Emergency HF ham radio "GO Box" for NVIS communication

Based on Brian's (W0BJE) VHF/UHF/GMRS go box. If you watched that video you know he did a beautiful job, well mine is cobbled, i hope you enjoy.
NVIS antennas are designed to send radio waves straight up, where the atmosphere can bounce it straight back down over a broader area. This is incontrast to normal ham radio that angles the waves and the bounce sends the signal around the world. NVIS range has been limited to around 300mi with my used rig on high power, (though i did make contact into New York right at sunset once, a fluke of RF majic). I hope to use it mostly on low power, likely under 100mi, for local relays of info for first responders if their comms are down.
This type of setup lets us sharecradio traffic even in the hills and valleys of NE Iowa, where line of sight communication is often spotty for UHF/VHF.
Please like and subscribe. Comment below with and questions or ideas 💡. Your input may help me improve this go-box concept.
We'll share some field-experience once the weather improves (battery life at 2°F isnt great).

[@alvarogaitan2529]

fantastic job Sr congratulations 73 from kb2uew

[@glampervanadventures1117]

Great video

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Thanks!

[@bhamptonkc7]

I am in central Washington just on the E side of the cascades. My currant NVIS range is 55 to 471 both ends of that tend to be weak but usable, I use winlink with a VERA HF protocol 230 miles is my go to which for me is bend Oregon, when conditions are poor I found that longer shallower angle seems most forgiving.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Thanks for the insights Brad!

[@daveN2MXX]

Nice job with the video!! If you don't plan on operating with the top closed, then why did you add the outer antenna connection? Also, I have always heard it pronounced "en-vis", never "ni-vis"

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Fair questions... I wanted to be able to close the lid if standing doen for a break or inclimate weather without having to disconnect my feed line. I've heard it both ways. But im no expert either, maybe the nivis is colloquial? Either way, thanks for commenting!

[@lundysden6781]

what about adding a fold up solar pannel 50w at 12v?

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Yes! Great idea. In fact ive done that since. Of course ive also update my go box to a new radio and two new batteries while scrubbing about half the weight at the same time! Maybe i should do a video of it?

[@DominicMazoch]

With the HF rig, even at low power, would there be too much heat in the box if you operate with the lid closed? Consider Anerderson Power Pole connectors?

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Thanks Dom, good question. Actually i dont plan on operating with the lid closed. My goal was to have a was to have a rugged way to tote it to disasters and such. I'm involved with ARES, and locally with EAV (www.EAVolunteers.org) to support communications for first responders, and in our neck of the woods line of sight radio can be iffy at best. NVIS has proven to work well for us and i wanted a rig that could safely set-up as base in the field. Power Pole connectors would prolly serve well, i used this system cuz its so common now on mobile dual-band units, might be handy to power them in a pinch. Plus i havecseveral other b/u power items withbthis connector.

[@IAJeeper]

I really like your build, great job! Which antenna tuner do you have? I like how compact it is - I'm running an MFJ-945E portable tuner - it works great, but is quite a bit bulkier. 73 - Matt - KE0TXC over in Belle Plaine, IA

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Its an ATU-100, available as a kit or pre-built. Got mine on Amazon. Works surprisingly well. Yantan ATU-100 EXT 1.8-55MHz 100W Open Source Shortwave Automatic Antenna Tuner with Metal Housing Assembled www.amazon.com/dp/B09CT6YPLQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_XA9VPR0P8VFEE5XMG6CZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Also Matt, i have a friend whose sign is KE0TCX, threw me for a sec when i saw yoyr sign 😂😉

[@jchintor]

Did the screws at the bottom of the case go through the case?

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Good question. No, actually no penetrations were made except in the one place my antenna feed goes through the box. The scews just help keep the plywood from sliding around. The equipment itself is basically trapped in place when the lid closes, apert from that it lifts right out.

[@sig3579]

Please stabilize your camera a bit. Getting vertigo seeing all the movements from camera.