Summary
Highlights
The Chameleon antenna is highly configurable, allowing the coil to be mounted at various heights. It comes with a comprehensive kit including extension poles, a ground spike, a tripod adapter, a radial connecting plate, radials, a table clamp, and RG58 coax, all neatly packed in an EVA case.
The video introduces a comparison of three coil-loaded vertical antennas: Radioddity, JPC-12, and Chameleon. All are center-mounted and vary significantly in price and quality.
The Radioddity antenna features a coil at the top of the pole with an internal adjustment mechanism that slides up and down. The contact makes an audible sound when adjusted.
The JPC-12 antenna has an exposed coil mechanism that is adjusted by sliding a slider up and down. Unlike some other designs, it only offers discrete taps rather than continuous fine-tuning like Buddy Pole or Wolf River coils.
The Chameleon antenna uses a Delrin-based coil with external windings. Its adjustment involves a springy attachment point and a plastic knob to secure the slider, offering a robust but non-rotational adjustment.
The Radioddity kit includes three sets of radials, a BNC to SO239 adapter, unnamed coax (likely RG58), a whip, two extension poles, the coil (acting as another extension), and a unique ground spike with male threads, making it less compatible with standard 3/8-24 accessories without adapters.
The JPC-12 comes with ribbon cable radials, a base adapter, four extension poles, a ground spike, and a whip. The coil tap has clear markings for 20m and 40m, and fine-tuning is achieved by adjusting the whip's height.
A side-by-side comparison reveals the Chameleon antenna stands at 9 feet, the Radioddity at 12 feet 9 inches, and the JPC-12 at 14 feet 3 inches. The Chameleon's coil design allows for additional height extension.
Chameleon whips are known for their thick top sections and an internal crimp to prevent over-extension. Radioddity whips also feature thick sections and double crimps for added security. The JPC-12 whip is notably thinner at the top and lacks the extra crimp, though it appears sturdy.
The JPC-12 is the only antenna without included coax. All three antennas use SO239 connectors on the antenna side, and the included coaxes (where applicable) have PL259 connectors.
Key factors for selection include perceived quality, affordability, portability, and deployment speed (all deployable within 5 minutes). The JPC-12 costs about $150, the Radioddity about $200, and the Chameleon MCC kit ranges from $350 to $674 depending on the specific kit (POTA, SOTA, or limited edition).