Signal Stick = WOW.

[Murphy625]

Got my new antenna today. Ordered a Signal Stick and wow is this a nice antenna.

I can pick up stations I could not previously hear. I got the newer version and its not as floppy as the older units but still coils up easily.

Doesn't seem to stress the antenna connection port either like the larger antenna. Especially when I lay the radio down and the antenna rests on something unevenly, you can tell its not putting stress on the radio as it just bends.

 

[Yagi]

I had to Google Signal Stick and that it is an HT antenna.

What kind of HT are you using it with?

Did you replace the stock antenna or another after market antenna?

 

[Murphy625]

I decided to order two of these antenna's.. One for a Boafeng UV5R (SMA) and one for a Kenwood TH-28A (BNC).. Now that I know how well they work, I'm going to order two more for my Yaesu's as well.

The Boafeng had the original duck on it.. the Kenwood TH-28a was purchased at a garage sale and had some other kind of antenna on it that seemed to work pretty well.. at least it was better than the Yaesu FT60r with the stock antenna.

So now I know, I'll be replacing all the antenna's with the Signal Sticks.. While my experience is limited, the difference is obvious, and I happen to be in a position to see it.. I'm in a rural area and there are very few signal sources around here. Even the NOAA station located in Flint is out of range for the stock antennas unless I go outside to one side of the house and stand in a specific spot.. and then I can hear it but barely. With the signal stick, I can hear it much better and can walk around.

There's also a repeater about 25 miles away that can't be hit at all with any of my HT's.. until I put the Signal Stick on them and they come alive.

Measured SWR at 1.3 on VHF.

But by far, the thing I like the most is that they don't stress the antenna ports.

 

[krokus]

I'm in a rural area and there are very few signal sources around here. Even the NOAA station located in Flint is out of range for the stock antennas unless I go outside to one side of the house and stand in a specific spot..

How far outside of Flint are you?

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[majoco]

From the "Signal Stick" web page....

Meaningful gain compared to a standard “rubber duck” antenna

Well, that's not hard to beat, is it!

 

[bgav]

Love my Signal Stick as well. Pairing it up with a RatTail and I'm able to hit repeaters that I'm only able to otherwise hit with my J-Pole using my VX-6R. It's a magical combination. I was skeptical but it's legit.

 

[Murphy625]

How far outside of Flint are you?

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35.6 miles from the NOAA Tower over hilly and forest terrain... The NOAA coverage map says I shouldn't even be able to hear it as I'm just outside the shaded area of coverage.

When I send my N9TAX antenna 50 feet up into the tree, that 35 miles might as well be 2 miles.. But the HT's always have a problem hearing NOAA with the stock antenna's.

I was surprised that the Signal Stick did such a great job... Don't get me wrong, it still doesn't compare to the N9TAX, not even close, but its far far better than the stock antenna and still better than the telescoping antenna I have for the HT's as well.

I thought my telescoping antenna would pretty much beat all the HT's.. and its good, but it also puts a lot of stress on the antenna port. When you move the radio in your hand, you can feel yourself fighting the inertia of the heavy telescoping antenna.. with the signal stick, you can barely tell it's attached.

I'll never go back to a telescoping antenna.. You could fight off Grizzly Bears with that thing.