The SECRET to mastering the Chameleon SS25 vertical whip

The Chameleon CHA-SS25 stainless steel whip is a twenty five foot version of their popular SS17 17 foot whip. I’ve been using this whip for the last two months, and I’m going to tell you what I’ve learned about this whip and show you five different ways in which you can put this vertical whip to use.

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[gregmihran]

As always Michael, outstanding review of the Chameleon 25' whip. Your analyses and deployment options are excellent. I also appreciate you featuring my Dominator Halfwave Vertical for 10M-20M as one of your deployments. I have been using that configuration a lot lately on the upper bands at my POTA activations with amazing DX! In fact, I took it one step further recently creating a 2-element vertical beam by adding a second 25' whip in front of it as a parasitic director for almost 4 dBi forward gain and 9 dB front-to-back! (I had to borrow the second whip from a friend to test the new configuration.) From the west coast, I was getting 57-59 signal reports on the east coast! I know the price is prohibitive for many operators but the deployment options are numerous. I also hear rumors that Chameleon is creating a capacitive hat for their whips - that would be amazing! It would potentially replace a small coil at the base and improve the overall efficiency. Keep up the great work 😀73 KJ6ER

[jackKFIT]

I finally got a chance to deploy my SS25 this weekend. I was testing how the extensions worked and got the swr to 1.2 :1 on 20m to make a few contacts. I'm very happy with the SS25 so far. I did have to sandbag the tripod legs just in case.

[sdmay]

I did see it on Chameleon website. I'll get one when they are back in stock. I love my SS17 that I have 2 of. I think I may add a permanent vertical SS25 as I just have horizontal wire antennas for HF. For portable I'll still use my 17 with wrc and my EFHW depending on location.

[TheLutero]

Hey Michael, I'm using mine as you showed, with the 4:1 Unun (as the Ryvakof) and have had great results, I'm working on all 50 States as a hunter on Parks on the air and have 3 states to go, mostly the furthest away from my location, Puerto Rico. Only need WA, ND and HI. So this is working out great for me. I had really good success on all the Americas and Europe, including Russia and Ukraine. Love this antenna to say the least, keep on POTA Mike, 73.

[hawkeyeCHE]

Michael thats a pretty sweet CBand antenna your neighbor is rocking. Save it For Parts has been experimenting with different dish antennas to receive weather satellite imagery.

[Chuck]

I love that antenna. Best antenna on the market by far.

[mikeramsey]

My first SS-25 had a manufacturing defect (section 3 had a split allowing section 2 just fall), Chameleon quickly sent me a new SS-25 so you can't beat that kind of customer service. Yes the SS-25 offers performance improvements and with the added length you need to make sure you have a secure mount.

[WIWN_Radio]

I really like my SS25 and its versatility. Thanks for the detailed video, Michael. 👍

[Chameleon_Antenna]

Since the last 1.5 year - ALL our whips have a pin at the base and the base are made of stainless Steel.

[wildbill]

Nice video Mike I’ve been on the fence on purchasing one myself

[BobBroeking]

Appreciate you discussing the wind load on the taller whip. Since I use a WRC with my whip I think I’ll stick with my 17’ but keep it in mind. Good video!

[IronHam-AFO]

The bit of use I've had so far with it has been great. I pretty much just mount it on a hybrid mpas on a ground spike and 17ft counterpoise. I do like using CHAs universal guying kit with it. Very easy to setup and gives the whip a nice support if the wind does kick up. -AF4O

[gregsmith]

If you already own an MPAS 2.0 kit and a SS17, the included MIL-EXT 'tent pole' extension plus a 17' whip gives you the same length as the SS25, but without the undesirable flex. For those who bought an MPAS Lite or TDL that doesn't include the MIL-EXT, I can see the appeal of this longer whip. Hmmm... a MIL-EXT plus a SS25 would give you a 33' whip! (guying required I'm sure). Or you could use the SS25 with the Chameleon adjustable coil. Chameleon never stops coming up with new ways to take my money.

[lilone]

Love your videos very straight forward and I feel I get most benefit as you show what your doing so one can get that visual learn. Question-you mention inverted L with this whip, i have the 17 ft whip now but often wanted to do exactly that in clipping a wire to it. Would there also be a recommendation on wire length for the 17 in the invert L? Thank u for your time sir

[christophersmith]

if i want to run this as a 5/8 wave on 10-11 & 12 meters do i need a 4:1 balun or will it be resonate at the proper length ?

[BLACKHEAT]

I use a TM4 Super Pod Tri Pod, permanent stinger kit, MPAS 2.0 transformer. I use some paracord and tent stakes

[hawkeyeCHE]

both Chamelon whips are currently sold out. Too bad MFJ isn't around anymore.

[kapplerphoto]

I have the 17' version and I like that idea of adding a horizontal wire to it, what length would you suggest for that? Always fun to put you in my log, thanks N3DRK

[caryjohnson]

Mike when you do the POTA activations, do you use a SIM card in your laptop or do you use the HOTSPOT on your phone??

[DaveWOOD]

BTW...The locking pin at the base is an improvement from the "original" SS17 version which have also been improved with the pin method. The third SS17 I bought (yeah, I have a problem) had the bottom two sections arrived stuck in the collapsed position. And, when I called for a replacement the guy at Chameleon said that sometimes the glue would cause that problem in manufacturing. They sent me a new one. Its definitely an overall improvement. Perk, so..I also have a "SS14" now. 🤣