PORTA-MAST · Masts & Infrastructure
A portable mast, tripod, guying, or infrastructure product that supports a documented antenna load.
Why operators make room for it
Create useful antenna height where the site gives you none
A perfect clearing without a usable tree is only a good antenna site if the operator brought a dependable way to create height.
That is where CHA PORTA-MAST enters the kit. Antennas and antenna accessories built by Chameleon Antenna 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 PORTA-MAST.
The right infrastructure lets the operator choose the site for radio reasons, then raise a documented load with the required base, sleeve, guying, and power-line clearance.
Quick product reference
Key Specifications
- Product type
- Portable telescoping aluminum antenna-support mast
- Available models
- 15 ft (2.5 in sleeve)
- 15 ft HD (3 in sleeve)
- 20 ft (3 in sleeve)
- 25 ft (3 in sleeve)
- 15 ft guide model
- 16.5 ft actual
- 15 ft effective
- 6.58 ft collapsed
- 14 lb
- 20 ft guide model
- 21.5 ft actual
- 20 ft effective
- 6.75 ft collapsed
- 20 lb
- 25 ft guide model
- 26.5 ft actual
- 25 ft effective
- 7.92 ft collapsed
- 24 lb
- Sections
- 15 ft: 3; 20 ft: 4; 25 ft: 4
- Tube diameters
- 15 ft
- Published wind survival
- 15 ft: 75 mph; 20/25 ft: 95 mph when correctly installed within published surface-area limits
- Maximum antenna wind area
- 15 ft: 2.2 sq ft; 20/25 ft: 3.3 sq ft
- Mounting requirement
- Use the sleeve and documented PORTA-MOUNT path specified for the selected model
- Antenna bracket rule
- Do not clamp brackets directly to mast tubing; use the optional Mast Adapter
- RF role
- Mechanical support; the attached antenna determines frequency, power, feedpoint, and tuning requirements
- Safety
- Never install the mast or attached antenna near overhead power lines or utility wires
- Primary role
- A portable mast, tripod, guying, or infrastructure product that supports a documented antenna load.
Operator decision support
Plan the complete setup
See what this product is best suited for, what the documented setup needs, and the boundaries to confirm before deployment.
- Best for
A perfect clearing without a usable tree is only a good antenna site if the operator brought a dependable way to create height.
- What’s included
- Mast Section
- Interlocking Mechanism
- Retainer Ring
- Swivel Ring
- Top Cap
- Red Cap
- Stop Bolt
- What else you need
- Use the sleeve and documented PORTA-MOUNT path specified for the selected model
- Five foot step ladder
- Compatible with
- Wire antennas attached by halyard or carabiner, including current Chameleon portable HF wire antennas
- Antennas that attach to a 1-inch mast when the optional Mast Adapter is used
- Rotor-mounted antennas that fit a 1-inch mast when the optional Mast Adapter is used
- Antennas with a 3/8-24 stud, including CHA DB and CHA RXL, when the optional Mast Adapter is used
- Limitations
- Attach antennas only through the Swivel Ring or optional Mast Adapter; never clamp brackets directly to the mast tubing
- Keep the mast and attached antenna away from overhead power lines and utility wires
- Do not raise or install the mast in windy conditions without appropriate help and control
- Expansion options
- Wheel Stand
- Top Mount
- Side Mount
- Hitch Mount
- Mast Adapter
What an operator can do
- Raise documented wire antennas or approved elevated systems within the support's load, height, wind, and guying limits.
- Select the approved base, sleeve, tripod, stake, or mount for the support and terrain.
- Keep conductive supports and every attached antenna safely away from power lines.
Complete product details
The Chameleon Antenna PORTA-MAST is a heavy-duty telescoping mast made with industrial strength, aircraft grade (6005T6) anodized aluminum. It is designed for semi-permanent installation at home or temporary installation with a recreational vehicle at a park or campground, see plate (1), with no guy wires required. When installed at your home, it is HOA friendly because it can be lowered, so it is less than eight feet tall, or removed from the mount completely, and laid on the ground. It can even be camouflaged by adding a flag! The interlocking sleeve mechanisms between each section make it easy to raise and lower the telescoping mast. The mast is strong enough to mount several antenna configurations at the same time, such as a wire HF antenna plus either a VHF/UHF Yagi and a rotor or a high-gain VHF/UHF vertical (see specifications for details).
- The PORTA-MAST is available in 4 lengths: 25, 20, 15 and 15HD foot. The 25 and 20 foot masts are made from 12 gauge aluminum, have four sections, and a base diameter of 3 inches. The 15 foot mast is made from 14 gauge aluminum, has three sections, and a base diameter of 2 1⁄2 inches. The top section of all three masts has a diameter of 1 3⁄4 inches.
The 15HD is an e product that is currently being custom made specifically for Chameleon Antenna. This is why you will find no record anywhere on our site, or with other wholesalers. We advertise our highest rated wind gusts survival to be at 95mph, which has not been verified by any engineering firm, rather an assessment created over the years by way of environmental feedback offered by customers, accompanied with our own “onsite” verification.
Having said that, this is a rate attributed to the 20HD, which has the same specs as the 15HD, only with 5 additional feet of height exposure. For is reason, we're very comfortable stating the same results for the 15HD (if not slightly better).
15ft HD SPECS
- Will hold 8 lbs max.
- Exposed Height – 180.25”
- Retracted Height – 59.25”
- Base Diameter Base – 3”
- Base Wall Thickness - .080”
- Shipping Weight – 13 lbs
PORTA-MAST Retracted Heights:
- 15ft MAST - 80"
- 15HD ft MAST - 59"
- 20ft MAST - 82"
- 25ft MAST - 96"
Weights:
- 20' = 23 lbs
- 25' = 27 lbs
The 3" sleeve is only used if you are putting the mast into the ground for the 15'HD, 20' and 25' masts. OPTIONAL
The 2.5" sleeve is only used for the 15' mast. It is used for any of the mounts to insert into the 3" sleeve that comes with the mounts!
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR GUYING
Optional:
There are a variety of Porta-Mast Options for the PORTA-MAST. Semi-permanent home installation is accomplished using the supplied in-ground sleeve or with an optional Deck or Side Mount, for mounting to a structure. Temporary RV-style installation requires either the optional Wheel Stand or Hitch Mount.
Antennas and antenna accessories built by Chameleon Antenna 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 PORTA-MAST.
- NO LOCAL PICK-UP FOR THAT PRODUCT
- For international Alaska and Hawaii please email us for a Shipping Quote.
- The CHA PORTA MAST - HF Beams Not Recommended !
- Small UHF/VHF Beams With Short Booms are OK !
- Please read wind loading on PAGE 11 of the USER GUIDE !
How To Maintain Your Telescoping CHA Porta Mast.
Your Telescoping Porta Mast is virtually maintenance free! There are no lubricants needed at any time during the life of the flagpole. You can easily clean the exterior of your mast with liquid soap and water by using a car wash mitt, or sponge. Rinse well and wipe dry.
Warning for Snow and Icy Weather Conditions:
Do not keep your mast in the lowered position, water may enter the mast causing it to freeze up and damage the mast. Either leave the mast extended up or lower and take out of the ground completely. The water / ice many cause the nylon locking system to expand and jam up!
