Posted: 04 Nov 2009 11:28 AM PST

FOREST CITY, Iowa - (Business Wire) Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO), announced that the Board of Directors on November 3, 2009 elected Randy J. Potts to the position of Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning. In conjunction with the election of Potts, Daryl W. Krieger was appointed to the position of Director, Manufacturing.

As Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Potts, 50, will be responsible for new business development for Winnebago Industries. A 26-year veteran of Winnebago Industries, Potts most recently served as Vice President, Manufacturing. Previously, he served as director of manufacturing, general manager of manufacturing services, as well as various other engineering and supervisory positions for the Company. Potts is a graduate of Hawkeye Institute of Technology in Waterloo, Iowa.

"Randy's background in manufacturing and engineering provides him with a great foundation for assisting us with the development of future opportunities outside the RV industry," said Winnebago Industries' Chairman, CEO and President Bob Olson. "While serving as vice president of manufacturing, Randy and his staff have made visible improvements in the manufacturing environment, adjusting to challenging market conditions, further contributing to Winnebago Industries' leadership role in the motor home industry. It is our objective to not only be the leader in the motor home industry, but also to explore diversification opportunities that will utilize our core competencies."

Daryl Krieger, 46, has been named Director, Manufacturing. He will oversee all production, inventory control, maintenance services, warehousing, manufacturing engineering and tooling areas of the Company. Krieger has 25 years of service with Winnebago Industries and most recently served as general manager, fabrication. Previously, he served as plant manager of the sawmill/cabinet shop, assembly manager for the Rialta and EuroVan Camper production, as well as several other positions throughout the Company, including a variety of other engineering and supervisory positions. Krieger earned an Associate of Arts degree from Waldorf College, Forest City, Iowa; a Bachelor of Arts degree from Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Iowa and a Master of Science degree in manufacturing management from Kettering University, Flint, Michigan.

About Winnebago Industries

Winnebago Industries, Inc. is the leading U.S. manufacturer of motor homes which are self-contained recreation vehicles used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The Company builds quality motor homes under the Winnebago, Itasca and ERA brand names with state-of-the-art computer-aided design and manufacturing systems on automotive-styled assembly lines. The Company's common stock is listed on the New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges and traded under the symbol WGO. Options for the Company's common stock are traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. For access to Winnebago Industries' investor relations material or to add your name to an automatic email list for Company news releases, visit, http://www.winnebagoind.com/investor.html.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6092043&lang=en

Winnebago Industries, Inc.
Sheila Davis, 641-585-6803
PR/IR Manager
sdavis@winnebagoind.com

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Around your town - Sierra Vista Herald

Posted: 03 Nov 2009 10:06 PM PST

Greater Huachuca Area Democratic Club will meet at 6 p.m. today at Golden Corral, South Highway 92. Guest speaker will be Murryelle Bothwell, a nurse practitioner, on swine flu, the symptoms, and medications. Dinner is on your own. For more information, call Berthe M. Simpson at 459-4181.

Sierra Vista Genealogical Club will meet today at the Ethel Berger Center. Social hour starts at 1 p.m. Program begins at 2 p.m. Club meets the first Wednesday of every month from October through May.

The Cochise County Master Gardener Association will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday in the public meeting room at University of Arizona South. Alan Blixt, a docent with the Friends of the San Pedro River, will discuss native and non-native species living along the river. The public is warmly welcomed. For more information, call Terrie at 378-2915.

Will Schaeck will present a talk on the history of the U.S. Border Patrol at the Westerners meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Bisbee Senior Center. For information, call Christine Rhodes at 432-5836.

Sierra Vista Regional Health Center's Auxiliary will hold a fudge/salsa and bedsheet sale from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. There will be a variety of fudge and 12 of America's best salsa flavors. The sale will take place in the Jenney Room. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.

The Galileo Guild will present its 20th annual bazaar Friday and Nov. 7 at 5100 Galileo Drive. The bazaar will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 6 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7.

A catfish fry will feature a choice of catfish, cod or roast beef Friday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9972, 549 Veterans Drive. Dinner is $7.50 per person from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the event, which is open to members and guests.

