TL;DR

The Signal Strand™ acts as a counterpoise or “ground plane” for your antenna, improving performance by providing the electrical balance needed to create a proper dipole antenna. This typically results in better radiation patterns and improved efficiency.

What is a counterpoise?

Think of an antenna as needing two parts to work effectively:

1. The antenna element that sticks up from your radio (like your Signal Stick)
2. A ground reference or counterpoise

Without a counterpoise, your antenna is only “half” of what it needs to be. Your radio’s case and your body end up acting as an improper ground plane, which can lead to inconsistent performance and interference.

How does it help?

The Signal Strand™ transforms your antenna system from a quarter-wave monopole into a more efficient half-wave dipole by:

• Providing a consistent ground reference
• Reducing the influence of your body on the antenna
• Creating a more balanced radiation pattern
• Improving overall antenna efficiency

When should I use it?

A Signal Strand™ can be particularly helpful when:

• Operating portable/handheld
• Working at the edge of your normal range
• In challenging RF environments
• When maximum performance is needed

Will I always need it?

No! That’s why our Signal Strand™ adapters are designed to work with or without the strand attached. If you’re getting good performance without it, or if having a wire hanging down would be inconvenient, you can simply remove the strand connector and use the adapter normally.

In Summary

The Signal Strand™ provides the “other half” of your antenna system, improving performance by creating a proper ground plane reference. While not always necessary, it’s a valuable tool for optimizing your portable radio operations.

TL;DR

Standard Signal Strand™ lengths for Signal Stick™ antennas:

• Dual-Band Signal Stick™: ~18.5" for 2m/70cm ham bands, ~16.5" for GMRS/MURS
• 440 Monoband: ~6.25" for 70cm band, ~5.25" for GMRS
• 220 Monoband: ~12.5" for 1.25m band

Dual-Band Signal Stick™ Lengths

For the dual-band Signal Stick, choose your length based on your primary use:

• Amateur Radio Bands

  • 144-148 MHz (2m) and 440 MHz (70cm): ~18.5"
  • This length is optimized for both bands simultaneously

• GMRS and MURS

  • 151-154 MHz (MURS) and 462-467 MHz (GMRS): ~16.5"
  • Optimized for both services’ frequency ranges
  • This actually adjusts the ideal frequency of the Signal Stick™ up to the GMRS and MURS bands

Monoband Signal Stick™ Lengths

If you’re using a monoband Signal Stick™, you can optimize specifically for your band:

• 440 MHz Monoband

  • Amateur Radio (70cm band): ~6.25"
  • GMRS (462-467 MHz): ~5.25"

• 220 MHz Monoband

  • 222-225 MHz (1.25m band): ~12.5"

Using Other Antennas?

While these lengths are optimized for Signal Stick™ antennas, they may improve performance with other antennas as well. However, due to variations in antenna design and characteristics, you might need to experiment to find the optimal length for non-Signal Stick™ antennas.

Tips for Best Results

• Cut slightly longer than needed at first - you can always trim more
• Ensure clean connections at the spade terminal
• Keep the wire straight when possible
• Avoid coiling excess wire

In Summary

Choose your Signal Strand™ length based on your:

1. Antenna type (Dual-Band vs Monoband)
2. Primary operating band or service
3. Whether you need multi-band optimization

The pre-cut Signal Strand™ (~18.5") is optimized for dual-band ham radio use, but can be trimmed for other applications.

TL;DR

Install your Signal Strand™ adapter between your radio and antenna, attach the Signal Strand™ wire using the spade connector, and let it hang naturally. Best performance comes when the wire hangs straight down without touching other objects.

Installation Steps

1. Prepare Your Equipment

   • BNC Signal Strand™ adapter (SMA-F to BNC-F or SMA-M to BNC-F)
   • Signal Strand™ wire (or compatible counterpoise wire)
   • Your BNC antenna
   • Your radio

2. Assemble the Adapter

   • Place one (1) silver ring connector with spade terminal on your Signal Strand™ adapter
   • Add the silver washer
   • Secure with the black conductive nut – wait to tigthen

3. Final Install

   • Screw the adapter into (or onto) your radio.
   • Attach the wire’s spade connector by sliding it onto the male spade terminal on the ring
   • The wire should hang freely and should be directed out away from the radio
   • Tighten the black conductive nut with the wire in the desired position.

