Ham Radio - The Super Elastic Signal Stick antenna review and testing

[@1MasterLi]

Ordered a Signal Stick antenna, thanks for the review. THUMBS UP

[@jakeestepp4406]

I love my Signal Stick. I keep it in my go box and it rolls up nicely out of the way, and performs awesome.

[@Inkling777]

When I lived in Seattle, I did some real-life testing using a repeater on Whitby Island that was very marginal from my location. A rubber ducky was worthless. A quarter wave worked fine and a telescoping half-wave was better. A 'tiger tail' to give a bit of a counterpoise also helped. Another approach is how people test the sensitivity of FM radio tuners. They see how many stations its auto-tune function will pick up-the more the better. For a handheld, pick several marginal repeaters from your location and see how many each antenna will hit. Get far enough away to reduce the influence of your body on each.

[@cooldad4]

Bought one and imported to the UK, it's my everyday antenna for the yaesu ft-70de. I'm pleased with it!

[@bthemedia]

SWR bench test summary spreadsheet @7:15 # Antenna - Freq of lowest SWR - SWR @146Mhz Signal Stick - 148 Mhz - 2 (3rd) Baofeng duck - 140 Mhz - 3.1 Old R.S. duck - 150 Mhz - 3.1 MFJ 1715 super - 150 Mhz - 1.3 (2nd) Yaesu duck - 145 Mhz - 1.1 (1st) Distance test summary spreadsheet @16:30 (left side cropped off) # Antenna - drop out - gone ? Signal Stick - 55 yards - 70 yards (1st) ? duck - 50 yards - 65 yards (2nd) ? Yaesu - 45 yards - 60 yards (3rd) MFJ 1715 super - 40-45 yards - 60 yards ? Baofeng 5r - 35 yards - 60 yards ? Baofeng 6r - 20 yards - 30 yards

[@EricThompsonN6SPP]

Thnx Kevin- Also take a look at the 3ft telescoping “Smalley” 1/2 wave 2m antennas and the old “AL-800” 1/2 wave hi-gain antennas .. these are a bit more robust and slightly heavier, but I’ve found that they outperform these common flexi whip units( small stress proof sma-bnc adapters are avail)..These 1/2 wave types couple/counterpoise nice with your arm/body too..73,n6spp

[@TictacAddict1]

My first Signal Stick had a short male sma member. Took pictures and sent them to Signal Stuff. They sent me a new antenna and shipping label to return the faulty one. I own 3 of their antennas. All excellent.

[@KTSAdventures]

Hello Kevin! I am also Kevin. I have enjoyed your postings. Lord you are leaps and bounds, in another universe cp to me...ha ha. Love that you took out on the road with the radios and are sharing along the way. Great concept. I wanted to note a few things I have been looking into that NO ONE, that I have found, addresses your first antenna tuning. I bought a CHV-5X and have dabbled in EFHW/Random wire configurations and pretty much no one is hearing me. So, I either blew my finals or I am a despot in HAM radio or a combo. So I looked online and no one says, " For your first HF antenna, here is what you do...." Yup, I understand, get a club, get an Elmer, read etc.... I really do get that. I work a great deal, bought an antenna analyser and am running into narrow areas, tuned and re-tuned and am just wanting to talk/CW on 20M for now. I do understand that there is no hard x, y and z rules given a varied environment, but what do you suggest for people in my boat? I think I can hear you say, place the antenna in position, use the analyser, adjust, reposition repeatedly till I have it right? Right? It that is the case, I might need a new analyser or an e-elmer..want to be mine? It would be a first....LOL (not really) Thanks, Kevin N0AJX

[@keithhart6196]

I'll probably end up talking to you one of these days I'm on the Auburn repeater a lot on the way to and from work at night seeing that your right there in kendallville

[@miriamsmith7135]

I just bought a signal stick just before I watched your video, just to try out.. I want to see how well it is compared to my Comet SMA 24j... I have a Diamond SRJ 77ca which is good but not as food as the Comet.. Thanks for doing the video..

