NVIS · Wire Antennas
A wire radiator or wire antenna system for documented horizontal, sloping, inverted-V, inverted-L, dipole, or NVIS use.
Why operators make room for it
Shape the antenna around the site—not the other way around
Wire antennas reward the operator who can read the site and choose a practical geometry before the first line is thrown.
That is where CHA NVIS enters the kit. Chameleon Antenna has taken the world’s most popular NVIS antenna, the U.S. Army’s AS-2259/GR, and made it better by making it lighter, more portable, and with increased frequency coverage while not sacrificing the ruggedness needed for hard field use. It was built for the jungles of Vietnam but is now ready for your harshest EMCOMM environment.
That flexibility gives an operator a credible path from a compact field kit to a full-size radiator, while the official configuration still governs feedpoint, support, tuning, and safety choices.
Quick product reference
Key Specifications
- Product type
- Wire Antennas
- Primary role
- A wire radiator or wire antenna system for documented horizontal, sloping, inverted-V, inverted-L, dipole, or NVIS use.
- Frequency
- 1.8-54.0 MHz (with external tuner)
- Power
- 500W SSB, 250W CW, 50W High Duty Cycle Digital Modes (5:1 UNUN)
- Height
- 15 ft.
- Weight
- Less than 3 lbs.
- Rf Connection
- UHF Plug (SO239).
- Frequency Range
- 1.8 MHz through 54.0 MHz continuous. Requires an antenna tuner on most frequencies (including Amateur Radio Service frequencies)
- Power Handling
- 100W intermittent Duty Cycle (SSB Phone); 50W medium Duty Cycle (CW, FM); 25W continuous duty cycle (AM, RTTY, FT8 and other High Duty Cycle digital modes)
- Length
- Each element has a combined length of 45 ft. for a total space required of 85 ft
- Swr
- Typically, less than 3:1, except for 5.5 and 9.8 MHz (±1.2 MHz)
- Color
- Subdued (light gray, green, flat dark earth, and black)
- Setup Time
- Two personnel, approximately 15 minutes
- Published package contents
- 2 X 25' (16ga. Tinned Copper KEVLAR PTFE (Teflon) (-70°C to 150°C) wire)
- 2 X 38' (16ga. Tinned Copper KEVLAR PTFE (Teflon) (-70°C to 150°C) wire)
- 4 X TENT STAKES
- 1 X TRANSFORMER
- 4 X WINDERS
- 2 X 7' MINI-PARACORD
- 2 X 20' MINI-PARACORD
- 1 X 50' MINI-PARACORD
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
Wire antennas reward the operator who can read the site and choose a practical geometry before the first line is thrown.
- What’s included
- 2 X 25' (16ga. Tinned Copper KEVLAR PTFE (Teflon) (-70°C to 150°C) wire)
- 2 X 38' (16ga. Tinned Copper KEVLAR PTFE (Teflon) (-70°C to 150°C) wire)
- 4 X TENT STAKES
- 1 X TRANSFORMER
- 4 X WINDERS
- 2 X 7' MINI-PARACORD
- 2 X 20' MINI-PARACORD
- 1 X 50' MINI-PARACORD
- What else you need
1.8 MHz through 54.0 MHz continuous. Requires an antenna tuner on most frequencies (including Amateur Radio Service frequencies)
- Limitations
- Carefully roll (do not twist) the Coaxial Cable.
- Replace assemblies that do not pass a continuity check.
- Expansion options
- CHA 50’ COAX
- CHA PORTA MAST 15 HD
- CHA DPACK
What an operator can do
- Select a documented horizontal, sloping, inverted-V, inverted-L, dipole, or NVIS arrangement.
- Raise the wire with a support that satisfies the antenna guide's height, load, insulation, and guying limits.
- Keep balanced dipole configurations symmetrical and do not add radial or counterpoise accessories unless the guide explicitly requires them.
Complete product details
This item is NOT suitable for military use. More ruggedized military versions of the products are available, along with the necessary fittings, through our partners at Shakespeare. Prices may vary from this site.
Chameleon Antenna has taken the world’s most popular NVIS antenna, the U.S. Army’s AS-2259/GR, and made it better by making it lighter, more portable, and with increased frequency coverage while not sacrificing the ruggedness needed for hard field use. It was built for the jungles of Vietnam but is now ready for your harshest EMCOMM environment. The Chameleon Antenna NVIS is a specialized antenna designed primarily for NVIS propagation and for use by Emergency Communication (EMCOMM) operators. The typical use case for the NVIS would be for use inside a disaster area where communications with emergency aid providers, who are located just outside the affected area, is required.
The NVIS antenna will operate from 1.8 – 54.0 MHz (including 160m – 6m Amateur Service bands) without any adjustment when used with an antenna tuner. This antenna requires one center support, approximately 15 feet in height, and is self-guying.
Specifications:
- Frequency: 1.8-54.0 MHz (with external tuner)
- Power: 500W SSB, 250W CW, 50W High Duty Cycle Digital Modes (5:1 UNUN)
- Height: 15 ft.
- Element Length: 45 ft
- Weight: Less than 3 lbs.
- RF Connection: UHF Plug (SO239).
- Set up time: Less than 15 min.
The NVIS Kit consists of:
- 2 X 25' (16ga. Tinned Copper KEVLAR PTFE (Teflon) (-70°C to 150°C) wire)
- 2 X 38' (16ga. Tinned Copper KEVLAR PTFE (Teflon) (-70°C to 150°C) wire)
- 4 X TENT STAKES
- 1 X TRANSFORMER
- 4 X WINDERS
- 2 X 7' MINI-PARACORD
- 2 X 20' MINI-PARACORD
- 1 X 50' MINI-PARACORD
- 1 X 50ft COAX W/ RFI Choke
- 1 X THROW BAG
- 1 X DUFFLE BAG
- Stainless Steel Hardware