Positioning Tips

• Let the wire hang straight down when possible
• Avoid coiling or bunching the wire
• Keep the wire away from metal objects
• Don’t worry if the wire moves during use – some movement is normal and this is a handheld setup, nothing will be perfect.

**Using the adapter without the Strand **

The adapter works fine without the wire – just remove whatever part of the ring assembly you wish and leave whatever else in place.

The only drawback to removing more parts is the increased likelihood of losing them. We don’t currently sell individual parts for replacements, that’s why we included an extra ring with spade!

When to Remove the Strand

You may want to remove the Signal Strand™ wire when:

• It is annoying
• It creates a hazard
• You want to be more boring

Remember: The Signal Strand™ system is designed to be flexible – use it when you need the performance boost and remove it when you don’t.

TL;DR

You can make your own Signal Strand™ wire using flexible insulated wire and either soldering directly to one of the included ring connectors or using a 4.0 - 4.8mm female spade connector. Choose super-flexible wire with durable insulation for best results.

The below instructions are the same regardless of the length of your DIY Signal Strand™, but you will want to make sure you use the correct length for the frequencies you plan to operate on!

Method 1: Quick Connect

The easiest method uses a female spade connector:

1. What You’ll Need

   • 4.8mm female spade quick splice connector
   • Flexible insulated wire
   • Wire strippers
   • Crimping tool

2. Assembly Steps

   • Cut wire to desired length (see our length selection guide)
   • Strip ~1/4" of insulation from one end
   • Crimp the spade connector onto the stripped end
   • Optional: Add heat shrink tubing over the connection

Method 2: Direct Solder

For a more permanent solution:

1. What You’ll Need

   • Soldering iron
   • Rosin core solder
   • Flexible insulated wire
   • Wire strippers
   • Heat shrink tubing

2. Assembly Steps

   • Cut wire to desired length
   • Strip ~1/4" of insulation from one end
   • Tin both the wire and the ring connector
   • Solder wire to one of the connector points
   • Cover with heat shrink tubing

Wire Recommendations

For best results, use:

• Super flexible silicone-insulated wire
• 16-22 AWG size
• Stranded (not solid) wire – the finer the strands the more flexible the wire
• Durable outer insulation

Tips for Success

• Choose wire that won’t easily snag on objects
• Make sure connections are secure
• Use heat shrink tubing to protect connections and prevent wire from shorting out to anything.
• Cut slightly longer than needed – you can always trim later
• Test the connection before final assembly

In Summary

Making your own Signal Strand™ wire is straightforward:

1. Choose your connection method (quick connect or solder)
2. Use high-quality flexible wire
3. Make secure connections
4. Protect the connection point

Remember: Whether you buy our pre-made Signal Strand™ or make your own, the key is using flexible, durable wire that won’t catch on things during use.

TL;DR

For GMRS and MURS, the optimal Signal Strand™ length depends on your antenna type:

• Dual-Band Signal Stick™: ~16.5"
• 440 Monoband Signal Stick™ (GMRS only): ~5.25"

Understanding the Lengths

The Signal Strand™ wire acts as a counterpoise, improving antenna performance by balancing it. The ideal length varies based on the operating frequency and antenna type:

• GMRS (462-467 MHz) and MURS (151-154 MHz): Use ~16.5" with a Dual-Band Signal Stick™.
• GMRS only: Use ~5.25" with a 440 Monoband Signal Stick™ for better single-band performance.

Can I Use Other Antennas?

The provided lengths are specifically tuned for Signal Stick™ antennas. While they may work with other antennas, performance can vary based on the design. Feel free to experiment to find what works best for your setup.

In Summary

• Dual-Band Signal Stick™: ~16.5" for GMRS and MURS
• 440 Monoband Signal Stick™: ~5.25" for GMRS

Cut your Signal Strand™ to these lengths for optimal performance.

The easiest way is to email orders@signalstuff.com and we’ll answer as soon as we can.

Motorola radios can use a variety of antenna connector types, and unfortunately, we don’t have a practical way to support all of them.

Connector Compatibility

• If your Motorola radio uses a standard SMA connector, one of our Signal Sticks™ or adapters may fit. However, many Motorola radios use non-standard connectors that are not compatible with our products, even if they look nearly like a standard adapter.

