I like what you did there! It can only get better and possibly lighter as you make those improvements. This makes a great contest setup on field day. 73!
I agree with you. I have seen several of those boxes, and they are difficult to haul. I have a 7100, tuner, battery booster and power supply that fit in to the suitcase I used 45 years ago. It is easy to carry. Throw in my portable antenna kit and a battery and I am good to go.
Made my first go box in an apache case from harbor freight. Has battery backup, built in power supply in the event I have access to AC power. Pics on my QRZ, but getting ready to swap the ic-2730 out for a triband (2m, 70cm, 220), but also has DMR. Will add a signalink.overall size and weight is pretty good
I used the same Gator 6U shallow box, and mine weighs 44 lbs with IC-7000, two Yaesu 2 meter radios, battery, signalink, kpc3+, power supply, epic pwrgate, two rigrunners, etc. I use a foldable dolly to move mine around when I am away from the house.
Nice! I decided to use Dewalt 20 volt powertool batteries as a power source as I have a lot of these on hand. I purchased a heavy duty voltage regulator that takes 18-24 volts and regulates it down to a steady 13.8 volts. My plan someday is to purchase a Bioenno 24 volt battery and use that. It just made more sense to regulate voltage down than to boost it up and shorten the run time. The Dewalt 5AH battery would last about four hours mostly receiving with a Yaesu FT-891and some transmitting. I would guess it would last a couple hours in a POTA situation.
Greetings. Yes, the bottom rack is sold separately. They're made specifically for these types enclosures. These kinds of boxes, as you are aware, are used extensively to house various electronics used by musicians. Thanks for your comment. 73 from de AI4QT.
Nice go box. Well laid out. I'm not knocking it, but it's way too big for me. By go box is a camera bag is tiny and has a KX2 in it. I carry it in one hand. Nice video. Barry, KU3X/QRP
Great setup, well done! Having viewed several go box videos, the one item that is missing from all other boxes is grounding. I have made myself a go box, I am done with all of it except for grounding, which is the last bit I am contemplating. YOUR ADVISE PLEASE I am thinking to: (1) run 3 short wires, from my Yaesu FT857, LDG YT-100 auto tuner, and Alinco power supply, onto a M5 bolt fixed at the back panel of the Gator box. This would also serve the purpose of picking up any RF currents from the antenna jacks which are also fitted on the back panel. (2) Then, on the outside of the box I would run a braid from the M5 bolt onto an earth rod. (3) Also, when I use the box inside a house where external grounding is not available I was thinking to connect the M5 bolt with the mains power grounding contact so when the power cable feeding the power supply goes in the mains socket, automatically I am grounding my station (M5 bolt) with the domestic grounding. I know this is far from an ideal grounding solution but "better than none" inside a house. What do you think?
Great questions. Regarding the last question, Number 3-- I'm not a grounding expert. I do think however, it may be better to have a separate grounding for the radio to insure that there is no possibility of a grounding loop. Would love to see your setup on a YT video. Best of 73 your way from Alabama. de AI4QT
Nice set up but I’m not sure this kind of unit is meant to be lugged around in a bug out type situation. It seems to be more suited for contesting or portable emergency comms but definitely not meant to be carried for any distance. Quick tip. Even for short distance such as to your picnic table there. Pick up one of those fold up dollies. You can find them for $40 or even cheaper if you search hard enough. Again... Nice set up.
I think people get carried away and end up putting their entire home base unit in these things. I just want something bare minimal but I don’t know anything about ham radios, I only started looking it to getting one for emergencies.
Agree. This would be more like something to pull out 2 or 3 times a year for field days or events. The other place it could be nice would be for RV'ing. To simply go to the park and hang I'd go much smaller.
Yes indeed. It is a ground bus picked up at Lowe’s. From the bus it goes by wire to spike in ground. I make sure each piece of equipment is grounded with no ground loops. Tnx for your question. 73.
Yeah they get heavy. I have an 850 audio power amp and an Ampeg preamp in mine and its over 50lbs. I didn't mind it much when I was 40 but approaching 60 it gets annoying.