Care Net Pregnancy Center of Cochise County Inc. plans its ninth annual "Loving Them Both" fundraising banquet at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The gala event will be at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 156 W. Kayetan Drive. The keynote speaker is Robert Reccord, former president of the North American Missions Board. Table hosts and underwriters are being sought. Call 459-5683.

A "Hobo Soup Supper" is planned by the Sierra Vista Elks Lodge at 6 p.m. Friday. Members and guests can enjoy a variety of homemade soups and dessert for a donation of $5. Hobo dress is optional. Proceeds from the event will go toward the veterans' Christmas party. For information, call 458-2065.

Learn how cattle thieves, conniving businessmen, speculators and corrupt politicians once walked Tombstone streets searching for treasure … and found it. 1800s Tombstone will be the topic of a talk by Ed Riggs at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Henry F. Hauser Museum.

A psychic fair is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Metamorphosis Spiritual Center, 4101 S. Turner Lane. For information, call 803-0493.

Sierra Vista Walks Together for a Cure, breast cancer walk sponsored by the Safeway Foundation, will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Veterans' Memorial Park. Entry fee is $25, and entries will be taken up until the day of the event. Check-in starts at 7 a.m. Entries and full information may be picked up and turned in at the store. Mailed entries go to Sierra Vista Safeway No. 2083, Attn: Ben Shaub, 2190 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista AZ 85635; include credit card information or a check payable to the Safeway Foundation. Store phone number is 459-4204; ask for Ben or Sherri in the floral department.

An all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner is planned Saturday by the Huachuca City Lions Club. The dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. will be $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 5 to 12 years old and free for children under 5. Dessert, coffee and tea will be included in the meal at Lions Hall, 125 Huachuca City Blvd.

A septic care workshop is planned from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Topics include how septic systems work, how to maintain them and why it is important for protecting drinking water quality. The event will be in the public meeting room of University of Arizona South, 1140 N. Colombo Ave. Call 458-8278, extension 2141.

Brown Canyon Ranch's open house will be Saturday. The public is invited to attend this free family event. The purpose is to support the preservation and restoration of the site.

The League of Women Voters Cochise County will meet at 10:15 a.m. Saturday in the Mona Bishop Room of the Sierra Vista Public Library. Guest speaker will be Brett Agenbroad, superintendent.

A senior arts and crafts fair sponsored by the Happy Achers will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sierra Vista United Methodist Church, 3225 St. Andrews Drive. The fair will showcase handcrafted items. There will be a silent auction of large quilts, fine art and other items.

A quilt show is planned this weekend in Douglas by the Sew-Pieceful Guild. It will be at The Art Gallery, 625 10th St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Then the quilts will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday until Nov. 21.

Cochise County Association for the Handicapped will hold the 47th annual cake auction Saturday at the Boys and Girls Club in Bisbee from 2 p.m. until the auction runs out of items. Watch the cake auction live on television on cable channel 2.

The annual holiday bazaar of the Fort Huachuca Community Spouses' Club will be Saturday and Sunday at Barnes Field House on Fort Huachuca. This event is open to the public. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 7 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8. Call 226-9551.

Nationally known leadership strategist Cynthia D'Amour will teach leaders of volunteer organizations how to get more volunteer participation within organizations in a seminar from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Mirage Club on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Cost is $19, and the event is sponsored by the Air Force Association Southwest Region. Pre-registration is required by going online to www.cochiseafa.org.

The Huachuca Area Republican Women's Club will meet at the Windemere Hotel and Conference Center on Monday. Coffee will be served at 10:30 a.m., with lunch at 11. Congressional candidate Andy Goss will talk. Cost for lunch is $14. Call Dot Johnson at 378-7257 for reservations no later than Nov. 2. Cost for late reservations is $16.

The Tombstone Community Blood Drive will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at the American Legion Hall, 215 E. Allen St. For an appointment or for more information, call (520) 457-3543 or (800) GIVE-LIFE.

Sierra Vista Woman's Club will present its fall luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Outback Steakhouse. Tickets can be purchased at Safeway or at the door.

Grumpy Old Installers' luncheon will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Golden Corral. This will be the Installers' last luncheon for the year.

