CHA TD 2.0
Page 3
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing and using the Chameleon Antenna
TM
Tactical Dipole 2.0 (CHA TD 2.0) antenna.
The CHA TD 2.0, shown in plate (1), is a broadband High Frequency (HF) antenna specially designed for
short to long range portable and man-pack HF communication, where portability and rapid deployment
are essential. The TD 2.0 is 30% lighter and simpler to setup and takedown than the original Tactical
Dipole and incorporates product improvements based on experience gained through several years of
rigorous field use in a wide variety of operational environments. The antenna will operate from 1.8 - 54
MHz without any adjustment and an antenna tuner or coupler is usually not required. To enhance
transportability of the antenna, a versatile and durable military-style duffel bag / backpack is included.
The CHA TD 2.0 is ideal for military, government
agencies,
non-governmental
organizations
(NGOs), Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS),
Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) / Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service
(RACES),
Salvation
Army
Team
Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), and
amateur radio operators (hams) involved in
field communication and disaster preparedness.
The CHA TD 2.0 is configurable to facilitate
Near-Vertical Incident Sky wave (NVIS)
communication and its broadband design
supports Automatic Link Establishment (ALE),
frequency-hopping,
and
spread-spectrum
modes. The CHA TD 2.0 can be deployed by the
operator in the field in approximately 10
minutes, using almost any available support,
with no masts or guying required.
Plate 1. Chameleon Antenna
TM
Tactical Dipole 2.0.
Antennas built by Chameleon Antenna
TM
are
versatile, dependable, stealthy, and built to last.
Please read this operator’s manual so
that you
may maximize the utility you obtain from your
CHA TD 2.0.
HF Propagation
HF radio provides relatively inexpensive and reliable local, regional, national, and international voice and
data communication capability. It is especially suitable for undeveloped areas where normal
telecommunications are not available, too costly or scarce, or where the commercial
telecommunications infrastructure has been damaged by a natural disaster or military conflict.
Although HF radio is a reasonably reliable method of communication, HF radio waves propagate through
a complex and constantly changing environment and are affected by weather, terrain, latitude, time of
day, season, and the 11-year solar cycle. A detailed explanation of the theory of HF radio wave
propagation is beyond
the scope of this operator’s manual, but an understanding of the
basic principles
will help the operator decide what frequency and which of the CHA TD 2.0
’s configurations will support
their communication requirements.
