{"id":46238,"date":"2020-10-30T13:55:23","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T17:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=46238"},"modified":"2020-10-30T17:46:55","modified_gmt":"2020-10-30T21:46:55","slug":"cha-mpas-lite-a-proper-quick-deployment-field-antenna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/cha-mpas-lite-a-proper-quick-deployment-field-antenna\/","title":{"rendered":"CHA MPAS Lite: A proper quick-deployment field antenna"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Chameleon Antenna recently sent me a prototype of their latest antenna: the CHA MPAS Lite<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The MPAS Lite is a compact version of their MPAS 2.0 modular antenna system and designed to be even more portable.<\/p>\n

Chameleon Antenna is a specialist antenna manufacturer that makes military-grade, field portable antennas that are low-profile and stealthy. Chameleon products are 100% made in the USA and their customers range from amateur radio operators to the armed forces.<\/p>\n

Their antennas are not<\/em> cheap, but they are a prime example when we talk about “you pay for what you get.” In all of my years of evaluating radio products, I’ve never<\/em> seen better quality field antennas–they’re absolutely top-shelf.<\/p>\n

Zeta<\/h1>\n

I’m currently in my hometown doing a little caregiving for my parents. I’d only planned to be here for a couple of days, but when I saw that the remnants of Hurricane Zeta would pass directly over us with tropical storm force winds and rain, I stuck around to help the folks out.<\/p>\n

Zeta struck quite a blow, in fact. No injuries reported, but over 23,000 of us have been without power for over 34+ hours in Catawba county. With saturated grounds, the winds toppled a lot of trees and damaged power lines.<\/p>\n

Yesterday, I wanted to take advantage of the power outage and get on the air. I couldn’t really do a POTA activation because I needed to manage things here at my parents’ house. Plus, why not profit from the grid being down and bathe in a noise-free RF space–?<\/p>\n

I decided to set it up in their front yard.<\/p>\n

CHA MPAS Lite<\/h1>\n

I had never deployed the MPAS Lite before, so I did a quick scan through the owner’s manual. Although the MPAS Lite (like the MPAS 2.0) can be configured a number of ways, I deployed it as a simple vertical antenna.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Assembly was simple:<\/h1>\n
    \n
  1. Insert the stainless steel spike in the ground,<\/li>\n
  2. Attach the counterpoise wire (I unraveled about 25′) to the spike<\/li>\n
  3. Screw on the CHA Micro-Hybrid<\/li>\n
  4. Screw the 17′ telescoping whip onto the Hybrid-Micro<\/li>\n
  5. Extend the whip antenna fully<\/li>\n
  6. Connect the supplied coax (with in-line choke) to the Hybrid-Micro<\/li>\n
  7. Connect the antenna to the rig<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Although I had the Icom IC-705<\/a> packed, I wanted to keep things simple by using the Elecraft KX2<\/a> I’d also packed since it has a built-in ATU.<\/p>\n

    Important: the CHA MPAS Lite requires an ATU to get a good match across the bands.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    I wasn’t in the mood to ragchew yesterday, but I thought it might be fun to see how easily I could tune the MPAS Lite from 80 meters up.<\/p>\n

    I checked the Parks On The Air spots page<\/a> and saw NK8O activating a park in Minnesota in CW:<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>He was working a bit of a pile-up, but after three calls, he worked me and reported a 559 signal report. Not bad at 5 watts!<\/p>\n

    I then moved to 40, 18, and 20 meter and called CQ a couple times to see if the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN)<\/a> could spot me. I like using the RBN to give me a “quick and dirty” signal report. I was very pleased with the bands I tested:<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Those dB numbers are quite good for an op running 5 watts into a vertical compromised antenna.<\/p>\n

    The KX2 very effortlessly got near 1:1 matches on every band I tested.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>Of course, after working a few stations in CW and SSB, I tuned to the broadcast bands and enjoyed a little RFI-free SWLing. Noting 13dka’s recent article<\/a>, I’m thinking on the coast, the MPAS Lite will make for a superb amateur radio and<\/em> SWLing antenna.<\/p>\n

    Durability<\/h1>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Although the remnants of Zeta had effectively passed through the area three hours prior, it was still very blustery outside. I was concerned gusts might even be a little too strong for the 17′ whip, but I was wrong. The whip handled the wind gusts with ease and the spike held it in place with no problem.<\/p>\n

    One of the things I have to watch with my Wolf River Coils TIA<\/strong><\/a> vertical is the fact it’s prone to fall in windy conditions and many ops have noted that this can permanently damage the telescoping whip (the weak point in that system).<\/p>\n

    I’m pretty certain this wouldn’t happen with the Chameleon 17′ whip–it feels very<\/em> substantial and solid.<\/p>\n

