***This is a revised and updated thread to the last one I've posted about my Ammo Can setup.

In the past, I consolidated all of my items into one large box (SKU 19” Shelf Rack 5u). The problem with that was weight, bulk, wasn’t waterproof, and it was awkward to carry. So I rethought that idea and came up with the perfect solution… Ammo Cans: they are durable, waterproof (check the seal first) and modular. I can take what I want and go with It.

Doing a quick Google search to make sure there was no other name associated with this, I came up with:

EMACS = Emcomm Modular Ammo Can System

I've broken down each ammo can into several categories:
RADIO
POWER SUPPLY
POWER (aka BATTERY)
DIGITAL
HF ANTENNA


EMACS: RADIO
•FT-857D (w/ TCXO, 300CW, and SSB Filters installed)
•50w Slim Jim antenna w/ 16’ of coax, hook attachment for hanging
•10w extendable antenna (if there is nothing to hang the slim jim on)
•TinyTrak 3 (setup for HF APRS, emergency only)
•50amp Noise Filter (for use in the car)
•Whiterook Key (paddle/straight) with neodymium magnets
•Writing Pad and space pen
•Miniature Leatherman tool attached to the lid with neodymium magnets
•Battery cables w/ powerpoles
•Extension cable w/ powerpoles
•PS4 Powerpole splitter (4-way)
•Radio manual cheat-sheet
•Small red LED lights w/ powerpoles, attached to neodymium magnets
•Frequency cutouts (laminated and Velcro’d to the lid.
•Longer 6-wire cord so I can detach the lid and move the lid w/ head unit elsewhere.


Here’s the build (old pics with new pics):














Everything packed away neatly



For a mobile setup, place in trunk, take lid off and bring the faceplate into the car.







EMACS: POWER SUPPLY
•Battery Tender 1.5 amps
•30amp Power Supply
•120V DPDT switch
•4x 40mm cooling fans
•Volt and Amp Analog Meters
•Eyebolts (to easily pull out the whole unit)
•PS-8 powerpole splitter (8-way)
•Extension cable
•120v Power cable
•Ground bar
•12v small LED with neodymium magnets
















Here’s the schematic:



With the 120v applied:



With the 120v lost:




And this was the can in the making...
















EMACS: BATTERY
•1x 12v 55ah SLA Battery (the largest that can fit into an ammo can)
•Long extension cables (powerpoles)
•PS-4 powerpole splitter (4-way)
•Female cig adapter to powerpole
•100w 12v-120v inverter
•Power adapter for my Yaesu VX-8R (terminates to powerpole)







EMACS: DIGITAL
•Toshiba NB205 netbook
•External CD/DVD/RW
•External Hard Drive 150gb
•Rigblaster Plus soundcard (with all the cables)
•Headphones that covers the ears
•External speaker









EMACS: HF ANTENNA
•LDG Pro II antenna tuner (with cheat-sheet on the side)
•4:1 balun
•100’ coax
•20m dipole with balun (will change to a multi-band dipole near future)









MISC PICS











Side notes:
I've thought about "MACES - Modular Ammo Can Emcomm System," but I decided to go with EMACS... sounded more masculine.
The reason I put velcro on the lid that contained the battery was that if it were to tip over and slide up, the contacts wouldn't touch metal.





UPDATE: More pics:


I got rid of my 10w 2m collapsible antenna because the MFJ-1899T can TX on 2m as a 5/8 wave antenna upto 25w. When opened up, you can see how neatly packed away it is.
The ground plane needed at least 22'. The problem I had was a 25' tape measure took up too much space inside the ammo can; however, two 12' tape measures were a perfect fit.







The tape measures also has a little hole on the end. I took a battery clamp and modified the ends and the tips slipped in perfectly.









I aimed for 7.180, clamped on the ground plane, adjusted the tape measure to the correct length, and Rx was very clear. I was impressed.











I created a little reference card (will have it laminated later) to reference. Having a tape measure, I can adjust the height of the whips according to the band I want to operate on.





I haven't TX yet because 1.) I'm inside and will wait to test this outside... and 2.) it's late at night and the mosquitoes are deadly right now with all the rain we've been having.

Sometime within the weak, I will take video and post it on Youtube.




ETA1: I will follow up with a YouTube Video in the near future.
ETA2: Total setup time of radio, power supply, and digital: about 10-20 min.
ETA3: Added More pics

Very cool!


But vim is better

That's one helluva a setup!!

I'm planning on making a shelf system to hold an 857, v71a, power supply, interfaces, and cabling that will fit in a large ammo can I have

this definitely gives me more food for thought!

73,
LM

That is one neat setup! I am trying to get all the stuff together to get started on mine. I look forward to the video!

linky

That is a really bitchen setup but you forgot to paint it orange.

I'd much rather use vi. One of the places I used to work the sys admin nuked the vi binary and and created a symlink to emacs called /usr/bin/vi... What a prick he was...

Unfamiliar w/ BOFH definition, but that sounds like him

Funny totally off-message continuance of the story tho, I bitched to my manager at the time, and his response was this: "Look, the guy's got a small dick and his husband beats him. Can you figure out emacs, or do I need to go through this hell?". He was the best boss I've ever had, and I learned emacs against my will...

OP, I like your ammo can solution, will cease and desist from trashing your thread. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Chino,

What mount are you using for the VX8 in the car?


20

One item you might want to add is a cigarette lighter to dual USB charging port adapter for portable devices. They are very small and will save you from having to use your inverter or laptop to charge them.

Most EOCs have wire or wireless network connections. In case your in a location with no connection consider using an Android type phone dongled of the netbook for internet using PDANET. I don't know if similar app is available for Apple devices.

If not, it looks like a possible good application for a Chameleon Antenna.
http://chameleonantenna.com/

I have a 100w inverter that has a plug and a 5v USB plug in. I placed it in the battery can.





I wish... if there was an extenable HF antenna that will fit in the ammo box, I'm all ears.

It's the 10w 2m extendable antenna, an alternative just in case I can't find a place to hang the 50w Slim Jim.




Thanks!

One thing to think about is power consumption efficiency. Using the inverter just for its USB port is very inefficient if there is no way to disable the inverter section. Take the inverter and measure the current draw with no loads attached. There is a quintessence current draw even at idle with no load. Using the lighter socket usb adapter there is no current draw at no load.

Bad thing about the antenna is that it only collapses to 29 inches. They make a wire model called Hybrid that can work with the collapsible whip called "The Hybrid". There is a Mobil model that has a 56 inch whip that you might can coil up in an ammo can. There is also a nice zepp model as well.