Shh! It’s a Secret! (Lab, that is!). The late Summer 2025 N9JIG Shack

[prcguy]

OK prcguy, here is what you need:

First we are going to clear out the entire room, top to bottom. Do whatever electrical work that is needed (additional circuits, lighting and receptacles) then sand, paint and clean.

Get yourself a 42u network cabinet like I used to have. That will hold the Quantar’s and other rack-mounted stuff on the left side of the bottom picture. You could us an open rack (which is preferable for most LMR installations) but a cabinet is more aesthetically pleasing. Get one with casters so you can flip it around to work at the back as needed, otherwise it has to be mounted with access to the rear.

Next the shelves above the desk have to go. The books will be relocated to a separate free-standing bookshelf off to the side. The desk itself can stay but with sturdier shelves above for the test equipment, power supplies and computers. Think 2x4’s and ¾ inch plywood or MDF, burn those HomeDepot shelves.

Put one shelf about 12-18 inches above the desktop. That is where the test equipment and radios you use every day goes. Add another shelf 12 inches above that for the rest. Everything except the keyboard and phone Come on, a wired POTS phone? Get a cordless, I am sure they can still be found at a Goodwill store someplace.

Once we are done the only things left on the desktop itself will be a phone (But not THAT one!), a monitor or two (LCD.LED), a keyboard and mouse and maybe a desk microphone.

2 laptops and an old Compaq PC? I assume you need that Compaq for DOS based radio programming so it can stay, but do you really have a CRT monitor in the corner? Come on man, it is 2025! That CRT went out with dial-up and floppy disks. Go get a couple small form factor PC’s.

Next, go to Harbor Freight or someplace and get a full-size parts bin unit and replace all those Target plastic drawers from under the desk.

One wall of the room is going to be designated for storage. That is where the bookshelf, parts bin, a coat cabinet and a gun cabinet will go. You can also relocate your printer there if you have one buried in that pile someplace.

The coat cabinet will contain the wires. Install wire clips and holders for all the cables. This will allow you to select the proper cable for the job, just remember to put it back after the job is done.

Now go to BPS and get a gun cabinet for the long guns etc. The tennis racket goes in the garage. Buy or install other cabinets on the storage wall for stuff you only need occasionally, like test gear, antennas and future project radios etc.

This gets the junk off the floor and the desk. It will make everything easy to find and access. A little investment will make for a much better experience in your shop.

If you have the storage wall completed we could do the job in a couple days.

Excellent info, I like the plan! The pictures are about a year old and the CRT is gone, replaced with another service monitor. The Quantars are in a 40u open frame Telco rack on casters so it can stay and get reworked. The guns are pellet type and no storage cabinet needed, which would take up more space.

So when will you be here to supervise the work?

 

[N9JIG]

So when will you be here to supervise the work?

As soon as I get the Business Class tickets and my per diem!

 

[APX8000]

@prcguy...Even with the GOV shutdown, that pic alone would justify travel as mission critical.

 

[N9JIG]

Minor updates to the shack 10-31-25:

I added a BCT15X and a BCD996XT to the left bay.
I had the SDS150 at the time but it was still under wraps so I hid it behind the monitor, it is on the desktop now along with the SDS100.
I added a second monitor to the PC as I have been playing with some SDR and AirNav stuff. That made me move the R8600 to the desktop, that in turn worked out well as it is easier to play with this way.
I moved the iPad to the computer desk for easier access. I use it mostly for Zello connections to some friends in the Chicago area.
I moved my handheld chargers to the corner desk along with my document scanner.

After a couple months I have really enjoyed having the SecretLab desk for the radios, I can raise and lower it at will and that helps when I am working on some wiring issues etc.

Equipment present includes 4 BCD536HP's, 2 SDS200's, a BCD260DN, a BCD996P2, a BCD996XT, a BCT15X, SDS100, SDS150, R8600, IC-7100 and an AT-D578UV-III.
Handhelds on the corner desk include IC-D52A, R30, BCD436HP, 2 BCD396XT's, 2 BCD160DN's, a BCD325P2, a BC125AT, 2 AT-878's, an AT-868, 2 IC-R5's and an IC-705.

Radio Desk.


Computer Desk:


Corner Desk:


Multicoupler:


Containing the wire mess in back of the console:

 

[kd4moj]

LF Gaming "LFG EXtreme Gaming Chair". Expensive (almost $2K) but worth it. I cycle between that and my Herman Miller Aeron (Not quite as expensive but almost...).

I don't think my butt is worth that much!

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

 

[kd4moj]

I am available for rent!

You definitionally have an eye for organization! Someday I might have mine organized but not to your level.

...DOUG
KD4MOJ