That is a straight forward VHF/UHF go box you've got there. Any reason you chose not to power it with a battery? For remote/field operation there won't be any generators around to power your radio.
How well does the tactical antenna work on the 90 degree adapter? I mentioned this to a radio technician and he reckoned it wouldn’t work due to no earth? I assume he meant ground plane but I don’t know…would like to make one for 2m 40cm and want a handy flexible antenna I can fix directly to the radio as you suggested
Sorry it took so long to see your comment. So it works fine as long as I use the lower power settings on the radio. Higher power can cause issues being that close to the radio. In a way his is right grounding would help a lot with signal. On the other hand I have never ground a handed held 2m 70cm radio. The concept is kinda the same. I have been told before that the portable antenna should not work. However I have made contacts just fine with it, repeaters, and alike.
I want to warn you against using that 12 vdc, cigarette adapter, in your vehicle. If your 50 watt radio, draws 20 amps +/-, most vehicle cigarette lighters are wired with light wire, and rated / fused for 5 amps max! You may blow a fuse, melt wires or cause a fire, under the dash! (Unless you have upgraded that cigarette lighter's, female plug, with 10 gauge wire!?)
Thank you for the concern and feed back. I have my car radios permanently mounted and wired through by a certified mechanic friend. I have modifications in my car (Subaru outback) for overland camping that have Beefed up wired and so on for the power ports.
Nice straightforward design. And you did a nice job explaining how you put it all together. Thanks.
Thank you!
Yeah…..I really like the orange Apache 2800 cases. I might have to pick up a couple for myself.
Looks good...nice work.
That is a straight forward VHF/UHF go box you've got there. Any reason you chose not to power it with a battery? For remote/field operation there won't be any generators around to power your radio.
I have cables that allow me to connect it to a battery. I do use a small battery when I am out in the field.
Very nice! I'm working on one now for digital modes. I have an old pelican case from a fire department incident command go box.
I thought about making one for digital. I have a kit that is set for D-Star and DMR.
nice and simple!
I just built a gmrs go box with dewalt battery and dewalt tstak case. Super lazy but works and looks great
Cool go box!
Thank you!
Nice build--I'm going to borrow some of your ideas as I (gradually) get mine together.
Thanks!
would love to see what you make in the end!
That orange box is cool. I still have a couple Dora the Explorer walkie talkies that may fit in that case.
Cool!
How well does the tactical antenna work on the 90 degree adapter? I mentioned this to a radio technician and he reckoned it wouldn’t work due to no earth? I assume he meant ground plane but I don’t know…would like to make one for 2m 40cm and want a handy flexible antenna I can fix directly to the radio as you suggested
Sorry it took so long to see your comment. So it works fine as long as I use the lower power settings on the radio. Higher power can cause issues being that close to the radio.
In a way his is right grounding would help a lot with signal. On the other hand I have never ground a handed held 2m 70cm radio. The concept is kinda the same.
I have been told before that the portable antenna should not work. However I have made contacts just fine with it, repeaters, and alike.
This is very helpful 👍
Glad it was helpful!
How do you like the folding antenna?
It works fine. I fount it work better on VHF then UHF, but work just fine.
Where did you get the radio log? And the case??
The log book I got from Ham Radio Outlet. The box if I remember came for Harbor Freight.
@togohusky5431 what is the power supply you are using?
It’s an old Stabylex power supply.
I want to warn you against using that 12 vdc, cigarette adapter, in your vehicle. If your 50 watt radio, draws 20 amps +/-, most vehicle cigarette lighters are wired with light wire, and rated / fused for 5 amps max! You may blow a fuse, melt wires or cause a fire, under the dash! (Unless you have upgraded that cigarette lighter's, female plug, with 10 gauge wire!?)
Thank you for the concern and feed back. I have my car radios permanently mounted and wired through by a certified mechanic friend. I have modifications in my car (Subaru outback) for overland camping that have Beefed up wired and so on for the power ports.