Got my Cactus triggers V2s... and did the antenna mod....

SolidxSnake wrote in post #5499798
After replacing the batteries they fire extremely reliably.

I am still using the 23A battery that came with the unit. Will replacing the battery with a fresh one improve some misfire issues?

Anyway, I am going to get a new battery tomorrow.

Gu Gu wrote in post #5499840
I am still using the 23A battery that came with the unit. Will replacing the battery with a fresh one improve some misfire issues?

Anyway, I am going to get a new battery tomorrow.

Mine misfired quite a bit, switching the batteries has completely eliminated all misfires I had.

Thanks for the info. I am getting the new batteries tomorrow and change them all. I had my Quantaray (QAF 6600) randomly firing by itself yesterday. I hope changing the battery will help me with it, too.

Misfiring has nothing to do with the Trigger. While "missed fire" has.
1. Change to new batteries (trigger/receiver)
2. Change the channels (this has eliminated misfiring with my 580EX II)

I have just modded my friend's trigger and we did a field test last night (yes last night around 10.30- we are crazy) and before the mod, he can only trigger his flash at 25 paces away. After my mod, he can trigger at 105 paces away. We were jumping with joy last night!

When you check for triggering distance, do not just use the test button. Instead mount the trigger on your camera and press the shutter button.

I don't know why but my finding was tht the test button was inaccurate. I have done this test with 2 triggers now so I'm quite sure about it.

@GuGu, can you pleaze report back with your findings....

Gu Gu wrote in post #5499738
I read strobe monkey's flickr post + photos and modded my Cactus trigger (non V2s) a couple of weeks ago. I did not see much improvement in range after the mod on my trigger though I followed through all the details in the instruction.

So, I drilled a small hole on the top cover this morning. Pulled out the wire coil through the hole. Now I can see much better improvement in range.

With wire embedded in the trigger, I get around 25-30 ft. but a lot of misfire above that range.

With wire out straight up like an antenna, I am getting around 50-70 ft. and it works fine. I hope this will help to those who want to mod their Cactus triggers.

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Looks like you have soldered the end of the wire to the right (when the trigger is facing you - battery away from you).

I solder mine to the left.

strobe monkey wrote in post #5502853
Misfiring has nothing to do with the Trigger. While "missed fire" has.
1. Change to new batteries (trigger/receiver)
2. Change the channels (this has eliminated misfiring with my 580EX II)

I have just modded my friend's trigger and we did a field test last night (yes last night around 10.30- we are crazy) and before the mod, he can only trigger his flash at 25 paces away. After my mod, he can trigger at 105 paces away. We were jumping with joy last night!

When you check for triggering distance, do not just use the test button. Instead mount the trigger on your camera and press the shutter button.

I don't know why but my finding was tht the test button was inaccurate. I have done this test with 2 triggers now so I'm quite sure about it.

@GuGu, can you pleaze report back with your findings....

Test button is inaccurate possibly because you might block some of the trigger with your hand, and thus may block some of the internal antenna.

For soldering the antenna to the board, make sure to factor in the length of the trace if you are going for a 1/4 or 1/2-wave antenna.

strobe monkey wrote in post #5502853
@GuGu, can you pleaze report back with your findings....

Sure, I will put a follow up post as soon as I get the results. I will try it on camera as you said. Thanks for the info. Now I have to tweak the channels and change the batteries.

strobe monkey wrote in post #5502871
Looks like you have soldered the end of the wire to the right (when the trigger is facing you - battery away from you).

I solder mine to the left.

I solder mine to the left as well (as shown in your photo). I just happened to drill the hole on the wrong side.

SolidxSnake wrote in post #5502915
Test button is inaccurate possibly because you might block some of the trigger with your hand, and thus may block some of the internal antenna.

For soldering the antenna to the board, make sure to factor in the length of the trace if you are going for a 1/4 or 1/2-wave antenna.

If I have a 1/4 whip antenna, how do I factor in the trace (meaning both on the pcb and the wire to the antenna connection)? By cutting out some wire in the antenna (if possible) or extent the antenna so that it makes up a 1/2 total with trace/wire/antenna?

lowcrust wrote in post #5503413
If I have a 1/4 whip antenna, how do I factor in the trace (meaning both on the pcb and the wire to the antenna connection)? By cutting out some wire in the antenna (if possible) or extent the antenna so that it makes up a 1/2 total with trace/wire/antenna?

You find the wavelength of a 1/4 wave of the 433Mhz band (somewhere around 6.3 inches I believe), then you cut a piece of wire of a 1/4 wave length minus the length of the trace on the PCB.

Are you referring to just using a wire here?

Or do you mean that together with the 6.3 inches of wire inside the antenna I have a total of 1/2 wave with antenna, trace and wire to connect antenna to PCB?

lowcrust wrote in post #5503615
Are you referring to just using a wire here?

Or do you mean that together with the 6.3 inches of wire inside the antenna I have a total of 1/2 wave with antenna, trace and wire to connect antenna to PCB?

1/4 wave whip antenna + 6.3inch wire -1.25 inch trace = 1/2 wavelength altogether.

strobe monkey wrote in post #5503732
1/4 wave whip antenna + 6.3inch wire -1.25 inch trace = 1/2 wavelength altogether.

Bingo.

OK. Today, I replace the batteries for my trigger and receivers. Took all equipments outside and tested the range. Before the antenna mod, the range is somewhere in between 15-20 ft.

Setup info:
Flash: Vivitar 2800
Channel setup: Both 1 and 2 on the switch are ON.
Transmitter: Connected to 40D hot shoe.

This first photo is taken where I am approx. 70-75 ft. away from the flash. Tested about 5 shots and it works every time.

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Glad to hear it now works.
Amazing isn't it?
Did you put the antenna back inside?

If anyone in New Zealand happens to be ordering some of these antennas please let me know and i'll get in on the order! I can't find any here, and my piece of wire sticking out the top of the transmitter looks... fugly. Maybe I should just buy Skyports, but that's $500 for the number I need