Elecraft

BL2

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Clint-2

BL2

I just received my BL2 kit. I want to weatherproof it. I am going to replace
the BNC with a UHF (mounted on the enclosure) and maybe do something
different with the balanced line connectors.

My questions are: Can I enclose it in a die cast aluminum box or should I
use plastic? Will there be any effect RF wise using metal, besides
shielding?

Thanks,

Clint

KI6SSN

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Vic Rosenthal

Re: BL2

It will be fine either way. There's little external field from that core.

Vic k2vco
Sent from my phone

On Nov 9, 2012, at 7:41 AM, "Clint" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I just received my BL2 kit. I want to weatherproof it. I am going to replace
> the BNC with a UHF (mounted on the enclosure) and maybe do something
> different with the balanced line connectors.
>
> My questions are: Can I enclose it in a die cast aluminum box or should I
> use plastic? Will there be any effect RF wise using metal, besides
> shielding?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Clint
>
> KI6SSN
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: BL2

In reply to this post by Clint-2

Clint,

I would recommend plastic. There are circumstances where one side of
the balun output can be grounded (think vertical antenna), and under
those conditions, there is a chance that a metal enclosure will connect
one of the balanced legs to the coax shield - that will bypass one side
of the choking impedance and render the balun ineffective.

If you are careful to avoid the circumstances mentioned above, then
either metal or plastic can be used.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/9/2012 12:41 AM, Clint wrote:
> I just received my BL2 kit. I want to weatherproof it. I am going to replace
> the BNC with a UHF (mounted on the enclosure) and maybe do something
> different with the balanced line connectors.
>
> My questions are: Can I enclose it in a die cast aluminum box or should I
> use plastic? Will there be any effect RF wise using metal, besides
> shielding?
>
>

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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daleputnam

Re: BL2

In reply to this post by Clint-2

Hi Clint, If waterproofing is the focus, choose the UHF connector carefully, after testing it.. some, aren't sealed well at all.And.. the binding posts for the open wire... need to be isolated .. both sides, from ground, no matter what is used for the enclosure. I would be careful to leave a litte spacing between the coils of the toroid to the metal case, just don't slam it down tight to the case is all. Plastic is cool, and clear plastic is attractive... but the metal case may be more durable in a hard use situation, and I usually find that is when things break... when I really need them to hold together.. for just one more ....... Have a great day,

--... ...--
Dale - WC7S in Wy
> From: [hidden email]

> To: [hidden email]
> Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2012 21:41:18 -0800
> Subject: [Elecraft] BL2
>
> I just received my BL2 kit. I want to weatherproof it. I am going to replace
> the BNC with a UHF (mounted on the enclosure) and maybe do something
> different with the balanced line connectors.
>
> My questions are: Can I enclose it in a die cast aluminum box or should I
> use plastic? Will there be any effect RF wise using metal, besides
> shielding?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Clint
>
> KI6SSN
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Dave Van Wallaghen

Re: BL2

In reply to this post by Clint-2

Clint,

While my enclosures will not meet your desire to waterproof the BL2, I
do make polycarbonate enclosures for all of Elecraft's mini-modules.
Here is a link to the BL2 enclosure:
http://w8fgu.home.comcast.net/~w8fgu/bl2encl.html

My design allows venting if needed and you will have access to the 1:1 -
4:1 switch without having to open the enclosure. I have used this many
times outdoors and if I need to protect it from the weather, I simply
loosely wrap the enclosure in bubble wrap to keep direct rain and snow
out of it. If you need something more waterproof than that, I would
guess you will have to completely enclose the BL2 and allow enough room
in there to dissipate some heat if needed.

For anyone else interested, I have recently redesigned the BL2 and DL1
enclosures. They are now the same size and more importantly, they have a
floating rear panel that allows removal of the PCB with this attached
panel. I had some reports form customers that there were small length
differences in the thumbscrew connectors for the BL2, in that it was
enough to bind up the enclosure when mounting the PCB in the enclosure.
The floating panel allows enough wiggle room for these small differences
and has the benefit of remaining attached to the PCB for removal and
does not pull on the enclosure from each end.

To make the enclosure a little more sturdy, I added another 2-D
connector to the rear of the enclosure and provided a sliding top. This
unfortunately added a little more cost, so I have had to raise the price
on the BL2 and DL1 enclosures by $1.00.

If anyone has any questions about my enclosures, feel free to contact me
off list.

Thanks & 73,
Dave W8FGU

On 11/9/2012 12:41 AM, Clint wrote: