I thought you guys might like to see a project I've been working on for multiple months. It is an Icom IC-7200 HF radio with MFJ antenna tuner, 30 amp hour Bioenno LiFePo4 battery, and power management/controls. It's a self-supporting/complete setup, so it can run for hours while camping and recharge in the field with solar panel or AC input. I have a portable 80 watt solar panel for charging it. The Chameleon Emcomm III Portable antenna, 50ft of coax cable, chokes, and hand mic all fit in the ammo can when it's not in use, so it is reasonably waterproof and damage-resistant. I repurposed an old 20mm ammo can I had for the container. I used Tinkerbox (a simple, free 3D design program online) for designing the contents of the box, then used a freeware front panel designer to layout the control panel and print a template for cutting/drilling in the kydex front panel. It's about 18 inches wide, 8 inches tall, 15 inches deep, about 45 pounds with everything in it. Everything can slide out as a unit from the ammo can for repair or changes. Certainly not a manpack unit, but good for the occasional POTA or camping trip. This is my main HF radio, so it will be used in the house/back yard as well.
Paint could be better, but I like the look and it is protected from the elements.
Figuring out the wiring and fitting it together was the biggest challenge and most time consuming. Many terminal connectors gave their lives for this effort.
It was a TIGHT fit, but all the plannning, measuring, and laying it out paid off.
In true Arfcom fashion...
The control panel has:
Top row, left to right: a 25 amp thermal fuse, USB-B port for data connection under the fuse, main switch in the middle, DC power meter display
Bottom row, left to right: UHF antenna connection, Anderson Powerpole for charging (direct to battery), dual Anderson Powerpole outlet for accessories (fused), and a dual USB outlet for a LED light/charging a phone, etc.
And set up to operate for a function test! It didn't catch fire! That's a win in my book! No, I didn't transmit at that frequency.
I'm most pleased that I can use the radio again and this will simplify the setup/takedown process. With all the drama going on in the world, this was a nice project/accomplishment to improve my mood. Hope you enjoyed it. Many thanks to those that have helped answer my questions here in the past.
Lee
**Edited to the correct ammo can; it's a 20mm not a 30mm