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CHA HYBRID - MINI / MICRO 

Page 15 

 

Using the optional Jaw Mount, the Portable Vertical can be mounted on almost any support, such as a camouflage 
netting support pole, fence post, picnic table, or the optional  Chameleon Antenna

TM

 Tripod.  The antenna works 

better  when  mounted  above  the  ground,  but  will  provide  satisfactory  performance  if  ground  mounted.    One  to 
four  counterpoise  wires,  25  feet  in  length  should  be used.    They  can  be  quickly  deployed  and  will  provide  good 

performance.    The  antenna  may  also  be  attached  to  a  standard  3/8”  mobile

  mount  on  a  stationary  vehicle.  No 

radials are required when mounted on a vehicle.  An antenna tuner or coupler is required on most frequencies. 

 
Install the Capacity Hat 

1.

 

Follow the procedure for the Portable Vertical configuration, except add the following step between steps (9) 
and (10). 

2.

 

Install the CHA CAP HAT between the CHA MIL EXT and CHA MIL WHIP by screwing 

the 3/8” threaded fitting of 

the CHA CAP HAT into the top section of the CHA MIL EXT and the CHA MIL WHIP 

3/8” base stud

 into the hub 

of CHA CAP HAT.

 

 

Tilted NVIS 

The CHA HYBRID - MINI / MICRO and CHA MIL WHIP with CHA MIL EXT Tilted NVIS configuration, see figure (7), is a 
special  configuration  designed  to  provide  good  NVIS  propagation  on  lower  frequencies.    It  is  predominately 
omnidirectional  and  also  provides  medium  range  sky  wave  propagation  on  frequencies  above  10  MHz.  You  can 
mount  it  on  a  stationary  vehicle  which  has  a  tilt-

able  3/8”  mobile  antenna  mou

nt 

(not  supplied)

  or  any  fixed 

support  on  which  you  can  clamp  the  CHA  JAW  MOUNT  and  will  enable  the  antenna  to  be  raised  to  a  height  of 
around 10 feet.  Using the optional Jaw Mount, the Tilted NVIS antenna can be mounted on almost anything, such 
as a camouflage netting  support poles, fence post, tree limb, or the optional  Chameleon Antenna

TM

 Tripod.  The 

Antenna Wire (b) or a stationary vehicle are used as the counterpoise in this configuration.  An antenna tuner or 
coupler is required on most frequencies. The following procedure is used to install the Tilted NVIS configuration. 
 

 

 

Figure 7. Tilted NVIS. 

Site Selection and Preparation 

1.

 

Select a site to deploy the CHA HYBRID - MINI / 
MICRO Tilted NVIS configuration.  The site must 
have  The  site  must  have  a  support  that  will 
allow  the  antenna  to  be  raised  to  a  height  of 
around  10  feet  and  enough  space  for  a 
counterpoise  at  least  25  feet  in  length.    A 

stationary  vehicle  with  a  tilt-

able  3/8”  mobile 

antenna mount is also satisfactory.      

2.

 

If  using  the  CHA  JAW  MOUNT,  clamp  it  to  the 
support. 

Refer  to  plates  (1),  (3),  and  (4)  for  the  following 
steps.

 

Summary of Contents for CHA HYBRID MICRO

Page 1: ...Hybrid Portable HF Antenna CHA HYBRID MINI MICRO Operator s Manual California USA WWW CHAMELEONANTENNA COM VERSATILE DEPENDABLE STEALTH BUILT TO LAST ...

Page 2: ...CHA HYBRID MINI MICRO Page 2 ...

Page 3: ...ole 16 Recovery Procedure 17 Troubleshooting 18 Specifications 18 Accessories 23 Chameleon AntennaTM Products 24 References 26 Be aware of overhead power lines when you are deploying the CHA HYBRID MINI MICRO antenna system You could be electrocuted if the antenna gets near or contacts overhead power lines All information on this product and the product itself is the property of and is proprietary...

Page 4: ...e RACES Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network SATERN First Responders and especially for Emergency Preparedness It is also the antenna for hams that enjoy camping and hiking or those living in apartments and condominiums or developments with homeowners associations deed restrictions or CCRs Covenants Conditions Restrictions The CHA HYBRID MINI MICRO is configurable to facilitate Near Vertica...

