[Icom] Carrying Cases for the ICOM 746 PRO and the 910H

[Dana Hoggatt]

There's a company called "Pelican" that pretty much sets
the standard for storage cases (protective, strong, waterproof, etc...)
They're also quite expensive, easily running into hundreds of dollars.
If your budget can afford it, they are definitely the way to go.

On the other end of the spectrum, you can homebrew a case.
Buy a used shipping case, tool box, suitcase, or other suitable
container and outfit it with foam yourself.  It won't be as pretty
or "professional", but it will get the job done.

My 746 case cost me about $40 to construct.  A real Pelican
case could easily cost ten times that.   Admittedly, a Pelican
provides better protection than my home brew job, after all,
it is waterproof and probably stronger than mine.  But then
again, I don't plan to run over my cases with a Hummer anytime
soon.

I'm fortunate enough to have a company in my town that sells
foam.  I took my case and rig down there and they custom cut
a piece for me.  They gave me a couple of pointers that I'll pass
along to other DIYers.

1.  Use high density foam.  The squishy stuff just can't handle the weight.

2.  Obviously, the more foam the greater the protection, as well as bulk.
     Use a minimum of one inch all the way around, preferably two.

3.  If you have to cut your own foam, a serrated (sp?) knife works well.
     A bread knife or steak knife will do.

4.  Equipment is still vulnerable even within a foam case.  Bumps, bangs,
     and minor falls are one thing, but there is a limit to how many G's
     a given amount of foam can absorb.

5.  Cut for a snug fit.  Nothing should be freely shifting.

And now, a few tips from me (from the school of hard knocks)

A.  When selecting a case, don't confuse "inside" dimensions with
     "outside" dimensions.  If the specs/descriptions don't say, then ask.

B.  Foam is generally useless against anything that can actually pierce
     your case.

Good luck.