Chameleon Antenna CHA MIL WHIP

As much as we like to set up our gear and make QSO's, we need to do periodic maintenance on that gear to make sure we can enjoy our hobby. Well done Julian !

I remember using petroleum jelly to waterproof electrical connections on ground equipment and to prevent corrosion on headset plugs when I was in the Air Force. I still use it to make a water barrier on the coax connection to my EmComm II transformer. Preventive Maintenance means more dB.

I use NOALOX compound in the joints each year as well.

Thank you, Julian, for the informative videos. This is what I call " Videos that respect my time". What setup would you recommend for the following requirements: 1. SOTA, Voice activation, SSB, 20m or 10m 2. Activation time - no more than 1hr, daytime 3. Elevation - 8000 - 11000ft 4. Should be lightweight, as light as possible, trails are strenuous, and the weight of a backpack is very important 5. Summits have no trees. Hard surfaces and rocks 6. Backpack space is limited, available space - 3-4 ltr 7. Need an ability to call for emergency (send a SOS message or something in emergency situation) Thank you!!!!

Top Video as always Julian. Rock and Roll indeed 🙂

Thank you Julian.

I think I might consider using a brass wire brush rather than sand paper, especially on those threads - after many cleanings one could see some thread wear. Thanks for the great video and reminder that even our antennas require some regular TLC!!

Excellent recommendation, as always. It's not only whip antennas that need PM. I had an EFHW have a branch fall on it over the winter. As it didn't break, it didn't occur to me that anything could be wrong. When I started using it again in the spring, I wasn't making the contacts I usually do. I checked the SWR and it was resonant much lower on all bands. The wire had stretched over a foot!

When i was on active duty, we used 550 cord , wrapped it around once and pulled the 550 cord back and forth in a sawing motion. With a portable antenna like that one, id place it on the end of a table or bench thrn sit on it to make it stay in place while cleaning it with the 550 cord

Doing PMs may not be sexy high speed low drag stuff, but it is absolutely essential. Good to see your QC inspector making sure you're doing a good job. 😄

ALWAYS informative Helpful - Useful Thank You !!

Glad you are back!

Like 6k in solar blankets on the table…. Great video, love my system

Excellent video!

I have the ORIGINAL collapsible military whip: the AN-131-A manpack whip. I feed mine via an Alpha Antenna FMJ balun. Works incredibly well

Good comms here. 👍 feel smarter for checking in.

Good to hear from you again. Great that you reminding us to check our gear before deployment. I myself had multiple failures on each of my last two deployments, these could have been discovered if I checked my gear beforehand. Subject change...Are those new safety glasses? If so what kind? Great job as always, looking forward to next video.

good video. I still use version 1 of the MIL whip and had major problems with high contact resistance between the segments. these were also caused by the paintwork. therefore be sure to check. enjoy watching the channel.

I had the threads of the base of the mil whip become completely stripped. It was like pulling teeth to get a replacement part from Chameleon. First & last Chameleon antenna I'll buy.

For cleaning and improving contact in the whip, You can also use brass brush for cleaning gun barrels (9mm should fit perfectly)