Free barbecue will be offered at noon Nov. 11 at Veterans' Memorial Park to all Vietnam era veterans who present a DD Form 214 showing Vietnam service or Vietnam-era service. Barbecue will be available to the general public for donations to Vietnam Veterans of America and Associates.

Do you want to improve your communication and leadership skills? Huachuca Toastmasters is having an open house at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 12 at Western International University Education Annex Building A, Building 21114, corner of Christy and Adair, Fort Huachuca. For more information, call 459-4181.

Arizona Medical Eye Unit from the Lions Vision Center will be giving $35 ophthalmological medical eye exams from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 13 for residents of Bisbee and surrounding areas. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling 432-2244. Sponsor is Copper Queen Publishing Co.

An AARP driver safety class is planned from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Sierra Vista Public Library, 2600 E. Tacoma St. Another class is planned from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Tombstone RV Park and Resort. For more information, call George McKinley at 236-5139.

The monthly steak fry of the Ladies' Auxiliary of VFW Post 10342, 1301 Cochise, Huachuca City, will be from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13. Cost is $7 and includes top sirloin steak, onions, baked potato, baked beans, vegetable, salad, roll, iced tea or coffee. Desserts are available for an additional cost.

Cochise and Western model railroad club plans its fall open house Nov. 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 680 Fort Ave. The nonprofit club's members construct layouts, buildings and scenery and socialize with other model railroad fans. For more information, call Steve at 226-1991.

A car show is planned Nov. 14 as a fundraiser to repair and/or replace solar lights at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Pre-1985 entries and donations are being sought for the show at Texas Road House. Entry fee is $22, or $25 on the day of the show. Donations can be made at Honey Bares Auto Care, 160 N. Canyon Drive, or at the show. For more information, call 456-9338.

The annual book sale sponsored by the League of Women Voters will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 in front of Ace Hardware. Used books of all types will be on sale. The public is invited to browse and buy. Also pick up a copy of the league's information guide! Proceeds will be used to support voter services, such as candidate forums, in Cochise County.

912 Project Cochise County will present former Graham County Sheriff Richard Mack on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Sierra Vista Public Library in the Mona Bishop Room. Please RSVP to 912projectcochisecounty@gmail.com

Compassion & Choices Arizona's Cochise County chapter will meet at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14 in the Mona Bishop Room of the Sierra Vista Library, 2600 E. Tacoma St. Speakers will be Judge Jim Reilly (retired), who will discuss consequences from the legal system when advance directives are not completed accurately, and Steve Anderson, Cochise County, who will talk about services for county residents. For more information, call Billie at 378-2603 or toll-free at (877) 535-3600, or visit www.choicesarizona.org.

A Holiday Fashion Show Extravaganza is planned Nov. 14 at the Windemere Hotel and Conference Center. The main ballroom will be transformed into New York's Fashion Week of sorts, with long runways and scattered tables for viewing. Seating begins at 11 a.m. for a lunch and show produced by Tricia Williams. Tickets are on sale now for $15 at Safeway, Spur Western Wear and the Windemere, or by calling Williams at 803-7521. Proceeds will benefit Mary's Mission and Development Center.

The Friends of the Library store in Sierra Vista will have its "second Saturday of the month" sale from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 14. All merchandise will be half-price. The Friends of the Library Store is to the left of the main Sierra Vista Public Library door.

Democratic Women of Southeast Arizona will hold their monthly luncheon meeting at 11 a.m. Nov. 17 at Pueblo del Sol Country Club. Cost is $13. The program will be a presentation by Luis Heredia, executive director of the state Democratic Party, on the 2010 election. Call Kathie Crow, 458-5254, for reservations.

Happy Achers will meet at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 19 in the Fellowship Hall of the Sierra Vista United Methodist Church for a covered-dish lunch. Anyone over 55 years old is invited to attend. Harry Walther will be presenting a variety talent show consisting of comedy, dancing, reciting and singing.

Military Officers Association of America Coronado Chapter will meet Nov. 19 at Thunder Mountain Activity Centre on Fort Huachuca. Social hour commences at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Capt. Benjamin Heredia will speak on "Here Come the Marines." Cost is $25. Make check payable to Coronado Chapter, MOAA, and mail to Reservations, Coronado Chapter MOAA, P.O. Box 1685, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636. Call chapter President Allen Rossow at 439-4144.

