As of July 10th, Paul has updated his project with additional
photos and comments below:
"Here's a few more photos to add to my comm van project.
Here's the description of each photo by photo name:
ANT MT-062601: (Above)
is the mounting bracket I made for the left side of the van.
It is made from one of the "U" channels that mounted the
framing to the deck of the van. It is mounted by two bolts at the
bottom and one screw at the top in place of the corner bracket
mounting screws. The mast pivots on the top bolt and is locked in
place by the pin at the bottom.
ANT MT-2-062601 (Above) is the same mast in the upright
position. The mast material is 1-1/4" EMT electrical conduit
which fits very nicely inside the "U" channel.
ANT MAST-062601 (above) shows the #2 antenna mast in it's
"rested" position on top of the van. The 10-ft length of
conduit fits nicely on top of the van with very little overhanging
each end. In this
picture, you can almost see the screens in what used to be the
air conditioning louver panels I turned into windows.
(Not uploaded yet)
ANT MAST #1-062601 (above) shows the left side mast in it's
upright position from a few feet away. This will host the 2m and 440
FM voice antennas.
ANT Rest-062601 (above)
shows the resting bracket fabricated from
the end pieces cut off the "U" channel used for the mounts.
(Thanks to Buzz for allowing me to use his bandsaw to make
them.) The bracket uses the same pin device that is on the
mount bracket to lock the mast in the upright position. The
two screws replaced the flat head cap screws that attach
the corner bracket to the framework.
PWR-062601 (above) shows the power panel at the corner of the van.
The AC inlet has been replaced by a u-ground male inlet that
accepts the female connector on an extension cord. It is also
weatherproof and sealed. The existing DC connection will be
used for DC power.
HF-062601 (above)
shows the HF radio operating position that is on the far left side of
the van as shown from the door. The shelf mount is fabricated from
left over framing material. The desk surface and shelf were donated
from an office furniture place in Reno. The storage cabinet under the
desktop was moved to this position from the near end of the left by
the door by simply drilling out the pop rivets and remounting the
doors with sheet metal screws. The open shelf space to the left of
the desk will likely have a 36" rack frame mounted to support
the two Motorola Mitrek radios for 2m and 440 voice.
The dummy load/power meter/SWR bridge in the upper left corner
will be removed from the van.
DIGI-062601 (above) shows the packet/digital operators position
for 2m packet. The GE Delta radio is not in the photo but, the
arrangement of the shelf allows for several types of PC's to
be utilized including a desktop, full-sized monitor, a laptop
or this neat little "briefcase" 386 with orange mono
screen.
In the background, you can also see the Lexan window on
the right side swings closed and latches to the center rib.
Both screens are installed in the openings where the louvers
used to be. The only drawback is that the printer must be
moved in order to open or close the "window". I may change
the mounting to hinge from the top of the window opening
and install a clip on the ceiling to hold the window open.
That's the progress photos that I have to date. At this point,
it is unlikely I will repaint the inside of the van but, I will be
making more changes along with completing the AC wiring.
73, Paul Cavnar - NN7B
