Build an EmComm or Radio Go Box

In this video we’ll take a look at building a EmComm or Radio Go Box. I’ll provide links to the parts used in the build below.
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Step Bit
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Velcro Strips
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Covered Switches
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PL 239 Bulkhead Connector
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SO 239 Socket Covers
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10 AH LifePo4 Battery
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F2 Connector Cable for Battery
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Binding Posts
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Distribution Block
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Patch Cables
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Outlet Socket Panel
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Speaker
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Project Box
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Supacool Mesh Bags
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Mat
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Apache Case
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Crimper Kit
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[@sweeperdave1]

Of all the DIY, radio-in-a-box videos, this makes the most sense and is the most useful. Thanks much!

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnnyzippo7109]

I scored a Ramco hard case with spring loaded metal handle . Originally this particular case housed a very early starlight viewing optic . The overall construction of the box is tank line and the air pressure release valve is a really nice bit of purple anodized aluminum . I will use this video and build as my go to for my build , thank you !

[@GadgetTalk4U]

You're welcome. Have fun with your project!

[@facebookinger]

Thank you for showing us your project. I had fun watching it. :) 73!

[@MarioDepo-dv3ql]

Great build. Thank you for sharing.

[@George_S.G]

Amazing work !!!

[@thomasbain319]

Wonderful video!!! Thank you!!!

[@ROMAN138]

Thank you Sir for your video. One of the few that actually makes sense to me.

[@thomasmanson1119]

Roman, do you have other Apache or Pelican layouts that you like? 73, Tom KC3QAC

[@ROMAN138]

@@thomasmanson1119 I have seen other layouts with similar setups like the one in this video. This video in particular was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me with regard to mobility in the field.

[@ronkramer7563]

Very very nice.

[@richmondtolbert7280]

I found your video very inspiring and it led me to build my own box

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Great. The point was to inspire. Very cool.

[@Worthrhetime]

Very cool. Thx

[@johnfleming8648]

Outstanding video sir.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Thank you kindly

[@joejoslyn7667]

Great video!

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Thanks!

[@DougCrawford-pe5ci]

Excellent vid w/ great explanations. Afraid everything is 30% to 50% more expensive here in Canada. 73, VA3PHO.

[@benjosevilla]

Jim - nice build and great video as always. I too just finished my GMRS go box using mostly items I already own; GM-30 HT, BTech 30 Watt amp. I too bought my case from HF but one size smaller as unlike your 3 radio setup, mine is just one HT and an amp. I used a 10 ah LifePO4 (bday gift from my daughter) for power and also created my own switch box using a PVC utility box and the same 4 pc switch, USB and cig outlet. My goal is to have everything in the case so I went with a Midland MXTA13 micro antenna for $20 and got a 6x8 plate that I magnet mount on the lid for groundplane, the MXTA13 has a builtin mag mount so it easily sticks on the sheet and both sits on the lid when open. I know this does not give me the best range but fits my criteria of all inside the box when closed. SWR is decent @1.3 with the ground plane. Yes, I do keep my the SureCom SW-33 in the case. I do have a mobile mag mount and a taller 6dbi nmo that I can use if needed but those are not in the case. I do have the AC battery charger in the case too. I have a 40W folding solar that I can use to charge it outdoors. Again an extra out side of the box item. I can share pictures or short video with you if you like. Thank you and keep it coming.

[@Bullwinkl360]

How long does your battery last?

[@benjosevilla]

@@Bullwinkl360 I think it is rated for 2000 + cycles recharges.

[@Bullwinkl360]

@benjosevilla I'm sorry I didn't state my question correctly. How long can you use the radio before the battery needs recharging? And as the battery's voltage decreases, what is the lowest voltage you can still transmit and receive. I'm a noob to all of this.

[@benjosevilla]

@@Bullwinkl360 - I have the box on now for over 24 hours with mostly receive and a couple of key ups and conversations. It is truly during transmission that i consumes. I only have a volt meter so I can only see the voltage and so far steady at 13 on RX and around 12.1 while TX. The handheld has usbc which is constantly powered too.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Sounds cool. Thanks for sharing in some detail. Have fun with it. Cheers.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Very nice Multi Band go box 10:41 @Gadget Talk

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

​@@GadgetTalk4U your welcome sir

[@MeOnTech]

Nice

[@Ressy66]

That's really nice Jim, very well done, congrats. only thing missing is a HF rig, even QRP rig - but as you said, that was not your focus, be interesting to see if you could incorporate HF, with the HF duty cycle of SSB, it would overall I think draw less power than a 2m/70cm rig, but I think even one of them would probably mean removing one of your other more focused rigs. Still, damn nice job.

[@user-sq8xt9gk7u]

Some of these radios can work as a crossband repeater, just need to use a cable connecting the mike ports and enable an option in menu.

[@ometofu]

it seen many of this type of Radio to go boxes.. great idea but if i can make a recommendation, instead of using a dedicated battery, just use a tool battery like dewalt or Milwaukee and use a step down transformer to provide the 12v. So you will always have your battery ready or extra to go when SHTF...

