You have the gift of making videos. Based on personal experience I say chameleon antennas are below average ultra expensive antennas. Me and a friend of mine have the ic-705. He has the mat tunner and I don't. We go basically to the same parks and we have the same knowledge on CW and how to hunt DX. The difference is that I have qsos with 68 different countries and he has 18, actually 12 because he got 6 different countries when he used my antennas for one day. My friend has the mpas lite and I have a qrpguys ununtenna plus which I erect using s fishing pole and an umbrella ground mount. I do the deployment of my antenna faster than his. Chameleon antennas are very well build but RF doesn't care about it. Before buying give yourself a chance and build one yourself. Just reference: in cw, 6000km should be like talking to you neighbor. 10000km are regular qsos. 14000km pretty possible but you need good propagation. All this in CW, if you are doing qrp in ssb you are basically spending your time frustrated
You are very kind. Thanks for the insightful comments. I hope viewers read it as it adds valuable context and a differing point of view that will help someone make an informed decision on whether to buy this or not. I love the bit about RF doesn't care about build quality. How true, we can break a lot of laws but the laws of physics are immutable. 73s WV7W
Chameleon makes great antennas. I got a few myself. The first one I got was the ECOMM III Portable EFHW 160-10m for my IC-705. The second is the Lite Tactical Dipole 160m-6m hooked up to my IC-7300. Number 3 is the LEFS 40-10m for portable operations either with the IC-705 or IC-7300. And I ordered the Lite Tactical Delta Loop. With my experience with their antennas, they do great on SSB. For digital and cw, they might need to be tuned. Of course this is dependent upon how each antenna is configured and the height of the matching transformer. Hats off to Chameleon for making some versatile antennas. They are a bit pricey, but no one can match their versatility. Honestly, I believe they're worth every penny. 73, W4ISB Mike in Tennessee.
Thanks for the additional information Mike. I appreciate the perspective of other hams and your experience adds valuable information for other viewers (provided they read it) 73s Bob WV7W
I am very happy with mine and have had it for years. Rugged and works well for a compromise antenna. I do not find it too heavy for backpacking as I have the micro version and i drill holes in my toothbrush to save weight. The quality os very high and have had no issues unlike other stuff thats not soldered properly or breaks after 3 uses.
Nice review! I just ordered one of these from GigaParts today. One comment I have about the dipole comparison. I don't think it's very accurate to say that the MPAS will not outperform a dipole. Number one, the objective for any antenna is to get as much power as possible radiated by the antenna. We all know the other half of a vertical is the tuned counterpoise or ground radial system. Assuming one can minimize ground losses, and even taking into account balun loss, the real world difference between a resonate dipole and a non-resonant EFHW, EFLW, or EF vertical, isn't profound. Then there is the issue of DX vs regional contacts. Being the MPAS vertical provides a lower take-off angle, it has a distinct advantage for DX contacts. For NVIS, the vertical proves to be a disadvantage. But the dipole, being horizontally polarized, excels with regional contacts, and is most certainly quieter than any vertical. I am sure you know all of this. Just wanted to give my two cents. The MPAS enjoys a bright future, especially among HOA hams or those like me who really don't want eyesores by way of an antenna farm. hihi. Again great job on the review! 73 de Scott W1AL
Thanks, I don't disagree but generally speaking for most situations, a resonant dipole will outperform a vertical but you make a good point about DX and takeoff angle.
I have the big brother MPAS 2.0. Yes it’s a good quality build with 1 exception: that red thumb screw for the counterpoise is an irritant, and not really of good quality. The plastic cap popped off the bolt on my MPAS, releasing the counterpoise. I think Chameleon can do better with a counterpoise fastening solution than that.
Thanks for the additional feedback Mike. I haven't had any issues with the thumb screw and at least they made it red. the counterpoise thumbscrew on the Buddistick Pro is black and if I ever drop it, I'm afraid I might lose it.
excellent video! I used this when I lived on a golf course over in Pasco. Great antenna when you have to run out at dark and setup. Your review is absolutely spot on. Could you change the length of the telescoping whip to adjust the SWR? I never have tried this. Have a very blessed Christmas.
I use this setup daily for about a year combined with more of their product. I keep a 1/8” by 1” roll pin as spare part for the metal spike. Even with a rubber mallet driving into hard ground it eventually deformed.
I have the MPAS 2.0 with the mini instead of the micro because I like to do 100W CW. I wouldn't want to use it QRP, but if I want to do a quick activation on the way home from work nothing beats the convenience of these antennas. I surrendered to the hype and ordered one to see what the fuss is about. It is built like a brick ***house. I didn't think I'd like it and I could sell it, but it is staying in the kit. I'm even thinking about getting the Micro and the whip to use on SOTA since it is so damn easy to set up. 73 KD7LX
Yeah, for 40M you really need to use the full length of counterpoise that Chameleon provides since this is really acting like a random wire vice a resonant or trap vertical. This is why you have to use a tuner and as it gets to the lower bands, that can be even more finicky.
I have to admit I haven't tried with any configuration other than vertical. In the field I am a QRP operator so If I am going to hang a wire up, it will either be a resonant EFWH or dipole. I got this one for quick easy setup.
8:58 you forgot the loss in the rg58 high loss coax, which is significant when you consider the high SWR at the antenna (not at the end of a significant length of coax). Remember: the SWR at the end of the coax as you measured it will be artificially low because of coax losses.
Doesn't the loss in the coax drop the lower the frequency? So shouldn't the SWR be better at the antenna end down on 80m and 40m which would make the lower bands a little more efficient.
The MPAS antenna is at least Two "S" units down from a resonate antenna such as the Buddistick or Silver Bullet with the same 17' whip. Why would I want to use an MPAS. Fast set up ? I can get my Buddistick or EFHW up pretty quickly. It may be OK for CW work, but for SSB, that two "S" unit difference is huge. Does the MPAS work, sure it does, but at what cost ? I don't know why so many push this antenna. Expensive and losey. Unless you are lazy, get something that gets a signal out to others that they can hear without someone having to ask you to send your info multiple times. A resonate portable vertical antenna is a compromise antenna, the MPAS is even a bigger compromise.
Thanks for your comment John. You are correct in that it is a compromise even over others of similar size. As I addressed in the video, the tradeoff is for "convenience" not so much in setting up but in the ability to band hop quickly. That can be a reason some may want it over resonant antennas. End Fed Half Waves are an exception as you get several bands on one antenna that can perform well if you have a way to get it up in the air. I appreciate your perspective. It is valuable for viewers to be able to see more than just my view of the world.
@@hogluvr1 I wish I had the time. In the end, I view the MPAS antenna as a nich antenna. A lot of money for something that may set up a little bit quicker than some other designs, but lacks the performance of the much cheaper and similar antennas. I have seen many other channels push this antenna as more of a primary antenna. If you care about making the most contacts with the other station getting clear copy, this is not the antenna to use. I hate to see people waste their hard earned money on something with sub standard performance just for the purpose of saving a few minutes in set up. This is not what ham radio is about. All portable antennas are somewhat of a compromise. Why not go for the best signal you can put out ? Just my 2 cents.
@@johnkaelberer237Dipoles are cheap to make. Full size resonant antennas are worth it for QRP portable if possible. I know they are not always possible. The Chameleon looks like a quality product from the ones I have seen but not used. It’s just not worth it to me. A telescoping pole and end fed or random wire and homebrew tuner works and is much cheaper.
