Amateur Radio HF GoBoxes by OE1TRI - Update 2024

I love building ham radio go-boxes. These are my latests builds which I have currently in use. If you are not an amtateur radio operator, this will be not very interesting to you :-)
#hamradio #amateurfunk #gobox

[@Aduhwan]

“…It’s really nothing special…” Said the man who proceeded to showcase an awesome set of very nicely designed and crafted Amateur Radio GoBoxes. 😉 😎

[@Krispin291]

Absolutely genius! Good job! Very professional look.

[@waylonk2453]

What a sight to behold! You've clearly spent some time designing and building these. I'm inspired to build one of my own.

[@boblupart862]

Dude...these are stupid amazing! Very good job! VERY GOOD JOB!

[@generac43]

Ingenious! Well thought out designs. Quick and easy go boxes. 👍

[@DelightfulToucan-sl2xu]

all three look great love how you did them

[@spudhut2246]

wow, nicely done. Exactly what I would like to do with my gear! Great work

[@tomrief]

Thank you!

[@spudhut2246]

@@tomrief have you ever used the digirig mobile for analog to digital interfacing?

[@tomrief]

@@spudhut2246 Yes, but it didn't work for me without watching endless online tutorials. I ended up selling the Digirig and stayed with the Signalink wich turned out to be more reliable. However, others like the Digirig very much. For me, I dislike devices which don't work instantly.

[@spudhut2246]

@@tomrief thanks for taking the time to reply

[@Kinetic79]

For the bigger box, those backpack straps are a fantastic idea.

[@stevebrown2232]

Great work, Tom. The thing I like most about them is that they're "clean". You've also employed some clever approaches and features to them. Thank you for sharing!

[@mashakamakarov4296]

Very nice 👍🏻

[@rayacareal]

Amazing work!!!your are an artist my friend and entirely too modest 😂

[@gregmihran8616]

well thought out designs and excellent build quality! Very impressive work Tom! Ihre Arbeit ist ausgezeichnet! Vielen Dank für das Teilen Ihrer Projekte. Grüße aus Kalifornien 😀 73 KJ6ER

[@tomrief]

Thank you, Greg!

[@user-jy7to4nh3w]

I like your use of the metal screen. Good work.

[@graphguy]

Wow, fantastic build out!

[@tomrief]

Thank you!

[@Qwiv]

Thanks for sharing. You just gave me the idea I was looking for for my POTA box!

[@tomrief]

Thank you for commenting! Every build is an experminent and learning and I'm happy when you get new ideas for your own box 🙂

[@jgaffney6]

Beautiful workmanship

[@ielZxro]

Exceptionally clean design, very cool, well done!

[@rlic9206]

Well done!

[@mikerosenberg7726]

Do you have a video showing the construction of the boxes and how you formed the materials used for mounting the gear? That would be very interesting to see!

[@tomrief]

No, I'm sorry. At the time I built them I had no idea that my boxes would be so intersting to others. On my QRZ page you can see a more detailed descitpion of the devices. One important learning I may give to others though is, if using metal I recommend aluminum as it is softer than steel, easier to cut and drill but still strong enough for these small dimensions. For building my shack (see my other video) I accidentally ordered steel sheets which were a nightmare to cut 🤦‍♂

[@nxesr]

Im fricking drooling what a legend 📡🎯💯‼️

[@rickmaudlin2160]

Very nice cases. I saw your shack tour also. Clean! (just subscribed)

[@SumNumber]

Nice assembly ! Looks very pro . :O)

[@joesphwalsh1686]

I like the way your GoBoxes are very well thought out, organized and a very clean looking. 73 KC1CXV

[@TungstenAmp]

Very nice execution and layout.

[@REXOB9]

Beautiful! Great craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing.

[@CanuckHam]

Stunning!

[@annnnonnymous]

Being a new ham, this gave me some really good ideas for portable setups as I would like to get into POTA. 73

[@tomrut3653]

Nicely done sir.

[@m7trsradio]

Fantastic work. They look the part. Well done. 73

[@jimsime1]

Excellent job! Thank you for sharing. Jim, KC2AOF

[@VP2EIHonAnguillaIsland]

Great design.. very good, my friend. 73

[@kevlarnegative]

Really cool! The only thing that I would change for a go box is the Pen. I'd go for a pencil, they are more reliable 😅 In my opinion ofcourse.

[@twohandsandaradio]

100. All fun and games until the pen leaks from overheating.

[@fragnshrapnels]

For screens. You have these screens that don't consume power when display is on. Only when changing menu. I forgot the exact name of them. But modern Ereaders use them

[@RavenwoodAcres]

Very cool build!

[@user-mw1bu6hq9p]

Thanks for sharing

[@JohnDoe-zg6fn]

You just got yourself a new subscriber sir.

[@tomrief]

Thank you, although it's not my intentions to hunt for subscribers. I just want to help out other hams and give ideas for projects 🙂

[@JohnDoe-zg6fn]

@@tomrief Well, it is working. If you build it they will come. Keep up the good work sir and remember me, I was one of the first lol because if you keep pushing content like this your channel will grow fast.

[@hanvanloenhout7045]

Really nice go-boxes , 73 Han on4mm

[@jeffreyking1880]

I miss radio shack at this moment very much.

[@Mellow_Wood_Hill]

These are amazing.

[@stahpit1971]

Very nice boxes. I have the parts to build a big one with digital. I would like to see the inside of yours some time.

[@FUNKFIEBER]

Absolut MEGA!!!!

[@3henry214]

Inspirational! I've been wanting to try building some "go boxes". 73 KN6VMK

[@danielpereira8584]

Impressive

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Very nice.

[@tomrief]

thank you!

[@metalworksmachineshop]

Very nice. 😎

[@jozefbezan2501]

Danke für das tolle Video.Gute GO-Boxen.73,de Jozef,OE1CJG.😊😊😊

[@startobytes]

random video and there you are. 73 OE8GKE. nice

[@stevewilliams8193]

Fantastisch!

[@Funkwelle]

In my eyes this is a classical example to overengineer things. 1) The devices: You bought a Xiegu G90 (500 Euro), a TYT 9800 (250 Euro), a Signalink USB (150 Euro), a Signalink MIC (50 Euro) and connection cables (50 Euro). This alone did cost you 1.000 Euros. 2) The case: To transport all this you need a large case (150 Euro) and a put on backpack straps (70 Euro) to carry this heavy equipment. 3) Additional costs: All these things in combination produce even more costs. A battery, because those radios don't have one, und USB charging for this battery. Due to the heat from all the devices you need an external temperature control and additional vents. 4) Time: Sury, you can have a lot fun building this, but it took you a lot time. If you just bought an Icom IC-705 you would have had all this in a single device. Bands from 160m to 70cm, Interface build in, no need for a mic switch, no extra cables, internal battery, internal heat control. It would have been much smaller and much lighter, so you wouldn't need such a large, heavy and expensive case. It would have had a larger screen, a larger speaker and you additionally could use D-Star. And it is available for about 1.450 Euro.

[@tomrief]

Yes, Arthur, I fully agree and I admit that I'm the master of overengineering - just look at my shack and you understand how my crazy mind works 🤣 However, there are some reasons for the chosen transceivers. The G90 has more power than any other comaprable compact HF-Transceivers and it has an excellent tuner. Also for our emcom exercises I needed a VHF/UHF transceiver with more power for simplex comms. BTW: please don't tell my XYL about your cost summary 🤐

[@jimsomers8915]

Wunderbar!

[@LiveFree-pk8ej]

Great video. Far better than the one I made. 73, VA6

[@philiptomarchio9098]

That main case is exactly what I am trying to accomplish…yours is fantastic!! Where did you get the main case?

