We know that 2025 Dayton Hamvention®, May 16-18, is getting closer. Here at DX Engineering, where the entire team will be making the short trip from Tallmadge, Ohio to Xenia (about 200 miles away), you can feel the excitement building.
For those who have had the dates marked on the calendar since the beginning of winter, this means months of anticipation and planning followed by three days of immersion in everything ham radio—a nonstop parade of new products, exciting forums, eyeball QSOs, and nights wondering how you’re going to explain your next credit card statement.
But once the event is over, there’s little time to sit back and relax. That’s because when Hamvention ends, prep for ARRL Field Day 2025, June 28-29, begins. If you’re into planning ahead, you’ll want to start thinking now about your selection of portable antennas, which is the subject of today’s new product spotlight.
Chameleon Antenna CHA-BV-SO239 HF Basic Vertical Antenna
Available now at DX Engineering, this antenna makes an excellent choice for Field Day, EmComm, POTA, SOTA, or any other amateur radio acronym that spells out loads of fun on the air.
This versatile antenna system offers an efficient and adaptable setup for single-band resonance from 40-6M (300W SSB; 200W CW/Digital Modes). Key features include:
- High-Performance Telescopic Radiator (CHA SS17 Whip): When fully extended, this durable, stainless steel 17-foot whip resonates over a broad frequency range (up to 117 MHz) and folds down to 24 inches for easy transport. Its design lets operators fine-tune the whip length to optimize resonance for specific bands, ensuring minimal SWR for improved efficiency.
- Radials System for Efficient Grounding: The BV-SO239 includes four 12.6-foot radial wires housed on line winders. The radials are connected to the CHA Puck Hub, a robust machined aluminum hub designed to anchor multiple radials. Operators can adjust the radial length as needed, coiling excess wire for higher bands or extending them fully to support efficient 40M operation. This radial system enhances grounding, which is essential for stable signal propagation and minimal interference.
- Modular and Expandable within the MPAS System: As a member of the MPAS (Modular Portable Antenna System) family, the antenna is compatible with various Chameleon components, enabling easy upgrades. By integrating other MPAS accessories like the CHA Hybrid Mini or CHA Hybrid Micro transformers, users can turn the BV-SO239 into a broadband vertical (MPAS Lite) that operates continuously from 1.8 to 54 MHz, providing more comprehensive frequency access without needing to replace the core antenna setup.
- High-Quality Coaxial Cable with Integrated RFI Choke: A 12-foot RG-58 coaxial cable with an integrated choke is included for reduced radio frequency interference.
- Assembly and Tuning for Optimal Performance: Setting up the antenna is a quick process, often completed in less than 10 minutes by one operator. Just select a clear area (ideally about 26 feet in diameter), drive the spike mount into the ground, and assemble the antenna components for the desired band. Adjusting the telescopic whip to the correct length, fine-tuning radial lengths, and connecting to a transceiver are all straightforward tasks.
The BV-SO239 also supports quick band changes with a telescoping whip, which can be lengthened or shortened to achieve optimal resonance within a band. This flexibility is complemented by the antenna’s low SWR (<2.0:1) across supported bands, which can be adjusted further using the whip’s length and radial configuration.
The CHA-BV-SO239 Antenna System Includes:
- CHA blank adapter with a SO-239 connector
- CHA medium loading coil
- CHA SS17 17-foot telescopic whip
- CHA spike mount
- 4 12.6-foot radial wires with banana plug and isolation rings
- CHA puck hub
- 4 wire winders
- 12-foot RG-58 coaxial cable with an integrated RFI choke and PL-259 connectors
- 4 tent stakes
