Custom Zip PICs

[Azimov]

With that circuit, if you replace that R1 with a VR can you dial in the flash rate?

Yes. But it needs to be in the several meg range.

As far as the spring antenna, I did something similar to my MW bit. If you can't find a long spring, use a spring from a pen. Either solder it from the pcb then to your wire antenna, or at the tip of the antenna (if the spring is light enough). This will also help increase your range.

[chilli_mp138]

Azimov--

Your spring antenna looks like a tall loading coil. Do you suppose it would be possible to build a very small loading coil with two or three feet of magnet wire wound on a small-diameter plastic rod? Into each end of the rod a 0.020-in brass wire could be attached to which each end of the coil could be soldered. The top end could be cut to one or two inches and the bottom end to a connector such as I use in my antenna modification.

Another option might be to make an extended coil by wrapping a two-foot length of 0.020-in dia brass wire around a threaded 4-40 rod, using the threads as spacers. Unscrew the rod and there's the antenna ready to be installed.

Think these are worth a try?

[Azimov]

Think these are worth a try?

Yes I do. My spring mod gave me incredible range, but fine tuning it as you suggest may produce even better resaults. I'd give it a go.