Inexpensive 2 Meter Go Box

After spending what seems like months of watching nearly every YouTube video on Ham Radio Go Boxes I finally decided to make one for myself. Thing is I didn't want to spend a ton of money doing it.

There are plenty of boxes to choose from to put your equipment in. There's Plano, Gator, Pelican and Nanuk just to name a few. However, I wasn't wanting to pay $100.00 or more for a case and I wanted it to easily fit in my car as well as be able to deploy the radio quickly. Luckily I found the Apache 3800 at Harbor Freight Tools for only $29.99 with a coupon ($39.99 without). This case seems sturdy enough. Harbor Freight says it is IP65 Rated meaning it is waterproof and dust proof. It also has the pick-apart foam which makes custom fitting your Go Box much easier. The Apache 3800 measures 16 15/16" Long x 12 7/8" wide x 6 11/16" x high. It has plenty of room for my Yaesu FT-2980. N9TAX Slim Jim Antenna, 12 volt 14ah battery, a couple of 10 gauge pig tails, notepad and rope.

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That's the one I got for the KX2 and all the bolt on's. Very well built and at a price that makes sense.

 

Great job on that.

 

I spent too much.

Good work.

 

Is described by HF as being waterproof and does it have an O-ring seal around the lid?

 

Of course it has an o-ring. And a vent.

 

nothing better than something affordable and yet works great!

 

That is a nice looking kit!

 

Thanks much for the comments!

 

Bro., I'd like to suggest something better that solves another aspect for a good go-box that can survive a EMP/ESD hit. My go-box with my IC-7000, PS & gelcell in a surplus steel Mortar Ammo Box. But due to the rubber gasket making a good insulator I took a 22 wire bore brush and reamed out the hinge pin/socket and applied some conductive grease. The Mortar Ammo can has a nice grab handle. The hardest item to find is the foam and then how to hot-wire to cut the foam. My KX3, gelcell, and items inside a steel 50cal Ammo Box for my QRP grab-n-go.

 

Outstanding idea! Do you have any pictures of that?

 

Now with all the money you saved, you need to get a good solar panel.

I'll save you some time looking around and go straight to the best deal you are going to find for a folding solar panel on the internet.

Link: Military Solar Panel

 

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Nice botenx. I have my KX3 in a 12 x 7.4 x 4.4 Pelican nock-off for 29.95 from Marlin P. Jones Assoc. and a smaller one from there for my Ten Tec 4020 that ate fully waterproof.

http://www.mpja.com/Misc-Electronic-Enclosures-Boxes-Cases/products/103/

My problem is that I want a 'ready to operate' setup, open lid and operate for My Kenwood dual-bander, p.s., battery, TNC and maybe a Pi3. Not many ready to go boxes. Store and travel, sure....ready to operate not so much. The biggest problem for me is the internal support and shock protection and fan ventilation takes from battery capacity.

 

What is the coupon code?

 

Mine is a ready to operate set-up. Not the best picture (taken from my QRZ profile), but contains a dual-band radio with TNC and external GPS module. Built-in power supply inside or I can (manually) switch to battery power if needed. RF, AC, and DC power connectors mounted on the back so no cables need to be dangled out.