Video may have blurry spots - I have limited lighting right now. Don't worry!!! There are instructions in the description. Also, I purchased another batch of nitinol and this time, the length of the antenna is more towards 18.5- 19 inches. Just check it with an analyzer.
This is great for making single band antennas outside of what signal stick manes. I have both models they offer but would love to make a tri band version or one for aircraft band
This has been on my list since I got my first signal stick. The NMO mobile in particular I've thought about some of the random NMO base coil antenna I've collected and wondered what i could do with a length of thick wire and an afternoon to mess around.
Good day, I hope you’re well. I have a question regarding the Signal Stick antenna. If I mount it on a vehicle, I’m concerned about its flexibility. Would it be able to handle high speeds over long periods without deforming or being damaged by the wind? I’d appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you!
I had two batches of wire. The first batch, I mentioned in the video. The second batch from aliexpress, about 18.8 inches, which is about dead on and accurate. My suggestion, start at the first length and cut down until your meter shows it is resonant. Use a counterpoise with the meter. My best guess on why the numbers were off is, inconclusive. Could be different velocity factors of the two nitinol wires.
Could this be done with a SMA male (radio side) to SMA female (antenna side)? Instead of soldering the nitinol into a BNC, can it be soldered into an SMA, or is the SMA hole too small for the nitinol? Looking to make a 33cm (915MHz) antenna for meshtastic.
I would think it could with some modification to the stl file. . www.thingiverse.com/thing:6386300 This was for sma female (to nitinol) to sma male (to radio). Looking into an SMA Female to Female connector should be the solution. amzn.to/3Vno8Qz (affiliate link, used to shorten the URL). These could work with remixing my file, but I have concerns the soler would just go straight through to the side which would need to plug into a radio.
Your next project should be a 2m counter poise (aka rat tail) to balance the antenna and get a better signal. That's what I did and noticed a big difference.
Great video. Unfortunately, the Nitinol I got from the link you posted was not very springy at all. It did not hold its shape at all. Bent over like a limp noodle. I’m going to search for a different wire and try again.
nexmetal.com/products/nitinol-superelastic-wire?variant=21956546820 I found this and it is possible this was the stuff I got. (I've ordered a lot of different nitinol wires). However, I can send you a couple feet.
Thankyou but not necessary. I did some research and I need to make the wire as straight as possible and then heat it up to “set” the wire configuration. The only heating the wire got was just enough to shrink the shrink tubing. I think it needs more then that. I’m going to give that a try.
Nice video, too bad you didnt mentioned what was the final measurement you cut the wire to make it work. I know you mentioned 19inches was too short but what was your final measurement of that wire that worked for you ? Thank you so much, slavko VE3XYD 73s
That's correct. I didn't mention the length because it may vary depending on the diameter someone purchases, the quality / brand of nitinol and more. I recommend going 25 and checking where the SWR is (with a tiger tail attached, would be optimal). Then getting an idea where you are resonate and cutting down from there, little by little. If I had to guess, mine was around 21 inches.
Maybe I’ll try this. Not too excited about my signal stick. It holds memory like no other and the tip doesn’t glow lol. All minor things but annoying when you buy something and it does opposite of what they claim.
That's very odd about the memory. I have had single sticks in the past and I haven't had much of an issue. However, one reason for the lack of memory may be Due to temperatures when testing, I noticed that if it starts to get below around forty degrees fahrenheit I will Start the c v antenna go limp
Interesting, because the Signal Stick is 19 inches long. I have 3 of them. As for the ball on the end, use a small bead and super glue it on. And why are you using 184mhz? Since it is not in the legal 2 meter ham band?
Did you know that different diameter wires could create different results in length. This depends on brand, the exact ratio of metals (probably effecting velocity factor?) used, and much more. Take for example bntecho go. Using that for an efhw would only require 63 ft for 40m. Much shorter than other wire.
