Here are a few things I have learned in building my scanner stations over the years. My current obsession is rack-mounting. I have rack-mounted my radios and really like it. It keeps the wires out of sight and makes for a neat and clean installation. This is not without its issues though. It makes for a difficult time to get at the rear of the radios.
Programming Cables:
Let’s look at programming cables first. While many current radios, including Uniden and GRE/RS/Whistler scanners usually have the programming port on the front, there are a few that don’t. In my instance my WS1095 is mounted in the rear of the rack and only the control head is up front. I ran a USB cable to the USB port on the radio and ran it to the front of the rack near the head. I just use a USB extension cable when I need to update this scanner.
I use a couple radios for either computer control or data collection (Pro96Com etc.) These radios have cables from the front panel jack snaked back into the rack between panels and run to the computer. I thought about putting a USB hub in the cabinet to allow a single USB cable to the radio and might do that at some point, but for now the cables run direct to the computer.
Microphones:
The mic jack might well be on the front of the radio but in a place that causes the cable to fall in front of other radios or otherwise inconvenient. If the radio uses RJ45’s, like my CDM’s, IC7000 and TM731A, a short extension cable and RJ45 joiner will work to cleanly run the cables. My CDM’s are on the top of the rack, the mic cables would fall in front of the radios below. Since I use desk mics I just ran a black 18 inch jumper to a joiner and plugged the mics into the joiner, placing them on top of the racks with plenty of cable available to place them on the desk in front of the cabinet as needed.
Extra Cables:
I did the same thing for a couple audio cables, such as the discriminator and record jacks for the couple radios I use for these. I just leave the cables easily accessible so I can grab them when needed.
I use several multicouplers for the various scanners. I try to leave one port open on each so I can connect it to a handheld or other radio on the desk. Again, leave the cable someplace accessible and out of sight when not in use.
Remote Heads:
I have a couple remote-head radios or other items that do not rack mount, like my HomePatrol. I carefully run the power, antenna or head cables thru the racks. Racks have a built-in tolerance that will usually allow you to sneak a thin cable between panels, for larger cables you may need to carve out a notch. Don’t drill a hole thru the panel since it would have to be larger that the largest connector. By placing a notch on the top of one or bottom of the other you can just loosen one of the panels to fit the cable in.
Speakers:
While some radios have front facing speakers, most scanners do not. I have found that I usually do not need external speakers in my shack, but if I did I could add them. The open rears of the cabinets and space between the rack panels allow plenty of audio to pass. If you do need external speakers then there are rack-mount speakers but these are expensive and take up valuable rack space. Think about putting remote speakers on top of the rack or in the rear. Try putting them under the desk or the side of the rack.
Power issues:
I have 3 10u Rack cabinets, each has its own AC surge protector in the cabinet. Each cabinet also has a 25A 12VDC power supply. The 12v supply feeds a PowerPole strip and all radios use PowerPoles for 12v power. The other devices that use something other than 12v are plugged into the AC surge protector.
Once you go PowerPole you will wonder why you didn't do it earlier. They are expensive, take specialized tools to install and have a learning curve but once you make the investment you will be hooked. If you have a lot of stuff they really simplify life.
Rear Access:
I would love to be able to access the rear of my racks but currently such access is limited. The last time I changed things I pulled out everything and did one rack cabinet at a time, starting with the one at the far left (which would be the hardest one to work on later). After I was happy with the operation and all the equipment worked as expected I added the next cabinet then the last. I can get to the rear of the right cabinet fairly well but not so good the other two. I found that using a step stool to go over the top gets me pretty much what I need.
Without rear access make sure that you leave plenty of tail on the cabling to allow the racks to be pulled out and removed far enough to disconnect the radios.
I have considered building a closet behind where my racks are, big enough for a big boy like me to walk thru. I could either just place the racks in front of an opening in the wall or frame in racks to the wall itself. The wife won't allow this right now but I can still dream...
There are a lot of other suggestions that might make building your dream shack a reality.
Programming Cables:
Let’s look at programming cables first. While many current radios, including Uniden and GRE/RS/Whistler scanners usually have the programming port on the front, there are a few that don’t. In my instance my WS1095 is mounted in the rear of the rack and only the control head is up front. I ran a USB cable to the USB port on the radio and ran it to the front of the rack near the head. I just use a USB extension cable when I need to update this scanner.
I use a couple radios for either computer control or data collection (Pro96Com etc.) These radios have cables from the front panel jack snaked back into the rack between panels and run to the computer. I thought about putting a USB hub in the cabinet to allow a single USB cable to the radio and might do that at some point, but for now the cables run direct to the computer.
Microphones:
The mic jack might well be on the front of the radio but in a place that causes the cable to fall in front of other radios or otherwise inconvenient. If the radio uses RJ45’s, like my CDM’s, IC7000 and TM731A, a short extension cable and RJ45 joiner will work to cleanly run the cables. My CDM’s are on the top of the rack, the mic cables would fall in front of the radios below. Since I use desk mics I just ran a black 18 inch jumper to a joiner and plugged the mics into the joiner, placing them on top of the racks with plenty of cable available to place them on the desk in front of the cabinet as needed.
Extra Cables:
I did the same thing for a couple audio cables, such as the discriminator and record jacks for the couple radios I use for these. I just leave the cables easily accessible so I can grab them when needed.
I use several multicouplers for the various scanners. I try to leave one port open on each so I can connect it to a handheld or other radio on the desk. Again, leave the cable someplace accessible and out of sight when not in use.
Remote Heads:
I have a couple remote-head radios or other items that do not rack mount, like my HomePatrol. I carefully run the power, antenna or head cables thru the racks. Racks have a built-in tolerance that will usually allow you to sneak a thin cable between panels, for larger cables you may need to carve out a notch. Don’t drill a hole thru the panel since it would have to be larger that the largest connector. By placing a notch on the top of one or bottom of the other you can just loosen one of the panels to fit the cable in.
Speakers:
While some radios have front facing speakers, most scanners do not. I have found that I usually do not need external speakers in my shack, but if I did I could add them. The open rears of the cabinets and space between the rack panels allow plenty of audio to pass. If you do need external speakers then there are rack-mount speakers but these are expensive and take up valuable rack space. Think about putting remote speakers on top of the rack or in the rear. Try putting them under the desk or the side of the rack.
Power issues:
I have 3 10u Rack cabinets, each has its own AC surge protector in the cabinet. Each cabinet also has a 25A 12VDC power supply. The 12v supply feeds a PowerPole strip and all radios use PowerPoles for 12v power. The other devices that use something other than 12v are plugged into the AC surge protector.
Once you go PowerPole you will wonder why you didn't do it earlier. They are expensive, take specialized tools to install and have a learning curve but once you make the investment you will be hooked. If you have a lot of stuff they really simplify life.
Rear Access:
I would love to be able to access the rear of my racks but currently such access is limited. The last time I changed things I pulled out everything and did one rack cabinet at a time, starting with the one at the far left (which would be the hardest one to work on later). After I was happy with the operation and all the equipment worked as expected I added the next cabinet then the last. I can get to the rear of the right cabinet fairly well but not so good the other two. I found that using a step stool to go over the top gets me pretty much what I need.
Without rear access make sure that you leave plenty of tail on the cabling to allow the racks to be pulled out and removed far enough to disconnect the radios.
I have considered building a closet behind where my racks are, big enough for a big boy like me to walk thru. I could either just place the racks in front of an opening in the wall or frame in racks to the wall itself. The wife won't allow this right now but I can still dream...
There are a lot of other suggestions that might make building your dream shack a reality.