[@kurtjoyner56]

Hello Kevin. I enjoy your videos. This one may have been topped off by adding a counter poise at the drop out points of each antenna. A statement of their actual lengths would be cool too. Thanks man , you do good work . Kurt Joyner Charlotte NC

[@JamesP6084]

Hi Kevin, my Nagoya NA-771 out performs my original Baofeng antenna I wonder how the Signal stick compares I might try one 73's VK6NJP

[@n9eerptr]

I've heard the same thing that Nagoya antennas work best for this type antenna.

[@chrispierce2942]

My na 771 outperforms a 5 foot n9tax slim Jim

[@nojiratzlaff4388]

My Signal Stick blows both my Nagoya NA-771 and NA-775 whips out of the water.

[@TrippMeLaguna]

Nice review and appreciate the simple explanation. Would have liked to have a little bit more of summary/recommendations based on the whole test because the raw numbers may not tell the full story.

[@arthurdent8091]

Great video Kevin. I'm trying to purchase one right now. Thanks to you and your equally freezing buddy. 73

[@cuban9splat]

Transmitter output should be in watts, not horse power LOL. Love your traveling music. Good review. The Signal Stick surprised me too but not a lot. It appears to be a quarter-wave which should perform better than the shorter, loaded antennas. Good job Kevin. Thank you.73 DE K7RMJ Frank

[@Jimwill01]

Maybe, due to the low temps and wind, he was wishing he had a horse to ride? lol

[@usarmyfl1]

Thanks for the review!

[@kareneighth6045]

I have a signal stock and it’s ok. The duck that came with my uv-82 is actually better though. Better still is the TWAYRDIO RH 660s. At 42” it should be right?

[@Henfredemars]

Hello. I’m not yet a ham. How can it be that a higher SWR antenna provides a better signal given the same transmitter power?

[@bobturner3500]

Should check also with a counterpoise of 19" and see if that works better.

[@JT-py9lv]

Have one on my FT70 - Love it !

[@JT-py9lv]

UPDATE: I now have 4 of these. All perform VERY WELL.

[@atom7749-ro]

This is the best antenna reviews I ever seen. Thank you. Can you recommend a antenna for Radioddity GA-510 ? I want the best range possible. Thank you

[@kf4dcy501]

I bought a nagoya na24j that looks strongly like that antenna.

[@HamstudyOrg]

The nagoya na24j is a clone of the comet SMA-24J, which is fairly similar -- it may work a little better on 70cm while the signal stick will be better on 2m. I think both the Comet and the Nagoya are 5/8 wave antennas whereas the signal stick is a 1/4 wave on 2m, 3/4 on 70cm.

[@YosenBMamma]

I'll try to be more tactful than *ron wright.* - - - Here are some issues I see with your testing methodologies: First, you tested the resonance of the antennas while they were resting horizontally against the table. A better test would have been to hold the tester/antenna in the more typical vertical orientation. Also, measuring the SWR is irrelevant, if you're only going to test the antenna for receiving. And besides, walking down the parking lot, holding the radio against your body, is about as unscientific as you can get. Secondly; aside for the original duck, you tested the *"SignalStuff"* antenna against antennas that most people probably don't have. So, realizing, of course, that it would required a significantly greater investment, I think a better test might have been against other optional antennas; like maybe, *Comet* or *Diamond.* Just saying. Lastly, perhaps you could invest in an inexpensive *Signal Strength Meter* and an *Inline Attenuator.* That way you could have the guy at the table transmit on each antenna, with micro-power, while you measure the actual signal strength at the other end of the parking lot. I've been a ham for nearly 40 years. 73!

