25 ft stainless telescopic whips compared
A 25 ft stainless telescopic whip on a ground spike or clamp makes a quick, no-tuner-needed vertical for portable HF. Here are five popular ones side by side, with the specs each maker or dealer publishes.
We make the HRD25, so we’ve listed where the others do better too. Specs checked October 30, 2026.
Specs side by side
| Feature | HRD25 (ours) | Chameleon SS25 | Intellitron TA-1325 | Opek OP-SS-25F | REZ Z-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $100.00 at DX Engineering when we checked | $79.95 at GigaParts when we checked | $79.95 at Ham Radio Outlet ($69.95 on sale through Oct 31, 2026) | $100.00 at DX Engineering when we checked |
| Extended length | 25 ft (7.6 m) | 25 ft | 25 ft | 25 ft | 25 ft (7.62 m) |
| Collapsed length | About 27 in | About 27 in | 25 in | 27 in | 26.25 in |
| Sections | 14 | 14 | Not listed | 14 | Not listed |
| Weight | 24 oz (1 lb 8 oz) | About 20.8 oz (1.3 lb) | Not listed | About 20.8 oz (0.59 kg) | 23.8 oz |
| Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Power rating | Tested at 100 W SSB and digital. More customer feedback needed for real-world results above 100 W | 1,000 W PEP | Not listed | 1,000 W | 1,000 W PEP |
| Mounting thread | 3/8-24 | 3/8-24 | 3/8-24 | 3/8-24 | 3/8-24 with cross pin |
| Availability | In stock | Varies by dealer | Varies | In stock at HRO when we checked | Varies by dealer |
| Where to buy | Ham Radio Dude on Etsy | DX Engineering, GigaParts, other dealers | GigaParts | Ham Radio Outlet stores and website | DX Engineering, REZ dealers |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Which one is right for you?
Chameleon SS25
Good pick if: You plan to run an amplifier over 100 W, or want Chameleon’s low-band coils.
Intellitron TA-1325
Good pick if: You want the shortest pack size.
Opek OP-SS-25F
Good pick if: You plan to run an amplifier over 100 W, or want to pick one up at an HRO store today.
REZ Z-25
Good pick if: You already own REZ gear or plan to run an amplifier over 100 W.
HRD25
Good pick if: You run a typical 100 W or QRP radio and want the same size whip for about $40 less.
See it in use
Common questions
Which telescopic whip should I buy?
It depends on how you operate. Pick the Chameleon SS25 if you plan to run an amplifier over 100 W, or want Chameleon’s low-band coils. Pick the Intellitron TA-1325 if you want the shortest pack size. Pick the Opek OP-SS-25F if you plan to run an amplifier over 100 W, or want to pick one up at an HRO store today. Pick the REZ Z-25 if you already own REZ gear or plan to run an amplifier over 100 W. Pick the HRD25 if you run a typical 100 W or QRP radio and want the same size whip for about $40 less.
What bands does a 25 ft whip cover?
Used as a vertical with radials and a tuner or matching unit, a 25 ft whip covers roughly 30 m through 6 m. Lower bands need a loading coil.
Do I need radials with a telescopic whip?
Yes. A vertical whip needs a counterpoise: a few radial wires laid on the ground and connected to your mount. Without them the antenna won’t work well.
Where these specs come from
- DX Engineering: CHA-SS25 listing
- GigaParts: TA-1325 listing
- Intellitron: TA-1325 page
- Ham Radio Outlet: OP-SS-25F listing
- DX Engineering: REZ Z-25 listing
- Our own specs come from our product listings.
We checked every listing on October 30, 2026. Prices and stock change often, so check the seller before you buy. Where a seller doesn’t publish a spec, we say “Not listed” instead of guessing. Spot a mistake? Message us on Etsy and we’ll fix it.
Chameleon SS25, Intellitron TA-1325, Opek OP-SS-25F, REZ Z-25 are names and trademarks of their owners. Ham Radio Dude is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.