Christian Women's Luncheon will begin at 10:45 a.m. Nov. 19 at Pueblo del Sol Country Club. Speaker will be Emily Firnstahl on "What is Success? How Do We Measure It? How Do We Get It?" For reservations, call Shirley Po at 378-3449.

A swap and craft meet is planned from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 21 by the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 10342 at the post home, 1301 Cochise, Huachuca City. Tables are $15. Call 456-2501 or e-mail vfw10342@powerc.net to request a reservation form. A pancake breakfast is also planned from 8 to 10 a.m.

The Bisbee Economic Outlook Luncheon registration deadline is Nov. 25. The event presented by the Cochise College Center for Economic Research is scheduled for Dec. 3 at the Turquoise Valley Golf, Restaurant & RV, 1794 W. Newell St., Naco. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Cost is $45 per person. To register, call 515-5486 or e-mail cer@cochise.edu.

A Chautauqua production at the visitor center of Patagonia Lake State Park will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Aldo Leopold's arrival in Springerville. The ecologist and forester was influential in developing environmental ethics and preserving wilderness. The presentation will begin at 1 p.m. Nov. 28. In the morning, a horseback ride, guided hikes and a kayak trip will include brief readings from his writings. Registration is required for the morning events. Call (520) 287-2791.

High Desert Pod will sponsor its annual Christmas Parade Chili Cookoff with serving time starting at 4 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Kmart parking lot, 2011 E. Fry Blvd. Award-winning chili cooks from four states will cook up great chili samples. The public is invited to taste them all for only $3.

The Nordic Guild's 28th annual holiday fair is planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church, 5360 E. Pima in Tucson. For more information, call 299-6262.

Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park is open for bird walks each Sunday. Walks leave viewing platform at 8 a.m., are limited to 20 people and last about two hours. Donations are invited.

The American Legion Auxiliary is offering a free peer support group for wives/girlfriends of combat veterans. The group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at the Veterans' Outpost, 121 Fourth St., Tombstone. For more information, call Darla at 255-2840.

AARP Tax-Aide is looking for donations of computer equipment. The group needs two or three computers that run Windows XP, keyboards and mice (prefer USB). The group also needs volunteers for a week of training in late January and five hours per week of tax work after that. No tax preparation experience is necessary. Call Jack at 439-9706.

Salvation Army holiday and food pantry needs your help. In addition to nonperishable holiday and non-holiday foods, the hot meal program is seeking donations of disposable plates, bowls, cuts, eating utensils, paper towels, napkins and powdered drink mixes. Donated new or gently used coats and other warm clothing are being sought. Bring donations to the Salvation Army at 156 E. Wilcox Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday or Friday, or call 459-8411.

Cochise College is now seeking vendors for a holiday bazaar to benefit GED scholarships. The bazaar is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 18 in the Andrea Cracchiolo Library on the Sierra Vista Campus. The bazaar will feature crafters who produce handmade items, such as jewelry and home decor, and home-based marketers of beauty or small home products. Table reservations cost $20, and proceeds will be used to help Adult Education students take GED exams. Call 515-5456.

Southeastern Arizona Food Bank covering Cochise County has announced it will be making phone calls to raise funds to help supply food to any needy and less fortunate families throughout the area. Anyone wanting to be more involved with the food bank may call (800) 813-7560 for more information.

Type 2 diabetes classes are offered by Sierra Vista Regional Health Center. Classes are a series of five two-hour sessions, and a physician's referral is not required. There is a nominal fee of $10 per class or $50 for the complete series. To register, call 458-0136.

Are you replacing your home or business computer? Do you have a computer that is broken or is no longer in use? Sierra Vista Elks Lodge #2065 is looking for computers to repair and recondition. The refurbished computers then will be given to needy children. If you have a computer to donate, please call Stan at 458-1808.

