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Re: [TowerTalk] Weatherproof Remote Antenna Switch Box Plus

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Weatherproof Remote Antenna Switch Box Plus
From: Grant Saviers <grants2@pacbell.net>
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2019 15:11:00 -0800
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Hoffman boxes are great but very expensive. Their competitors are a bit cheaper. Here is a much cheaper alternative from Harbor Freight
https://www.harborfreight.com/3800-weatherproof-protective-case-16-516-in-63927.html

Basically knock offs of Pelican watertight cases but at a fraction of the price. I use the smallest one for an HT, extra battery, charger. Another for my truck tool kit. The larger ones will handle a compact all band radio, my K3 will fit. All the foam is precut and removable.

Often on sale as shown.

One other solution for large boxes is to use a steel office cabinet with doors. Throw away the shelves. Really cheap at auctions or used dealers. $199 for this one:

https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/945923/Realspace-42-Steel-Storage-Cabinet-With/;jsessionid=0000OXyY69cxI1dd1RzSOoXc0Fm:17h4h7b45

I needed one this size for my entry panel & conduit terminations (4 in the bottom/side x 2 out the back conduits). A Hoffman box this size (42h x 36w x 18d) is over $1.5k. A couple of coats of paint, a glued on drip edge over the door and all is well inside and out after 5 years in Seattle rains.

Grant KZ1W

On 3/8/2019 14:32 PM, john@kk9a.com wrote:
Jim's suggestion is excellent.  Hoffman enclosures are well made and I have
never had am issue with them outdoors. You can buy them at all of the
electronic suppliers like Newark, Allied, etc.  I have purchased larger ones
on eBay that may be slightly dinged for big discounts. Some used ones are
also available if there are not too many holes that would affect your use.

John KK9A


jimlux wrote:

On 3/8/19 10:27 AM, jrquark via TowerTalk wrote:
G'day all;

After many years/decades of minimal amateur radio work, I finally have a
tower with rotor and beam, dipole and vertical.  I finally installed a five
position remote coax switch.  I would like to weatherproof the assembly by
enclosing it in a weather tight case.  The case or enclosure could be found
at the local big box store or electrical contractor's supply store, which
should measure; Width = 10", Depth = 9" and Height = 12".
If you have a great suggestion for suppliers, please let me know.

What you are looking for is often called a "Hoffman box" (Hoffman is a
major manufacturer of such things). Generically what you're looking for
is probably a "raintight enclosure" (NEMA 3R).

They're available in plastic as well.
With or without a panel that mounts in the back (so you can assemble
your stuff on the panel, and then it mounts on pressed or welded in
standoffs inside the box.


Your sort of size is pretty common - it's used for things like Cable TV
and such.  You might find something at L-com.com

http://www.l-com.com/nema-enclosures?cmp=LM1

9" might be deep for a 12x10 box





Plus:  I am at a loss for the weatherproof pass-throughs for the RFC 600 &
RG 8 coax.  Believe there was a distant discussion for such items.


There are a variety of ways to do this.. there's "cable glands" which
provide a weather tight seal around a cable, but you probably won't get
the coax connector through.

You could use bulkhead feedthroughs, connector on the inside, connector
on the outside.  Or jumper cable with a jack on one end that mounts
through the box wall and plug on the other end to connect to your relay.

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