the Americas and Europe, including Russia and Ukraine. Love this antenna to say the least, keep on POTA Mike, 73.

[@dhtseany]

How long is your horizontal leg on the negative side? I'm going to pick up the same 4:1 as well

[@hawkeyeCH53E]

Michael thats a pretty sweet CBand antenna your neighbor is rocking. Save it For Parts has been experimenting with different dish antennas to receive weather satellite imagery.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

That dish has been there since we bought our house in the mid 90's. I'm surprised that with three different home owners living there, no one has removed it yet.

[@Chuck1855]

I love that antenna. Best antenna on the market by far.

[@IronHam-AF4O]

The bit of use I've had so far with it has been great. I pretty much just mount it on a hybrid mpas on a ground spike and 17ft counterpoise. I do like using CHAs universal guying kit with it. Very easy to setup and gives the whip a nice support if the wind does kick up. -AF4O

[@W6IWN_Radio]

I really like my SS25 and its versatility. Thanks for the detailed video, Michael. 👍

[@BobBroeking]

Appreciate you discussing the wind load on the taller whip. Since I use a WRC with my whip I think I’ll stick with my 17’ but keep it in mind. Good video!

[@wildbill1]

Nice video Mike I’ve been on the fence on purchasing one myself

[@mikeramsey9747]

My first SS-25 had a manufacturing defect (section 3 had a split allowing section 2 just fall), Chameleon quickly sent me a new SS-25 so you can't beat that kind of customer service. Yes the SS-25 offers performance improvements and with the added length you need to make sure you have a secure mount.

[@lilone3213]

Love your videos very straight forward and I feel I get most benefit as you show what your doing so one can get that visual learn. Question-you mention inverted L with this whip, i have the 17 ft whip now but often wanted to do exactly that in clipping a wire to it. Would there also be a recommendation on wire length for the 17 in the invert L? Thank u for your time sir

[@kapplerphoto]

I have the 17' version and I like that idea of adding a horizontal wire to it, what length would you suggest for that? Always fun to put you in my log, thanks N3DRK

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

Since the last 1.5 year - ALL our whips have a pin at the base and the base are made of stainless Steel.

[@radioastronomy2001]

How different it is from MFJ1979?

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

@@radioastronomy2001 Totally different - more rugged, stainless steel base pinned and 25' long. The MFJ1979 is only 17' long.

[@radioastronomy2001]

@@Chameleon_Antenna Thank you for your explanation. I will definitely consider it.

[@caryjohnson6361]

Mike when you do the POTA activations, do you use a SIM card in your laptop or do you use the HOTSPOT on your phone??

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

No I don’t. Often times when I go into a park, the cell signal is marginal and not worth trying to set up a hotspot. I usually hope for just enough signal so I can spot myself on the POTA page.

[@LU8HRW]

Thanks for video reviews.

[@gregsmith5110]

If you already own an MPAS 2.0 kit and a SS17, the included MIL-EXT 'tent pole' extension plus a 17' whip gives you the same length as the SS25, but without the undesirable flex. For those who bought an MPAS Lite or TDL that doesn't include the MIL-EXT, I can see the appeal of this longer whip. Hmmm... a MIL-EXT plus a SS25 would give you a 33' whip! (guying required I'm sure). Or you could use the SS25 with the Chameleon adjustable coil. Chameleon never stops coming up with new ways to take my money.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I combined the SS17 and the Mil-EXT into a combination that I dubbed the 'Frankentenna.' It is rigid, but requires a more substantial base. I had to sandbag my flag base to keep it upright. Here's the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o17EqXeLqJJjj8k I tried combining the SS25 and the Mil-EXT. The extra length of the whip adds too much wobble. It will require guying if you want to use that combo. But if you can get it in the air, you will have an awesome 1/4 wave on 40 meters.

[@BLACKHEAT1028]

I use a TM4 Super Pod Tri Pod, permanent stinger kit, MPAS 2.0 transformer. I use some paracord and tent stakes

[@mikesmith5139]

Great work. Thank you for another interesting review! 73 Mike

[@christophersmith1155]

if i want to run this as a 5/8 wave on 10-11 & 12 meters do i need a 4:1 balun or will it be resonate at the proper length ?

[@HamRadioN0CKL]

Does this mean they are almost back in stock?? Also do a video on the new CHA blank if you get the opportunity

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Word is, they should be back in about a week. I'll have to see if I can get ahold of one of the blanks.

[@stevejoyner1474]

Hi Mike, I enjoy your content very much, I have the SS25 on order and will try it as a Rybakov when it arrives,Marty vk4kc at Mad Dog Coils has a new loading coil available ,the Big Dog 25 which when used with the ss25 will load up on 160 as well!,thanks for this latest video..Steve M7GWJ

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

In about a week or so we'll have about 500 units ready while we're finishing up the other 1500 units!

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

The CHA BLANK should be ready n about two weeks. We've a bottleneck at the anodizing facility but we're in-line and on the schedule to process 400 CHA BLANK (200 X BNC and 200 X SO239)

[@hawkeyeCH53E]

both Chamelon whips are currently sold out. Too bad MFJ isn't around anymore.

[@markdeweese9288]

Will work with a mp1 coil

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

It will if the MP1 accepts whips with 3/8x24 threads.

[@DaveW6OOD]

BTW...The locking pin at the base is an improvement from the "original" SS17 version which have also been improved with the pin method. The third SS17 I bought (yeah, I have a problem) had the bottom two sections arrived stuck in the collapsed position. And, when I called for a replacement the guy at Chameleon said that sometimes the glue would cause that problem in manufacturing. They sent me a new one. Its definitely an overall improvement. Perk, so..I also have a "SS14" now. 🤣

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

My 17 foot whips are the 1st generation version, so I'm glad they've been upgraded to a more rugged base.

[@truckinguy92]

Nice video Mike. 1) They’re not in stock so that sucks. 2)Boo FT8. I really enjoy watching your SSB activations but there’s really nothing to watch when it comes to FT8. I personally don’t believe in letting my computer make contacts for me.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Word is they will be available in about a week. I'm hoping to grab a 2nd one.

[@truckinguy92]

@@KB9VBRAntennas good plan! I see a 30m dipole in your future. 😆

[@Chameleon_Antenna]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Yes - we'll have about 500 units ready in about a week or so!

[@playhamradio]

I've been using the SS25 with 4-6 16'5" radials, using their spike mount and hybrid micro. I've been very happy with it so far. I jokingly refer to it as a Chamele-akov, as it's basically a Rybakov with a 5:1 unun instead of a 4:1. I do want to try some other set-ups using it, but haven't yet. Another possible set-up is using the CHA LZ Sloper Wire, sort of like your inverted L, but 60' long.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Chameleon's transformer does make the whip slightly more broadbanded than a 4:1 unun would. I'll have to try using it with a longer wire in a sloper configuration.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Put on a tripod and get it off the ground and it will work better with less loss. Use more than one radial!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

You just described the POTA PERformer antenna

[@forgetyourlife]

Your 17ft whip must be quite old. They all have roll pins now.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I’ve had the 17 foot whip for like 3 or 4 years

[@nr3rful]

$100 ... Camelion is getting way out of line

[@timbacchus]

$100.00 for that whip? I will just use $5.00 worth of wire.

[@pgramsey1]

How do you get it to stand up?

[@nine7295]

By playing a tune on a recorder?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

What would be a fair price for a 25 foot stainless steel whip? This whip is a great value and worth the investment