POTA kit

Ham radio · pota battery box radio box ham radio · 2023-06-14 · Daniel

Parks On The Air, or POTA, is one of the aspects of amateur radio that I have been enjoying -- both hunting and activating. Ever since I starting doing POTA activations, I have been carrying my equipment in a Rubbermaid container, which is bulky and heavy. The only thing it has going for it is that it carries everything I need.

Pretty much since getting started doing POTA, I have wanted a battery box and a radio box. I did a lot of research about battery boxes, and there are many different options, both DIY and ready-made ones for purchase. Somewhere I saw a build that used the Harbor Freight Tactical Ammo Box, and I decided to use that box for my build. I went with this box because I really like the idea of having all of the controls and connections under the flip-top lid on that box, rather than on the outside of the box, which is how most of these boxes are built.

Over the weekend, with the help of a local ham friend, I built my battery box. Installed on my box are dual PowerPole connectors, dual USB connectors behind a rocker switch and 5A fuse, and a 50A circuit breaker as the main power switch. There is room for more connections should I choose to add them.

The Harbor Freight box I used has the benefit of being a little larger than the typical battery box, so in addition to the Bioenno BLF-1215A, I am also able to carry my 40/20/15/10 EFHW antenna, NanoVNA, battery monitor, and Bioenno battery charger -- all inside the battery box. Today, the ability to carry all these extra items seems like a benefit; time will tell if that impression holds.

I also finally cut out the foam in my Apache 3800 case to carry my radio (an Icom IC-706MKIIG), along with its microphone and power cord, and nifty mini-manual.

I am very pleased with the result for both of these, and look forward to using this kit at an upcoming POTA activation.

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