Mike:
I'll be standing by for the rest of the details for sure~!
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Duke, K5XU" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 9:49 PM
Subject: Re: Part 1 of the Radio Box
> Thanks, guys. It is a really simple approach, and very easy to put one
> together.
>
> Part 1 gave most of the construction details.
>
> Part 2 will have a few pointers about the crate itself, along with
> some discussion of this mostly open frame structure versus a fully
> enclosed box.
>
> I stopped where I did because I figured I was about to reach the line
> limit for the list.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 8:26 PM
> Subject: Re: Part 1 of My Radio Box
>
>
> Mike:
>
> I completely echo what Bob has said here.
>
> I'm going to start getting the stuff to make one myself here.
>
> Can't wait for part II.!
>
> And, you're right; it just seems so easy to do!
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob, K8LR" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 9:19 PM
> Subject: Re: Part 1 of My Radio Box
>
>
>> Mike,
>>
>> That was an excellent description of your go box. I've been
>> thinking
>> about
>> putting one together for a long time, but your article just might
>> get me
>> going! I'm looking forward to part 2.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Bob, K8LR, [log in to unmask]
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Mike Duke, K5XU" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 8:56 PM
>> Subject: Part 1 of My Radio Box
>>
>>
>> The radio box I am assembling uses a milk crate style plastic bin.
>> Therefore, it is not a "dry box". It is simply a way of securing
>> equipment into a container so that it can be easily carried,
>> connected
>> to antenna and power sources, then be fully operational with little
>> or
>> no removal of anything from the box.
>>
>>
>>
>> The setup takes full advantage of the slots that are part of the
>> milk
>> crate construction style. This means no drilling of holes or cutting
>> of the crate is necessary.
>>
>>
>>
>> In use, the box stands on one of its sides. In this position, the
>> opening which would normally be the top of the box becomes the
>> front,
>> and the slotted bottom becomes the back panel. Equipment is
>> installed
>> in the box with front panels facing the opening, but recessed far
>> enough from the front to keep knobs and displays from extending
>> beyond
>> the rim, and to allow full access for at least two of the handle
>> slots.
>>
>>
>>
>> Everything mounted in the box is held in place either by heavy duty
>> zip type cable ties, or by Velcro cable tie straps. The zip ties are
>> used for the equipment, and the Velcro straps are used to confine
>> the
>> excess length of power cables, line cords, and other wires. Although
>> some of these cables could be shortened, doing so would limit the
>> usefulness of the equipment should it become necessary to remove it
>> from the box.
>>
>>
>>
>> The box that was shown at our club meeting has an Icom duel band rig
>> hanging from the top in its mounting bracket. This bracket is held
>> firmly against the top of the box by several zip ties that pass
>> through the slots of the bracket, over one of the ribs of a slot in
>> the top of the box, and are pulled tight. All of the slots of the
>> bracket are thus tied in order to keep the radio from sliding from
>> side to side, or from front to back.
>>
>>
>>
>> An MFJ 25 amp power supply sits on the bottom of the crate. It too
>> is
>> held in place by several zip ties which cross it from left to right,
>> and others that run from front to back. The supply is positioned so
>> that its rear panel is about two inches or so away from the back of
>> the crate. This location provides some protection for the back of
>> the
>> supply, while leaving enough room to easily reach the connectors
>> through one of the slots, and to route the power cord out through
>> another.
>>
>>
>>
>> The mounting bracket for a "Motorola type" external speaker is
>> attached to the rear panel of the crate near the left side, with the
>> bottom of the front edge of the speaker just above the top rear edge
>> of the power supply.
>>
>>
>>
>> A microphone hanger is fastened to one side of the crate. It is near
>> the front, and about halfway down the vertical height of the box.
>> When
>> it is on the hanger, the microphone is completely inside the box.
>>
>>
>> In use, the antenna feed line simply passes through a slot on the
>> back
>> of the crate and is then connected to the radio. The AC cord for the
>> power supply exits in a similar manner. The DC cable from the radio
>> can easily be brought out for connection to a battery.
>>
>> Stay tuned for more in Part 2, which will come your way later this
>> weekend.
>>
>> Mike Duke, K5XU
>> American Council of Blind Radio Amateurs
>>
>
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