[@hectorpascal]

I also worried about "blocking" the transmitted signal with a car! 2 metre radio waves will diffract around an irregular object that size, and the signal strength pattern the other side will be anybody's guess! I also firmly believe that videos like this should always contain up-front a prominent written and spoken warning statement: "Low VSWR is not a guarantee of efficient antenna radiation" !

[@oldmanandguitar]

Hi, if you have a 3/8 antenna base you can make a full size flexible whip with a heavy gauge steel bass guitar string for less than $3. 2e0deq.

[@loughkb]

Neat idea!

[@crx_ninja]

Great review de N9SIR Tony

[@junkman2758]

another great video. thanks. just ordered one.

[@banjax66]

Hello Kevin. Do you know if the 'Super Elastic Signal Stick' antenna will fit in to the Baofeng GT-3TP? As I have found most after-market antennas are too wide at the base and wont fit in to the recessed male SMA connector on the GT-3TP. Ian.. M6IFZ

[@loughkb]

Hello Ian, Sorry, I don't know. I know the base was pretty small, but I don't have one of those radios. You could ask Richard over on Signalstuff, he makes the antenna and might have measurements and dimensions on the base that you could compare against your radio.

[@banjax66]

An original antenna from a Baofeng UV-5R will fit the newer Baofeng GT-3TP. So if the base of the 'Super Elastic Signal Stick' antenna is the same width as an original Baofeng ''Rubber Duckie' , I guess the Signal Stick should fit GT-3TP... Ian..

[@loughkb]

It did fit my UV5R and Ric's UV6R perfectly, so I think you're right. I know I'll be buying one.

[@HamstudyOrg]

It should; at *worst* you might have to trim back the plastic casing around the connector, but we actually bought one of the GT-3 style radios to test the fit, so it should be fine.

[@sreagle9430]

Our local ARES Group has found that the Diamond SRJ77CA works Great and no trimming for the GT-3TP

[@kf4dcy501]

hello build a coat hanger ground plain and test one of those along side the ducks.

[@krisraps]

When You Did The Field test, You ShouldPut The radio On Your SHoulder Level Or Front Pocket Level, That Would be A Good Idea, But Hey, Thatts Just A Note

[@aaroncunningham5381]

What is the model number for the Yaesu antenna.

[@outdoorman808]

Good video thanks for sharing with us

[@krisraps]

I Wish I Could Get Such A Antenna Meter As You Have, Cant Believe You Mought It For 30 Dolars. Thats Crazy :(

[@gamingforlive2150]

Can u please Give me a bit of experience here since im considering buying a signal stick since i would like to have it as a medium large antenna in my go boxk so my normal antenna is a verry small one and im planing on buying a large one and a signal stick since it is in the middle of size

[@davidvaughn7752]

Wouldn't a better performance test be a distance Simplex test rather than the dummy load thing? Testing each antenna at multiple predesignated points seems more practical and you could do away with the car as a shield which didn't really seem to make much sense to me anyhow. You could have even transmitted to your friend as you were approaching his home QTH, stop and TX with all the antennas at predesignated spots, and then move on. Would have been much more interesting to watch. Good basic info, anyhow. K7GYB

[@mholman9711]

I appreciate this test and understand it is relative... there is a butt load of various that come into play with HTs and it is impossible to account for them all.. Thanks for the post

[@johnk8091]

I appreciate the effort you went to, but it would have been FAR more accurate for the range test to use a field strength meter with a large screen, on an open field, and switch transmitting antennas and read which one deflects the field strength meter the most. Walking while moving the HT around with so many variables, with the body attenuating the signal, is just not going to give very reliable results. I have a whole bunch of HT antennas including several elastic signal sticks, and also a LARGE field strength meter. I will do that test when I get the time, it will be interesting

[@stevec5000]

But how were they on 440?

[@Supercazzola]

he can't test it using that MFJ model he had. What could be more useful would be using an antenna analyzer with graphing capability and overlay them. I don't trust MFJ - period...

[@jeffreygiven7388]

Do they make a tri band one?