Page 5: ...ost due to ionospheric loses The OWF which is somewhere between the LUF and around 80 of the MUF is the range of frequencies which can be used for reliable communication If the LUF is above the MUF HF sky wave propagation is unlikely to occur The HF part of the Radio Frequency RF spectrum is usually filled with communications activity and an experienced operator can often determine where the MUF i...

Page 6: ...p An Isolation loop is permanently attached to the Wire Connector f end the CHA HYBRID MINI Antenna Wire b and both ends of the CHA HYBRID MICRO Antenna Wire d Carabiner The Carabiner is a removable pear shaped stainless steel hooks with a spring loaded gate Plate 2 Antenna Wire e Insulator ...

Page 7: ...na Shackle assembly see plate 3 consists of a shackle bolt and nut It is attached to the top of the Hybrid Base a Antenna Configurations Using the supplied components the CHA HYBRID MINI MICRO can be deployed into a number of configurations Seven configurations some configurations require optional components that are sold separately see table 2 are Configuration Ground Short Medium Long Directiona...

Page 8: ... requires two supports that will enable the ends of the antenna to be raised to a height of 10 12 feet and 60 feet apart A counterpoise wire with a length of 50 to 55 feet is recommended If a counterpoise wire is not used the coaxial cable must be 25 to 100 feet in length as the shield of the coaxial cable provides the counterpoise Use the following procedure to install the Horizontal NVIS configu...

Page 9: ...milar knot tie another long length of Paracord to the Insulator e or Isolation Loop c at the end of the Antenna Wire 12 Using a throw weight or some other method loop the Paracord over the other support 13 Raise the end of the Antenna Wire to a height of 10 to 12 feet such that the Antenna Wire is not quite taut and secure it to the support using a Round Turn and two Half Hitches Extend the Counte...

Page 10: ... the CHA Coaxial Cable assembly to the UHF Socket g on the Hybrid Base Raise the Antenna 8 Using a Bowline or similar knot tie a long length 50 feet or more of Paracord to the Insulator e or Isolation Loop at the end of the Antenna Wire 9 Using a throw weight or some other method loop the Paracord over the support 10 Raise the end of the Antenna Wire to the desired height and secure it to the supp...

Page 11: ...I CHOKE and coaxial cable or the Integrated RF Choke end of the CHA Coaxial Cable assembly to the UHF Socket g on the Hybrid Base Raise the Antenna 8 Using a Bowline or similar knot tie the end of a short length around 4 feet of Paracord to the Carabiner 9 Drive a Stake into the ground near the location closest to the radio set and tie the Paracord from the Hybrid Base to the Stake using two Half ...

Page 12: ...ICRO Manpack Vertical configuration Best ground wave communication occurs when the radio set is located in a clear area and the whip antenna is vertical Refer to plates 1 and 3 for the following steps 2 If attached remove the Antenna Shackle k from the Hybrid Base a by loosening the nut on the Antenna Shackle and then unscrewing the Antenna Shackle from the Antenna Connector h Store in secure plac...

Page 13: ...f ground mounted One to four counterpoise wires 25 feet in length should be used You may also use the supplied 60 foot antenna wire as the counterpoise All of these counterpoise options can be quickly deployed and will provide good performance The antenna may also be attached to a standard 3 8 mobile mount on a stationary vehicle No radials are required when mounted on a vehicle An antenna tuner o...

Page 14: ...tion is fully seated onto section below until the whip is fully extended 10 Connect the CHA MIL WHIP to the CHA MIL EXT by carefully screwing the 3 8 base stud into the top section until finger tight Extend the Counterpoise 11 Extend the counterpoise wire along the ground in any convenient direction The end of the counterpoise wire can be secured to the ground with a tent stake 12 Perform operatio...

Page 15: ...pecial configuration designed to provide good NVIS propagation on lower frequencies It is predominately omnidirectional and also provides medium range sky wave propagation on frequencies above 10 MHz You can mount it on a stationary vehicle which has a tilt able 3 8 mobile antenna mount not supplied or any fixed support on which you can clamp the CHA JAW MOUNT and will enable the antenna to be rai...