[@thomasmanson1119]

Great video Jim. I’m not a fan of Radiotity but I love your ideas and detailing of the project. I’m still scanning for more ideas based on the Apache boxes or the Pelicans of similar size (although I know they’re much more expensive (but I already have a 1550) BTW, I noticed your T-38 in a video some time ago. I was USAF as well but spent my time maintaining servicing and potentially launching a Titan II from Wichita, KS until I resigned from the USAF and went to work for Beech and then NASA at Goddard. My brother however beat me to NASA and in fact flew their T-38s in Houston and around the country. 73, Tom KC3QAC

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@oldmangaming1404]

I used your parts list and made me a EMCOMM box, but I use HT's and BTECH amp and didn't drill any holes in the box wish I could send you pictures. 😀 also passed my Tech license.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Very cool. Congratulations!

[@jordanmkurtz]

What adapter do you use for the back of the DB25G for your external speaker? I have not found one that works.

[@user-zq9zq9qd4h]

What did you use for antennas

[@offgridamy7176]

I did the ammo can today . I went with 20 amp hour battery used the same power block. Is that case plastic?

[@DaninVirginia]

Excellent project! I didn’t see how the radios were secured. Did you simply screw their mounting brackets to the plywood?

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Yes. Nothing fancy.

[@Bullwinkl360]

Nice build. Just curious, how long does the battery last and what are you charging it with?

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Sorry about being late responding. I did this video talking about computing battery life. It has a link to a good calculator. So many things to consider that are unique to one's set-up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV61goyIich-gJY Here's a link to a cheap charger I use from Amazon. amzn.to/3NBln8L

[@aaronbradshaw3839]

Can you tell me how the banana plugs charge the battery? What charger are you using?

[@GadgetTalk4U]

I use the banana plugs for studs or lugs to attach the alligator clips from an inexpensive Amazon multi- chemistry charger. You could easily clip off the alligator clips and add a connector of your choice such as Anderson power poles, etc.

[@aaronbradshaw3839]

@@GadgetTalk4U thank you

[@thomasschmidt9864]

Can I ask why you did not wire the voltmeter, USB socket and binding post to dedicated circuits on the fuse block?

[@GadgetTalk4U]

I did. Check the diagram vs. the photo. Wires got dropped out of frame, so are hard to follow.

[@thomasschmidt9864]

The diagram looks like your CB, GMRS and VHF/UHF have dedicated circuits, but it looks like the voltmeter, USB and 12v are wired together in series through the switch to one circuit on the fuse block. Am I misreading it?

[@GadgetTalk4U]

@@thomasschmidt9864 The kit came with the expectation that it is one component, not 4. It also comes with the wires pre assembled to wire the elements together. The panel kit is also fused separately. You certainly could do what you describe if you wanted to use a bunch of slots and build your own wires. Wiring each separately would negate the need for a panel switch. Cheers.

[@thomasschmidt9864]

Ok, thank you. By the way great video.@@GadgetTalk4U

[@thomasschmidt9864]

One more question: What amperage fuse do you use for the sockets/USB/12 binding post circuit?

[@swartzautoman2]

My big concerns here are the amount of connections. I see these all as fail points, the less the better. Do you "need" a toggle switch to power another toggle switch.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

The red toggle switch is the master switch. It turns everything on. The rocker switch in the accessory panel was part of the kit and the included wires expected the 6 components. The wires to the accessories were also separately fused. The covered master switch prevents anything in the case from turning something on and draining the battery. To answer your question, for me, yes. Thanks for watching and commenting. Valid point.

[@swartzautoman2]

@GadgetTalk4U For clarity purposes, I'm not hating on your build. I've been watching lots of videos of portable radio setups as I'm working on a build of my own. I'm going the backpack 🎒 route and fabricating an aluminum frame for it all. I started adding other components like toggle switches and voltage ⚡️ meter, and I stopped mid build. The radio already has an on/off switch, my radio already has a volt meter. I asked myself, how are you going to fix any of this in the field "when" it fails. I didn't want to carry extra parts or a repair kit. I quickly decided to only have as little of a wire harness as absolutely needed to run everything properly. Less to fail later was my thanking.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

@swartzautoman2 I took no offense. Love hearing other's ideas and perspectives. Sounds like you have a fun project in mind. Cheers.

[@luisperez-zn5tf]

What did you use to charge the batteries.

[@GadgetTalk4U]

This one amzn.to/48LKTAD

[@luisperez-zn5tf]

​@@GadgetTalk4U Thank You Very Much, Stay Safe God Bless

[@KOSTAS.K]

Nice try nice work , What battery use?

[@GadgetTalk4U]

It is listed in the description.

[@KOSTAS.K]

I think is too small battery 10ah.. or not ? I have a crt 2000 AM/FM 15W and searching for battery, but I have not Idea what is better...

[@GadgetTalk4U]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV61goyIich-gJYsi=U35TrOstESt9r37m

[@the1spyderryder]

You can do MURS on your VHF radio

[@GadgetTalk4U]

Not legally. MURS radios must be type certified by the FCC. I don't advocate illegal activity on the channel.

[@the1spyderryder]

The Issues are that those cigarett lighter sockets don't work so well because they don't hold tightly.

[@VicGreenBitcoin]

Or just use a Mobile Phone 😂

[@user-zq9zq9qd4h]

What did you use for antennas