I designed my portable station to protect my Yaesu FT-857D and equipment from dust, dirt, and water and allows me to operate in all environments. The station supports all HF and VHF/UHF operating modes and is powered by either an external 12 VDC battery or 120 VAC commercial power. Its size and capabilities are best suited to support command centers, supported activity, or shelter operations. 24-hour continuous operations are easily supported by a minimum team of three radio operators.
Developing the PRS required a great amount of research and reviewing other similar ideas and systems. Based on my intended operating environment, this design does not have a self-contained power system (battery) but includes options to power the unit
Equipment currently installed in the portable station:
- HF/VHF/UHF all-mode radio (Yaesu FT-857D)
- Power Supply (PowerWerx SS-30DV)
- Antenna Tuner (LDG YT-100)
- Radio Interface (Tigertronics Signalink USB)
- Signal Meter (LDG FT-Meter) 3.5 x 3 x 2 in. @ 8 oz
- Speaker (MG SH-2P4)
CASE: An SKB19-6U standard effects rack case was selected for its capability to house the selected equipment and provide access if necessary. The case is vacuum formed of durable plastic with built-in handles and aluminum frames and locks for the covers and case. The exterior dimensions are 22″ wide, 13″ high, and 21.5″ deep supporting 6 rack spaces with an 18.25″ depth from the front rail to the back lid. Each lid is 2.5″ deep for an overall front-to-back lid depth of 20.75″. The case weight (empty) is 14.7 lbs.
This case is easily stacked with other SKB cases in a nested configuration. A separate 2U case was obtained to develop an additional VHF/UHF radio station for concurrent or separate operating positions supporting APRS, Packet, and other modes.
The case lids provide storage space for various cables and equipment documents. A clipboard with forms and writing instruments is stored on the front cover. Internally, a powered USB hub connects a computer, the radio, an antenna tuner, and a USB soundcard, allowing seamless station operations. The microphone is stored internally, using a microphone clip attached to the bottom of a rack.
RACKS: The radio equipment is mounted with hardware to two Raxxess RAX Unitray Universal Rack Trays (UNS). These racks have alternating offset mounting slots that help accommodate mounts for various communications equipment assemblies. For equipment without mount brackets, steel angle metal mounts (lined with felt) hold the equipment using 10-32 hardware. Cables are secured to the racks where necessary to maintain a clean appearance and ease troubleshooting.
BACK PANEL: An Odyssey APB01 1 Space Blank Rack Panel Accessory is mounted on the back side to provide antenna and power connections without having to run separate cables to the equipment. Two holes were drilled to mount two UHF bulkhead connectors for the HF and VHF antennas. A chassis mount for 2 Powerpole Connectors Sets is installed and connects to the 12 VDC main power harness. This allows the internal power supply to provide power externally, or accept power from an outside source if AC power is not available.
POWER CONDITIONER: The front of the unit contains a Furman M-8Lx Power Conditioner with Lights, which helps protect the equipment when operating on 120 VAC. The unit provides two pull-out two incandescent lights which are sufficient for operating the equipment and logging in the dark. This unit provides eight outlet plugs on the reverse side, with three outlets spaced to support various-sized AC transformer wall adapters.
Directly below the power conditioner is a Rack Writer, an erasable white plastic strip for keeping notes. Permanent, dry-erase, and grease pencil markers are kept with the unit for use on the Rack Writer, and can be erased without leaving any marks. Alcohol pads are used to erase any permanent marker writing. If alcohol is not available, a dry-erase marker is used as a field expedient eraser. The permanent writing is covered by dry erase and then both are easily wiped off with a clean tissue.
