Ship's Communications Center is DONE!

[Brian D]

If you followed my thread before you saw the stages of me building the 'Comm Center". I finished it today. Next step is to take it to the boat and apply 12VDC. But you can see that it works as is. It was fun, and I made errors. I may have a cabinet maker make me a real one later on.

The voltage meter is washed out but reads 13.4v.

 

[fred1diver]

looking good

 

[kappykaplan]

Brian, that looks very nice. Wish I had that particular skill!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Superb, Brian, nice job. Enjoy it.

 

[kloudie1]

Nice Job, Brian !

 

[Rick D]

Great job. I see you have your HF unit in. Is the tuner built in?

 

[BlowMeAway]

Bravo Brian, nice clean look to the stackup. Tell me about the Kenwood, I like the look of that radio. Can you plug in any other devices like MP3, iPhone, CD, etc?

 

[Brian D]

Thanks guys.

Rick, no not yet. I will work 20m with a dipole until I get an alternate backstay. I have already built a sudo-KISS SSB counterpoise and am using it now on my 36' longwire at home. Tunes ALL bands except 160. Adding the tuner is the next step.

 

[Brian D]

@BlowMeAway, right now it is setup only for VHF and HF voice. No other attachments. Later I want to add USB ports to charge devices. Plus, I might do WinMor from the HF for email if I ever decide to do an extended cruise. That is still up in the air.

The Kenwood is a TS50S. Out of production but you can still find them on the used market. If you are cramped for space or just want to have an uncluttered work area, any radio that has a detachable head will work just fine. I looked at Alinco in lieu of the Kenwood. But the Kenwood was just sitting around so I used it.

 

[fred1diver]

kind of a new question but what is hf radio?

 

[Brian D]

Here is the back side of the box. It got very crowded very quickly. The power from the house bank will connect to the two terminal strips on the lower right corner.

@fred1diver, HF is short for High Frequency. It is a set of frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz. It is used by Ham Radio operators and also Maritime Mobile operators. The MM have their own frequencies and us Hams have ours. It is used for both short and long range communications depending on the frequency one uses and the time of day/solar conditions.

 

[fred1diver]

cool thanks

 

[centerline]

Nice job...Thats the easy way to go about the installation of the radios... do it all at home with easy access, then take it to the boat and just connect the wires.

 

[JamesG161]

@fred1diver, HF is short for High Frequency. It is a set of frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz. It is used by Ham Radio operators

Great Job! Makes me want to renew my Ham General license.
@fred1diver what is nice about HF , if you are outside FM marine bands (line of sight) range, some Ham in Brazil or UK or other Hams can hear your distress call on HF, and relay that distress call to appropiate rescue/help group. Hams stand ready to help in most world wide emergencies too.
Jim...

 

[Kermit]

...do it all at home with easy access, then take it to the boat and just connect the wires.

Plus he can have a big orange when he's done! Or a grape soda. Or both.

 

[kimelmore]

Nice Job! It will sure look nice all hooked up and stuff.

 

[JamesG161]

Plus he can have a big orange when he's done! Or a grape soda. Or both.

Pssttt I put my beer in those boxes too! The Admiral thinks I ham ard at wruk , hic hic...

@Brian D where is the CW key?
Jim...

 

[bawlmer]

The back looks sexier than the front. Excellent power distribution bus system.

 

[Brian D]

Here she is in the boat. I noticed the voltage seems a little low. I might have to replace the cable, I think it is 14AWG. That is not going to work.

 

[Jackdaw]

Here she is in the boat. I noticed the voltage seems a little low. I might have to replace the cable, I think it is 14AWG. That is not going to work.

Maybe because you mounted your GPS upside-down?? ;^)