Scanner Box

[para595]

I have an idea floating in my head about making a box out of 22 Ga galvanized steel to hold my scanners. The idea for this box would be to have the four scanners that I have (2 BC346xt 1BCD396xt 1BCD396t). They will be placed on the front with mic clip attachment points. Inside the box will be the coax and connections, Preamp and I was thinking an UPS surge protector to give me a little bit of power back up. In the back of the box will be the outlet for the surge plug and a connector for the antenna in line. My question is would I have interference with the powered devices being in closed in the same box as the coax lines. Some other possible issues I see is I plan on painting the inside and outside of the box to help with both rust and also any possible shorting to the metal that may occur. The other issue will be possible overheating and I was thinking of putting two USB computer fans on the sides to counteract this.

Any recommendations or suggestions would be helpful.

Thank you

 

[pjtnascar]

For starters, I would make the box out of aluminum. As far as interference, are you keeping the rubber duckies, or connecting all of the scanners into one antenna? If you're sharing an antenna, you may get some intermod between the scanners.

 

[para595]

They will be using the same antenna which is the current system that I use currently I have not noticed any inter-mod but may just be me not knowing it when it hits. Any reason to saying Aluminum other then weight savings? The picture is a rough idea of what im using now what is not showing is the Radio Shack Preamp and spliters.

 

[pjtnascar]

Aluminum is more expensive, but I think it looks nicer. I'm not sure what exactly you are looking to do with the set up, but if your radios are working well all connected to one antenna, then you should be okay.

I don't really see a need for the back-up system, since all of those scanners will run on batteries anyway.

 

[W2NJS]

If you intend to sit the "box" on a table, the easiest way to do this is to get small rack cabinet that takes standard 19-inch wide rack panels and then install two rack shelves in the cabinet. The rack cabinets are available for reasonable prices on eBay, and the shelves can be had from outfits like Sam Ash for under $20 each with free shipping. Mounting screws you pick up also on eBay for under ten bucks for about 100 of them; the size is 10-32 and it's an industry standard. You could get a rack that has enough room in the bottom to hold a power supply or a bunch of wall warts. In total you're probably looking at about $125 or thereabouts to do a really neat job that will make you the envy of your friends.

 

[para595]

The plan for this was to make something that would in essence be a plug-n-play setup (ex moving rooms in the house, taking to the car for trips, airshows and events and basically just have to plug in the new antenna and plug into power.) The other end of the story is I am a laid off Sheet Metal Worker so my mind gets to thinking of new ideas. I see what you mean about the Aluminum will have to see if my hall has any I could use. The Shelf idea sound cool for a fixed base idea.