Here is a 3d printed battery box for the FX-4CR radio. With this screwed on to the radio I can use it like a hand held. Inside there is a 3 cell 18650 holder with fuse. A cell balance socket is fitted to the case so it can be charged by a balance charger. It’s a bit of a work in progress.
Cheers,
Glenn VK3YY
Adaptor to put 5.6m Whip inside the Aliexpress SOTA pole / perch pole
Brings the total length to 7.8m
See details on:
A very smple hook for the SOTA Beam Tactical Mini I made to allow for easy attachment of antennas too the mast
SOTA Beam Tactical Mini Loop Hook
Hi Folks,
Thought I would share some more links to files I’ve made or re-mixed for SOTA activations:
Yaesu FT-857D Side Rails Remix (link)
An adaptation of ‘SurfinBirdmans’ rails for the Yaesu-857 which adds a 5cm extension to the rear of the radio to provide more space for cable management, useful if being stored vertically in a backpack on activations.
Buck Converter Backplane HW-411 (link)
A striaghtforward backplane for a HW-411 buck converter, which allows it to be securly attached to the connectors at each end, ruggerdizing it as I use it on SOTA activations to step down the voltage from my battery to my Yaesu FT-818ND and FT-857.
SOTA Beam Tactical Mini Hook (link)
Another simple hook I’ve designed to attach to the top section of the SOTA beam tactical mini, if reversed doubles as a hook for ‘fishing’ cables/wire.
To get everyone into the Christmas spirit… I spent some time this evening on a SOTA Bauble now on Printables and MakerWorld…
Just ordering some of the right colours to print one up. So that i can add a picture of this on my Christmas tree !
The logo will also be good for embossing parts. If anyone is interested, DM me, I have FreeCAD CAD files…
Secret for me was to read the short “Modeling Parts” section of the Tutorial in their documentation. I was able to design some parts before reading any documentation, but struggled because I didn’t have the correct mental model for how to use FreeCAD. The notes in the tutorial fixed that.
Drew
n7da
I could be interested by a 3d printer for my electronic projects and DIY things. However, I’m not sure it’s worth it.
Do you guys really use the machine or is it just another gadget collecting dust ?
Are you satisfied by the quality of the prints ?
Would you buy it again ?
This question has been bothering me for a while… there are moments (okay - rather rarely, a few times a year) when I might need a mount or a housing for a special application, for example.
In these moments I think about looking into 3D printers. So far I have always found an alternative solution to my problem.
I think… it takes a lot of time to learn the programs… to create a design… and to learn about printing. And if you don’t use it for months, the knowledge is no longer available.
But then another device stands around and needs its space.
As much as it tempts me… I haven’t been able to make up my mind yet.
73 Armin
You can order 3D prints from many places on the internet (e.g. craftcloud ). For occasional use I find this cheaper and more reliable than having another machine standing around.
I did that once and I’ve been satisfied with the products. However, this solution is working only when you need a part that’s already developed and available for download.
Usually I need parts with a specific design that would probably require multiple prints to be usable since I’m not a pro designer. Considering the time of production and shipping cost for every iteration, it’s not reasonable.
Yes it seems like it’s a hobby it itself.
Thanks for the info. In the meantime, I worked with OpenSCAD. This is more a programming language where you program objects. Holes are made by substracting objects from objects.
In Switzerland, Teil3 worked well for me so far for the few things I printed.
73 de Martin / HB9GVW
We had a project in our local radio club where I ended up with 3 devices without case. The 3D print files cases were publically available. I checked with various providers of 3D prints and figured that the 3 printed cases wold cost almost as much as a 3D printer, so I ordered one. One of the test print files that came with the printer was a rabbit, and when I showed it to my wife who was preparing her easter gift baskets, she wanted 10 of these as easter bunnies, so together with the 3 cases, I was break even shortly after the purchase.
I find practical things to print every now and then, so I use it every now and then, although not as much as in the beginning.
Generally yes, but there’s a learning curve until you figure out some settings.
Definitely yes.
73 Jens HB9EKO
Yes
Yes, 120 %
Yes
Hello Armin,
For the first time it took me only some houres to start with constructions. Now it depends on the object, but often after 30 minuts or 1 hour I’m ready to print. I’m using a commercial program easy to handle. 1 or 2 versions back from the current made a very low price.
And lately after 2 or 3 months without using it took me only a few minutes to be back.
73 Ludwig
I have a 3D printer and I enjoy both the creation (in Tinkercad) and using the slicing software (seeing parameters affect slicing in Cura - this is really fascinating)! I bought it more for the fun factor than the actual practicality, but I’ve printed a few very useful items (including one which gets used everyday since I printed it probably a year ago).
I don’t like when my print doesn’t come out right and it happens unfortunately too often 
It’s a hobby on its own but nothing surpasses SOTA anyway 
I think there are many of us in the same position. “Seasonally” I convince myself I need one rather badly. Then a month goes by and I find workarounds. A few months later I’m back in the same boat. I’m sure one day I’ll end up with one, maybe next Christmas if the stars align.
Thank you @GM5ALX Alex for the mirror ornament.
I’m about to place it on the Christmas tree and see how long it takes Mo to notice. 
Ho ho ho my very own design on printables 
There’s been only 18 downloads since it was published 2 years ago; I am glad to see it printed and shared 
You got here before I did! Yes, thank you for the design - I just searched SOTA to see what people had made and spotted it!
About 4 hours was the answer. She came marching across to the bothy with it. I think my error was hanging it around the angels neck.
