Building an Amateur Radio "Go-box"

These boxes seem to be a fairly common fixture for ham radio operators who work with emergency communications organizations like ARES and RACES. They need a monolithic unit that they can deploy quickly and with a minimum of fuss. And having a couple different options for power is an advantage as well, especially when you have to bring your own power with you.

After seeing many photos of amateur radio boxes, it inspired me to build my own. I don't currently work with ARES in my area, but I'd like to once I get the time. Plus, I really dug the idea of having everything in a self-contained, easily-packed-up box that I could move from vehicle to vehicle, take outdoors, etc.

It started with a Plano gear box.

The box is unmodified or cut in any way. The rig is mounted on a Lexan frame bolted together with threaded 10-24 rod. The frame simply slides into the box. The radio's a Yaesu FT-8800.

On the aluminum angle iron at the bottom, I have mounted an AC receptacle, banana plugs which are connected to the radio's DC harness, and a SO-239 antenna connector, also wired to the radio.

The power supply is nothing special; it was chosen because it was cheap and offered a cigarette lighter socket so I can fire up my Marlboros as I talk. I do wish it were smaller.

For power, I can either run jumpers to the Pyramid for AC power, or I can attach a 12v auto accessory plug to use the rig in a vehicle. Here I'm running off a Powerstation battery pack, which was purchased mostly for this reason. Note the pair of nifty 12v lighter sockets on the Powerstation (which also has a LED lamp which is useful for setting up in the dark, but I digress).

I have a 1/8" audio jack Y-adapter coming out of the radio, which allows me to plug in both my speaker and headphones if needed. I'd like to hard-mount this on the front at some point.

I have a laminated copy of my license and a laminated list of repeaters Velcro'd to the box lid. There's also a radio quick reference cheat sheet on the back of my repeater list. The Yaesu manual fits neatly between the box and the Lexan top.

Everything fits in the box when it's closed, including my twinlead J-pole.

Hope this helps inspire someone!

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