3D Printed Case

[NZ0I]

I looked back at my sent mail from Dec 5, 2016 to locate the following discussion topic regarding a 3D printed case for the ARDF receiver. These are just initial ideas to get a discussion started. Nothing is set in clay, much less stone.

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Regarding the 3D printed case: The following crude drawings describe the baseline concept:

DESCRIPTION

1. A rearward-facing control panel with four menu buttons across the top, a 2x20 transflective LCD just below the buttons, and a 20-indent rotary encoder with push-activated shaft switch, just below the display. The panel is approximately 3" tall x 4" wide.

2. A ~6-inch long and slender (~1.5" diameter) cavity extends forward (at a right angle to the control panel) to house a receiver module.

3. A pistol-grip extends below the control panel, allowing one-handed operation, with the thumb close enough to the rotary encoder to allow it to turn the encoder without loosening one's grip.

4. A push button switch is located in the "trigger" area of the case, allowing the index finger to operate the switch without loosening one's grip.

5. The case needs to be strong enough to support a light 2m beam antenna that can be optionally attached above the slender 6-inch receiver cavity, and accept the stresses of turning the antenna through the actions of the hand holding the case.

6. The case needs to provide an enclosure for batteries (9V, or AA, LiPo, TBD), possibly inside the pistol-grip area.

7. Provision needs to be made for a micro-USB charging port, and a 3/16" headphone jack, near the rearward-facing control panel. (On the side would be OK.) A sealed cavity to protect the headphone plug below the outer surface of the unit would be a plus. A dust/water-proof cover over the micro-USB would be another plus.

8. Provision needs to be made for antenna connectors at the far end of the receiver cavity, for connection to a 2m or 80m directional antenna.

9. Mounting bosses for the control panel PCB and receiver PCB need to be provided for, as well as routing for wires to the battery and external jacks.

10. The case need not be conductive, though it would be a plus if it can provide some shielding, especially around the receiver cavity.

11. The case needs to be sturdy: capable of surviving being dropped or struck.

12. The case needs to be water resistant: preventing the intrusion of water that is splashed anywhere on its surface. Headphone plug and battery compartments need to be sealed against water seepage.