The RadiGo Project

My version of a 'Hammo Can'.... an amateur radio in a 50-cal ammo can.
#BackPackHack #RadiGo

[@paigetaylor7729]

The “Rampart this is Engine 51” was a nice touch to the video!

[@2DE808]

Great job on the can. I am currently building a few cans to give to family. We will be using GMRS and CB in ours, thanks for the ideas.

[@chrissewell1608]

I like your ideas. I too, am planning an ammo can go box. But this makes me re-think my lay out ideas. I really like the data programming port... Pretty savvy idea!

[@miquerto]

That's pretty sweet. My Dad, brother, and I have been talking about getting our amateur radio licenses, and something like this will be a project I tackle for sure. Thanks for sharing your build. :-)

[@bravopapa6875]

Nicely done. Great ideas, many new to me. Good job.

[@franciscolopez3229]

Now, that's what I call a nifty heck of a job. Small, simple and neat. Thanos for sharing this sir. 73's.

[@justavillain]

That is a really good system I like it, nice neat, well thought out and compact. Good job!

[@Timi7007]

Very nice, well thought out, structured and clean build! It's so well done, I'm going to borrow some of your ideas ;)

[@m7rbf120]

Great idea, love it.

[@kartmango]

Very thought out design, like the ideal of the sub box ,

[@mikemiles3068]

Very neat video❗️👍

[@grumpysanta6915]

Too cool. Nice video.

[@ammoshortage]

Very awesome setup. I have a Hammo Can, too but I'm thinking of switching out the radio for something better. You've inspired me to look into a tri-band. I like your vertical configuration. I might have to take this into consideration.

[@vinniec5286]

Very nice design. I was wondering where the external speaker would go when you mentioned the sound cavity. Brilliant!

[@adlucem9845]

Love it. My idea is to make antenna external so the lid can close and be water proof. Add a simplex to use as guerilla repeater. Powered by 2nd ammo can battery/charge controller box. (to mitigate RF)

[@fredc3543]

Nice solutions. Thanks.

[@woodskid4ever]

Well thought out. Good job. 73

[@GG-vx7gi]

Probably best looking and laid out ammo can project I've seen. Looking to do a similar project using a tyt 8600 dual band

[@Timtron432]

Very nice Sir!

[@carlosorozco943]

Good job blessings

[@billbolen8115]

Awesome!

[@nickl3872]

Thank you

[@wehrmeister]

Interesting kit you got there. I've decided I need to get into ham radio, looking at buying the Baofeng UV-5R as well. I need to get my license, but for the time being I understand I can set them to operate on the frequencies for my Retevis RT49 Walkie Talkies to create a larger FRS net until I get the license. An added benefit of the ham radio is that I will finally be able to volunteer as a motorcycle escort (marshal) for the MS150 bike rides, one of their requirements is having ham radio for comms. I also ride with the Patriot Guard Riders, so glad to find another awesome volunteer opportunity with my bikes.

[@BackPackHack]

Technically, UV-5Rs are illegal to use on the FRS frequencies. For some channels, they transmit too much wattage. The other issue is FRS radios cannot have a detachable antenna.

[@wehrmeister]

@@BackPackHack Thanks for the info. I am very new to amateur radio, and have a lot to learn. Back to the drawing board, will still get the Baofengs and my license, and just add a couple more walkie talkies then.

[@barrykelly2722]

Like # 72. Wow. I am sure there are similar builds on the tube but it is easy to see that you invested a volume of thought into the build. That is clean, simple but effective. I happen to be working on a similar project. Having just completed a solar powered battery supply box, I wanted a tri or quad band option. You've given me many great ideas as I move forward. You should patent the design and copyright the radigo brand. Stay safe. KO4EMH

[@aceman3]

This is great to see! Welcome to the club man! I think I am interested in making one of these. We'll have to talk. :-)

[@benjosevilla]

Nice project. I am planning to do the same with my extra handheld and the 40 watt btech amp I have. I like the HT plus amp as I can conserve power if I do not need greater than 5 watts. I love your can in a box but unfortunately I don’t have friends like yours, lol. I may end up using plastic panels which I can cut snuggly and use Velcro. I do not want to drill the can as well. I also want an antenna small enough to fit in the box when not using a full blown jpole. My Nagoya 771g is only 10W. I have a GMRS smiley antenna and found out that it is up to 50w rated. I was able find an sma magmount which to hook the smiley to and stick it outside the can during use or to a higher location. I want the ammo can to also hold a lifepo4 battery. Perhaps by July I will have it together

[@jkg6211]

How did it turn out?