BNC Soon Will Be Past My Friend, Itt can`t get Above 500Mhz In My tests, Not The Most tScientific Tests, but Hey, Itt SHows Anyway That Performance Drops Because Of The Connectors, SMA Goes Good Above 20GHz, But The BNC Goes Bad At Early 500Mhz So Jeah, I Think With More Developments And Millimeter Bands The BNC Will Not Be Good As For TThe Future, Use SMA Where You Can , But if You Do HF Work, Bnc Is The Best :)
Video may have blurry spots - I have limited lighting right now. Don't worry!!! There are instructions in the description.
Also, I purchased another batch of nitinol and this time, the length of the antenna is more towards 18.5- 19 inches. Just check it with an analyzer.
"Convieniently lying around... on eBay" had me laughing. Solid delivery.
:D
Yeah I rewound that to see if I heard eBay as I thought rofl. I have a problem with too much stuff lying around on eBay and Amazon prime.
This is great for making single band antennas outside of what signal stick manes. I have both models they offer but would love to make a tri band version or one for aircraft band
Glad to see you back. Next project on my list
What interests me about this is that Signal Stick does not offer a GMRS tuned version, so I am left to make one myself for that purpose.
This has been on my list since I got my first signal stick. The NMO mobile in particular I've thought about some of the random NMO base coil antenna I've collected and wondered what i could do with a length of thick wire and an afternoon to mess around.
Nice idea Dude. Thanks.
It’s great to see you making content again
Glad to see the video from you ! All the best in future videos!!!
Very well done. Let's all keep learning about our hobby
Learning by doing! Part of the ham radio experience.
SWR?
Great content would it be possible to give the Finnished length of antenna using the 1mm nitinol wire you used for all the band's 2mtr 70cm ect thanks
Great project! Now to find some parts!
If you all need any of this wire, let me know and I can do one main shipment to you...I think there's a European Ham Radio Show that likes projects.
@@HAMRADIODUDE I’ll send you a message on discord!
Heck yeah, I always use WX to see how well my equipment receives
Awesome! I never knew how those were made before.
Clever. Seems like it would be just as easy to use crimp on connectors but I guess you'd need crimpers then.
Good day,
I hope you’re well. I have a question regarding the Signal Stick antenna. If I mount it on a vehicle, I’m concerned about its flexibility. Would it be able to handle high speeds over long periods without deforming or being damaged by the wind? I’d appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thank you!
so how does it perform can you do a comparison?
Great video. Nice little project 👍🏽 73
Great video Dude!!
Ka-pow! Thumbs up.
Have you figured out the exact length I should cut it for a dual band antenna?
I had two batches of wire. The first batch, I mentioned in the video. The second batch from aliexpress, about 18.8 inches, which is about dead on and accurate. My suggestion, start at the first length and cut down until your meter shows it is resonant. Use a counterpoise with the meter. My best guess on why the numbers were off is, inconclusive. Could be different velocity factors of the two nitinol wires.
Could this be done with a SMA male (radio side) to SMA female (antenna side)? Instead of soldering the nitinol into a BNC, can it be soldered into an SMA, or is the SMA hole too small for the nitinol? Looking to make a 33cm (915MHz) antenna for meshtastic.
I would think it could with some modification to the stl file. . www.thingiverse.com/thing:6386300 This was for sma female (to nitinol) to sma male (to radio). Looking into an SMA Female to Female connector should be the solution. amzn.to/3Vno8Qz (affiliate link, used to shorten the URL). These could work with remixing my file, but I have concerns the soler would just go straight through to the side which would need to plug into a radio.
Nice, some other guy had a bunch of parts listed and its getting close to 200$ to make some antennas.
This is much cheaper for the same exact thing.
“Conveniently lying around…on eBay”. Bwahahaha.
Well,.. you know.
Your next project should be a 2m counter poise (aka rat tail) to balance the antenna and get a better signal. That's what I did and noticed a big difference.
