At home SDS200 Mounts

[BobW55]

I need to make a mount for my SDS200 and my 2m/440 rig.
I have been slowly thinning out my Ham radio stuff, but am going to keep my VHF/UHF rig. I am using my discone antenna for both via a coax switch.
Curious to see how others have rack mounted their stuff.
lets see some pictures

 

[bobruzzo]

I bought a nice 4 tier scanner rack from ScannerMaster a while ago. It was a bit pricey, $70 I think. I was able to put my SDS200 up top, a BCT15X below that, a BCD996P2 below that, and at bottom I put my Icom IC 2730 2m/440 rig. The SDS200 is connected to an 800 mhz yagi right outside my window mounted on a short section of PVC, which is clamped to the gutter. The 2 middle scanners are connected to a Stridsberg coupler which has 4 ports and allows me to use the 2 scanners off same antenna, an OMNI X. The Icom is connected to an old Diamond X-50 vertical. The other 2 ports on the Stridsberg are for my 2 RTL SDR dongles connected to each computer.

 

[BobW55]

I bought a nice 4 tier scanner rack from ScannerMaster

I ran across that. I may pick one up now that I see it. Also have a HP1, so a Stridsberg1 is on my future.

 

[BobW55]

Ordered a 4 Place Rack
Thanks for the info.
only have my SDS200, 2M/440 Rig, and a HP1
Figure I can rack mount them all and hide the power supply and wires, should make a slick setup.

 

[bobruzzo]

Ordered a 4 Place Rack
Thanks for the info.
only have my SDS200, 2M/440 Rig, and a HP1
Figure I can rack mount them all and hide the power supply and wires, should make a slick setup.

Well I have been trying to organize my shack to be neater. But it is a small room and window is taking up valuable wall space. So everything is crammed into that one side of the room and the corner. My desk is a very heavy 6' folding table so I have plenty of room. I ordered a replacement computer today to replace my HP Z210 which is my Linux machine. That will free up a good amount of space. The scanner rack was definitely worth it cause there was no way to place all those radios on top of each other without them falling over.I wish I could get a special made rack to hold the HF rig and tuner. And the Stridsberg multi coupler is very good to have with multiple scanners. Its pricey but well worth it.

 

[BobW55]

30 amp power supply arrived today, 4 port Stridsberg is on order along with some terminators and BNC jumper cables.
Stacking deck is suppose to arrive on Saturday. Still need to find someone to cut a piece of sheet metal to fit around my HP1. ( Not my forte)
Have to find/order a power switch, also installing a voltage monitor. should look really nice when done.

 

[BobW55]

Not sure if I am going to mount the 2M rig on top or in the middle. Still need to make the mount plate for the HP1

 

[BobW55]

Need to paint and figure out a more secure way to mount the 2M/440 rig.
External power and volume buttons for the HP1 work.
Need to install the main power button and voltage meter.

 

[BobW55]

Waiting on my multi coupler so I can split the antenna feed.
Now to reprogram the HP1 with most of the conventional stuff and let the SDS200 handle the Digital.

 

[bobruzzo]

I remember trying all kinds of configurations, but I couldnt get anything to look neat. That scanner rack I got was the best idea and keeps everything secure. I think I am up to my radio limit now, no more room for any other gear. The multi coupler was also a very good idea cause I wanted to run 2 of my scanners and my 2 RTL SDR's off the same antenna. I bought an Omni-X antenna and have it up pretty high and it works very well. That antenna was pricey too but its built like a commercial grade antenna. I hated to spend all that money on these accessories but I was getting tired of going around in circles trying to figure out the best set up. And wife didnt want any more antennas out there. I reset my shack AGAIN a few days ago and now its the way I like it.
I use my SDS200 for the statewide P25 simulcast system. The other scanners are for conventional stuff. I also have a 2m/440 rig, but now I put it on top of scanner tower, held in place with velcro. My HF rig is used mainly for FT8/FT4 and some other digital modes. I also like to decode the weather satellite pictures from station NMF out of Boston. I get a really good signal here using my G5RV. The freq is 6.338 mhz.

 

[BobW55]

Im just running a discone. I took off the 54mhz whip. I also use it to transmit on the 2m/440 rig. I have an antenna switch to go between the scanners and the Ham rig. Just sold my HF rig. Tired of stringing wire through the trees every year. Really happy with how this turned out. Just wish it was about 4" deeper. My power supply hangs out the back.

 

[bobruzzo]

I have a nice Diamond Discone I bought a few years ago when I got back into scanning. Its a very good antenna, but now it is hanging from rafters in garage till I find another use for it. How is the swr when you TX on 2m/440? I thought about using it as a backup antenna.
I hear ya on stringing wires! We have a small yard with ONE TREE. The only way I could put up my dipole was by clamping two 11 foot bamboo poles I found in garage, then placing it up in the pear tree in center of backyard. I got feedpoint up almost 30'. I was able to stretch most of the dipole out across backyard. One leg is fully out and the other leg has about 8' of wire running along top of fence cause I ran out of room since tree is not 100% centered in yard. But it works VERY well. Theres no other way to do it since we don't have trees. We used to have really big pine trees on either side of backyard which would have been perfect, but had 'em cut down due to bad wind storms a few years ago.
I guess you could make a scanner holder out of wood. Thats an easy job. Thats what I was originally going to do but got too frustrated with everything and got the metal rack. We eventually plan to move and not sure how thats going to affect my HF part of the hobby. I may have to settle for a 40-10 meter dipole cause wife wants to downsize to smaller place when she retires. Luckily she is good with compromising and she understands that my hobbies are important. We are debating whether to move up north to New Hampshire or go across into eastern Connecticut.

 

[BobW55]

To be honest I have no clue how good bad the SWR is.
Suppose to be be >2 across both bands. Radio isn't complaining

 

[chief21]

Waiting on my multi coupler so I can split the antenna feed.

You do realize that you can't transmit into the multicoupler... right?

 

[BobW55]

You do realize that you can't transmit into the multicoupler... right?

I have an antenna switch. Either the scanners are inline or the Ham rig is.

 

[BobW55]

To be honest I have no clue how good bad the SWR is.
Suppose to be be<2 across both bands. Radio isn't complaining

Meant SWR less than 2

 

[bobruzzo]

You do realize that you can't transmit into the multicoupler... right?

Yes, for sure. It is only for receive.