[Mobile-Portable] Laptops Near Mobile Rigs

[DavidE Benedict]

Great ideas. And those console replacements are not all that costly,
either.

Couple of comments/questions:

CONTROL HEAD
I have my remote control head mounted on a 1/2 inch piece of plastic which
replaces (slides in to) my in-dash cup holder slot. This does not ruin the
dash with holes or tapes, and it is close to my line of sight while
driving. These have a quick-disconnect at both ends, but in your case an
inline QD might well be necessary because the console file box will
probably somewhat bury the Yaesu or Icom rig's control head disconnect.
And, unless you intend to do all operating while stopped, this easily seen
on-dash control head is a huge safety help.

LAPTOP--PHYSICAL PLACEMENT

Where are you going to operate the laptop from, the driver or passenger
side?

I am considering mobile PSK-31, and etc., but for that operation my
intention is to stop, get out, and operate from the passenger seat so I
will have more room and comfort without the steering wheel on my way. Of
course, strictly speaking this is Ham Portable Operation.

And, laptops are OK on the lap, but off my lap laptop is better for me...
Since seeing your console idea posted here I am now considering some kind
of a small (perhaps slightly swiveling) platform atop a removable
swing-arm ... on which to place the laptop for when I am operating from
the passenger side. Also, the control head could be mounted on this set-up
of ease of use.

(This same would also aid a passenger's use of a laptop for word
processing, watching a DVD, or Hamming in the auto when the driving Ham
was simply driving.

I would select a spot on which to mount a base and then use heated plastic
tubing to bend, fashion, and model just the right swing-arm shape...which
could then be bent in metal pipe to the correct form by any pipe bender.


David B.
W7DBH
Mobile-Only ...in NW Oregon

Hello all!

    First post to the list.

    I have been looking at the American Van cab file
desk CFD-10:
http://www.americanvan.com/catalog/standard_dynamic_wrap.cfm?FamilyID=23

    The idea is to put all of the gear in it with
a laptop on top and the control heads on top as
well.

    Something like this would fit between the
van seats in my Astro (I removed the console)
and would allow easy removal for van service,
radio changes/mods, or when the van was going
to be left parked for many days.

Questions:

1.  Anyone done this?

2.  What laptops have Hams here used mobile that:
     a.  Handle the vibration and dust well?
     b.  Do not wipe out HF, VHF, and/or UHF signals.
     c.  That run on 12vdc without a dc-dc converter
     d.  That preferably handle Linux & Win98SE

3.  Recommended boxes?

4.  Aluminum would be lighter when moving it around!

5.  I would use Anderson Powerpoles for all connections.

6.  Single power cable from battery to a Powerpole panel.

7.  A pair of filtered fans, in-out, to keep things cool.

8.  Chassis mount dual-female RF connectors on the box.

    Constructive comments & suggestions welcomed!  :-)

-- 
Thanks! & 73, doc kd4e  http://bibleseven.com
Ham Links: http://bibleseven.com/hl.html