Wow HOW much?
On the local beach last week met a couple of lads working portable.
Little table note book pen that wrote in English not in CW.
QRP rig and the antenna a Chameleon Hybrid Micro (UnUn?) Stainless Steel 17 foot Whip antenna.
I got all excited as you do, enquired about this antenna 17 foot and Telescopic sat on top of the UnUn .
Came away and thought a lot about this antenna then the penny dropped. I have put away not used for many years
a portable military Mast (Clansman) consisting of 6 three foot fiber glass sections making an 18 foot mast. On top of this
is a fitment for taking a 3 piece ( 9 foot long) Whip section. Giving me a 27 foot antenna /mast from the whip section is a single
wire a little longer than the mast.
Now I assembeled this antenns used the supplied 4 thin green wire counterpoise, connected the counterpoise and long wire
to a 9:1 UnUn. 30 foot coax to the shack and tuned up on 20m.
Made a contact with EU1KY nice clear both ways...It Works mind that was one band the other bands tuned up and that proved to me this antenna works.
Would it be fair to say the Nice Shiney Chameleon 17 foot antenna is a better system compared to mine, It should be at the price.
I wont mention the MPAS system with a rucksack. I would need a mortgage to buy one of those.
Your thoughts My System El Cheapo Vs The Expensive Chameleon.
73
Keith

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If it works, it works.

You can pick up the Chameleon items cheaper second hand (that's how I obtained mine).

I have the MPAS items, and one of their portable magnetic loops also. They are both very compact when folded up/dismantled, and not too heavy either. The build quality/finish is superb.

The MPAS system is excellent because it allows so many combinations of assembly depending upon what the available supports and mounting opportunities.

Anything conductive will radiate no matter how much it costs. If you are trying to activate a SOTA, and you need to climb a 600-1000+ foot steep hill, lightweight alloy sections that are only around 18" long will be easier to transport than six foot long lengths of fiberglass.

If you had the choice between driving around in a Morris 1100 or say an Audi A4, both will get you there, but how many folks would choose the 1100?

I'm just as happy to use a random length of old mains lead or some copper wire stripped from a discarded transformer as use the Chameleon. It just comes down to whatever works in that case.

IF it were ONLY for home use I would NOT have bothered with either of the Chamelon antennas, but for portable use they really do make life easy.

73, Mark...

Thank you Mark..
A bit late in replying .
I use my 17foot MPAS system with my Icom 705
and an Icom 705H Tuner, they all work together lovely.
Chameleon are an expensive option and been in the USA just that tad dearer
than equivalent antennas over here in the UK..
Thanks again
Keith
M0KLL.