First off, a little back story just in case you’ve never heard of Radio Poppers. They are wireless triggers for your speedlights. I started using Radio Poppers a few months ago for outdoor shoots. Why use a radio trigger over the already wireless Nikon CLS system? Well… the Nikon CLS system is infrared based (like your TV remote). If there is a tree or wall blocking your speedlight… you wont be able to trigger it (much like your TV remote). The CLS system also is limited in distance, especially in broad daylight. If you’d like to read more about wireless off-camera flash, here is a very informative blog post from PixSylated about wireless off-camera TTL flash.

That’s why Radio Poppers were a godsend… iTTL CLS with the complete freedom of wireless radio (easily up to a few hundred feet). I can now control all power levels of my remote flashes without having to walk a single step away. The only real drawback to RPs is it’s price point ($250 for a transmitter.. and another $250 for each receiver). That brings us to my mod. What if you wanted to use 2 speedlights inside a softbox for more power / faster recycle time? Well it would then cost you $500 total (yikes!).

That’s why it was only a matter of time before my crazy gadget head started spinning with ideas on how to split 1 Radio Popper PX receiver so that it could control 2 Speedlights. I Googled to see if someone had already done this, but I couldn’t find any… so I was off on my own.

Below are my DIY steps in splitting up the RP receiver signal to control 2 speedlights… only $45 in additional material costs (that’s ~$200 in savings!). The best part is… no harm was done to the RP units so their warranties are completely intact. =) Even more so, RadioPopper themselves sell the mounts and fiber optic tubes to work this mod.

Here’s the end result, two speedlights (Nikon or Canon.. it shouldn’t matter) controlled by one RadioPopper PX receiver… click through to see all the steps.

Double the pleasure.. double the fun!

Fig 11: Double the pleasure!

Here are the materials needed:

1. RP PX transmitter
2. RP PX receiver
3. Radio Popper fiber optic tube x2 ($5 each)
4. Rubber bands
5. Velcro strap
6. Nylon spacers x 3 ($1 for 2 @ HomeDepot / Lowes)
7. crazy/super glue

Fig 1

Step 1: preparing the Radio Popper receiver holder.

Fig 2:modding the Radio Popper receiver holder

• From the before/after pic, you can see it’s a simple mod. Carefully reposition the foam padding from it’s initial horizontal position to a vertical position. This ensures the infrared “hole” is fully unblocked by the foam. (fig. 2)
• use a drill bit on the nylon spacer to increase the size of it’s inner hole. This will make it easier to slide 2 fiber optic cables through.
• super glue the nylon spacer onto the RP mount. Make sure you align the infrared hole on the mount to the inner circle of the nylon spacer before the super glue sets.

Step 2: preparing the RP speedlight holder

• easy step. no drilling needed on the nylon spacers since by default the inner circle is perfectly spaced for 1 fiber optic tube. Super glue the nylon spacer onto the mount. As before, make sure you align the infrared hole to the inner hole of the nylon spacer. (fig. 3) This nylon spacer serves as a holder for the fiber optic cable and also creates a “light tunnel” to ensure optimal transmission of the infrared signal
• comparing the RP receiver mount to the Speedlight mount, you will see both are technically the same mounts, with the exception that the nylon spacers were glued onto opposite sides. (fig 4).

Fig 3: preparing the RP speedlight holder

Fig 4: comparing the two modded mounts

Step 4: mounts done

• finish up the 2nd flash mount. You should now have 3 modded mounts completed (fig. 5)

Fig 5: all mounts finished

Step 5: mounting the fiber optic cables

• At this point, no more glue / drilling is needed. Insert the RP PX receiver into the holder mount. It should snap firmly into place (fig 6)


Fig 6: insert the RP PX receiver into the mount

• Punch a small hole into the rubber bands then slide the 2 fiber optic cables through and then through the nylon spacer. The rubber bands are optional, I’m paranoid and included them to better secure the RP PX receiver mount.. they also serve a dual purpose in blocking ambient light from the infrared signals. (fig 7).

Fig 7: mounting the fiber optic cables

Step 6: connecting the Receiver to the speedlights

• You’re all done and now ready to connect the RP PX receiver to the speedlights! (fig 8). The only caveat here is that the fiber optic cables are only 7″ long. This may effect how you secure the receiver to your particular soft box bracket.

Fig 8: connect the fiber optic cables

Example: My softbox mount

• I purchased a custom dual speedlight softbox bracket from Elvis (~$130 USD the price may or may not have gone up). Check out his flickr page for more information on how to purchase these. His workmanship is excellent, he machines the brackets by hand; these brackets are like transformers, they are extremely strong and versatile =). (fig 9)


Fig 9: My custom dual softbox bracket

• Here’s how my set up looks fully mounted with my RP splitter mod. (fig 10)


Fig 10: fully mounted

• Dual thrusters ignition ON captain!! (fig 11). I tested the triggering up and down my house, no problems at all.


Fig 11: It works!

I hope some of you found this mod useful. Let me know if you’d like me to clarify any steps. Feel free to ask me any questions.

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