[TowerTalk] Weatherproof Remote Antenna Switch Box Plus

[Grant Saviers]

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 at 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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