Looks like a 6U Gator Shallow GR-6S actually. Each U is 1.75" or 3 holes. Those shelves are 1U. Looks like 18 holes / 3 = 6U. The IC-718 is a bit over 2U in height just for the radio, plus the space, and the upper shelf is even taller. Nice setup. These do get heavy, but they save time and insure that you have everything you need without bringing a lot of stuff you don't. I move all the power stuff into a separate smaller box to reduce weight in the radio box. The power box can sit on the ground. Maybe have a small removable lithium battery onboard for quick ops and demos. Two antenna tuners? Extra weight. Big SWR meter? Extra weight. Looks like a nice clean job. Enjoy! 73 de w6akb
Nice work but looks expensive and heavy. To each their own. I'd rather take my G90, a wolf river antenna, CW key and a PC for FT-8. Run low power portable. Save the big rigs for the shack.
I call this a shack in a box not so much as a go kit. Nice one you built and thank you for sharing.
A tip: watch series on kaldroStream. Me and my gf have been using it for watching loads of movies lately.
@Tyler Kieran yup, been using KaldroStream for years myself :D
I like what you did there! It can only get better and possibly lighter as you make those improvements. This makes a great contest setup on field day. 73!
Very nice go box set!
Congratulations 👍
I agree with you. I have seen several of those boxes, and they are difficult to haul. I have a 7100, tuner, battery booster and power supply that fit in to the suitcase I used 45 years ago. It is easy to carry. Throw in my portable antenna kit and a battery and I am good to go.
Made my first go box in an apache case from harbor freight. Has battery backup, built in power supply in the event I have access to AC power. Pics on my QRZ, but getting ready to swap the ic-2730 out for a triband (2m, 70cm, 220), but also has DMR. Will add a signalink.overall size and weight is pretty good
My guess is the Anytone AT-D578UV-III as it's the only radio that has all 144,220,440 and DMR in this whole world.
I used the same Gator 6U shallow box, and mine weighs 44 lbs with IC-7000, two Yaesu 2 meter radios, battery, signalink, kpc3+, power supply, epic pwrgate, two rigrunners, etc. I use a foldable dolly to move mine around when I am away from the house.
Nice set up, well laid out. 73
Nice! I decided to use Dewalt 20 volt powertool batteries as a power source as I have a lot of these on hand. I purchased a heavy duty voltage regulator that takes 18-24 volts and regulates it down to a steady 13.8 volts. My plan someday is to purchase a Bioenno 24 volt battery and use that. It just made more sense to regulate voltage down than to boost it up and shorten the run time. The Dewalt 5AH battery would last about four hours mostly receiving with a Yaesu FT-891and some transmitting. I would guess it would last a couple hours in a POTA situation.
Where did you get the bottom rack. It looks like it's fastened to both front and rear.
Greetings. Yes, the bottom rack is sold separately. They're made specifically for these types enclosures. These kinds of boxes, as you are aware, are used extensively to house various electronics used by musicians. Thanks for your comment. 73 from de AI4QT.
I forgot to answer. Purchased the racks from Amazon.
All you need is a FT991A, or FT857, or FT897, or IC7100 and a 12v PS, tiny tuner
Esta genial. Felicitaciones. Estudiar. Como. Alivianarla. Pero. Excelente
The Gator 6U case weighs 14 pounds by itself. These are transportable than portable.
Nice go box. Well laid out. I'm not knocking it, but it's way too big for me. By go box is a camera bag is tiny and has a KX2 in it. I carry it in one hand.
Nice video. Barry, KU3X/QRP
No augment there. i agree. likely keep gear in it to protect from dust.
Превосходно реализованное техническое решение!!
Great setup, well done!
Having viewed several go box videos, the one item that is missing from all other boxes is grounding. I have made myself a go box, I am done with all of it except for grounding, which is the last bit I am contemplating.
