A pair of 996Ts and a 15" Monitor in a PC tower

NSWESP · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 12:37 PM

Here is a bit of a project im working on What you see is a side on view of a PC Tower.

Need to buy the 996Ts first but over the next few months im going to throw it together. Will start with a single 996T then decide if i want another or if i want to mount a 2m/70cm Dual Band Amateur Radio in its place, but at this stage im thinking to go for dual 996Ts at this stage. The PC will be fully functioning with the monitor mounted to the side the PC tower, i will run a 120gb drive most likely. It will not have a CD/DVD Burner, the monitor will most likely only be used for use with the 996Ts for programming and for scanning related things (IE: Having google maps open to check street addresses on incidents, having "stations.exe" open to check station names and run codes etc) Not sure how i will run speakers yet but either have slimline ones under each scanner or mount them to the back or side of the tower casing, i suppose however that all depends on the size of the case i end up buying...

Already own the monitor, a 15" LG Flatron that has been sitting as my second monitor on my current PC almost unused. The GME TX3440 will not be added right away but rather a slightly late addition, the priority is the pair of 996Ts in there.

Hopefully there will only be 1 main cord running out of the unit, and that will be for power. Ofcourse there will be a mouse and keyboard but im not counting them as of yet as i may go wireless on them.

The lower mic clip will hold the GME TX3440 on it while the upper one will hold my Uniden 396T by the metal belt clip stud for easy mounting in a visible location.

My main concern is antennas, what do others think? Will the proximity be an issue, (each will be atleast 25cm from each other)

SouthSideScannerGuy · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 03:21 PM

That's a very interesting concept. The "proposal" looks good.

I'm sure a lot of us will be waiting to see the finished product. I bet it'll be sharp.

SSSG

slypx · #3 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 04:22 PM

Here's some idea that comes from an other member project

BC350A Super Case.

or from an available product at scannermaster

Scanner Master - Police Scanners by Uniden Bearcat, AOR and Radio Shack.

Let us know how it turns out

wogggieee · #4 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 06:30 PM

I'd be worried about frying the computer if you plan to transmit off an antenna connected to the case.

n4yek · #5 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 08:27 PM

Another thing is with the antennas being right beside the 'metal' case, it would probably interfere with the performance of the antenna.
Nice idea though.

NSWESP · #6 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthSideScannerGuy

That's a very interesting concept. The "proposal" looks good.

I'm sure a lot of us will be waiting to see the finished product. I bet it'll be sharp.

SSSG

Ill post shots as i go, hoping to source a casing this week and start to mount the screen. Im tossing up if i should use Jotto Desk face flates for the scanners to make it neater?

Quote:

Originally Posted by slypx

Here's some idea that comes from an other member project

BC350A Super Case.

or from an available product at scannermaster

Scanner Master - Police Scanners by Uniden Bearcat, AOR and Radio Shack.

Let us know how it turns out

Thanks, i have seen them but i want to incorporate a fully functioning PC into it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wogggieee

I'd be worried about frying the computer if you plan to transmit off an antenna connected to the case.

that was my main concern, i will not be installing the CB for a while yet (money is the main factor there) so at this stage untill i work out all the antenna issues it will just be a pair of 996Ts

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4yek

Another thing is with the antennas being right beside the 'metal' case, it would probably interfere with the performance of the antenna.
Nice idea though.

Would mounting one on each side of the top of the case make much difference?

NSWESP · #7 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 02:26 AM

Went looking at PC cases today and have decided to use laptop components (Motherboard, harddrive etc) in order to save space.

n4yek · #8 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSWESP

Would mounting one on each side of the top of the case make much difference?

It would definitely help, The case would actually shield the antenna if they were mounted on the side.

If you ever do put a cb or any other transmitting radio in the case, I would put an SO-239 connector on the case and run a coax to an exterior antenna. That way you don't fry your scanners or computer with a transmission from a radio.

ausscan · #9 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 06:23 AM

My scanner in a PC has an antenna that is external, i think it was getting interference from the PC. I wouldn't be to keen on TX'ing so close the the PC.

NSWESP · #10 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 10:38 AM

Looks like towers are all to small. Therefore i might end up using one of these enclosures https://secure.vividcluster.crox.net...T&SUBCATID=481 and mount the Scanners on the smaller front face, then have all other standard computer stuff on the front (Disk drive, power button and switches to turn each scanner on/off etc) then sit the monitor on top of the whole lot.

Kasmus · #11 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSWESP

Looks like towers are all to small. Therefore i might end up using one of these enclosures https://secure.vividcluster.crox.net...T&SUBCATID=481 and mount the Scanners on the smaller front face, then have all other standard computer stuff on the front (Disk drive, power button and switches to turn each scanner on/off etc) then sit the monitor on top of the whole lot.

If space for the computer-parts is an issue you migth want to have a look at the ZOTAC ION http://www.zotacusa.com/

Should plenty of computing power for some Browsing and running scanning software.

73!