    Ready to hit the field with the CHA MPAS Lite!<\/h1>\n

    \"\"<\/a>I’m a huge fan of wire antennas because I believe they give me the most “bang-for-buck” in the field, but they’re not always practical to deploy. I like having a good self-supporting antenna option in my tool belt when there are no trees around or when parks don’t allow me to hang antennas in their trees.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    I’ve got a park in mind that will make for a good test of the CHA MPAS Lite: it’s a remote game land with no real parking option. I’ll have to activate it on the roadside–an ideal application for the MPAS Lite.<\/p>\n

    Click here to check out the CHA MPAS Lite<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Chameleon Antenna recently sent me a prototype of their latest antenna: the CHA MPAS Lite. The MPAS Lite is a compact version of their MPAS 2.0 modular antenna system and designed to be even more portable. Chameleon Antenna is a specialist antenna manufacturer that makes military-grade, field portable antennas that are low-profile and stealthy. Chameleon […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3607,3,129],"tags":[1643,8921,8826,8825,5083,4102,5084,1303,34],"class_list":["post-46238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-antennas","category-news","category-reviews","tag-antennas","tag-cha-mpas-lite","tag-chameleon-antenna","tag-chameleon-cha-mpas-lite","tag-elecraft-kx2","tag-ham-radio","tag-kx2","tag-qrp","tag-shortwave"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-c1M","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45423,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/cha-mpas-lite-chameleon-designs-a-new-compact-portable-antenna-system\/","url_meta":{"origin":46238,"position":0},"title":"CHA MPAS Lite: Chameleon designs a new compact portable antenna system","author":"Thomas","date":"September 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Don, who notes that Chameleon Antenna has just introduced the CHA MPAS Lite: a modular portable antennas system covering from 6M - 160 meters. I know a number of participants in the Parks On The Air program who use the CHA MPAS antenna system--the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Chameleon-Antenna-IC-705.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Chameleon-Antenna-IC-705.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Chameleon-Antenna-IC-705.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Chameleon-Antenna-IC-705.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Chameleon-Antenna-IC-705.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Chameleon-Antenna-IC-705.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47861,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/the-new-chameleon-cha-rxl-amplified-magnetic-loop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":46238,"position":1},"title":"The new Chameleon CHA RXL amplified magnetic loop antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"February 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris Rogers, who writes: Hi Thomas, An interesting new product has just been released for pre order, a US made Chameleon model CHA-RXL receive loop covering from 137 kHz -30 MHz. Looking at the options it comes on the web page it mentions a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48884,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/05\/the-chameleon-cha-rxl-amplified-wideband-loop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":46238,"position":2},"title":"The Chameleon CHA RXL amplified wideband loop antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"May 12, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"A few weeks ago, Chameleon Antenna sent me a pre-production model of their new wideband magnetic loop antenna called the Chameleon CHA RXL. I've evaluated and reviewed a number of Chameleon's ham radio antennas (primarily on QRPer.com). I find that the quality of their products are second to none. Price-wise,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IC-705-mediumwave.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IC-705-mediumwave.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IC-705-mediumwave.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IC-705-mediumwave.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50690,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/10\/video-dave-sets-up-the-chameleon-cha-rxl\/","url_meta":{"origin":46238,"position":3},"title":"Video: Dave sets up the Chameleon CHA-RXL","author":"Thomas","date":"October 30, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike, who shares the following video from David Casler featurin the CHA RXL amplified loop antenna: https:\/\/youtu.be\/gMetQJKRYyE Click here to view on YouTube. Thank you for the tip, Mike! I just checked out the loop at Chameleon and discovered that they're currently offering a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-Loop-Antenna-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-Loop-Antenna-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-Loop-Antenna-8.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-Loop-Antenna-8.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54128,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/chameleon-rxl-pro-code-for-the-swling-post\/","url_meta":{"origin":46238,"position":4},"title":"Chameleon RXL-Pro code for the SWLing Post","author":"Thomas","date":"September 21, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"I just received a message from Chameleon Antenna who is a proud sponsor of the SWLing Post. They've added an SWLing Post affiliate code to all of their CHA-RXL Pro orders. If you've decided to purchase a CHA-RXL Pro, by adding the code QRP5 at the checkout page, Chameleon will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-Loop-Antenna-6.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-Loop-Antenna-6.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-Loop-Antenna-6.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-Loop-Antenna-6.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":51077,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/12\/dan-compares-the-chameleon-cha-rxl-to-the-wellbrook-and-w6lvp-loops\/","url_meta":{"origin":46238,"position":5},"title":"Dan compares the Chameleon CHA RXL to the Wellbrook and W6LVP Loops","author":"Thomas","date":"December 7, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Dan Robinson, for the following guest post and review: Chameleon CHA-RXL:\u00a0 Is This Pro-level Loop A Worthy Competitor To Wellbrook and W6LVP? by Dan Robinson At the end of summer 2021, I took up an offer from Chameleon to test and review their CHA - RXL loop\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Chameleon-CHA-RXL-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46238\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}