Page 16: ...he middle section 8 Connect the CHA MIL EXT to the Hybrid Base by carefully screwing it into the Antenna Connection until finger tight 9 Extend the CHA MIL WHIP by unfolding the sections of the whip starting with the section above the bottom section and ensure each section is fully seated onto section below until the whip is fully extended 10 Connect the CHA MIL WHIP to the CHA MIL EXT by carefull...

Page 17: ...ated onto section below until the whip is fully extended 9 Connect the CHA MIL WHIP to the CHA MIL EXT by carefully screwing it into the top section until finger tight Extend the Counterpoise 10 Extend the CHA MIL EXT by unfolding the middle section of the extension fully seating it onto the bottom section then unfolding the top section and fully seating onto the middle section 11 Connect the CHA ...

Page 18: ... the radio set to the antenna tuner or coupler 7 If still not operational replace Coaxial Cable assembly Most problems with antenna systems are caused by the coaxial cables and connectors 8 Connect a Multi Meter to the Antenna Wire to check continuity Replace assemblies that do not pass a continuity check 9 If still not operational replace Hybrid Base a Specifications Frequency all configurations ...

Page 19: ...psed o CHA MIL WHIP with CHA MIL EXT 17 ft 4 in extended 29 in collapsed Weight o CHA HYBRID MINI 1 5 lbs o CHA HYBRID MICRO 1 lbs o CHA MIL WHIP 1 lbs o CHA MIL WHIP with CHA MIL EXT 2 lbs Personnel Requirements and Setup Time one operator less than 15 minutes antenna wire less than 5 minutes whip Figure 9 SWR by Frequency Graph ...

Page 20: ...CHA HYBRID MINI MICRO Page 20 Figure 10 Manpack Vertical Far Field Plots 7 MHz left 14 MHz right Figure 11 Portable Vertical Far Field Plots 7 MHz left 14 MHz right ...

Page 21: ...CHA HYBRID MINI MICRO Page 21 Figure 12 Tilted NVIS Far Field Plots 3 7 MHz left 7 MHz right Figure 13 MIL WHIP EXT Dipole Far Field Plots 7 MHz left 14 MHz right ...

Page 22: ...CHA HYBRID MINI MICRO Page 22 Figure 14 Horizontal NVIS Far Field Plots 3 7 MHz left 7 MHz right Figure 15 Sloping Wire Far Field Plots 7 MHz left 14 MHz right ...

Page 23: ...s a must have accessory for use with the HYBRID series antenna bases It is highly portable and enables easy ground mounting of the HYBRID series antennas Tripod This heavy duty antenna tripod can hold equipment up to 15 4 lbs Compact and light weight weighing 5 5 lbs this 10 ft tripod will give you years of service Made of Cold Worked Carbon with special design locking system and double braced leg...

Page 24: ...less steel flat washer o One 3 8 stainless steel split washer Wide range antenna tuner or coupler Required for most configurations Flashlight Multi tool Throwing weight and string Mallet SWR Power Meter Multi Meter Small canvas or nylon bag to store antenna components Chameleon AntennaTM Products The following products are available for purchase at Chameleon AntennaTM Go to http chameleonantenna c...

Page 25: ... portable or man pack radios requiring compact but rugged antenna systems Its design has been borrowed from similar antennas utilized by many armies all over the world The CHA MIL is very hardy sturdy and portable being collapsible Un mounted the entire antenna length is less than 29 The 5 aluminum sections are hold together by a piece of 1 8th inch US GI MIL SPEC shock cord The CHA MIL Whip and a...

Page 26: ...e HF communication where rapid deployment and simplicity of operation is essential but compactness is primordial The antenna will operate at all frequencies in the 1 8 54 MHz band without any adjustment with most modern external antenna tuners No masts or guying are required CHA TD Tactical Dipole The CHA TD Tactical Dipole Antenna has been designed as an add on for the CHA HYBRID MINI MICRO The C...

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