Portable Ham Radio Station
In this video I will give an in-depth tour of my portable ham radio station. I have been working on this project for a few weeks and it has been a great way to pass the time and speak with interesting people.
0:00 - Intro
0:10 - Overview
0:31 - Batteries and Charging
1:07 - Power Distribution
2:17 - Radio Components
4:21 - Insomniac Net Trivia on WIN System
4:49 - Conclusion
Below is a list of some of the parts that went into this rig. I am not affiliated with any of these vendors. The availability of these parts will change over time so this is a best-effort list. If you like some of the parts that I selected you may need to find a substitute. Some parts like wire and small connectors/screws are intentionally omitted.
Power:
16Ah 12V LiFePO4 Battery: www.amazon.com/dp/B07XDTSYJD
12V Fused Distribution: www.amazon.com/dp/B074QMRBPB
Rocker Switches: www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJKJMBZ
87a Relay: www.amazon.com/dp/B01KVZ2KEM
Inline Fuse Holder: www.amazon.com/dp/B07G7YMJXW
Bus Bar: www.amazon.com/dp/B07WV486BS
12V Volt Meter:
www.amazon.com/dp/B010HM43RQ
USB-C/A 12V Charger: www.amazon.com/dp/B07W46X9FX
12V Socket:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZVZL5C
MPPT Solar Charge Controller: www.amazon.com/dp/B07TX5S3ML
2-Terminal Charge Connector: www.amazon.com/dp/B00W93SJ0O
Lighting:
RGBW Led Strip: www.amazon.com/dp/B018TNJOLU
LED Strip 45 Degree Mount: www.amazon.com/dp/B0838WCLS4
Rack Mount:
6U Gator Case: www.amazon.com/dp/B07G5X4VHZ
0.5U Rack Blank: www.amazon.com/dp/B07H9KB3RT
1U Rack Blank: www.amazon.com/dp/B01K1JJRYY
2U Rack Blank: www.amazon.com/dp/B0060RUV4M
Procool 1U Rack Fan: www.amazon.com/dp/B07L84SKSC
Rack Shelf: www.amazon.com/dp/B01HTG4WHY
RF Accessories:
PL259 Panel Mount: www.amazon.com/dp/B014MCCYM8
PL259 Dust Cap: www.amazon.com/dp/B07GKTDLV3
PL259 Right Angle RG58 Patch (various lengths): www.amazon.com/dp/B07YC6FG3H
PL259 SMA Patch: www.amazon.com/dp/B07MN8BKWB
PL259 Switch: www.amazon.com/dp/B01BO4KSBQ
Radio Gear:
SDR Transmit/Receive Switch: www.amazon.com/dp/B07G5NGPN6
SDR: www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y1D7P48
Slim USB Hub: www.amazon.com/dp/B07L32B9C2
Mirage B-310-G Amplifier: www.dxengineering.com/parts/m...
Yaesu FT-991 Transceiver: www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd...
Links:
Blog: www.theresistornetwork.com/
Alt Channel: / @theresistornetworkalt
Twitter: / resistornetwork
#HamRadio #Communications #TheResistorNetwork
Пікірлер: 82
This is probably the best looking rig I've seen so far. See you on the air! 73
Thank you for your video and your project. It was a very nice build.
Congrats. Great video and even better that you shared all the conponents sources.
Out Of The Park! Way to Go. Clean and minimalistic. The fact you gave a product list is literally so appreciated! Happy DXing! 73s :)
I just started HAM in December and I'm not ready for a portable setup yet. That is a really well thought out and clean set up. Great job.
Nice, pro level installation. You clearly thought this out before assembling the bits. You did a lot on a budget - not cheat - well spent on good gear without costly frills that would not make you more contacts. I hope you do as well with your home HF setup after you upgrade your license. As you request comments and suggestions, I recommend checking for any possible power loss from the power-pole connectors, especially if you have a West Mountain Radio Rig Runner distribution panel, as many well qualified technicians (one who designed RF gear for NASA and the Air Force) have measured substantial voltage sag when running full power on an HF rig, as much as 2.5 v deviation from nominal voltage. I am not saying your installation has a problem ... just recommending you double check and verify you are seeing no more than .3-.5 voltage sag running full power on the transceiver. If so, you need another plan. If not, rest easy and sleep tight. A suggestion - not a criticism. Lovely bit of kit, OM. JT
Currently working on my own and watching every build video I can. The antenna switcher and VHF/UHF amp is something I haven't seen in others and an interesting idea. I'm probably going to keep my battery/power supply separate to save on weight.
Very well done in thought layout, workmanship, and clear concise video. Excellent job!
This is amazing, I am beyond impressed.
Fantastic build, exactly what I'm going to do. Ty for sharing.
Very nice work. Great attention to detail
Awesome build! Great quality video, as well.
Pity there isn't more content on the channel. Wonderful build. Would love to just see detailed build outs and a lot more about reel to reel, etc. Turns out that folks into this type of content have very similar hobbies!
absolutely fantastic build!
Yeah Man, You Did A Great Job! Who Wouldn't Want A Rig Like That!?!
That is SO freaking neat. I want one.
Beautiful. Clean.
Nice build
That looks great. Thanks for sharing!
Wow looks great and on point! I really like it.
Very nice project, well done now try to upgrade that license to enjoy all your hard work.
very well executed!
Great job.