The San Pedro River Arts Council is looking for photographs or works on paper to replace the current exhibit in the Benson City Hall gallery. The new exhibit will be called "The Doors of Cochise County," and, as the title implies, will be images of doors, or doorways, plain or fancy, that catch the eye, anywhere in Cochise County. The exhibit will be mounted on Dec. 2 and run through the end of January. The work will be hung with pushpins, so it can be mounted on paper, or matted with lightweight mats. Call Sylvia Burnside at (520) 586-4782 or e-mail her at bensonartsbelle@mac.com.

Bisbee firefighters have launched their annual food drive. Donations are being accepted at fire stations 1 and 2. Applications for the food must be made in person and are being accepted at the Freeport-McMoRan/Shaw offices at 76 Erie St. in Lowell between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call 432-2562.

Free support groups for people living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or other mental health diagnosis, and for those who have a loved one impacted by mental illness, are hosted by NAMI Southeastern Arizona. They are offered on the first and third Mondays of each month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Bisbee Y, 26 Howell Ave. Call 459-3228.

Huachuca Art Association is having an open judged show until Nov. 15 at the Mall at Sierra Vista and Nov. 16 to 29 at the HAA Gallery.

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Reviews Summary for CHAMELEON V1 HF Multiband Antenna - eHam.net

Posted: 31 Oct 2009 12:40 PM PDT

The Chameleon V1 was purchased off e-Bay at a discount price ($110) from the manufacturer, after perusing the manufacturer's web site (where it was then offered retail for $150).

The Chameleon V1 is an approximately six-foot tall, two-piece, helically wound, fiberglass whip joinable at the center by heavy-duty brass 3/8" x 24 male and female fittings on the two pieces. The radiating wire is wound on the fiberglass so as to load, and effectively create traps for, the various amateur bands from 80-10M plus 2 meters. It's recommended that the entire antenna be used on 40M & 75/80M, while using the lower section only on 20M-10M -- although some users (myself included) obtained a good match and good results on all bands from 80M through 10M using the entire length of the antenna; i.e., with both sections screwed together.

I did not try the Chameleon V1 on any frequency above the 10 meter band.

I have used many different types of mobile HF antenna setups over the last 35 years, including a home brew helically wound whip, Hamsticks, a Sidekick, an SGC-230 and 102-inch whip, Hustler, and ATAS.

I had a somewhat challenging situation with my 1990 Nissan Axxess, which is a rather small vehicle. It is manual transmission, so I did not want to have to fiddle with a rocker switch as required for a screwdriver-type antenna, and did not want to crowd the cockpit with extra items such as a Turbo Tuner. I wanted multi-band QSY without stopping and exiting the vehicle, and desired something that would load more efficiently than a stainless steel whip or the out-of-ham-band 8 & 12 MHz-resonant type of stick marketed (at a hefty price, to boot) for the SGC-230. Although the SCG-230/stainless whip combination worked well in some other mobile installations and on a portable tripod setup, it would not perform well in the configuration necessary for this vehicle, and efficiency below 20 meters left much to be desired in any event.

I had been looking for, and considering trying to home brew, a helical mobile antenna designed to resonate on several ham bands, when I came across the Chameleon V1 and decided to invest $110 to give it a try, since the manufacturer promised satisfaction or full refund or replacement.

I run the Icom 706 Mark II G in the Axxess. I mounted the AH-4 remote antenna coupler on the small trailer hitch that is permanently welded and bolted to a steel framework as standard equipment on the AWD Axxess, a vehicle that was sold in the US market for one year, only.

As supplied, the Chameleon V1 comes with a C-clamp, small mounting plate and 9:1 unun.

For my purposes, I set aside the unun and C-clamp and mounted one pre-drilled end of a stainless steel antenna mounting plate (approximately 3/8" thick, 10" long, 3" wide) under the hitch ball, and the Chameleon V1 to the other pre-drilled hole at the opposite end of the antenna bracket, replacing the 3/8" x 24 bottom stud with an SO-238-type 3/8" x 24 connector and protective screw-cap from my connector "junkbox."

I next soldered terminal rings on either end of a a short No. 10 solid copper wire and connected it between the "hot" terminal of the AH-4 and the bottom lug of the antenna mount. A 1/2"-wide tinned, braided grounding strap (prefabricated with terminal rings on either end, obtained from HRO) was run from the ground lug of the AH-4 to a bolt underneath the vehicle fastening the hitch assembly to the vehicle body. After running the coax and control cable from the AH-4 to the IC-706MkIIG, it was time to give the system a try.

