Ammo Can Portable Radio

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Definitely should have been born that way to begin with. I will try not to show the crooked cuts to the lid. Haha!

The thing went back together nicely, now I just have to find a speaker that fits. Thinking that I can take one out of a Motorola car phone speaker. We will see...

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

The Motorola speaker looks like it will fit, the big magnet comes close to the circuit board. I hope it won't cause any problems. Just need to drill some small holes and it's good to go.

Now if I can find a battery that works for my old drill ...

 

[Eldorado828]

The Motorola speaker looks like it will fit, the big magnet comes close to the circuit board. I hope it won't cause any problems. Just need to drill some small holes and it's good to go.

Now if I can find a battery that works for my old drill ...

View attachment 71856

Chris, you should send that picture to your contact at qixiang and tell him that they could save money in materials. Maybe they'll pump out a batch of those short frame radios.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

First mock up, space on the left for battery and microphone when not in use. I am thinking that I won't do a control panel with lighter socket, USB volt meter etc. I will just do a flying lead for the coax and battery charging and just keep it super simple. There are battery packs available for CCTV cameras that are really compact, might be able to fit a 10ah battery, we will see.

Also of note, this is a standard height 30cal can. If I was using a taller fat 50cal, it would fit without modification.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Finally got it together, battery pack is held in with Velcro. I will be running it through it's paces at my mother-in-laws house. It is really neat having it in a small can, not too heavy or bulky. Just wish this radio had SSB.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

This is the battery pack that I used:

https://a.co/d/dCBE0pO