re: Constructing Hombrew Repeater Project Boxes -
Chassis (with lids)
The first few 224 Repeaters I constructed used Surplus LMB
AL Boxes with lids... purchased from a store going out of
business. :-( Aluminum LMB Chassis are also sold with
matching covers making them sealed boxes. (LMB is a brand
name)
The problem is the regular price of Aluminum Boxes has
gone nuts (unbelievably high). LMB and the retail stores
are now proud enough to price a 3 inch deep 17 inch wide
box (with a lid) well above the $40 amount. Wow...
The 3rd, 4th and 5th constructed 224 MHz Repeaters used
some pre-made boxes and all boxes have home-brew central
Aluminum dividers. A well done chassis divider plate is
actually more difficult to home-brew construct than the
chassis/box was.
One of the repeaters reused a flea market purchased AL
box after covering the unused holes. If you have the time
and a decent supply of small screw hardware, covering
unwanted holes is not major deal.
One 224 Repeater Box was home-brew constructed using Aluminum
sheet from ACE Hardware. Many ACE Hardware Stores have
a basic selection of small Steel and Aluminum Squares for
sale and I feel the price and convenience is more than fair.
ACE Hardware metal supplies are well worth a look. We also
have another chain of stores called Tractor Supply with
a decent but higher priced supply of sheet metals and
hardware. I'm sure most everyone above would ship out
purchases/orders done by mail/web.
I constructed a few boxes with the above mentioned Aluminum
Squares... using a shop shear and bender. Although a decent
piece of angle iron, some "C Clamps" and a decent shop
table actually do a better job making lid bends. Most decent
sheet metal work actually related to how much time you can
spend doing things the best way possible.
So yes you can make your own relatively inexpensive boxes
if you have the time and patience.
****
Same thing with the mounting plate... I assume all repeaters
will mount on 19 inch rack shelves, so the main base plate is
a cut plywood square, painted a dark color (most often black
or dark green).
A cut square of ACE Hardware modestly thin Galvanized Sheet
steel plate is screwed onto the painted wood base and serves
as a main DC Ground (return) conductor.
The main Aluminum Repeater Chassis (box) simply shoots down
onto the steel plated wood base with decent screws. One could
use stand off spacers (sometimes I use just a flat washer if
chassis to plate spacing is needed) but they are not required.
Pictures in the photos files section.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/photos/album/0/list
cheers,
s.
> "Camilo So" <socam...@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Skipp,
> Love your Chassis, Did you fabricate the chassis your self, if made by some
> one cane you pls forward the email or location address thank you.
>
> 73
> W4CSO
>
