CHA URT1 (Universal Remote Tuner 1)

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*** READ THE USER GUIDE BEFORE USING ***

CHA URT1

Universal Remote Tuner 1

Chameleon Antenna proudly introduces the CHA URT1 – Universal Remote Tuner 1, a rugged and highly versatile automatic antenna tuner designed to efficiently match a wide variety of antennas across the HF and 6-meter spectrum.

The CHA URT1 is engineered to work with almost any antenna configuration, including random wire antennas, vertical antennas, dipoles, inverted-V installations, and other non-resonant antenna systems.

By installing the tuner directly at or near the antenna feedpoint, the URT1 minimizes feedline losses caused by high SWR and significantly improves overall system efficiency.

Whether used for portable field operations, emergency communications, base station installations, or stealth HOA setups, the URT1 provides fast and reliable automatic matching from 160 meters through 6 meters.

Why a Remote Antenna Tuner Matters

Many antenna tuners are installed next to the radio inside the shack, which means the coaxial feedline between the radio and the antenna still carries a high SWR signal when the antenna is not resonant.

When this occurs:

• • RF energy is lost in the feedline
• • Coaxial cables heat up and become less efficient
• • Signal strength reaching the antenna is reduced
• • Overall system efficiency decreases

The CHA URT1 eliminates these problems by placing the tuner directly at the antenna feedpoint.

Instead of correcting the mismatch inside the shack, the URT1 matches the antenna where the mismatch actually occurs. This results in:

• • Maximum RF energy delivered to the antenna
• • Reduced feedline losses
• • More efficient multiband antenna operation
• • Improved performance with non-resonant antennas
• • Reliable portable and field deployment

This architecture follows the same philosophy used in professional and military communications systems, where efficiency and reliability are critical.

Universal Compatibility

The CHA URT1 is designed to work with virtually any HF transceiver and antenna system without requiring radio-specific control cables.

The system consists of two components:

Tuner Unit

A rugged weather-resistant remote tuner installed at or near the antenna feedpoint. This unit contains the automatic impedance matching network.

Coupler Unit

Installed near the transceiver, the coupler sends both RF and DC control signals through the same coaxial cable, eliminating the need for additional control cables and simplifying installation.

Ideal for Modern HF Operations

The CHA URT1 is designed for operators who require flexibility and reliability from their antenna systems.

It is particularly effective when used with:

• • Random wire antennas
• • Long wire antennas
• • Portable vertical antennas
• • Inverted-V dipoles
• • Field-deployable HF systems

Because the tuner is located at the antenna feedpoint, operators can use a single antenna across multiple bands without requiring multiple resonant antennas.

Digital Mode Power Recommendation

Digital modes such as FT8, RTTY, PSK31, VARA HF, Olivia, and JS8Call operate with a very high duty cycle, meaning the transmitter produces continuous RF output for extended periods.

Unlike SSB voice transmissions where power fluctuates with speech, digital modes often transmit near full carrier power continuously.

Operating at excessive power in digital modes can cause several issues:

• • Overheating of the tuner’s internal components
• • Increased stress on the transceiver’s final amplifier stage
• • Additional heat in the feedline and matching network
• • Reduced reliability and shortened equipment lifespan

For these reasons, Chameleon Antenna recommends limiting digital mode operation to a maximum of 30 watts when using the CHA URT1. This ensures reliable operation while protecting both the tuner and the transceiver during long digital transmissions.

Important Installation Recommendations

RFI Choke

WE RECOMMEND INSTALLING AN RFI CHOKE AT THE FEEDPOINT OF THE TUNER.

An RFI choke helps prevent common-mode RF currents from traveling down the coax shield. This improves tuning stability, reduces RF interference in the shack, and enhances overall antenna system performance.

Lightning Arrestor

If you are installing a lightning arrestor inline with the CHA URT1, you must use the following model:

Morgan RF Systems M-303U-PP Coaxial Lightning Arrestor

Using the correct arrestor ensures proper RF performance while maintaining the DC and control signal path required for proper tuner operation.

Power Supply Warning for Long Coax Runs

If you are planning to use more than 100 feet (30 meters) of coaxial cable with the CHA URT1 Universal Remote Tuner, please be aware of the following limitation.

Due to the voltage and current requirements of the tuner and the resistance introduced by long coaxial cable runs, the power delivered through the coax may experience voltage drop or insufficient current delivery, which can result in improper tuner operation or failure to activate.

CHA URT1 Power Requirement

12–14V DC @ 1A

When using longer coaxial cables—especially RG-58, RG-8X, or similar cables with higher DC resistance—the power delivery from the coupler unit to the remote tuner can degrade significantly.

This can lead to:

• • The tuner not receiving enough voltage to operate
• • Inconsistent or failed tuning cycles
• • Increased stress on the tuner’s internal voltage regulation circuitry

Recommendations

• • Use low-resistance coaxial cable such as LMR-400 or RG-213
• • Keep coaxial cable length below 100 feet whenever possible
• • Use a remote power injection system or dedicated DC line if long coax runs are unavoidable
• • Ensure your power supply provides a stable 13.8V DC, verified at the tuner end of the coax

What’s Included

The CHA URT1 system includes:

• • 1 × Universal Remote Tuner 1
• • 1 × Coupler Unit
• • 1 × 12V Hardwire Power Cord
• • 2 × U-Bolt Attachment Brackets with Hardware
• • 2 × U-Bolts (1/4” × 1-3/4” × 3”)

Specifications

Frequency Range:

1.8 – 54.0 MHz

Power Handling

HF: 125W SSB/CW

6M: 100W SSB/CW

Digital Modes: 30W recommended maximum

Tuning Power

Tuning Power Range: 0.5 – 15W

Maximum Recommended Tuning Power: 10W

Tuning Speed

Full tune: approximately 5 seconds

Memory tune: approximately 0.1 second

Memory Capacity

16,000 stored frequencies

Power Supply

12 – 14 VDC, 1A

Operating Temperature

14°F (-10°C) to 140°F (60°C)

Tuner Unit

Dimensions: 8.8 × 5.1 × 1.8 inches

(223 mm × 130 mm × 45 mm)

Weight: 38.8 oz (1100 g)

Coupler Unit

Dimensions: 5.0 × 4.1 × 1.7 inches

(128 mm × 105 mm × 43 mm)

Weight: 14.1 oz (400 g)

Electrical Characteristics

Current Consumption: 500 mA or less

The URT1 uses magnetic latching relays. Once tuning is completed, the relays latch and power is removed, significantly reducing battery drain—an important feature for portable and field operations.

The tuned frequency is stored in memory. When returning to a previously tuned frequency, the URT1 recalls the stored settings and completes tuning almost instantly.

Optional Accessories

• • 12V Power Supply (120 VAC, 1 Amp)
• • 3 ft 50-Ohm RG-58C/U Coaxial Cable with Stranded Center Conductor