Project Shack in the BOX

[drdx]

Ok, here's the deal. I want to take the best of components (or what I can get my hands on) and construct a hugely capable station all in one large box. I frequently dumpster dive and found some nice stainless shelves that are about 15"X36". They are new and I plan on making my project, code name "shack in the box" with these shelves as cabinet material. The front face of the radio will have those dimensions, so there's plenty of real estate there for a lot of features. I have 15 of these shelves, so there is more than enough for a cabinet, base (if it becomes a floor model), matching table, whatever. I want this thing to make any super base, including the Trams, Daks, Brownings etc. look small. This thing will be a piece of furniture and probably be on some industrial casters I have in the garage, due to its weight. Below is a list of features I'd like to put in this big box, most components I already possess. I'll probably base it on a 148/142 Cobra Chasis as I have those lying around- great ears, cheap mods, and i won't feel bad if i smoke one. Also, this is a CB attempt, not something i want to get too hamish with, I've been there and done that. I'll also pass on the echo deal as this thing will be all business. So, here is the starter wish list for this deal:

-fans, preferrably variable, I have a couple of nice Dayton squirrel cage styled ones with variables already
-Built in amp, something like a 250 deadkey and a 500 swing ( i have a 667 in mind for that, as ssb will be used)
-internal battery backup(and to pad the amp draw on the power supply
-built in antenna switch (i'll use my 5 position ameritron for that)
-switches galore, for fans, meters, lights, tuning (a deadkey switch), but still tastefull
-frequency counter
-large internal power supply
-custom desk mic
-foot ptt switch
-volt, amp, and the usual cb signal meters- i have several automotive meters that are nice and light up, and match cobra meters in color
-nice watt and swr meter-built in
-dual transmit and receive, similar to the D201, -I'll put 2 radios in there for that and be able to switch or use the 2nd as a monitor
-great front mount speaker(s)
-it might be a floor model with matching stainless operating surface for my mic and beer, similar to the collins line console concept, power supply and battery in the base of it.
-possibly a built in antenna tuner
-built in low pass filter
-ability to adjust transmit tone via an equalizer and/or speech processor
-dsp filter for receive
-a tram style hood you can lift for service access, with a handle on it and a nice under hood light that comes on like a fridge
-it will have a common power center/fuse block
-an external power jack for powering up and testing other radios, right on the front where it's handy, and with a nice cap on it
-a beer fridge, just kidding, what am i lacking here?

Any input is appreciated. I sit around the house all day and teach classes on the internet, so my hands are free to craft whatever most of the time. I don't want this thing to look like a slip seat box, i want everything in there like a production unit. It may take a year, but I want to try to make a go of it. If the material I have is too hard to craft easily, i may go with a nice aluminum face, but i'll try the stainless 1st as i own it already. I own most everything here, and if it bombs, I can take it apart and call it a bad idea.

-drdx

[Slim Jim]

Man, that's a sweet idea. It'll probably be heavier than a safe when you get through, but the concept is cool. Anyway, how about having a huge "ground system" (like a two gauge wire!) that everything is hooked to, that comes out of the back of the radio cabinet. Then you could run it outside to your ground rod and keep it nice, neat, and simple...just a thought. The only other thing I can think of is having some small desk style lamps that can be positioned where you want them...to illuminate the switches and the work surface you were talking about. Back-lit meters are a must! And, for a military feel, add red "black-out" lighting so you can operate in a dark room with out anyone seeing lights on in your house...Maybe that's a crazy idea, but I do it all the time. I have trouble with paranoia and always think people are scoping me out...lol. Anyway, the only other thing I can think of is putting a fan on the front to blow on you when it's hot!

[209 first class]

i like your thinking ! but let me get the situation right, you already have a superbase with a tram ect, your building a second huge rig? if that is so, i like your thinking even better. have any sketches of the idea? a metal faced cabinet with holes cut just to fit the faceplates thru for a professional look ? sounds cool . the only thing i did not see on the list but is mostly useless and just a toy but fun nevertheless is an audio meter,lol. take leads off the speaker,parallel, put a resistor on the hot lead, going to a pot, then to a meter. adjust the pot so u can read the meter. it reads audio in relation to signal strength. just another fun needle to watch. oh, how bout this, if the cabinet will be enclosed, how about an exhaust tube pulling out the heat exhausting outside so it wont warm up the room in the summer? flexable clothes drier tube would be good of somthing smaller... the project sounds like alot or fun. 209

[KC135]

How do I order one? :D

[drdx]

