What is the difference between the different colors of antennas?

Our Signal Stick™ antennas are carefully engineered to interact with electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum (approximately 380-700nm) in distinct ways – for example, the “yellow” Signal Stick™ is specifically formulated to reflect light at a wavelength of roughly 570nm while absorbing other wavelengths, causing it to appear what humans typically describe as “yellow.”

The “Glow in the Dark” Signal Stick™ employs phosphorescence, absorbing photons from ambient light (particularly in the ultra-violet range) and then gradually re-emitting them at a longer wavelength when in low-light conditions. This creates what the human visual cortex interprets as a greenish glow, leading to the scientifically accurate descriptor “Glow in the Dark.”

Wed, Sep 18, 2024

Why are my SWR meter results so [good / bad]?

TL;DR

Before you celebrate or panic over your SWR readings, test the antenna in a real-world situation. The SWR you measure on a meter is not necessarily the SWR you’ll get during normal use.

Understanding SWR Readings

The Super-Elastic Signal Stick™ is a 1/4 wave design for 2 meters, which also happens to function as 3/4 wavelength on 70cm. This makes it a monopole antenna, or in other words, half of a dipole. The other half of the dipole is formed by your radio’s chassis and whatever happens to be around it—meaning your actual SWR will constantly change based on your environment and usage. This variability is typical with nearly all HT antennas, including rubber duck antennas, which are also monopoles with added coils to adjust electrical length.

Tue, Sep 17, 2024

Are you going to make a 6 meter Signal Stick™?

Signal Sticks™ are 1/4 wavelength on the primary frequency (2 meters); they handle 70cm by a convenience of math that says that a 1/4 wavelength on 146MHz is also a 3/4 wavelength on 440MHz.

In order to work on 6 meters it would need to be a 1/4 wavelength on 6 meters. A 6 meter Signal Stick™ would be about 51 inches long; we’ve been experimenting with making longer Signal Stalks™ (vehicle mount) and a 40" long Signal Stalk™ is only barely usable – and only because we use 3mm diameter wire for it. Signal Sticks™ are made with 1.5mm diameter wire. In short, a 6m Signal Stick™ would be too long to even stand up on its own.

Wed, Sep 18, 2024

Are you going to make a half-wave Signal Stick?

We are not; for multiple reasons, but most particularly:

• A 40" long Signal Stick™ would not be able to hold itself erect even when stationary — much less if you moved around with it.

• We don’t currently have a good way to make the matching section at the base (or middle) which would be needed to make a 1/2 wave antenna viable.

We are experimenting with some designs which would have improved performance in the 70cm band at a similar length, but would have lower power limits. There are a lot of challenges, so we’ll see how it goes!

Wed, Sep 18, 2024

Do you sell any tri-band antennas?

Sadly, no. We hope to some day, but we need some help from an antenna engineer with more skill than we have. Perhaps some day. If you have a design you want to share to make one of our current antennas tri-band please let us know =]

Wed, Sep 18, 2024

I have a question not answered here! How can I ask it?

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

Wed, Sep 18, 2024

Do you have an antenna or adapter that fits my Motorola radio?

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.

Tue, Oct 29, 2024

Can I use the Signal Stick™ for GMRS, MURS, or Other Frequencies?

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.

Fri, Oct 25, 2024

Do you sell the glow-in-the-dark tips by themselves?

We do not sell the tips individually, but you can contact support at orders@signalstuff.com to request a replacement if yours has fallen off.

Tips can be reinstalled using gel superglue or epoxy. Many people also use a ball of hot glue if they lose the tip and don’t want to bother with a replacement part.

Note: For any kind of return or replacement, we require a photo of the product to understand the situation and confirm it’s one of ours.

Fri, Oct 25, 2024

I ordered the wrong connector. How do I exchange it?

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.

Fri, Oct 25, 2024