Simply pressing the "Tune" button on the 706 put it into tuning mode and it declared a "match" with very minimal SWR (a couple of small bars signifying perhaps 1.3:1) in the middle of 40M phone. The same result was achieved at both ends of the band, phone and CW, and likewise on the other HF bands 30-10 (I did not try 60M).

75/80M is usually the troublesome band, so I saved it for last. Although it took the AH-4 a couple of tries, it nonetheless "matched" to the 75 meter band at about 3850 kHz with barely any hesitation. Once it had done so, it instantly tuned throughout the 75/80M band. Realizing that this did not necessarily indicate a good antenna, but rather could mean that it was a great dummy load, I put out a CQ. To my surprise and delight, I was answered by a Maryland station who gave me a 5X5. This was quite satisfying after not being able to get a good match there using the SGC-230 and stainless whip. The AH-4 also worked well on 75/80M with a 75/8-M Hamstick (well, one would hope so!) and would couple to that Hamstick on 40-10, but not very efficiently as to anything above 75/80M.

The next day, I checked-in mobile into the Noontime Net on 7268.5; NCS W6FHZ in Reno gave me a "Very strong signal today!!" 5 x 9 report. That evening, I was easily heard by NCS for the Oregon Emergency Net on 3980 kHz; I am used to having to be relayed into that net when mobiling.

The antenna continued to work very well for the next six months. One design deficiency, however, is that the very sturdy -- and relatively heavy compared to the fiberglass whip -- center coupler holding the two sections of the whip together, renders the antenna quite unstable in the air blow-by produced when the vehicle is in motion. The antenna will bend back as much as about 75-80 degrees and also whip from side to side. Use of a base spring is recommended. I found that it must be a very heavy duty base spring (e.g., the $80 one available at HRO) in order to hold the bottom half of the antenna vertical while the vehicle is in motion, while still protecting the antenna from damage from overhead limbs, etc. Use of a less heavy-duty base spring will permit the bottom section of the antenna to lean back nearly 45 degrees while the top section bends back to almost 90 degrees relative to the roadway, when the vehicle is in forward motion at appreciable speed. I solved this problem with a kind of bungee cord that has caribiners on each end and that is about 10 inches long in the relaxed state. I clipped one caribiner to the back rail of the roofrack on the Nissan Access, and slipped the other caribiner over the Chameleon V1 down to the level of the top of the joint connecting the two antenna halves. This worked quite well.

I also took to bending the antenna forward and hooking the tip under as recessed spot on a plastic bracket located about two-thirds of the way toward the front end of the the roofrack, which would place the antenna in a curved forward shape, when entering a parking structure or even while traveling at high speed; when operated this way, it produced nice NVIS on 40 and 75/80- meters.

Unfortunately, that eventually proved too stressful for the antenna and it cracked just above the center joint.

I emailed Alexander (manufacturer) requesting the price for replacement of the top section only. To my surprise, he immediately replied that a replacement was being shipped the next business day at no charge beyond $12 postage I could send via Pay-Pal. I suggested that an adjustable center coupler be offered for joining the two sections, that would have a thumbscrew allowing the user to place the antenna top section at various user-selected angles.

Alexander also indicated that he would send me, free of charge, a prototype of the new V2 version of the Chameleon, which is only about 4.5 feet tall and promises coverage from 3.0-500 MHz, seeking only my honest evaluation. I agreed to do such a beta test, and likely will post a review here at such time, if ever, as that antenna may be offered retail.

This review is objective and is not influenced by Alexander's provision of a replacement top section at no charge, though I do deem that worth mentioning again (even though this section is not for reviewing vendors) because such strong customer support is so rare these days.

CONCLUSION: Despite the "Achilles' heel" of the Chameleon V1 (wind resistance deficiency)having been found, I highly recommend this antenna to the HF mobileer. Reinforcing the center joint with a few layers of electrician's tape or such, would adequately shore up that weak link.

MSRP: $170.

Google "Chameleon HF antenna" for a link to the manufacturer's pages.

73 de Kevin WA7VTD

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