Very nice and clean setup ! 73 from Belgium (Marc ON3 IBZ)
This is how geniuses build. 😃
thanks, nice video
Wow looks amazing really enjoyed having an option for solar power.
Thanks! I have an ICOM IC-7100 I would like put into a setup like yours. Very well thought through. Thanks for listing the components in the description. I hope you were able to get your General ticket, maybe Extra by now? Subbed!
Great build, well thought out and executed. Curious how you mounted everything. Would enjoy seeing a follow up video and any changes you've made in the past year.
@TheResistorNetwork
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! I used generous amounts of 3M VHB mounting tape for components that couldn't be screwed down for one reason or another. Many other parts are held in place mechanically where possible.
Amazing good stuff guy.
Super Mate, 73 cheers
You are one clever lad well Done. It will be interesting to see what you can achieve in the future, thank you for posting your project. 2e0tcu Brian Derby Uk.
This is so cool
Nice job!! I made a very similar box...I ended up dismantling it and built a much simpler (and lighter) solution in a harbor freight case. What you built is good for going between 2 houses/QTHs or a house/RV.
@TheResistorNetwork
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah! Exactly. It is also good for things like "hotel balcony mobile" because it packs into the car neatly.
very nice.
Great setup! 73 de N1AD
terrific station you number one 73 from kb2uew
Ver nice!
Nicely done!!! 73 de 4S5ST
That’s an amazing kit, very well built, congrats!!!! What’s the box you are using?
Nicely done!!! 73 de KB9WDJ 😁
@RoadRage810
3 жыл бұрын
Great call sign 😁 73, KD8WJD
Well done! Cheers* K4PMO
Excellent system design! 73 de K2CJB
I took Tech and General the same day. To me General Wes easier than Technician. Get the General Card. You will love it!
Do you have an update on how this box is doing? Adjustments/fine tunings/upgrades? Great job btw.
Can you provide a block diagram of your set up, indicating the wiring and components of how they are interconnected? 73's
Nice setup Andrew, you ever thought of volunteering for ECOMS? What with all the fires in NorCal they need communication techs. Like you I’ve been always interested in electronics and communications. I even took programming in High School (IBM Basic, COBOL and FORTRAN), we used the District’s mainframe. It’s not like it is now, my tablet has more computing power, that was in 1973. I grew up in Huntington Beach and now live in Nebraska where I got my call. Anyway good meeting you 73 de KB0WZH
Recommend that you break the overall system into modular parts. For example, keep your power function separate from the radio. This will reduce your radio footprint and weight. This also allows flexibility in moving your power source for other functions without carrying a large box full of everything.
@chuckcurtin
11 ай бұрын
Too late
Very nice station! ~ 73 IU5KHP
sweet build im sure its not light weighing hehe. but still its cool.
Hi I am really impressed and wanted to ask , if you could provide or send a wiring, circuit or block diagram of your project? This would help a lot Thanks and regards from Germany😀👍
Wow
Very nice. Did you notice any RF noise from the solar charge controller?
@TheResistorNetwork
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah there is a little chatter while charging from solar. I'm sure this could be improved.
Are you keeping the SDR and the tranceiver frequencies in sync? I found a way a while back, if you are interested.
just wondering how much this box weighs....great job with the build!
@TheResistorNetwork
3 жыл бұрын
It's on the heavy side for sure! Probably around 30lbs. Definitely not the rig that you're hauling to the top of a mountain. Thanks for the comment, appreciate it!
That’s a very nice go-box. Do you still use it and what mods have you made if any?
👍👍👍
not in my budget but really nice
@gamingforlive2150
Жыл бұрын
UPDATE: Planning on 1 with a radio i already have, a custom Lifepo4 battery Pack (Why Lifepo4 not normal Lipos? Safety!) and a few parts from online seller mostly Amazon since im working now and the solutions aka Go Boxes i have rgnw arent statisfactory for me due to a lack of Organisation and Size and ease of use
Where did you buy most of your equipment and parts from?
Completely fresh view upon HAM. Good job, nice to see something different and other than old farts telling us how to live.
How deep is your gator case? 13" or 19"? Thanks
@TheResistorNetwork
2 жыл бұрын
It is 13" deep.
Is your solar controller MPPT or PWM? And does it cause any RF interference to your radio?
@TheResistorNetwork
3 жыл бұрын
It is MPPT and good question. I haven't tried with solar and HF at the same time but I suspect it will cause interference. It is not a tremendously fancy controller.
@Aimsport-video
2 жыл бұрын
@@TheResistorNetwork If it didn't work out, I've had great luck with Genasun being quiet and reliable.
Parts List, please.
@TheResistorNetwork
4 жыл бұрын
I just updated the video description. This isn't a formal bill of materials, but should cover most of the major components that I used.
@edbloom4897
4 жыл бұрын
@@TheResistorNetwork Thank you. That helps a lot!
That is a well thought out go-box. The only possible mods I've seen that some favor is a NUC computer and small monitor integrated into the box. I've gone a bit more tactical myself. kzread.info/dash/bejne/oIecpruliqqxnMY.html
Can you sell me one?
You bought all that and you don't even have a general license?
@TheResistorNetwork
3 жыл бұрын
Sure! Lots to learn.
@chuckcurtin
11 ай бұрын
It gives a real incentive to upgrade.
"portable"... Gees, bit ot a stretch.
wow really cool '73 de IZ2TXQ