Need a source for external enclosures...

[Primesite]

Because I want to put up a Single Site repeater and there isn't already a building where I want it.

Going to start with a single quantar, plus a duplexer. Eventually, there might be a total of 3 or 4 quantars, plus a combiner and the rest of the associated hardware to make it an IntelliRepeater site.

Considerations are (in order):

Security of the equipment
Environmental conditions (inside the cabinet)
Cost

Any thoughts? I'm using DDB Unlimited as a starting point, looking at their 78" outdoor cabinet.

Do you think I need to A/C the box, or will vents & fans be enough? This is NJ we're talking about. We do get a couple of hot day every year...

All comments considered and appreciated.

Thanks!

John

[KG6EAQ]

They have some nice looking cabinets. For security I don't like the fact that they only rely on padlocks for locking. Even if they provided a security torx key or some random cabinet lock on the inside it would be better. It's easy to bolt cut locks on cabinets like that because they typically don't allow for large diamater shackled locks. You could probably mount an external lock to it and take care of that problem.

As for climate if you put an intake fan on the side towards the bottom and an exhaust fan near the top I think you'd be fine. If you were out here in Los Angeles it'd be another thing... but in NJ I don't think you get prolonged heat waves of 100+degrees for days on end.

They are in Oklahoma so I don't know how much shipping would be but that may be a factor in cost.

They do look like some really nice cabinets though!

[Jim202]

You might try going to some of the local radio shops and asking if they have any weatherproof outdoor radio cabinets. Many times these can be located and had for a fairly cheap price.

They will probably be in the 6 foot high style. They are made to rack mount the two way equipment from GE, Motorola and the like. Come complete with the venst your looking for and maybe even the fans.

If you do find them, expect to need 2 big boys and a small man to move them. They are made of fairly heavy steel with doors on 2 sides.

Jim

[Primesite]

You might try going to some of the local radio shops and asking if they have any weatherproof outdoor radio cabinets. Many times these can be located and had for a fairly cheap price.

Jim

That's how I got the first one - an old Motorola Micor outdoor cabinet. I've heard of them referred to as a 751 enclosure, probably because they use a CH751 key to secure the handles.

I've asked around locally, but no others are popping up.

So, I'll ask here.

Anybody in the NYC/NJ/Phila/Fairfield Co. metro areas have retired outdoor enclosures they want to unload? I'll come & get'em....

[RapidCharger]

Well, those are some nice cabinets if "portability" is your thing, and it probably isn't. For the prices they have on their web site, you can build a small concrete block building/shed for that. I don't think one of those cabinets will fit everything in there comfortably.

Someone mentioned cutting a padlock.... You can drill a little hook into the top of those things and lift them right off your little pad and bye bye intellipeater.

But I must agree, those sure are some nice looking cabinets!

[Primesite]

For the prices they have on their web site, you can build a small concrete block building/shed for that.

You're right, but if I put up a 'permanent' structure, I probably need to get involved with building permits, inspections, a foundation & footings...all that crap.

Right?

[kf4sqb]

Here's an idea: ask your local DOT office if they have any surplus traffic signal control boxes. Don't know if they would have any big enough, but they are nice enclosures. Heavy gauge all welded, all aluminum construction, with an "auto-lock" door (locks everytime the door is latched). I have one of the small models here at home that I keep my back-up batterys for my base radios in. It was given to me, as they were going to scrap it anyway. Just make sure they will give you a key with it!

[ASTROMODAT]

3 or 4 Quantars? Unless you are Bill Gates, I assume you don't want to lose up to $100,000 plus (new value) of equipment. So, a SECURE BUILDING is a must. Sometimes, when I land my helicopter at the mountain top repeater site where our Quantars are located, I come upon "back packers," as I did just last week (see my post to xmo in "Infrastructure."). It never fails, even though there is no road with horribly difficult access (short of a helicopter), they somehow mange to get up there. They shoot shotguns (12 ga, double-00 buckshot, plus 12 ga lead slugs, etc) at the front door, at the heliax transmission line, and at the Cellwave Super Station Master antenna. They go at the chain link fences with chain saws, bolt cutters, etc. Fortunately, they get a nice surprise from Bechtel Security.

Anyways, you would have to be NUTS to have 3 or 4 Quantars (or even ONE Quantar, for that matter!) in a remote, outdoor cabinet. Unless, of course, it's owned by a really big company, so it's no skin off your back when it is either destroyed and/or stolen. If you are lucky, it might last up to 6 months before it’s hit, but it WILL happen!

I have learned from experience that Murphy's Law ALWAYS applies! So, if you have expensive Quantars, while these back packers have no way to tell if there is junk versus Quantars in there, they will go after your expensive stuff like a Pit Bull, and they WILL get it! You are begging for a big loss with a Quantar at a remote location in an outdoor cabinet. My opinion, your money... I learned from the school of hard knocks. And, fagettabout insurance! Even if they pay some fraction of your loss once, they will drop you like a hot potato!

Good luck!

Larry