How does the Signal Strand™ counterpoise work?

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.

Tue, Nov 26, 2024

What length Signal Strand™ should I use?

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

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  Tue, Nov 26, 2024

How do I install and use my Signal Strand™?

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

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   Tue, Nov 26, 2024

How can I make my own Signal Strand™?

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!

Tue, Nov 26, 2024

What length Signal Strand™ should I use for GMRS/MURS?

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.

Tue, Nov 26, 2024