I can show that. Thanks.
Great video. Unfortunately, the Nitinol I got from the link you posted was not very springy at all. It did not hold its shape at all. Bent over like a limp noodle. I’m going to search for a different wire and try again.
That's really interesting. I am sorry if I linked the wrong nitinol.... Are you good on the zed? I will ship you some for your troubles.
nexmetal.com/products/nitinol-superelastic-wire?variant=21956546820 I found this and it is possible this was the stuff I got. (I've ordered a lot of different nitinol wires). However, I can send you a couple feet.
Thankyou but not necessary. I did some research and I need to make the wire as straight as possible and then heat it up to “set” the wire configuration. The only heating the wire got was just enough to shrink the shrink tubing. I think it needs more then that. I’m going to give that a try.
how do i make the wire straight
By chance, could you tell me where you got the nitinol?
And for those of us without 3d printers, where do we get the parts
Places that may have 3D Printers to help: Local Libraries, Local ham clubs. Or, the 3d part is just cosmetic.
Fill the inside of the bnc adapter with epoxy ant it'll be the same
Nice video, too bad you didnt mentioned what was the final measurement you cut the wire to make it work. I know you mentioned 19inches was too short but what was your final measurement of that wire that worked for you ? Thank you so much, slavko VE3XYD 73s
That's correct. I didn't mention the length because it may vary depending on the diameter someone purchases, the quality / brand of nitinol and more. I recommend going 25 and checking where the SWR is (with a tiger tail attached, would be optimal). Then getting an idea where you are resonate and cutting down from there, little by little. If I had to guess, mine was around 21 inches.
Great easy project!
What band where you tuning it too, and does it technically have gain?
73s!
Excellent video! What is the name of the wire you using?
Nitinol. Cheers.
Maybe I’ll try this. Not too excited about my signal stick. It holds memory like no other and the tip doesn’t glow lol. All minor things but annoying when you buy something and it does opposite of what they claim.
That's very odd about the memory. I have had single sticks in the past and I haven't had much of an issue. However, one reason for the lack of memory may be Due to temperatures when testing, I noticed that if it starts to get below around forty degrees fahrenheit I will Start the c v antenna go limp
@@HAMRADIODUDEyea but it’s in the 60s here , Tx 😂 and antenna is in the shape of a C
A cool project for those who have the patience and can still see properly. Lol
No loading Coil? No Capacitors? Damn, Crazy Antenna You Got There :) !
You're right, it is a great project for beginners. :)
So the Signal stuff antenna has all of that?
Interesting, because the Signal Stick is 19 inches long. I have 3 of them. As for the ball on the end, use a small bead and super glue it on. And why are you using 184mhz? Since it is not in the legal 2 meter ham band?
Did you know that different diameter wires could create different results in length. This depends on brand, the exact ratio of metals (probably effecting velocity factor?) used, and much more. Take for example bntecho go. Using that for an efhw would only require 63 ft for 40m. Much shorter than other wire.
I tried to get a ball from Jack.... He was pretty upset about it.
😂
nice
BNC Soon Will Be Past My Friend, Itt can`t get Above 500Mhz In My tests, Not The Most tScientific Tests, but Hey, Itt SHows Anyway That Performance Drops Because Of The Connectors, SMA Goes Good Above 20GHz, But The BNC Goes Bad At Early 500Mhz So Jeah, I Think With More Developments And Millimeter Bands The BNC Will Not Be Good As For TThe Future, Use SMA Where You Can , But if You Do HF Work, Bnc Is The Best :)
And finally, you're going to need a 3D printer.
If you don't have a 3D Printer, it would be a great time to get to know your club or check out your local library
Also it works without it. The print is cosmetic.
Yes, that's right! Cheers @@chublez
Ah, oops. I am legally blind, so trying to solder is out of the question. Last time I tried I burned my nose.
I'll build you one if you'd like. Sma male or female?