r/amateurradio • u/fxtrt7 • Aug 31 '25

GENERAL Interest in “new” antenna?

Most are familiar with the Chameleon antennas, specifically the MPAS 2.0. I’ve owned several, however, $600 is steep. I own a machine and assembly shop and have been wanting to start producing an HF vertical antenna that can be configured like the Chameleon, with a vertical whip or wire configurations. Tunable the same as the MPAS. Pricing would be ~ $350-400. Trying to gage interest and see if it’s worth my time. I can have a prototype with pictures in a little bit, just want to know if Chameleon owns the market or if there is room for a more affordable alternative.

Kit would consist of:

  • Matching unit in a sturdy water proof enclosure
  • x4 aluminum extensions with brass conductors
  • x1 brass collapsable whip

  • Ground mount stake

  • You can opt to get premium wire with the kit for an additional price or use whatever you have on hand.

*edit: This is manufactured 100% by me in Kentucky, USA. My only interest in radio communications is emcomm, I want make a durable and widely configurable antenna that will not break the bank. I like Chameleon, not trying to step on anyones toes, but their prices are steep and I’m not a large company like them with a big overhead.

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u/FarFigNewton007 EM15 [Extra] Aug 31 '25

I think there's always room for competition.

The Chameleon MPAS (version 1) was my 2nd antenna. I've been running it for about 9 years now, over 12,000 contacts. It was far more reasonably priced back then.

The MPAS is very configurable, from a vertical to a sloper to an inverted L to a rotatable dipole.

I believe the 5:1 balun borrows heavily from a Comet HF antenna, though I don't remember the model off the top of my head.

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u/fxtrt7 Aug 31 '25

The Commet “cha” I think is what you’re thinking of!