What to Do If You’re Unsure

If you already know the connector type, we’re happy to help you find the right antenna or adapter. However, if you’re unsure which connector your Motorola radio uses, we likely won’t know either and won’t be able to assist further.

We recommend checking your radio’s documentation or reaching out to a Motorola-specific supplier to confirm the connector type. Your best bet is probably to find a BNC adapter which fits your radio and then you can use our BNC Signal Sticks.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at orders@signalstuff.com, and we’ll do our best to help where we can.

Yes, Signal Sticks™ can be used with many scanners, but there are a few things to keep in mind regarding performance and connector compatibility.

Frequency Performance

Any antenna will pick up signals on any frequency—the question is how well it will perform. Signal Sticks™ are tuned for the 2-meter and 70cm amateur radio bands, meaning they perform best within those ranges. As you move further from these frequencies, performance will diminish, but the Signal Stick™ can still work reasonably well for receiving signals on many other bands, particularly those close to the Amateur Radio bands it is tuned for.

For general scanner use, the dual-band Signal Stick™ is often the best choice since its longer length helps with broader frequency coverage. However, if you’re focusing on 220 MHz the 220 monoband antenna may be a better fit.

Connector Compatibility

Most scanners use BNC connectors, but this isn’t always the case. Be sure to verify the connector type on your scanner to ensure it matches the Signal Stick™ you order. If the connectors don’t match, you’ll need an adapter. Some scanners also have proprietary connectors which make it difficult or impossible to use an aftermarket antenna that isn’t specifically designed for that scanner.

Helpful Resources

Check out the product animations on our Signal Stick™ pages to see how the different connectors work. These visuals can help you determine the right antenna and adapter setup for your scanner.

In short, the Signal Stick™ will pick up signals across a wide range of frequencies, but performance will be best when the signal is close to the antenna’s tuned range.

Yes, Signal Sticks™ can physically connect to any radio with the right adapter or connector, but performance depends on how close the operating frequency is to the antenna’s tuning. Since Signal Sticks™ are optimized for the amateur radio bands (2 meters and 70cm), performance will diminish the further you move from these frequencies.

Here’s what to expect on other common bands:

• Aircraft band (VHF, below 2 meters): Performance will be reduced, as this band is significantly lower than the tuned range. It may still work, but it won’t be ideal.
• MURS (VHF) and Marine band (VHF): These bands are closer to the tuned frequencies, so the antenna should work reasonably well, though not perfectly.
• GMRS (UHF): Signal Sticks™ perform adequately on GMRS, though they won’t provide as much gain as some commercial antennas. However, they can handle more power, offering an advantage in certain situations. The gain should be similar on any antenna with a similar length (about 6 inches long), even the stock antenna if it isn’t shorter than that.

If you plan to operate on frequencies above the tuned range, you have the option of trimming the antenna slightly shorter for better performance. However, measuring SWR accurately can be tricky, as anything you do to measure SWR will itself affect the reading. We recommend doing signal strength tests instead.

Tip: It’s usually best to try the antenna “as-is” before cutting it as it may work fine without changes; also, remember that this only helps for frequencies above the intended range. If you decide to cut it, leave us a note in your order, and we’ll include a spare tip that you can glue on using epoxy or gel superglue.

If you ordered an antenna with the wrong connector, no problem! Just send it back in the original packaging to the following return address:

Signal Stuff
881 W State St Ste 140 PMB 203
Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

To avoid any kind of damage please ship the antenna in packaging which keeps it at least mostly straight, not coiled. A USPS flat rate envelope is fine, but is the most it should be bent during shipping. The original packaging is the easiest option if you still have it.

We recommend emailing us the tracking information at orders@signalstuff.com so we know to look out for it. This also helps in case the package gets lost or delayed in the mail, which we unfortunately see happen sometimes—especially with USPS shipments.

Please note:

• We will refund your order once we receive the return.
• Shipping costs will not be refunded since we cannot recover those costs.

The cheapest way to return the antenna is usually USPS First Class or USPS Ground Advantage.

On the Product page, you can select your radio’s make and model at the top of the page, and it will show you the antennas and adapters that fit it directly.

If you want to use an adapter, that may change things somewhat, depending on the configuration.

You can also use the SignalStuff Pick Tool to find the configurations that will work with your radio.