|
Okay, I went a little crazy being a military radio guy the standard QMX case just wasn't doing it for me.? So I decided to draw up a PRC-174/CMX+ clone using Fusion 360 CAD software and my 3D printer. The radio isn't fully functional yet like the 6 holes above the LCD are for an LED voltmeter using an Ardunio Nano, and the custom built battery which will reside in the back section. The CMX board is located in the front half of the case unfortunately I wasn't able to print the case in one piece since my printer bed wasn't large enough I think the case looks okay in two pieces. For those that don't know what a PRC-174 is check out N6CC.com or RadioNerds.com site under PRC-174.
?
73, Dave
W6MQI
?
|
KUDOS.? ?Looks like something I've seen ripped from an old jeep. I LIKE IT!
73, Paul KY4XJ
On Monday, February 24th, 2025 at 22:17, W6MQI via groups.io <w6mqi@...> wrote:
Okay, I went a little crazy being a military radio guy the standard QMX case just wasn't doing it for me.? So I decided to draw up a PRC-174/CMX+ clone using Fusion 360 CAD software and my 3D printer. The radio isn't fully functional yet like the 6 holes above the LCD are for an LED voltmeter using an Ardunio Nano, and the custom built battery which will reside in the back section. The CMX board is located in the front half of the case unfortunately I wasn't able to print the case in one piece since my printer bed wasn't large enough I think the case looks okay in two pieces. For those that don't know what a PRC-174 is check out N6CC.com or RadioNerds.com site under PRC-174.
?
73, Dave
W6MQI
?
|
Love it!
--
73, Dan - W2DLC
|
|
|
That is an exceptional 3D printed enclosure. Would you mind describing your finishing and labeling procedures, as well as the type of filament used? ? Tnx & 73, -Lloyd (wa4efs) ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of W6MQI via groups.io
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 10:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [QRPLabs] QMX+ Military Version ? Okay, I went a little crazy being a military radio guy the standard QMX case just wasn't doing it for me.? So I decided to draw up a PRC-174/CMX+ clone using Fusion 360 CAD software and my 3D printer. The radio isn't fully functional yet like the 6 holes above the LCD are for an LED voltmeter using an Ardunio Nano, and the custom built battery which will reside in the back section. The CMX board is located in the front half of the case unfortunately I wasn't able to print the case in one piece since my printer bed wasn't large enough I think the case looks okay in two pieces. For those that don't know what a PRC-174 is check out N6CC.com or RadioNerds.com site under PRC-174.
|
Lloyd,
?
The components were produced on a QIDI Plus 4 printer, utilizing a mix of PLA and PLA-CF, with plans to potentially print another unit in PPS-CF for enhanced durability. The PLA parts were printed using a fully calibrated .4mm nozzle, following the Orca slicer calibration process, which was also applied to the PLA-CF filament. For the front panel, a .2mm nozzle was used with PLA-CF to achieve sharper lettering and reduce filament layers. I included a photo of the raw front panel with primer to illustrate the clarity of the lettering, although the white paint application slightly distorted the letters. After calibrating the filaments and printing the parts, a self-etching primer was applied to reveal the layer lines, followed by a quick wet sanding with 400 grit and a layer of autobody spot filler, which was also sanded with wet 400 grit. Once the layer lines were filled, another primer coat was applied, followed by wet sanding with 1000 grit and two to three coats of green paint, sanding between each layer. After the final green paint coat dried, a matte clear coat was added to seal the surface and prevent the white paint for the lettering from contaminating the green paint.
Next, I then applied white paint to the lettering wiping clean with a dry towel this left some paint smearing on the part surface which was sanded off once dry with wet 2000 grit paper. Then a final coat of clear matte finish and phew its done.
?
?
?
73, Dave
W6MQI
|
Thanks for taking time to describe the printing and finishing work in detail, Dave. Your methods are instructive, and the result truly beautiful. I envy your skill and patience! ? 73, -Lloyd (wa4efs) ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of W6MQI via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 6:15 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QMX+ Military Version ? The components were produced on a QIDI Plus 4 printer, utilizing a mix of PLA and PLA-CF, with plans to potentially print another unit in PPS-CF for enhanced durability. The PLA parts were printed using a fully calibrated .4mm nozzle, following the Orca slicer calibration process, which was also applied to the PLA-CF filament. For the front panel, a .2mm nozzle was used with PLA-CF to achieve sharper lettering and reduce filament layers. I included a photo of the raw front panel with primer to illustrate the clarity of the lettering, although the white paint application slightly distorted the letters. After calibrating the filaments and printing the parts, a self-etching primer was applied to reveal the layer lines, followed by a quick wet sanding with 400 grit and a layer of autobody spot filler, which was also sanded with wet 400 grit. Once the layer lines were filled, another primer coat was applied, followed by wet sanding with 1000 grit and two to three coats of green paint, sanding between each layer. After the final green paint coat dried, a matte clear coat was added to seal the surface and prevent the white paint for the lettering from contaminating the green paint.
Next, I then applied white paint to the lettering wiping clean with a dry towel this left some paint smearing on the part surface which was sanded off once dry with wet 2000 grit paper. Then a final coat of clear matte finish and phew its done.
|
Dave,
A really nice job, and very pleasing to us "green radio" enthusiasts. Is this strictly a cosmetic job, or will the radio include the various seals used in military radios to provide some degree of weatherproofing? We SOTA operators long for a good weatherproof radio that's not exceptionally heavy (if those two criteria aren't mutually exclusive!).
