After looking around for a best field operations bag for my FT-857 I’ve tried few different backpacks and camera bags. Finally I’ve realized that whatever I choose, the radio controls are always at risk of getting a hit sooner or later. Also, I wanted to have an option to operate the rig vertically, without fear to bend or even cut cables at the back. I want protective rails in any way.
While I’ve already settled with my go for bag, the next step would be to find suitable railing. Although there is a plethora of choice on the net, this time I’ve opted for a custom made version. The only problem was where to get a readily available and easy to work with material. I’ve recalled that many years ago I’ve bought a plastic cutting board somewhere which could potentially serve the purpose.
On the next day I’ve indeed found a 3.5 EUR cutting board in my local Tesco! Those boards are made in India, plastic is very easy to work with. It is fairly flexible and soft, doesn’t crack easily and looks to be sturdy enough to use in the field.
So here is the project and what I’ve got at the end documented:
Nylon chopping boards are a mostly undiscovered phenomenon.
However, please don’t brag about this to anyone with a fancy 3D printer.
Like boats, the best thing you can hope for is a mate that owns one. In my personal opinion. I do have a mate 4 mins walk away with a printer who is always willing to help, so maybe I’m biased. Truth be told I’d love to have the time to tinker, but I’m still working (cue annoying retirees). I’ll be there soon…
Yes - was going to mention coreflute as a lightweight wire-winder material. Mine say ‘Danger’ or ‘Deadly to Dogs’ or ‘Keep Children under control’ rather than ‘For Sale’.
Alas my era of the mighty ship Peter only goes back as far as Janet Ellis, Anthea Turner, Karen Keating (RIP), Mark Curry, Yer wan that did that show with Derek Acorah and fizzled out around the time of Katie Whatshername, Connie Huq and Yer Wan That Looks Like She Cuts Her Own Hair Who’s Name I Forget.
No TizWas or Swapshop in this gaf, I was tail-end of the Saturday Superstore Era, Going Live! and of course remember the Matt Bianco and Five Star phone-in scandals fondly.
What are you doing with them? I’ve got winders and similar made from such material dating back to 2006 that are still in regular use with little signs of wear or damage. I used pieces of Estate Agent board, election hoardings (Vote Lunacy- you know it makes sense), and other advertising hoardings. It’s free and does the job and saves it blowing around the town and/or going into landfill.
I never knew what it was called but Coreflute seems to be an Australian tradename. However, searching for Coreflute shows up lots of similar materials.
That is an industrial JDSU Smartclass Ethernet tester bag. Inherited the kit from work, not using the tester anymore so it just sits in a storage. The bag appeared to be almost an ideal fit for FT-857. With rails attached the rig fits in very well and there is space left for a straight key and a hand mic.
