[BARC-List] Free Styrofoam for Ham Radio Projects

[Bob - wa1ida@arrl.net]

A few notes about foamed and steam-compressed polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam (R) - that you may already have observed: 

Unless you have the conductive material type (usually colored pink), Styrofoam is a great place to store electrostatic charges. Zap and your electronic circuitry jumps in the toilet. This is also the reason little chips of Styrofoam seem to fly everywhere and stick to your hands and clothing. 

While Styrofoam "peanuts" have some ability as a packing material to absorb shock by flexing, a solid block of Styrofoam has poor elasticity - that is it dents and remains dented after an impact. Thus it has lost its ability to absorb the next shock or vibration. 

A readily available alternative is polyurethane foam. It is made in several elastic grades and is easy to cut with scissors or blade. It comes in flat sheets or in the "egg crate" pattern. 

In any case, do not use latex rubber foam as found in old pillows and mattresses. It hardens and crumbles into a mess of sand. 

Bob, WA1IDA 



----- "Arthur Ashley N1NHZ" <n1nhz at arrl.net> wrote: 
> At our recent "Introduction and Refresher to Public Service Events" General Meeting, I saw Jim KB1JKJ's custom modified carrier for his radio, extra batteries, etc., and was very impressed with the workmanship. 
> 
> Later, I saw Jim's carrier in use at the Net Control Station for the MS Boston Walkathon. 
> 
> I got to wondering if there were other club members who are working on or thinking about constructing something similar. 
> 
> I am going to bring a block of styrofoam approximately 18" x 11" x 5" to the Thursday, May 20, General Meeting and help someone to measure and cut pieces to use as padding to protect their radio, etc., in a similar carrier against jolts and rattles. It is hoped that any unused styrofoam left over from that project will then be passed on to another member for their ham radio project. 
> 
> --Wishing You All Good WX, DX, TX and RX 
> 73 de Arthur N1NHZ 
> 
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