Radio Rig Carrying Case

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Slowmover1, Apr 14, 2019.

  1. Slowmover1

    Slowmover1 Road Train Member

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    We’ve had some mention of how to safely transport radio rigs buried in threads on other topics. The Rebbe posted in another forum about the
    HARBOR FREIGHT

    APACHE 3800 (16 x 11 x 6)
    Weatherproof Protective Case

    Lined with cubed foam. Custom fit.

    On sale at $30.00.

    I’ve decided my UNIDEN 885 Hybrid CB/Scanner will be the backup radio, and — as it and other trucker electronics aren’t cheap when you add them all up — this type of case is dirt cheap.

    8C6F4566-968B-4252-9CA0-DF8B38F6390B.jpeg EBA049DA-D059-424D-9C69-D8289AD7A22A.jpeg


    Somehow, radio rigs will survive 96,000-miles of oilfield, but not the 15-mile trip to house when you move on. A rolled up tee shirt ain’t enough. Or being too dumb to unplug the mic.

    Background is simple enough: I run OTR, and find organization paramount. Limited space AND you won’t be home in two days for something you forgot .

    Decided a couple of years ago I’d have “carriers” for everything in the truck. I use mainly big mil-spec flight engineer bags, and smaller bags (mainly Gladstone style tool bags) go inside them. Move in or out very easily. And stores without getting mixed up with civilian life.

    A9AF166A-AF12-40B1-9FDE-D16A93631E81.jpeg
    CDBA3588-66D4-4266-92B0-388D9F81B770.jpeg
    22D79E48-466B-49BA-ACB8-8FD2E6ABF198.jpeg

    Pretty well everything goes into a $5 tool bag (or zippered tool sleeve) by size & type, and then any number of those items go into one of a dozen of the NOS $27 flight bags. Works great. Load them all and ease them out sleeper door. No multiple trips.

    I’d say I have about $500 into transport bags. But what they carry is worth far more.

    Yet the radio gear and other electronics (up past $2k with phone, GPS, radio and it’s stuff) wasn’t protected same way.

    HF has a number of transport case sizes with this basic dimension ratio. Price isn’t high on any of them. (Go online and compare to PELICAN).

    Thx, Rebbe

    Life ain’t all bacon-wrapped
    crabs legs, is it?

    Other info & sizes:
    5C8546FF-35D1-40E7-89E1-CE963F469F27.jpeg A9E2C278-BE66-4A2B-8B71-53340CB1E0C3.jpeg

    I’m heading back to HF to get another one or two, ha!
    .
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2019
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  3. Slowmover1

    Slowmover1 Road Train Member

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    A gift to my son this year is a quality AM/SSB rig. Complete system for his SUV. Probably a new version PRESIDENT McKinley (I’m impressed by reviews of others):

    0EF3D87C-591D-445D-90B0-6BE43CD1CF52.jpeg

    To be mounted in a

    TAC COMM TRC-1 Radio Carrier

    7911C036-D4C7-478C-B78F-FAB111F76989.jpeg

    All sorts of configurations with their products. I’ll add a top-plate and a Rig Runner to make set-up & take down quick. Makes a portable or mobile radio just that: easily moved around. Car or house or field. That drops into a padded custom-fit transport case.

    At present he doesn’t want permanent vehicle install. So to be able to strap Radio Carrier to console and connect is the thing.

    And there’s the accessories. Mic, Amp, Coax, 12V POWERPOLE leads, 120v Power Supply, DSP Speaker, etc.

    Best that it’s nearly all in one place. One padded transport case. Ready to go into SUV he uses it or not (Dads secret guilt trip-switch).

    The TRC Carrier allows him to someday upgrade to a true Big Radio

    91B87E6D-24C6-4256-8FC0-0A9027E9D853.jpeg

    But, first, a high quality version of the ubiquitous CB owned by millions of Americans. What everyone with a solar panel and car battery will be glad to have if the lights go out.

    And some room to grow. I’ll bet I can find a complementary polymer locker that’ll store these shown plus all other gear like dedicated tools, supplies and misc (save 7’ mobile antenna or stationary Moxon-design) to keep at home. Easy to move. Instantly.

    1). Radio into Carrier
    2). Carrier into Transport Case
    3). Transport Case stored at home in locker

    A starting point for wherever we wind up in Amateur. Pop the locker open and there’s your comms.

    (Hmm, solar and AGM 12V battery. Another locker, ha! Strap them together and instant work bench)

    So back to HF today and get the largest of these deep squared cases.
    .
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2019
  4. stacks

    stacks Road Train Member

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  5. stacks

    stacks Road Train Member

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    Dam there some preety fancy cases there for carrying radios and other Electrical devices
     
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  6. Slowmover1

    Slowmover1 Road Train Member

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    For non-fancy prices. That’s the kicker. They’re genuinely nice. The one I bought was $30 on sale.

    If I pony up $70 for a Pelican knock-off large enough to carry:

    $200 radio
    $200 DSP speaker
    $75 amp
    $50 mic
    $50 of ferrites, coax, misc extras

    $575 of net income protected from loss in the most basic way.

    Business tool that weekly over 20-years hasn’t failed to save me money & time.

    So it’s more than replacement cost. It’s that investing in quality gear with a quality installation isn’t ruined by component damage just because I changed trucks.

    Or didn’t take it home at times I should have.

    Let’s call it respect for the effort invested.

    What kind of box for your wrenches and other tools can you get for $30? Same principle. A nice open tote can carry a couple hundred in basic driver tools.

    What? We should use 14-layers of duct-taped Wally bags? (like the visible-tattoo, chain-drive Super Truckers?).

    Here’s where Super Trucker will make a down-payment of $575

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    That deserves genuine Wally bags. Not no dollar general.

    Hand tools or radio gear deserves better.

    The smaller ones also look REAL NICE for a proper handgun (DA revolver) and a few speedloaders. Holster and cleaning gear. Fixed blade.

    Electronics sure aren’t going away. Cases like these should be standard options.

    .
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2019
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  7. Meteorgray

    Meteorgray Heavy Load Member

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    It's a good idea to protect your gear, and a good pop to give his boy a good start into the big wide world of RF communications!

    Since he doesn't want to commit permanently to a vehicle (me neither), throw in a Wilson or Sirio mag mount antenna to complete the package. Available from 3 to 6.6 feet, they will perform with any other type foot-for-foot when placed on top of a big ole SUV.

    I always remove the antenna on my car unless I'm on a road trip, and the mag mount fits the bill 100% for me and my style.
     
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  8. stacks

    stacks Road Train Member

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    Holy smokies that’s a nice radio
     
  9. Slowmover1

    Slowmover1 Road Train Member

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    The mag mount tall Sirio is part of the gift.
     
  10. Meteorgray

    Meteorgray Heavy Load Member

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    Well, good for you! That's the baddest mag mount on the market.

    At 6.6 feet proud on the roof, that Sirio should be competitive with the best of them running the roads nowadays.
     
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  11. stacks

    stacks Road Train Member

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    Siro Megawatt 4000
     
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