Tactical Dipole 2.0
(CHA TD 2.0)
Operator’s Manual
Nevada - USA
WWW.CHAMELEONANTENNA.COM
VERSATILE – DEPENDABLE – STEALTH – BUILT TO LAST
CHA TD 2.0 Page 2
Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 3
HF Propagation .................................................................................................................................... 3
Parts of the Antenna ............................................................................................................................ 5
Antenna Assembly ............................................................................................................................... 8
Antenna Configurations ....................................................................................................................... 9
Terminated Inverted “V” .................................................................................................................. 9
Terminated Sloping Wire ............................................................................................................... 12
Recovery Procedure .......................................................................................................................... 14
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................ 15
Field Installation and Repair Kit.......................................................................................................... 15
Specifications .................................................................................................................................... 15
Chameleon AntennaTM Products ....................................................................................................... 20
References ........................................................................................................................................ 21
Be aware of overhead power lines when you are deploying the CHA TD 2.0. You could be
electrocuted if the antenna gets near or contacts overhead power lines.
Photographs and diagrams in this manual may vary slightly from current production units due to
manufacturing changes that do not affect the form, fit, or function of the product.
All information on this product and the product itself is the property of and is proprietary to Chameleon
AntennaTM. Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
CHA TD 2.0 Page 3
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing and using the Chameleon Antenna
TM
Tactical Dipole 2.0 (CHA TD 2.0) antenna.
The CHA TD 2.0, shown in plate (1), is a broadband High Frequency (HF) antenna specially designed for
short to long range portable and man-pack HF communication, where portability and rapid deployment
are essential. The TD 2.0 is 30% lighter and simpler to setup and takedown than the original Tactical
Dipole and incorporates product improvements based on experience gained through several years of
rigorous field use in a wide variety of operational environments. The antenna will operate from 1.8 - 54
MHz without any adjustment and an antenna tuner or coupler is usually not required. To enhance
transportability of the antenna, a versatile and durable military-style duffel bag / backpack is included.
The CHA TD 2.0 is ideal for military, government
agencies, non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS),
Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) / Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service (RACES), Salvation Army Team
Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), and
amateur radio operators (hams) involved in
field communication and disaster preparedness.
The CHA TD 2.0 is configurable to facilitate
Near-Vertical Incident Sky wave (NVIS)
communication and its broadband design
supports Automatic Link Establishment (ALE),
frequency-hopping, and spread-spectrum
modes. The CHA TD 2.0 can be deployed by the
operator in the field in approximately 10
minutes, using almost any available support,
with no masts or guying required.
Plate 1. Chameleon AntennaTM Tactical Dipole 2.0.
Antennas built by Chameleon Antenna
TM
are
versatile, dependable, stealthy, and built to last.
Please read this operator’s manual so that you
may maximize the utility you obtain from your
CHA TD 2.0.
HF Propagation
HF radio provides relatively inexpensive and reliable local, regional, national, and international voice and
data communication capability. It is especially suitable for undeveloped areas where normal
telecommunications are not available, too costly or scarce, or where the commercial
telecommunications infrastructure has been damaged by a natural disaster or military conflict.
Although HF radio is a reasonably reliable method of communication, HF radio waves propagate through
a complex and constantly changing environment and are affected by weather, terrain, latitude, time of
day, season, and the 11-year solar cycle. A detailed explanation of the theory of HF radio wave
propagation is beyond the scope of this operator’s manual, but an understanding of the basic principles
will help the operator decide what frequency and which of the CHA TD 2.0’s configurations will support
their communication requirements.
CHA TD 2.0 Page 4
HF radio waves propagate from the transmitting
antenna to the receiving antenna using two
methods: ground waves and sky waves. Ground
waves are composed of direct waves and
surface waves. Direct waves travel directly
from the transmitting antenna to the receiving
antenna when they are within the radio line-ofsight. Typically, this distance is 8 to 14 miles for
field stations. Surface waves follow the
curvature of the Earth beyond the radio
horizon. They are usable, during the day and
under optimal conditions, up to around 90
miles, see table (1).
