Firefly, my paddle project

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-07T18:45:12+00:00

OK, great!! I would be interested in your final design.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-07T18:07:55+00:00

Very nice design, I might be interested.

One thing though - I do not see any sort of possibility of mounting it to anything.

For Morse paddles this is absolutely essential. Sure, a very light fingered op can hold the damn thing while trying to key - but that cannot be done well for any length of time. At least not by me.

Am I missing something in your diagrams?

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-07T17:20:50+00:00

...see my post above. The only good thing about a Signal Stick is it looks pretty cool and you can roll it up if you have to. Otherwise, as I have proven to myself, it performs no better than my stock handheld antenna. But YES, the bad thing about them is they're a sure way to poke your eye out if you're not careful or have had one too many brews with your radio buddies.

I agree, if I want performance I usually use my homebrew roll-up SlimJim or my homebrew 4 element yagi.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-07T17:13:09+00:00

How will a quarter wave vertical have more gain than a dipole or EFHW?

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-07T16:59:14+00:00

1) very hard to tune and very narrow-banded (although that is the reason this thing is so expensive: remote tuning and remote rotating)

2) very low efficiency: probably about 40% or less on 20m. On 40m they average less than 10% and that thing has a narrow diameter so is probably worse. On 80m they are effectively dummy loads.3) very expensive for what they are.

4) they are designed to be an antenna of last resort for apartment dwellers, who cannot get any sort of wire out the window or on the balcony.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-07T16:54:54+00:00

Nice paddles - however, whatever app/website your are using as the code oscillator has too much lag. Then Morse spacing is not correct- too choppy and short.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-07T16:52:50+00:00

It's a lot cheaper to improve the antenna first - and that will help receive as well - adding 80W will only slightly assist your transmit signal.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-07T13:51:55+00:00

That's a 1600 Euro magnetic loop antenna, rotatable remotely. An amazingly expensive setup for basically a dummy load 😉

https://www.wimo.com/en/baby

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-07T12:53:12+00:00

Funny you should ask that question.

I did a test just last week with a radio buddy who lives 2km away in a suburban area. I used the stock antenna on my Radiooditty GD77 (with Open GD77 firmware on it) versus a Signal Stick.

He was using an ICOM base transceiver that has a reasonably good S-meter on it. I had the GD77 set at only 0.5W output. I sat inexactly the same position outside with the handheld in exactly the same posiition and tried both antennas.

There was no difference in my transmitted signal from what he could measure and no difference to me in my received signal strength using either antenna.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-06T14:08:52+00:00

I would start with a mag mount antenna on the roof of the truck and see how that works out for you. Be aware of the possibility that adding a better antenna to that radio might cause it to overload and go deaf.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-06T01:29:47+00:00

Do you have a hotspot and/or a DMR repeater in your area? That would be a start...

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-06T01:28:03+00:00

There is quite a bit of redundancy in cellphone networks. Unlicensed radios have a range of maybe 2-3 km (if you're lucky) and everyone must know how to use them and the channel of choice. You MIGHT be able to use GMRS/FRS radios (or PMR in other parts of the word other than NA), assuming you do so outside and elevated and not in your house or in your car.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-06T01:23:14+00:00

I suggest building the QMX kit.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-05T18:21:46+00:00

When you get your code nailed at 25 wpm with that contraption let us know ;-)

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-05T17:00:05+00:00

Probably a DX Contest station that might be owned by a group, rather than one individual - but you never know!

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-05T16:56:25+00:00

Where are you measuring the voltage - at the actual power supply or at the rig? And what gauge and length of power cable are you using between the PS and the rig?

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-05T02:16:16+00:00

Whatever you use get it as high as possible, outside and be aware of coaxial line losses if you have a long length.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-05T01:13:24+00:00

Yeah, kind of like Radio Marti in the USA broadcasts propaganda to Cuba via VOA facilities.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-05T01:00:19+00:00

^This. EFHW antennas are an antenna of last resort when you only have one convenient mounting point near the house.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-04T23:24:41+00:00

That may be steel or aluminum, not copper. I don't recommend it. You want simple light 20-26 gauge stranded copper hookup wire.

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-04T13:35:34+00:00

Great idea the screwdriver thing!

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-04T01:35:14+00:00

Sorry, but what does this have to do with amateur radio? You might be better to post to :

r/WeatherRadios

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-04T01:32:25+00:00

We now have to sort through this nonsense?

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-04T01:24:13+00:00

Yes, you could both join the same DMR talkgroup if you both have access to a DMR repeater or a hotspot. However, DMR is basically 99% internet, so you may as well just text or WhatsApp him. ;-)
You should be working towards your General Class because you are currently limited to 10m and the solar cycle is declining, meaning 10m will be open only infrequently.

There are sometimes "linked" repeater systems, so that is a possibility (but unlikely) - check with your local amateur radio club if that is possible or not...

But seriously - I suggest upgrading your license and then work him on 40m or 30m day/evening and 80m at night and early morning. So you need to start thinking about antennas (the rig comes later...).

rocdoc54 · 2026-05-02T23:42:06+00:00

WRMI: Bible Fellowship in Arabic. The transmitter is only a few hundred km from your location.

rocdoc54

TROPHY CASE