Well, I don't already have any superbase or tram action at the moment. In the past I've had a tram and just about every other base out there but the big rangers, galaxys, and never had a Browning, but I've covered most of the rest including CPI and DAK, but that was long ago. I've been out of the base scene operation wise due to house antenna restrictions, but I have a tree that is getting big enough to get creative with in that department, and I'm on high ground. I currently have a stack of gear including a couple of bases, one being a pristine 142gtl that has never had the lid off, and a just as nice old 148 that will most likely be my core radios for this project. I would really like to drill holes and have the knobs out on the control panel and not use the radio's panel but if it proves to be something that doesn't look good, i may just sink the faces of them in there. If I did that, it would built much quicker and allow changing out of the rigs, Lego style. I could cut out the faceplate area and mold rubber or nice foam around it. I pick up every dirt cheap cb item i run across and I'm also piling up D104's over here, as they seem to be going up. No pics yet, but I might start by making the control panel template out of very thin wood just to get placement on it all. I know this sounds kinda redneck, but if it is cheap and keeps me busy, oh well. -drdx

[rev ike]

hey dr i thought about an old johnson chasis if it can be fitted with a vfo and paired with a helper in a cabinet then i thought about gettin my tram pimped i heard they can be awesome but im short on cash now and slow with ideas but you got me back dreamin way to go dr you da man wit da plan

[drdx]

Well, I got the cash flow issue here as well, but own most of it, in fact, all but the big power supply and a few nick-nacks. I'll dumpster dive for the rest, eith for the actual materials, or for stuff to sell to fund it.

The largest physical radio I've had was a Johnson Viking II transmitter. It had a VFO and sounded great on AM. I used an equalizer/amp to modulate it. Man, that thing was really old school. I used my Zach T. at the time to receive and it was fun. I even used it on 40 meters for CW, but it chirped pretty bad. This idea, for me based on current equipment pile, is a cheap one but will require a lot of work. I need to figure out a good wat to make the holes in the face, etc and I've pretty much decided to keep it all old Cobra and bring the faces of the radios out through the panel, flush, so I can change them out easily.

-drdx

[rev ike]

perhaps a plexyglass front clear or tinted cut out for the unit case to fit?

[drdx]

Hey, that might work, look cool, and i could use my dremel to craft it.

-drdx

[rev ike]

I'm still trying to imagine the air flow and cooling (for the help)sounds very interesting have you considered how it will be housed?i know your talking about existing already acquired items like some of the reality TV shows... what the hey;do you have a video camera OK ill stop now my "illness" is bleeding through..... i might try something later for maybe back up during power outages.one more thing step by step journal just in case

[Blackdammit]

drdx,

After you mess with all that nonsense come to me
I have an extra RCI 2995 DX for sale. It is rewired
and has had the power supply beefed up. Other than
that it is brand new in the box. It's all ready to ROCK
and ROLL.

blackdammit

[209 first class]

yes,the 2995 is a nice radio (im a happy 2990 owner too, but) but the SOUND is nowhwere near the tram and other stuff they are talking about. tubes distort in even order harmonics (pleasing to the ear) solid state distorts in odd order harmonics (hashy noise, like a transistor radio full blast). i collect vintage guitars and amps, i dont think anyone uses transistor amps for distortion in any band or recording, they dont sound good. now that i notice the correlation, and have heard the difference on the air, i love my rci for scanning, but for talking its all tram. nowadays i can tell a tube radio on the air, before it didnt matter, the loudest one was best... the tram uses 6L6 tubes, the same tubes that power most famous vintage guitar amps, fenders, marshall. its no suprise. 209

[drdx]

The 2995 is nice, very nice, but I'm after a CB'ers CB, pure and simple, and putting it in the package is the fun. And, the features I'm talking about don't exist in one box in CB form, even in the 2995. Back when I was serious in the ham deal, I had a 1st gen 1000mp and it was as close to an all in one I've ever had, but it was $2800 and I didn't put it together. Plus, my plans as far as all the built-ins go way beyond that. Not as plush, but purpose and fun built for CB. I'm currently only lacking a power supply and amp, component wise. I've decided to skip the antenna tuner, as it is a single band setup. I'm currently working out the floor plan of the face. Once I've one that, ill get it nicely drawn onto a scannable surface. I've been talking about this to the local vehicle graphics guy I buy my mag mount vinyl antenna pad pieces from. I want to scan my faceplate plans into electronic form, put the lettering for the controls in the image, send it to them and have a faceplate cut out that I can apply to whatever surface I'm using for a faceplate so that it doesn't look so home made. It sounds like a lot, but I have the time and I'm in no hurry. The tree my antenna is going in (due to HOA restrictions) is just getting taller. I'll never have a huge station due to site restrictions but the build will be fun, and I'll throw it in fleabay when I'm done and sell it to one of those fools that overpay. I'm using commonly found items for the build, so it should be able to be duplicated and altered easily. -drdx