Posted: 9/17/2013 8:43:15 AM EDT
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First I want to say that while this is my first post, the information that is provided and shared on these forums is invaluable. Everybody here seems to genuinely want to help each other out and you don't get that old Elmer "Do it my way damnit, or you aren't doing it right!" attitude sometimes encountered at the local clubs.
After looking through the EMCOMM Box threads here and other places, I have finally decided that this is something that I need to build. Being able to consolidate some of my comms equipment into a portable box that can be used for outdoor operation, mobile, field day or some SHTF scenario is something that I really need to do and should have done already. For the actual container I grabbed one of the SPUD boxes off of Amazon. For the radio I have my trusty old Icom 706 MKIIG with and LDG AT-100ProII Tuner. Right now that will be pulling double duty for HF and VHF/UHF. The plan is to pick up a Kenwood V71A in the near future for use as a dedicated VHF/UHF rig. For power I want to have the option of going either PS or Battery. I have a Samlex 1223 to use for a power supply but for battery power i am thinking something along the lines ChinoUSMC's battery box. I have a Rigrunner 4005 to route power thru. My plan is to connect both the power supply and battery power line thru a DPDT On-Off-On Rocker Switch into the Rigrunner input and then out from there to the radio(s). I like the way that SCWolverine's box is laid out where everything is shelf mounted and can be removed from the box for better ventilation and easy access to components if needed. I have a couple questions at this point about putting the shelving together and mounting equipment to it. 1. I haven't had a need to use all thread/threaded rods before. Can these be found at lengths of less than 12", since the height of the box is about 10.5", or do i need to buy longer and cut them down? If I do need to cut them, what is the best way to do this? 2. If I don't want to use standard mobile mounts for radio(s) what other options do I have? I thought I remember reading that SCWolverine saying he used T Nuts before to hold things down but I am trying to figure out how that would be done. Since I plan on using cutting board material for shelving I had also given thought to cutting slits in the board and strapping the equipment down to it. Any other thoughts or suggestions here? Again thanks for all the information and inspiration you guys have all provided on these forums. |
Welcome to ARFCOM Ham Forum, you're right, we're a pretty Awesome group!!!
1. I bought threaded rod from Lowes and cut down to what I needed. I used Aluminum tubing found in same rack at Lowes to cover the threads and protect my paws. Acorn nuts to make 'feet' for the unit. ETA: I used my Sawzall, a hack saw or Dremel tool w/ right blade would work too. 2. I did indeed use T-nuts and VSB (very short bolts) to hold the mounts in place. My initial shelves were Cutting boards, switched over to 1/2" plywood for a stronger unit (IMO) and ability to work with wood (I grew up in a cabinet shop). One could strap the gear down, but it may imped airflow around the units (caution). Good Luck-We like pics 
SCW |
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Lately I've been cutting re-bar, all-thread rod, and trimming back large eye-bolts with a hand held angle grinder using a thin cut-off wheel. Put on a nut prior to making the cut then dress up the cut end with a file then just back off the nut to help clean out the threads. 3/8" rod takes just a second or two to cut.
Wear safety glasses. 
Cheap Angle Grinder Cheap cut off wheels |
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Quoted:
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah For the actual container I grabbed one of the SPUD boxes off of Amazon. blah blah blah blah blah blah all that info and you skip the most important part: WHAT COLOR IS YOUR EMCOMM BOX??? 
ar-jedi eta i'm pretty sure you would have already found it, but just in case, the Very Large Thread of ARFCOM EMCOMM Box Knowledge is here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/648273_The_EMCOMM_Box.html |
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HAHA! Not Orange. I got the green one that wants to be cammo. Thanks for the link, been pouring thru all that stuff or I wouldn't have gotten this far. Trying to find a local source or someone on Amazon who has the 110v receptacle. Can you tell I buy from Amazon alot? We have a Prime membership so I try to take advantage of my free two day shipping as much as possible.
On top of building the EMCOMM box, I have gathered all the materials to build a Broadband hexbeam, which deserves and will get a thread of it's own. I have also been gathering parts to build a homebrew version of this: http://www.portableuniversalpower.com/juicebox-product.htm with a battery box similar to: http://www.portableuniversalpower.com/juicebrick-product.htm Similar to what ChinoUSMC has built. So I will have quite a few different threads going in the near future and enough to keep me busy for a while. |
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I have seen references to "standardizing" EMCOMM boxes, and I think that is a ridiculous concept.
EMCOMM is different to different people. My requirements are different from yours. My skills with tools and materials are different from yours. My resources, both pocket money for the project, and access to materials and parts, differ from yours. These comm boxes are generally made from older, but still good gear that often was the former primary rig of the owner. So the radio is familiar, easy to operate and its capabilities are well known to its user. A standardized EMCOMM box is bound to be designed by committee, and as such, will be next to useless. That I can promise you. I have seen many great ideas used, and some I would adopt, some I wouldn't. And I continue to enjoy seeing what other hams build. |
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Quoted:Trying to find a local source or someone on Amazon who has the 110v receptacle. Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but I went to the local computer one man computer store, asked for a bad power supply and cut the 110v receptacle out of that. I got a spare computer power cord from work and use that. The one I got was from an enterprise server and is about 6 feet long. JLE |
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Quoted:
all that info and you skip the most important part: WHAT COLOR IS YOUR EMCOMM BOX???
ar-jedi Quoted:
all that info and you skip the most important part: WHAT COLOR IS YOUR EMCOMM BOX???
ar-jedi Quoted:
HAHA! Not Orange. I got the green one that wants to be cammo. Obviously a man with taste... 
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