[@tomrief]

This model is the B&W outdoor.case Typ 6000 with Backpack System (BPS) for B&W

[@spr00sem00se]

Ive built several basestation type cases in pelicases in a professional capacity, and a couple of quick and dirty solutions. These looks fun, Im glad to hear you say that you enjoy building them, and that is the motivation. I have spent a long time testing how to power a device without causing RFI, and I have come to the conclusion that the best way is a 3 cell LIPO with no electronics to regualte votlage. If I may add some commentary about yours. The big one, get that top panel strapped down somehow. I took some coachbolts, and put them inside the moulded feet on the bottom of the box, then ran them up to the top panel, and through it, then added a nut under the panel for it to rest on, and one on top to secure it, you then fill the moulded plastic feet on the bottom with silicone to gain the waterproofing back. if you dont do it, then when you walk and move it, it will move around and risk damaging things. on the small box with the filtered 240V input, run some silicone around it to seal that up, or you will regret it when needed. Consider if possible changing the top panel of the big box for one without holes, i know the holes are useful to mount stuff,but they basically render the fan useless, and will let rain in. The main reason I havent yet made a go box is that im not actually sure I need one. I have considered it for emergency use, and I dont think i would want to carry anythign more than a uv handheld. I also dont plan to leave my house in an emergency, and if I do, then I dont think long range comms are going to be a priority. I have instead invested resources and time into food and water storage. I think this is of more importance. Unless of course your go box is meant for having fun on the weekend, in which case I 100% agree and approve!!!!

[@tomrief]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Actually, the main purpose of the large box is to work indoors at our local crisis management center. Therefore weatherproofing is only important for transportation. Also, I don't intend to carry the box (15kg heavy) for long distances as I live only 15minutes away from the crisis center. I've made similar experiences with power supplies and inside both boxes are only battery small chargers - merely to charge the LiFePo batteries, not to power the radios directly. These are completely silent what RFI concerns. In Vienna emergency communication is done primarily via VHF/UHF but to cover the whole city via simplex, higher power and a roof antenna is needed - simplex comms via handheld is very limited in the built-up area. I also thought about strapping down the plate but it fits really tightly in the case and doesn't move much. But I do get your point! Building these boxes are always learning processes and when one box is finished I already start thinking about improvements and begin to plan a better one :-)

[@nine7295]

TYT TH-9800 is a transceiver (you said receiver, obviously just a slip of tongue). The SignalLink is not a modem, is just an interface with a sound chip inside. The modem function is in whatever software you run. A VHF/UHF antenna might not protect your accidental TX on HF, but the G90 has high SWR protection inside. I own a G90, (and 2 other Xiegu models), a D878UV, a D578UV-III, and i used to own a TH-9800 plus but sold it to a friend.

[@tomrief]

Thanks for your comment and corrections. Yes, of course it's a transceiver and you are also right about the Signalink. The HF-antenna is a qauadbandantenna and the G90 was tuned on it. But, yes a dummy load is the better choice 🙂

[@angelscomputers]

Thanks for sharing, im doing something very similar, where did you found those elastic things where you have the xiegu 3.5mm plug holded? same as the pen.

[@tomrief]

Outus Pen Holder - you get them from Amazon

[@angelscomputers]

@@tomrief perfect, thanks a lot, nice setup, it got me inspired!

[@robledgerwood6802]

Very nice! What is the perforated metal you are using ?

[@tomrief]

Aluminum - really easy to gut and drill

[@markkerrigan7846]

Nice rigs. Do you have a link to the perforated sheet you used to mount the radio heads and other gear on?

[@tomrief]

I Don't know where you are located but here in Austria I ordered it from local Amazon: amzn.eu/d/4NdnZO1 - It is a perforated aluminum sheet 2mm thick.

[@markkerrigan7846]

Thanks, I'm in the US and thought it might be HDPE or PET which I couldn't find but aluminum will work. Great idea to get the heat out of the box, I've only seen solid panels used before which require a fan to be installed in many builds.

[@CooldukeYT]

super gemacht - cool waeren auch ein paar infos zum aufbau und zum innenleben - 73 aus OE1

[@dream_chaser7569]

Can you put a link to where you bought your items from. I want that metal bracket.. it gives are flow without have to have to build in a fan

[@tomrief]

You mean the perforated metal sheet? Just look on Amazon, depending on the location you are at you'll find several vendors. I suggest to use aluminium as it is much softer than steel and it is therefore easy to cut and drill.

[@dream_chaser7569]

I am using your different builds as a blueprint for myself, I’m going to build my first go box. I was looking at speakers, is there a certain type of speaker you chose for your kit?

[@gayebailey8103]

Thank you for sharing your go boxes. I have been trying to figure out some sort of handheld charging station that could charge either via shore power or battery power. Does yours do both? If so how do you accomplish that. Shore power is easy, simply use and power strip, but how do you do the battery charging on more than one handheld base at once? Any idea’s or help would be appreciated!