Frequency
Distance
Frequency
Distance
2 MHz
88 miles
14 MHz
33 miles
4 MHz
62 miles
18MHz
29 miles
7 MHz
47 miles
24 MHz
25 miles
10 MHz
39 miles
30 MHz
23 miles
Table 1. Maximum Surface Wave Range by Frequency.
Sky waves are the primary method of HF radio wave propagation. HF radio waves on a frequency below
the critical frequency (found by an ionosonde) are reflected off one of the layers of the ionosphere and
back to Earth between 300 and 2,500 miles, depending upon the frequency and ionospheric conditions.
HF radio waves can then be reflected from the Earth to the ionosphere again during multihop
propagation for longer range communication. The most important thing for the operator to understand
about HF radio wave propagation is the concept of Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF), Lowest Usable
Frequency (LUF), and Optimal Working Frequency (OWF). The MUF is the frequency for which
successful communications between two points is predicted on 50% of the days of in a month. The LUF
is the frequency below which successful communications are lost due to ionospheric loses. The OWF,
which is somewhere between the LUF and around 80% of the MUF, is the range of frequencies which
can be used for reliable communication. If the LUF is above the MUF, HF sky wave propagation is
unlikely to occur.
The HF part of the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum is usually filled with communications activity and an
experienced operator can often determine where the MUF is, and with less certainty, the LUF by
listening to where activity ends. The operator can then pick a frequency in the OWF and attempt to
establish contact. Another method is using HF propagation prediction software, such as the Voice of
America Coverage Analysis Program (VOACAP), which is available at no cost to download or use online
at www.voacap.com. The operator enters the location of the two stations and the program show a
wheel with the predicted percentage of success based on frequency and time. ALE, which is the
standard for interoperable HF communications, is an automated method of finding a frequency in the
OWF and establishing and maintaining a communications link.
Even under optimal conditions, there is a gap between where ground waves end (around 40 to 90 miles)
and the sky wave returns to Earth on the first hop (around 300 miles). NVIS propagation can be used to
fill this gap. The frequency selected must be below the critical frequency, so NVIS is can normally only
be used on frequencies from around 2 to 10 MHz. Frequencies of 2 – 4 MHz are typical at night and 4 –
8 MHz during the day.
CHA TD 2.0 Page 5
Parts of the Antenna
The CHA TD 2.0 is comprised of the components shown in plates (2)-(5). The letter references are used
to identify components in the detailed assembly instructions.
Plate 2. Matching Transformer Unit Details.
A. Matching Transformer Unit
B. Suspension Eyebolt
C. Top Counterpoise Connection
D. Antenna Connection (“A”)
E. Bottom Counterpoise Connection
(electrically same as C)
F. UHF Socket (SO-239)
CHA TD 2.0 Page 6
Plate 3. Antenna and Counterpoise Wire Details.
G. Counterpoise Wire (25 ft, Quantity 2)
H. Antenna Wire (60 ft, Quantity 2)
I. Terminal Lug
J. Carabiner (Quantity 6)
K. End Loop
L. Insulating Ring
Plate 4. Terminating Resistor Unit Details.
CHA TD 2.0 Page 7
M. Terminating Resistor Unit (Quantity 2)
N. Resistor Connectors
O. Suspension Point
P. Strain Relief Point
Q. Shock Cord
R. Antenna Wire Winding Notch
S. Counterpoise Wire Winding Notch
Plate 5. Miscellaneous Components Details.
T. Tent Stakes (Quantity 4)
U. Throw Bag
V. Short Mini-Paracord (Quantity 2)
W. Long Mini-Paracord
X. Coaxial Cable
Y. UHF Plug (PL-259)
Z. Mini-Line Winder
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