YOUR ADVISE PLEASE
I am thinking to:
(1) run 3 short wires, from my Yaesu FT857, LDG YT-100 auto tuner, and Alinco power supply, onto a M5 bolt fixed at the back panel of the Gator box. This would also serve the purpose of picking up any RF currents from the antenna jacks which are also fitted on the back panel.
(2) Then, on the outside of the box I would run a braid from the M5 bolt onto an earth rod.
(3) Also, when I use the box inside a house where external grounding is not available I was thinking to connect the M5 bolt with the mains power grounding contact so when the power cable feeding the power supply goes in the mains socket, automatically I am grounding my station (M5 bolt) with the domestic grounding. I know this is far from an ideal grounding solution but "better than none" inside a house.
What do you think?
Great questions. Regarding the last question, Number 3-- I'm not a grounding expert. I do think however, it may be better to have a separate grounding for the radio to insure that there is no possibility of a grounding loop. Would love to see your setup on a YT video. Best of 73 your way from Alabama. de AI4QT
Nicely done
Nice set up but I’m not sure this kind of unit is meant to be lugged around in a bug out type situation. It seems to be more suited for contesting or portable emergency comms but definitely not meant to be carried for any distance. Quick tip. Even for short distance such as to your picnic table there. Pick up one of those fold up dollies. You can find them for $40 or even cheaper if you search hard enough. Again... Nice set up.
What is the rail to rail depth of the gator box? Also , is it a 6u or 8u
The depth between rails is about 12". I have the same 6U shallow box.
@@kd5you1 thank you!
terrific job ai4qt from kb2uew 73 my friend
I think people get carried away and end up putting their entire home base unit in these things. I just want something bare minimal but I don’t know anything about ham radios, I only started looking it to getting one for emergencies.
Agree. This would be more like something to pull out 2 or 3 times a year for field days or events. The other place it could be nice would be for RV'ing. To simply go to the park and hang I'd go much smaller.
Quick question....looks like you have an alligator clip on the box frame in the back...is that for grounding, and if so how is it set up?
Yes indeed. It is a ground bus picked up at Lowe’s. From the bus it goes by wire to spike in ground. I make sure each piece of equipment is grounded with no ground loops. Tnx for your question. 73.
Sweet!
Wowie, That's really nice! KO4HPC 73
Guy sounds like Tim Cook
I don't have his $$$ 🙂
Split that box into two smaller stackable racks and separate your power supply. It will make things go a little easier.
Theres a lot of trees round there.
Fine
Yeah they get heavy. I have an 850 audio power amp and an Ampeg preamp in mine and its over 50lbs. I didn't mind it much when I was 40 but approaching 60 it gets annoying.
Haha. I hear ya buddy!
👍🏻
I agree with John, nice job.
De kd4stt 73s
WWG1WGA
Is that the 6ru or 4 ru box
Hi. This is the 4 ru. 6 ru was a little too large for my needs. the 6 ru is a piece of furniture. :-) .
@@AI4QT I agree. I have the 6U and it’s enormous.
@@sklegg Yeah, even the 4U is bulky. It really is more appropriate to refer to these "monsters" as "Shack in a Box."
Looks like a 6U Gator Shallow GR-6S actually. Each U is 1.75" or 3 holes. Those shelves are 1U. Looks like 18 holes / 3 = 6U. The IC-718 is a bit over 2U in height just for the radio, plus the space, and the upper shelf is even taller. Nice setup. These do get heavy, but they save time and insure that you have everything you need without bringing a lot of stuff you don't. I move all the power stuff into a separate smaller box to reduce weight in the radio box. The power box can sit on the ground. Maybe have a small removable lithium battery onboard for quick ops and demos. Two antenna tuners? Extra weight. Big SWR meter? Extra weight. Looks like a nice clean job. Enjoy! 73 de w6akb
Nice work but looks expensive and heavy. To each their own. I'd rather take my G90, a wolf river antenna, CW key and a PC for FT-8. Run low power portable. Save the big rigs for the shack.
No. Go. Box.... No