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Very nice design. Do you have more info for the wiring and assembly portion?

[@barneymerrill3188]

Very interesting video! Do you have a video of your tri-band antenna build? I'm interested in doing something similar...how did you wire it up? Are you using a single coax to connect the dual band to the third band? Thanks for any info!🎙👍

[@rkaag99]

Welcome to the hobby! Just a heads-up... the HT style antenna @ 9:50 is usually rated around 10 watts maximum. The little rig you have can do twice that on high, so be careful not ot cook your gear.

[@rkaag99]

...sorry, you mention the power rating at the end of the video.

[@BackPackHack]

I'm aware of the 10w limit.

[@lousadventures2111]

very nicely built. One thing that you really need is a fan. that radio gets pretty hot get you self a computer fan small to be able blow out the box. yea all that steel will keep the heat in. Then you'll lose the finals to the radio. god luck

[@BackPackHack]

Heat rises right into the void then flows out. So a non-issue.

[@BlackBearOutdoors]

Looks like a great build. I built one myself but it seems I am getting quite an RF "buzz" in the background when I transmit. Any way to get around that?

[@Bucky1836]

Im building one with a bluetooth automotive stero unit and aftermarket antenna for local radios MP3 , Dvd etc ...plus the radio box 🤔

[@ewicky]

What are the specs of the battery? What is the finished weight of the radigo?

[@offgridamy7176]

No i don't know what the radio is made off but if radio is metal is there any emp protection. Ill be doing a build for gmrs.

[@uncledanny7]

I like your design I am looking at ideas to build my own. My biggest issue is I’m not very electrically inclined when it comes to this kind of stuff. Any suggestions on batteries and other internals to use

[@BackPackHack]

Which battery you use depends on how much volume you have available and the dimensions.

[@anothersilverstacker6757]

Would it be possible to get the plans you used to create your can? I would like to recreate your can.

[@frank5596]

Love it! What radio did you choose? I like the idea you can keep a program cord hooked up without loosing the radio

[@BackPackHack]

Btech UV25x4.

[@frank5596]

@@BackPackHack thanks

[@christopherhowey5426]

How many amp hour is the 12v battery that you are using in it, thanks.

[@BackPackHack]

15aH.

[@billloveless6869]

Does the ammo can have any effect on TX or rec? Thanks good video.

[@BackPackHack]

No. The antenna is all external.

[@billloveless6869]

@@BackPackHack Thanks.

[@TheSemajshadow]

If the inner box was a little smaller. So you could add a non conductive lining between the inner and outer box. You may have a emp proof radio?

[@BackPackHack]

The inner box is only 5-sided, so it can't act as a Faraday cage.

[@TheSemajshadow]

@@BackPackHack well it's still close to it.

[@chrissewell1608]

But that might be a good idea, for another box design!

[@brianludlow9104]

what did you use for a battery ?

[@BackPackHack]

15Ah SLA battery.

[@ramjet4025]

Nice amo box and data port but nothing about the radio, antenna or battery. Assuming its a vhf uhf duel band mobile with 25-50 watts out. No external antenna or external antenn on the wonderful amo box. At the end of the day, it would be a lot better to put the radio, battery , antenna and power jacks were you want them and then build the case to go in its own backpack.

[@BackPackHack]

Was not looking to build a wearable rig. And no antenna on the ammo can because that would cause issue with water... I wanted it to be able to take a dousing and not get water inside. And there IS a battery inside.. the power ports are for charging that battery, or hooking up to an external power supply.

[@DontTreadOnMyLiberty]

SO how much can I pay you to build me one of these minus the radio and antennas?

[@BackPackHack]

I've built three of them, and that's enough for me. I have no desire to start commercial production. If I did, I'd be priced out of the market with labor alone. Most will simply look at the design and say, "Geez, I can build one for 1/3 the cost...."

[@DontTreadOnMyLiberty]

@@BackPackHack I hear ya brother! With 3 young kids, working full time, and going back to school full time, I tend to have more money than time these days! I attempted to make a solar battery out of an ammo can and I couldn't figure it out and ended up giving it to a buddy of mine . It would be cool if you just commercially produced the insert and provided Amazon affiliate links for for other components!

[@4S7JL]

Nice I made

[@ewicky]

Video starts at 5:00