Custom Feed Server Setup

[phillydjdan]

So, a buddy of mine gave me an old tower style server computer case he had lying around. It would fit an ATX motherboard and the power supply had modern connections, so why not, right? I figured as big as it is I can fit a scanner right inside the case and run a feed that way. So, I threw out the old mobo took a trip up to MicroCenter and grabbed a nice quad core 3.8GHz motherboard and processor bundle and 8 GB of RAM (total was $135). I wasn't satisfied with the case just being bland, so I decided to do a custom paint job. Since it will be streaming fire comms, and I am a fire buff, why not go with a fire truck paint scheme, right? So I did just that. To add to the whackerdome I added a surface mount NMO mount with 800 MHz stubby whip. I mounted the scanner inside the case, spliced in a 12V connector into the PC power harness, ran the USB and audio cable out one of the PCI slots and here you have it! Photos attached.

 

[03msc]

Wow, this is cool! Nice job!

 

[cmjonesinc]

That's pretty slick. Nice job.

 

[safetyobc]

Cool! Nice job

 

[Stupidfatkid]

Cool idea. I'm surprised it's not an RFI hellhole inside the computer case. If you wanted to go full whacker you could put a little red rotating light on top.

 

[fxdscon]

Cool idea. I'm surprised it's not an RFI hellhole inside the computer case. If you wanted to go full whacker you could put a little red rotating light on top.

And a set of axles and wheels on it!

Pretty cool!

.

 

[phillydjdan]

Cool idea. I'm surprised it's not an RFI hellhole inside the computer case. If you wanted to go full whacker you could put a little red rotating light on top.

I was also thinking it would be, but I tried this with another PC and it worked fine. I was skeptical about tapping the 12V off the PSU but I've read that PC PSU's have gotten a lot better with voltage regulation than they used to be. I ran a meter on one while trying different things and the voltage was very stable. The server is going to be located right under one of the trunking system's tower sites, so the surface mount antenna is actually overkill (I've picked it up fine with no antenna at all).

 

[radio3353]

A Uniden scanner? I am shocked!

 

[13CA350]

You could mass produce those things, that is a fantastic idea. It would be cool to mount a scanner in the 5.25" bay or front of the case

 

[mikewazowski]

Very slick!

 

[phillydjdan]

You could mass produce those things, that is a fantastic idea. It would be cool to mount a scanner in the 5.25" bay or front of the case

Wish it would fit!

 

[phillydjdan]

A Uniden scanner? I am shocked!

LOL Well it is a feed scanner, after all. What else am I gonna do with a $600 paperweight? Just rest easy knowing you'll never see one in my car...

 

[K2RNI]

Cool idea. I'm surprised it's not an RFI hellhole inside the computer case. If you wanted to go full whacker you could put a little red rotating light on top.

Someone ran a similar setup on Global Tuners before with a couple PCR1500/2500 radios and it did nicely. The best part about these too is it's easy to move around and set up in a completely new collection.

 

[durango5550]

That's pretty cool!

 

[mikesatter]

Nice Setup!

 

[Septa3371CSX1]

Nice work there.

 

[GrumpyGuard]

Nice setup. I too thought you would be in RF Hell putting the scanner in the computer case. I like innovative ideas like this, as you only have one item on the desk/shelf instead of two.

 

[SCPD]

In my many years of two-way radio have I ever seen an NMO mount fitted inside a computer case!. Now that's cool!!.

 

[Blind_Shadow]

Beautiful job. Love how you were able to combine everything. Kudos!!


Any chance to see some more detailed photo's of the set up?

 

[crayon]

I ran a meter on one while trying different things and the voltage was very stable.

I would be more worried about how much ripple voltage is leaking from the PSU.

Nice config though .. would be cooler if the face of the radio could be exposed in some fashion.