Memorial Day EMCOMM debut

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Memorial Day EMCOMM debut

Posted: 5/25/2014 2:07:42 PM EDT

I played around with ammo cans as cases, but I always got funny looks from the PETA people letting their dogs defecate all over MY park. So, I put my brand new FT-857D and associated stuff into a $25.00 case I got at Harbor Freight. First power-up was about 30 minutes ago.

The batteries are individually fused and switched.

Have a happy Memorial Day and lift a glass to all those who gave everything so that we can party with family and friends.

Posted: 5/25/2014 2:11:20 PM EDT

[#1]

Bad ass setup!!!

Posted: 5/25/2014 2:13:17 PM EDT

[#2]

Very Nice!

Posted: 5/25/2014 2:29:06 PM EDT

[#3]

Hey, I've got nearly the same setup but the case is a silver one from menards.

Posted: 5/25/2014 4:30:15 PM EDT

[#4]

Nice setup but someone is going to ruin your day if the top closes.

Posted: 5/25/2014 4:47:57 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nice setup but someone is going to ruin your day if the top closes.

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If you're looking at the coax in between the bottom and cover, I suspect that the top would spring before the cables would get cut. If you're looking at the exposed contacts on the batteries, they'll get insulated as soon as I'm sure I have all the wiring just right.

Posted: 5/25/2014 4:49:21 PM EDT

[#6]

Great looking setup.

Can you tell me a bit about that meter? What does it do besides voltage?

Thanks.

Posted: 5/25/2014 5:11:59 PM EDT

[#7]

Looks great! Is that 650 mA on RX with audio?

I ask because I just designed an off-grid power config for my station, and my fully loaded Flex 5000 station with all accessories draws exactly 4 AMPS on RX!!!

Posted: 5/25/2014 5:15:45 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

If you're looking at the coax in between the bottom and cover, I suspect that the top would spring before the cables would get cut. If you're looking at the exposed contacts on the batteries, they'll get insulated as soon as I'm sure I have all the wiring just right.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Nice setup but someone is going to ruin your day if the top closes.

If you're looking at the coax in between the bottom and cover, I suspect that the top would spring before the cables would get cut. If you're looking at the exposed contacts on the batteries, they'll get insulated as soon as I'm sure I have all the wiring just right.

Yes it was the coax. They do make fully insulated 1/4" quick connects.

Posted: 5/25/2014 5:17:14 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Great looking setup.

Can you tell me a bit about that meter? What does it do besides voltage?

Thanks.

View Quote

Here's the manual to the one I got, and his looks identical.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/forum/uploads/7563/Wattmeter.zip

Posted: 5/25/2014 5:52:16 PM EDT

[#10]

You can put a couple bulkhead fittings on the side of the case and use a short jumper to connect to the back of the radio. No worries about the lid closing on the cable. You'll need to use a small rectangle piece of metal to reinforce the sidewall of the case.

Posted: 5/25/2014 6:39:00 PM EDT

[#11]

EMCOMM Box Thread Tag for Tomorrow when I get back online Enshrinement Complete.........nice looking work!

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/648273_.html&page=1

Posted: 5/25/2014 6:54:38 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Looks great! Is that 650 mA on RX with audio?

I ask because I just designed an off-grid power config for my station, and my fully loaded Flex 5000 station with all accessories draws exactly 4 AMPS on RX!!!

View Quote

Yes, it was scanning and when it locked on a station the ammeter jumped all the way up to.68 amps. The volume was high enough to be heard clearly over normal conversation.

Posted: 5/25/2014 7:01:18 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

Here's the manual to the one I got, and his looks identical.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/forum/uploads/7563/Wattmeter.zip

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Great looking setup.

Can you tell me a bit about that meter? What does it do besides voltage?

Thanks.

Here's the manual to the one I got, and his looks identical.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/forum/uploads/7563/Wattmeter.zip

Here's where I got mine. The only thing I don't like is that it resets its stats whenever the load is turned off. I wish it would show cumulative watt-hours and/or amp-hours used until the source is disconnected. Then it could be used to get an idea of battery condition across several power cycles.

Watt meter

Posted: 5/25/2014 7:09:28 PM EDT

[#14]

Good work on that

Posted: 5/26/2014 6:04:28 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
EMCOMM Box Thread Tag for Tomorrow when I get back online Enshrinement Complete.........nice looking work!

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/648273_.html&page=1

View Quote

Is the link in that thread for "JC10311's ship comes in . . " supposed to come here? It doesn't. I stole a bunch of ideas from the people referenced in your thread. Of course, it's really AR-Jedi's fault.

Posted: 5/26/2014 7:28:26 AM EDT

[#16]

sorry bro, FIFY.....

eta: ship comes in = Harbor Freight.....bad attempt at humor

Posted: 5/26/2014 9:08:23 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
sorry bro, FIFY.....

eta: ship comes in = Harbor Freight.....bad attempt at humor

View Quote

AAHHHH, now I get it. Thanks for the fix.

Posted: 5/26/2014 12:54:57 PM EDT

[#18]

Ok, I think I'm done . . . for the weekend. I got a chance to set up a temporary antenna using some surplus aluminum cammo net poles and a couple of antennas. The top vertical is a home made dual-band J-Pole for 2m and 440. The beam is a Cushcraft 3-element Yagi That I got last Friday. I only put up seven poles today, but I have twelve. Each one is 4' overall with about 4" of overlap, which would get the top to about 44' (4"X12 of overlap comes out of the height).

I made a guy wire bracket out of plywood with a hole somewhat larger than the poles. It sits on top of a couple of saddle brackets and allows the whole mast to be turned freely while still supporting it. Now that I know it works, I'll make a few out of a plastic cutting board.