CHA P-LOOP 2.0
Page 3
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing and using the Chameleon Antenna
TM
High Frequency (HF) Portable Loop Antenna 2.0
(CHA P-LOOP 2.0). This is an exciting new product from Chameleon Antenna
TM
and you are now part of the
magnetic loop HF antenna craze that is sweeping the amateur radio community. Easily deployable HF magnetic
loop antennas, also called small transmitting loops, have been routinely used for many years in military,
diplomatic, and shipboard HF communication links, where robust and reliable general coverage radio
communication is a necessity. These antennas have only recently become commercially available for amateur
radio. The real practical advantage of the small loop, compared to a short vertical whip tuned against earth or a full
sized vertical antenna,
is the loop’s freedom from
dependence on a ground plane and earth for achieving efficient
operation; this unique characteristic has profound significance for portable or restricted space antennas. In
comparison, the bottom of a vertically oriented loop does not need to be more than a loop diameter above
ground, making it very easy to install in a restricted space location. There is no significant improvement in sky wave
propagation performance when a small loop is installed high; all that matters is the loop is substantially clear of
objects in the immediate area and oriented towards the desired direction of radiation. The magnetic loop is
different than typical antennas because it emphasizes the magnetic part of the radio wave (H field) rather than the
electric part (E field) of the radio wave. It also has a high Q resonance of around 15 KHz on 40 meters, providing
immunity from interference outside the bandpass. The new CHA P-LOOP 2.0 is more rugged, lighter weight, and
more weather resistant than previous versions and using the included power compensator, can handle higher
power. We’re sure you will
be amazed by the performance and agree that the CHA P-LOOP 2.0 is the most
advanced portable magnetic loop antenna available today.
Field trials of the CHA P-LOOP 2.0 demonstrated that
an inside magnetic loop antenna was only around
one to two S-units lower, on both transmit and
receive, than an outside full-size dipole antenna.
The CHA P-LOOP 2.0 was also compared to a popular
portable vertical antenna. Signal strengths were
about the same for both antennas, but the CHA-
PLOOP had much less man-made noise
–
a known
advantage of magnetic loop antennas. The CHA P-
LOOP 2.0 was also much faster and easier to setup
and use
since it didn’
t need a quarter wave
counterpoise wire or use finicky coil taps.
Remarkable for an antenna that is less than three
foot in diameter and covers 7.0 MHz to 30.0 MHz (40
–
10 meter ham bands)!
The CHA P-LOOP 2.0 Antenna was designed to be
rugged, portable, and versatile. It can be rapidly
setup and is ideal for hiking, camping, staying in a
hotel or apartment, preparing for emergencies or
disasters, and other activities and places where
erecting a full-size wire or vertical antenna is
impractical. The CHA P-LOOP 2.0 has several notable
quality design features. First, there is minimal body
induction while tuning the loop. The SWR will remain
stable while holding and tuning the loop.
Plate 1. CHA P-Loop 2.0 Antenna.