[@tomrief]

In my case both handheld chargers require 12V, so that is very easy to connet directly to any standard LiFePo battery. If yours require different voltage (e.g. Baofeng) you can get DC/DC converters to adjust the voltage. The left two cases have a LiFePo charger built in, the right one for the handhelds needs an eternal charger for the built in 30Ah battery.

[@gayebailey8103]

@@tomrief thank you

[@johnstilwell9961]

For your Anytone-G90 Box, what antennas are you using, I am not familiar with those designs?

[@tomrief]

The VHF/UHF antenna is called CBC-435 (produced by different companys). The long antenna on the HF port is a Diamond CR8900 Quadband Antenna - not the right choice for the G90 - was only mounted for demonstration purposes.

[@startobytes]

would be interessting to know how heavy they are and how much you spent on them. 73 OE8GKE

[@tomrief]

The large box is about 15kg, the small ones are about 5kg. The weight is mostly caused by the batteries - even LiFePo can become quite heavy. I couldn't tell you the total cost as I didn't buy any of the devices specifically for the builds. I guess the items in the large box will sum up to about EUR 1.000. See my QRZ-Page for more details. 73 Tom OE1TRI

[@gajeep94yj]

Very nice! What perferated cover did you use on the middle case?

[@tomrief]

It is an aluminium sheet which is easy to cut and drill.

[@gajeep94yj]

@@tomrief oh wow! You drilled each individual hole? That's dedication right there! I would never be able to keep them lined up so perfectly..... Lol

[@tomrief]

@@gajeep94yj I hope you are joking! Of course, I didn't drill those tiny holes. It is perforated aluminium sheet 🤠

[@gajeep94yj]

@@tomrief oh! Lol I was serious... When you said "cut and DRILL", I thought you meant you drilled them I haven't seen perforated aluminum like that. Gonna have to do some more searching

[@robbietolbert4962]

You should build and sell these I’d buy one

[@jamess1787]

Beautiful work. How do you like the TYT-9800? Any warranty issues?

[@tomrief]

I really like it. It is powerful and covers addtional bands we need for emcom in Vienna. It is also very easy to program and unlock like most chinese radios. When operating with full power (50W) the radio gets warm and the fan in the back is noticable - however this is only noticable when doing longer talks. I don't know what you mean by warranty issues. I bought it from Amazon many years ago and still have two of those transceivers.

[@jamess1787]

@@tomrief seems like a lot of people had issues with the TYT-9800, I was eyeing this rig up until I came across a bunch of people online complaining about issues. One guy had 4 rigs that he sent back for warranty, and then ended up just pulling the guts out to try and fix it himself. Other various complaints. Seems like you either luck out and get a gem, or a dud. I want a portable quad band but not much on the market. Really reconsidering a TYT-9800, thanks!

[@davecattaneo8911]

Sensationell!! Kannst eventuell mir helfen, will auch etwas so bauen, mit ein Yaesu Ft 8800 als Transponder mit Batterie, Solarladeregeln, und mit ein Anschluss für Solarmodul!! Das war mich freuen von dir etwas hören! Gruass vom Ticino!! 73 de HB3YNL ;-)

[@goosecouple]

Nice ! But how do you ground those antennas ?

[@tomrief]

Usually I don't work with mobile antennas. My use-case is operation from our crisis managment center and all the antennas there are grounded. However, there is a small wing-screw on the lid for grounding.

[@andreasfrank4200]

Hallo Tom, woher bekommt man die schwarzen Platten und wie befestigt man diese in der Hartschale?

[@tomrief]

Das ist Lochblech aus Aluminium, schwarz lackiert. Gibts bei Amazon. Die Koffer von B&W haben bereits dünne Streben am Rand, die als Auflager funktionieren, sofern man genau zuschneidet.

