Any ideas on building a rolling radio rack??

[Fast1eddie]

Hello all, I need to consolidate my station-recent marital events will soon deliver my liberation from her (Mrs. Yuk....ahh she ain't that bad....) and gotta clean things up. My idea is to build a rolling vertical stack radio rack from an undetermined material. HF receivers will stack from there with ample space between for ventilation and cleaning. About midway there will be a small but sturdy folding top than can be used as a light desk. Wideband receivers are stacked and the top rack will serve as a small storage shelf. Cabling run from behind, obviously critical cables separated and managed. Splitters and accessories installed behind.

If anyone has ever seen old copies (late 30's-40's) of QST, they once did a piece on a station built on a rolling rack that would store in his closet. Looked neat and I thought that was kinda cool. Anyway, there is a ton of talent out there, I would appreciate your ideas. Gotta make it easy to build, Ikea kicks my butt.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Thanks,

Ed

 

[monitor142]

In all honesty, not cheap by any means but a 4,5,6+ foot 19" network rack on wheels would serve you well. You can buy all kinds of sheves and blank panels for mounting. If really want to get crazy about it you could locate a local metal fabricator who could cut blanks for flush mounting of your radios, like they do in dispatch centers. Did I mention that it won't be cheap????

Good luck, sounds like a fun project.

-M142

 

[N2JDS]

Not sure where you'd look for your area, but if you can find a cheap hospital clearance sale, I'd look for the mobile data stands, such as this one... PACS Mobile Workstations
Very stable, and strong, usually comes with power strip built in.

 

[Firebuff880]

Potential options ---

Georgia Case Products | Mobile Office Cases

SKB: Industrial Cases, Shipping Cases, Waterproof Cases, MIL-STD Cases, Racks, Rackmount Cases

supplies & parts ----

Server Racks, Server Cabinets, Network Racks, Shockmount Portable Cases and Computer Tables from Rackmount Solutions

 

[code3cowboy]

Frankly you will suffer by using very flexible coax for this project.

With the migration to digital records, you could get a shelf or two from a doctors office and be very happy.

 

[talkpair]

would a rolling baker's rack do the job?

You've seen the racks the bread guys or gals stock the grocery shelves from, i'm sure.

Just an idea.

 

[W2NJS]

Okay, here's what you need in the ideal sense:
1. An audio equipment rack of sufficient vertical size to hold your equipment.
2. A set of rolling casters whose frame fits the bottom of the rack.
3. Various equipment and desk adapters to finish the job.

One manufacturer who makes this kind of equipment is Mid-Atlantic. They also make and sell rack panels that are cut out for specific pieces of radio equipment. If you can locate a pro sound dealer near you they might be able to help. You really need the Mid Atlantic catalog to get you started making choices.

But, as was noted previously, it ain't gonna be cheap.

 

[rexgame]

19" rack. Middle Atlantic, NovexxComm and Scanner Master, probably have custom cutouts for some of your equipment.

 

[sdu219]

I can sell you a Centracom console for $200.00 plus what it would cost to ship it. Add casters and you are off and running? Plenty of room for equipment and great access to the equipment in the locking front and rear panel. If you are interested PM me.
Scott