[Elecraft] RE: Pelican case for just the K2

[Steven Pituch]

Hi Charlie and all,

I have also been doing some research on cases for a slightly different
application and ordered two last might.  Here is what I found.  It is based
on the need of transporting my K2 equipment in an emergency situation, and
requires a water resistant but not water proof case.  I am also on a budget.

The first thing I have considered was an Igloo brand food chest.  They have
some nice looking ones with two wheels and a pull handle that are nice.  I
see them every time I go to the HEB supermarket down here so I have had the
opportunity to brainstorm about them about 52 times this past year.  Being a
cheapskate I haven't bought one yet.  I have several different types of
picnic chests that I store outside here in Texas.  The lids are all closed
but every time I look at them they are filled with water.  Considering the
fact that we don't get much rain down here, I have come to the conclusion
that these can not be considered water resistant.  They are OK filled with
food and ice in the back of your pickup truck but it you carry radio
equipment in it on the way to the EOC and it rains I think you would have
trouble.  So I  have eliminated these as possible radio cases even though
they are nice boxes non the less.

Ammo boxes seem to be an attractive option as they appear to be quite water
resistant.  I want to stack my K2 and KPA100/KAT100/EC2 in a plywood
sideways "H frame".  This seems to be a compact way of putting two related
pieces of equipment together in a compact format.  I find that the wiring
between these two pieces of equipment is complicated and if you forget one
cable or miss-recable them back together you can be in a lot of trouble in
an emergency.  The answer is to mount these two items together permanently
and then just transport the assembly to the EOC.  Most of the standard
"ammo" cases are now plastic and called Sport Utility Dry Boxes.  They are
water resistant and are good to use outside, on boats, etc.  Most of them
are about 6 inches wide.  The K2 and EC require at least 7 inches width or
more.  So one needs a bigger ammo case.  Plano makes one that is about 7
inches wide but I feel it is rather light duty.

I found a company that makes bigger and heavier duty ammo boxes.  In fact
these plastic boxes are actually made to hold ammo.  The company name is
MTM.  I found their SPUD 0, 1, and 2 size boxes at the local Academy
Sporting Goods store in the ammo aisle.  These boxes are too small for my
application but I found they make a SPUD 7 that is made to attach to the
back of an ATV and can even be used as a seat.  I also found a store on
Amazon.com that sells these boxes for about $27 each.  I have ordered two.
I will let everyone know how well they work out.

By the way, the second box will be for an Astron ss-300 switching supply and
a Yaesu FT-8100R VHF/UHF rig to complete by EOC equipment requirements. 

Don't forget surplus equipment cases.  I have seen old test equipment made
for the miltary that had fiberglass and metal framed cases probably costing
hundreds of dollars originally.  If you find one that has the right shape
for your needs, this would be a very nice option.

This is the Action Products site who make a standard ammo box.
http://www.actionp.com/marine_tier2/dry_strg_bx.html

This is a site selling a Plano box:
http://shopping.msn.com/prices/shp/?itemId=20155862

This is the MTM site:
http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/camping/dry_boxes.html

For the Amazon site go to www.amazon.com and search for SPUD7-09.

Regards,
Steve Pituch, W2mY
Corpus Christi, TX USA

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