?
73
--
Scott WB8ICQ
|
This is magnificent!? Thanks for explaining the details of your build.
May I ask the name of the font you used for the lettering?? It looks perfect for this application.
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 09:22:47 AM CST, Scott <aubergine42@...> wrote:
Dave,
A really nice job, and very pleasing to us "green radio" enthusiasts. Is this strictly a cosmetic job, or will the radio include the various seals used in military radios to provide some degree of weatherproofing? We SOTA operators long for a good weatherproof radio that's not exceptionally heavy (if those two criteria aren't mutually exclusive!).
?
73
--
Scott WB8ICQ
|
Ah!? If you're doing post processing!
One thing you could do to make a uniform top sheet, if it is something that you would really like to have as a single piece... Bevel the edges that will be mated together, and have them join each other with pins.? You can then take a 3D pen and "weld" the two plates together using the pen and sanding the seam flush.? Post process as you already are.
Personally I love the way yours turned out!? Making a solid piece really is just for the 100%, or closer to that, in replication accuracy.
73, Jason
Lloyd,
?
The components were produced on a QIDI Plus 4 printer, utilizing a mix of PLA and PLA-CF, with plans to potentially print another unit in PPS-CF for enhanced durability. The PLA parts were printed using a fully calibrated .4mm nozzle, following the Orca slicer calibration process, which was also applied to the PLA-CF filament. For the front panel, a .2mm nozzle was used with PLA-CF to achieve sharper lettering and reduce filament layers. I included a photo of the raw front panel with primer to illustrate the clarity of the lettering, although the white paint application slightly distorted the letters. After calibrating the filaments and printing the parts, a self-etching primer was applied to reveal the layer lines, followed by a quick wet sanding with 400 grit and a layer of autobody spot filler, which was also sanded with wet 400 grit. Once the layer lines were filled, another primer coat was applied, followed by wet sanding with 1000 grit and two to three coats of green paint, sanding between each layer. After the final green paint coat dried, a matte clear coat was added to seal the surface and prevent the white paint for the lettering from contaminating the green paint.
Next, I then applied white paint to the lettering wiping clean with a dry towel this left some paint smearing on the part surface which was sanded off once dry with wet 2000 grit paper. Then a final coat of clear matte finish and phew its done.
?
?
?
73, Dave
W6MQI
|
Jeff,
?The lettering is Arial, Bold, size is 3mm and I believe the letter depth into the part was 1mm.
?
Dave
|
Scott,?
The only military specification here is the U/186 connectors, which feature an O-ring for sealing. If this radio were tossed into a lake, it would sink like the Titanic.
?
Dave
|
Wow! Now that is cool. Well done!
Idea for Hans: would it be possible to modularize a radio design such that the user could create their own front and rear panels? I'd love to see a radio like the QMX get 20-30 watts and have a more durable and weatherproof case. I'd be happy to help with my mechanical engineering skills.
Scott,?
The only military specification here is the U/186 connectors, which feature an O-ring for sealing. If this radio were tossed into a lake, it would sink like the Titanic.
?
Dave
|
Darrell,
? I was considering uploading the files to one of those Chinese companies like PCBWay to get a quote for milling the parts from aluminum. I have a hunch that the price might leave me in shock. PCBWay quoted me $80.00 to print just the main front panel using one of their resin printing methods.
?
?WB8ICQ mentioned waterproofing:
? ?Redesigning my project to meet military specifications for waterproofing would require significant changes, and I'm uncertain if I have the skills to achieve that. The present design took me two months to complete and its still needs tweaking.
?
I have plans to install a two MOSFET IRF530 amplifier that I built there's plenty of room inside, but that idea is way down the road.? Powering the amp in remote conditions is another issue.?
?Anyway, I need to take a break from the whole project getting a little burned out CAD tweaking and printing.
?
?I sure hope Hans still implements SSB for the QMX+ that would be the icing on the cake.
?
73, Dave
W6MQI
|
Very nice work Dave !
Did you print the whole case or just the front panel attached to a real PRC case?? Looks Great !
Jim WB4ILP?
|
On Wed, Feb 26, 2025 at 04:07 PM, Jeff Koenig wrote:
May I ask the name of the font you used for the lettering??
Not the intended recipient, but I use this for my MIL and test equipment builds.?
It is a variation on DIN17, from 1938: ?
The DIN standard, "" has been withdrawn but it is still very usable.
Extremely legible and should be easy to print.
?
73, Don N2VGU
?
|
That is really nice, Dave!? I wimped out and bought my kit with the case... hoping to start on it this weekend. You definitely will not have anyone claim it is another QMX+ "twinkie".? After I built my K2 a hardcore homebrewer
accused me of building another "twinkie".?
Mike KD5KXF
|
Many thanks for mentioning this. Now added to the collection.
Robin, G8DQX (fan of clear, and not-so-clear, fonts)
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 27/02/2025 17:01, Donald S Brant Jr via groups.io wrote: but I use this for my MIL and test equipment builds.
It is a variation on DIN17
|
W6MQI
Daniel Conklin
Jason
Donald S Brant Jr
Mike Malone