[@oldsplendor]

Hallo Tom! Tolle Ausführung und Idee. Welche Antennen verwendest du bei deinen Koffern? 73 Erich OE3EBK/1

[@tomrief]

Hallo Erich, für KW am Feld verwende ich eine Chameleon Emcomm, für UKW üblicherweise Mobilantennen von Diamond (hier habe ich unterscheidliche, je nach Anforderung. Für den Quadbander braucht es natürlich auch eine entsprechende Quadband-Antenne (CR-8900), wenn man auch 6 und 10m arbeiten möchte. Meistens bin ich mit den Koffern aber irgendwo, wo ich mich an eine externe Antenne anstecken kann. vy73 OE1TRI Tom

[@edwardlemley5222]

What are the antennas on the last box you went over?

[@tomrief]

The VHF/UHF antenna is called CBC-435 (produced by different companys). The long antenna on the HF port is a Diamond CR8900 Quadband Antenna - not the right choice for the G90 - was only mounted for demonstration purposes.

[@edwardlemley5222]

@@tomrief thank you very much for your reply! Keep up the good work! The boxes are very nice.

[@EvgeniX.]

looks really good indeed, however looks kinda heavy and bulky.

[@tomrief]

Yes, and it is always a compromise. The bigger and heavier the box, the more batteries you fit in, which cause most of the weight - altough using light LiFePo batteries.

[@EvgeniX.]

@@tomrief LiFePo are impressive tech indeed. Its an art to make a box small enough, yet well ventilated. Anyway, it looks regid which is good for emergency communications. I personally like small components like boxless electronic boards you can hide behing the enclosure

[@eljam8138]

new subscriber here ! What amazing work ! would you consider selling some of these ?Cheers from Sweden

[@tomrief]

Thanks! I believe a Go-Box is something very personal and every ham should build their own according to the needs. So, not for sale :-) But the video should encourge others to build their own :-)

[@eljam8138]

@@tomrief true , but not everyone are on that level yet. But what can help might be if you can list some of the parts used for example? That will make it easier 🙏

[@tomrief]

@@eljam8138 I can't provide a complete parts list neither any schematics but you can find some more details about the bigger case on my QRZ page www.qrz.com/db/OE1TRI The description is in German only but the type of case etc. is described there. For the mounting plates I always use perforated aluminum sheet as it is very easy to cut and drill. The devices are mounted to the plate with steel angles. I build usually just on the go without making much plans ahead 🙂

[@TolgaZaferC]

Nice setup and backup. Out on the field under the rain, sun, dust, snow maybe boxes could be used upside down with 2 sliding windows moving inside out on the left and right while the case cover maybe opened from bottom to top, which can also protect the upper body and the system. And put 2-3 holes to the upper case for antennas where you put your bag, and carry the bag with perlons under the case, or on of the sides. It would also be good providing satellite internet to the area we are in, cause you never know when disaster happens. You can gift me one when you are done. Greetings from Türkiye. TA4TZC, 73.

[@victoryoveroppression2088]

Can I buy one from you?

[@tomrief]

No, sorry, I have too many projects on my own. Building is fun and not so difficult and I encourage every radio operator to build his or her own box according to own preferences 🙂

[@chrisscott1547]

How can these function? No supply of Depends!

[@tomrief]

Sorry, I don't understand your question. What do you mean by Depends?

[@chrisscott1547]

(Humor) Adult diapers. Most hams are unfit for emergencies.@@tomrief

[@Desert-edDave]

Man LARPers are amusing.

[@anonymous_friend]

Surprising to see a German use a Chinese radio 😂

[@tomrief]

Speaking German, but Austrian just to clarify. I believe every radio has its purpose but I definitely haven't found anything comparable to the Xiegu G90 when i comes to mobile HF radios.

[@aa.6976]

3........lol

[@M0MSV]

It is really good setup Tom, but how much does it weigh? I've assemble other ham_case for portable operation kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJzcmKN7nspgpsU

[@tomrief]

The big one is 15kg.

[@goktun1757]

Hallo Tom, echt gute Arbeit . Wo bekommt man solche Koffer ? Die sehen auch gut aus. 73 de DO1NGT

[@tomrief]

Danke! Der Hersteller heißt B&W, bekommt man via Amazon.

[@kirkcardoso6137]

Do you sell these? I like your main box.

[@tomrief]

No, it just do that for fun😀 But I'm glad you like it!

[@kirkcardoso6137]

@tomrief it's some of the nicer set ups I've seen. You did a great job on them.