[@gs-nt6nf]

What is name of the heavy antenna? Thanks

[@nevets68]

The only thing i don't like about the super elastic signal stick is the gap between the antenna and the radio (in my case a Baofeng uv-5r.)

[@VladimirLadev]

What is the model of the Yaesu antenna?

[@loughkb]

It's been a long time since I made this. I think I might have been using the rubber duck that came with the FT817.

[@VladimirLadev]

@@loughkb it may be YHA 63 or 64. I think I found it. Thank you so much for the video and response. Just about to take my exam and sucking in info like a vacuum. Have a good day 73.

[@krisraps]

You Should Open Them up, I Have Made ANtennas From Old Motorcycle Cable Guard Coils :) Works Good, Banmdwith Is Wider Then The Rubber Duck From The Original Boafengs And Quansheng !

[@Rambacy]

Hi Kevin, Which one Super Elastic Signal antenna should be for Wouxun KG-UV9D Dual Band Radio Female or Male. My radio is on the way so I really don't know what type of antenna should be on it. Thank you.

[@loughkb]

I don't know. But I'm sure if you contact the manufacturer, he will know which one you need.

[@confusingdalek709]

is that a ts-440s in the background?

[@loughkb]

Yep, my old radio. It has a new home now.

[@maytronix7201]

So I have a triband Yaesu HT. What antenna works best with 1.25?

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

I believe the company makes one specifically for 220 mhz.

[@liviugabreanu-yo3fyo354]

Hello What power does Rick pump in dummy load, 0,5W, 1W, 5W, 10W?

[@loughkb]

0.5W.

[@kf4dcy501]

true 2 to 1 is OK. 3 to 1 not so much. on vhf 3 to 1 will kill a final after long use. on uhf 3 to 1 isn't near as damaging. this told to me by a broadcast station engineer.

[@KC9RXP]

"wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the wind" that's an Indiana thing. Lol

[@marylouiseacebedo706]

All that is nice but real life Range difference? other words why this antenna over stock? (I agree it supporting a good cause but way buy another antenna if the one i got is working Just as well?)

[@hubzcaps]

Nitinol????

[@spikebr]

Yes.

[@siriusham1145]

Why do you measure SWR in horizontal position? As we all know portable antennas are made to be used on HT, which is usualy is held vertical, also polarization is of course vertical. Measuring this in such a way you'll get highly unreliable results, I know it from my own measurements (see my channel).

[@joeframo3347]

That antenna that guy makes the rest of yours terrible on it the Yaesu antenna that was the best SWR was great across the two meter band what's wrong with his antennas that he makes why is the SWR so outrageous it's not a good SWR I'm not going to burn the finals in my radio I'll stick with the Yaesu

[@jbx907]

why would you even test the rx capability of those baofeng dumb radios

[@loughkb]

If you're going to attempt to troll comments, you might at least make an effort to be on topic.

[@lonestarprepper0156]

Because many people use them. They are very popular.

[@escapetherace1943]

I guess tagging a 30 mile away repeater with a 4w baofeng is trolling, stay mad bud

[@n9eerptr]

this is NOT a rubber duck, hi. I cannot believe this clown did the test with his body between the HT and rcv antenna/rig and was not vert during much of the test. Video is waste of time. But this is Ham Radio and what can one expect from this type of tech.

[@loughkb]

I'll ignore the name calling. I was unable to attain enough attenuation over the 100 yards I had to work with, my body provided the additional needed to get the signal to drop out over the short distance. I was rotating the HT to see which angles the antennas were more sensitive at, but only paid attention to the drop out when vertical and in the same orientation for noting distance. The comparison was of relative performance of each antenna in similar conditions. We don't all have a commercial lab to work with, so I do what I can with what I have.

[@coylemorris3699]

enjoy your videos Kevin

[@KC9RXP]

"wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the wind" that's an Indiana thing. Lol