Let me know what you think!

I think it's wonderful!??

Here in the Northeast USA it is winter so for me a good time to focus on software development.

In the springtime it'll be outdoors POTA season and then having a cool case for the radio will rise up the list of things to do.

I definitely think having built-in braces for the radio to lean is a great idea, that alone will be worth making a new case.

Currently, I have a hi-capacity RC battery velcro'd to the area above the heat sink so the braces will need to be pretty robust since the battery makes the radio more top-heavy.

Just a thought: A friend of mine sends his designs out to a company that can cut them from metal, maybe the braces will need to be metal to be strong enough while being light as well?

I'll wait to see what you come up with, but I'm already quite enthused!
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Regards,
Dave, N1AI

开云体育

Dave - your idea of a leanable case is an excellent idea.? I have a few other QRP radios, and some of them have leaning cases.? Perhaps adding legs to the existing case somehow?

Since you mentioned batteries, perhaps those who have used them would like to comment on battery capacity and operating time per charge.? Might be interesting for new users.

Gerry Sherman

Sent by the Windows 11 Thunderbird

Dave - your idea of a leanable case is an excellent idea.? I have a few other QRP radios, and some of them have leaning cases.? Perhaps adding legs to the existing case somehow?

Since you mentioned batteries, perhaps those who have used them would like to comment on battery capacity and operating time per charge.? Might be interesting for new users.

• Link to my earlier thread on sbitx mechanicals and batteries

Thanks for the recommendations! I had actually printed a longer leg for my kx2 several years back. It seemed strong enough.? I was actually thinking of two legs, one on either side that had a crossbar attachment (think of an "H"). Having two unconnected legs is a real pain on flat surfaces as they are never aligned and the radio wables. On the otherhand, there are advantages to that for pota applications because surfaces are never flat...? Easy to make the crossbar an optional piece..

I think the H concept is good, but I'll have to see an image when one becomes available (no rush at all).

I haven't seen the Elecraft setup so I don't know what it looks like ( I know, how could I have lived this long without seeing that ? ).

Something that can tuck away is important for POTA, my V2 radio lives in a backpack.?

The current legs work quite well but are a bit problematic in terms of being kept in a backpack, I'm afraid they will break since they don't store flat.

One of my favorite radios ever had a U-shaped handle, but it could not double as a stand, although I have seen some that can.

Below is an image of that radio, for the nostalgic among us.?

My dad had one when I was a kid, and I stole it a lot because it could pick up the "beat frequency" of the local two meter FM repeater on its public service band!

I found some on eBay a few years ago, bought one for me and my brother so we could think warm thoughts about our late father.

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Regards,
Dave, N1AI

Thank you so much for doing this!? I have been looking for a V3 case since I received the board. I have an Ender 3D Pro and it looks like the bed is too small.? Can someone possibly suggest a good 3D printer company or companies that would print the STL files at a reasonable cost?

Thank you,

Mark, KD2XS

Hi Mark,
Thank you for the info!? I found the following in a Google search that seems like a Thingiverse affiliate:

There is quite a bit of variability in the costs of the various vendors.
Thanks,

Mark, KD2XS

I don't know if Mark or anyone else will take the bait, but my morning scan of social media found this really cool case for IC-705!

It has so many great ideas!

1) Flip-down screen protector that doubles as a sun-shade
2) Carrying handle on top (as per my earlier post, something I think is really nice to have)
3) Feet on bottom (not sure if they flip out, but that would be a good idea for easy packing)
4) Side grab handles (not sure this is as important, but they do protect the knobs if the radio falls flat)






If nothing else, some food for thought...

Source:??

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Regards,
Dave, N1AI

Apparently this is a product for sale in Japan.

The following link is a Google translation of their product page:

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It has lots of pictures showing lots of details.??

If nothing else, it is inspiring me to start with Mark's files and add in some of the features of this kit.

Yet I am a total novice when it comes to CAD so it may be many months before I have something useful.

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Regards,
Dave, N1AI

I guess it's a sign of obsession, but regardless, I've strip-mined the site and have included a PDF dump and all the photos in the attached zip file.

It's clear with the detailed photos that there is no handle on top.? I mistook the way they hung the screen protector as a handle.

Yet, still I think this kit has great ideas in it, and if I could get something like it for sbitx I'd be very happy.

And, yes, I still want a handle, LOL!

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Regards,
Dave, N1AI

I just noticed one bug in this design…. The pocket for the encoder board was designed upside down. This put the vfo knob at the top and function knob at the bottom. There is enough cable to flip it right. ?Will fix this on next round.?

I really like that design presented above! ?Given that the holes for boards and phono plugs are all correct on my design, should be possible for someone to take my fusion 360 archive and add some of its features! ?Afraid my workbench has other things on it ?at for next 6 months so hopefully someone will under take the enhancements!

72
Marm
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AJ6CU/7
KD8CEC 2.0, Nextion Screens,? and open source uBITX Raduino boards for Arduino IOT, BLE, RP2040, Teensy 4.0, and Raspberry Pi Pico
https://github.com/aj6cu

I really like that design presented above! ?Given that the holes for boards and phono plugs are all correct on my design, should be possible for someone to take my fusion 360 archive and add some of its features!