Base Radio Desk (Work In Progress)

[Part Time]

Hey guys, a while back, like a couple of months ago, I posted about how I was going to post some pics of a desk that a good CB friend of mine is building for me to accommodate 2 mobile radios as bases, one for AM & one for SSB, Astatic 600 meter, scanner, frequency counter for the AM radio, a flat panel monitor, a file cabinet, and a PC. He started this thing in April of 07 and usually only works on it in his spare time and when he comes across free wood. The plywood he actually had to buy, but so far cost has been very minimal. He is a scrap hauler and comes a across a lot of freebies at the scrap yards he hauls to. Only thing that you see in the pics that I am not planning on using is that antenna switch. It's a cheapy one and the guy that is building this desk used the same thing and it made SWRs goofy. So, if I am going to need one, I have found plenty of sources for a quality one from this forum, as the start of this project was before I joined the forum. Let me know what you guys think, and I KNOW that you all are going to want pics of the final product, but sorry guys, right now I am still in a Townhouse (4 plex) and can not run a "real" base antenna here, but am in the market in the future for a house. So that is where this project will come in nice! Hope you guys like the idea so far, and hope that maybe is sparks new ideas for some of you that may need a change to your radio rooms. If you can't tell, the guy building this thing for me is big on having things built in! You should see "his" radio room! I think that maybe I will talk him into letting me taking a few pics of his room this weekend, you would be amazed!

This thing is going to weigh a ton when it is finished! Probably literally a ton! Going to have to be 4 pieces total in order to move it, but even then, the top section so far is all him and I can take to lift is up and down off of the desktop.



First stage of the desk. Not much to see here but the basics. (Pics Taken 4/8/07)
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A few things installed to show what it will somewhat be like in the end. (Pics Taken 4/16/07)
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A lot more added (Pics Taken 7/18/07)
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Final Stages. The plywood will be covered with stuff to match the desktop. (Pics Taken 10/9/07) Hasn't changed any since then.
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[Hard Drive]

Man! That’s one nice station. Make my look bad.

[BigBlue 442]

That looks nice and clean. You building them in ready made kits cause I want one.

[Part Time]

Oh man! Glad to hear you guys like it so far. This guy loves to build with wood. I never even asked him to do it, he just started it because he was bored. He did build a small one for another friend. Will have to see if I can get pics of that too. This guy building this, I have been trying to get him to join the forum, but he isn't all that Internet savy, but I am trying. I would like to see, like I said if I can snap a few shots of his set up with this Astatic 600 meter, Texas Ranger 696F and KLV1000. Keep the comments coming guys! I am going to e-mail him the link to this tread to let him see what he is missing! LOL

[80 meter man]

That's nice right there I don't care who you are!!!

[Part Time]

That's nice right there I don't care who you are!!!

Thanks much there 80 meter man! I hope through out the weekend the members see this and post replies. I really thought he was nuts at first until I started seeing things come together. I am sure he can build to suit others, but shipping would kill a man! LOL Keep'em coming guys! Like I said, I am going to e-mail him a link to this thread to let him see what he is missing by not being a part of the forum.

[Tezterz]

Wow, I could say it's great looking, or it's a super idea, or I really like the choice of materials or I WANT ONE! You are really going to like the comments that's going to get. Keep the pictures coming as the project comes along.

[Part Time]

Wow, I could say it's great looking, or it's a super idea, or I really like the choice of materials or I WANT ONE! You are really going to like the comments that's going to get. Keep the pictures coming as the project comes along.

We will defiantly do that Tezterz. It's been at a stand still since about October, but are looking to wrap it up soon. But like stated, I am in a Townhouse/Apartment, so actually setting it up for it's intended use is going to have to wait until I get a house bought. Hope to get his station posted here tomorrow evening or so. I am sure he can build for you Tezterz, but like mentioned before, shipping would kill a person! LOL Gas money to pick up would probably be cheaper with the weight involved. Glad to hear you like the idea! Thank you much! Will keep updates as they happen!

[whipsnapper]

That's pretty much a dream setup for a base, I would imagine. It looks like it accomodated all aspects of what you would need a base station to do and MORE!!!

I second the pictures request also...keep them comin'!

[Part Time]

I second the pictures request also...keep them comin'!

Will do whipsnapper! Thanks for the reply post!

[linx]

Looking good! I like the built in slots for those mobile radios. Real professional looking!

[Part Time]

Looking good! I like the built in slots for those mobile radios. Real professional looking!

Thanks much linx! Appreciate it! Hope to hear you guys on DX Fest today!

[Ol'Dawg]

Man, that is just plain SUPER. That makes mine look like it belongs in the garbage
can. But a guy with no talent (ME) built mine.
Later.................I'm the Ol'dawg

[Part Time]

Man, that is just plain SUPER. That makes mine look like it belongs in the garbage
can. But a guy with no talent (ME) built mine.
Later.................I'm the Ol'dawg

Ahh, don't be so hard on yourself. This here has no "real" tools involved, just what ever he has. That's his biggest restriction is he wished he had the tools that he needed to make it look a little better when you are looking at it up close. Thanks for the comments, was really interested in seeing what all of you thought of this thing. I just got the pictures re-saved because originally they were about a 4MB file, got them down to 400 to 700 KB now. I am kinda digital camera stupid, but I got it figured out on the laptop last night on how to edit them down in size but to keep the picture clarity. Heck, it only involved about 3 clicks LOL.

[rmyers2051]

Having the ability to actually build something like that is great, but,,,,, having the vision to pre-design that sort of stuff is way more impressive to me. I can build that sort of stuff, sometimes better than most,,,its just the little things like the vision that deter me. If I had started on that, we would be on the 5th or 9th generation because the others had some oversight or simply forgot something-such as a top or holes for wires.
That thing is very well thought out and designed. Keep up the cool work, draw plans and sell them.

[Part Time]

Having the ability to actually build something like that is great, but,,,,, having the vision to pre-design that sort of stuff is way more impressive to me. I can build that sort of stuff, sometimes better than most,,,its just the little things like the vision that deter me. If I had started on that, we would be on the 5th or 9th generation because the others had some oversight or simply forgot something-such as a top or holes for wires.
That thing is very well thought out and designed. Keep up the cool work, draw plans and sell them.

Thanks so much rmyers2051! The credit goes to my good friend Dave (Junior on the CB), still getting him convinced to join the forum. He really does like you say, really sits and thinks about this stuff going down the road hauling his scrap, calls me a lot of times saying, "hey Cody, if we did this and that to this desk do you think that it would work out of you"? And I just tell him that "yeah, now that you mention it, I think it will". So I have bought a few things that are going to be needed for this desk, like the meters, and that ,FC 390 frequency counter just so he can cut the holes and get this thing into motion. Even though those items have not really been used for much. This guy is one of my better friends and I was just surprised that he got the hair to build something for someone other than himself. Ahh, now that I think about it, I still need to take some shots of his set up and post here as well. He is really very creative! Thanks to you all, and keep your thoughts and ideas, comments coming! Hope that maybe this post will bring some ideas to other fellow forum members!

Conditions didn't really favor too much here in Marion, Iowa today for the DX fest, but I will see if anything is different tomorrow.

[rmyers2051]

Forward vision, able to see the end product before the first line is drawn on paper is truly a gift, one I wish I possessed!

[Iceman270]

One word sums up this project of yours....Awesome!!!! :D

[Part Time]

One word sums up this project of yours....Awesome!!!! :D

Thanks much Iceman270! Could be a while before it's done, but will post more pictures as it progresses!