Need help with a custom transmitter enclosure

[AeroMojo]

I’m having a heck of a time cleaning my TX and I really dislike all the unnecessary plastic molding with all its dirt collecting cosmetic nooks and crannies.
Has anyone moved their transmitter radio electronics to a nice, simple, clean, flat faced plain box? I’m thinking about building my own custom enclosure, maybe folded aluminum or lexan. I was hoping someone here might have some experience with something like this before I made the attempt.

[potifar]

mojo:
in the 50's, 60's and 70's, transmitter cases were just what you describe, aluminum cans with all the parts of the transmitter mounted to the case.
then came plastic, and now manufactureres go out of their way to simplify things and mold as much as they can of all the parts (and their mounting surfaces) into the case - as a matter of fact, in most plastic cases, parts of the joysticks are molded into the front of the case, so you will have a bear of a job to transfer all of that to a metal can.
have you considered a "muff" -- years ago someone was advertising a muff-like cloth wrap to be used around your transmitter and your hands, to keep you hands warm -- this would also keep (some) dust out?
good luck with your project
peter berg

[AeroMojo]

I’ve opened up my Hitec Flash 4 Tx to put in a rubber ducky adapter and the internals have a very simple deconstruction. Each of the joysticks just comes out in one flat mountable piece. It’s all very basic and straightforward in contrast to the externals where the molding appears to be all simply ornamental.

I’m hoping to find a suitable aluminum electronics project box that will work, but I may have to fabricate a custom box myself. I’ve seen some interesting custom controllers on Battlebots but I can’t seem to find any info on their construction.

The muff sounds like an interesting idea! Sort of a dust cover that still allows function. Something I might consider if making a custom box turns out to be more trouble than its worth.
Thanks!

[Mr.RC-CAM]

Rather than start with a naked metal box, I suggest that you buy an old 1970's radio system and gut it. Kraft, Orbit, Proline, and Royal had nice gimbals and simple metal cases.

Or, Jensen Jets can make you a custom cabinet:
http://www.jensenjetmodels.com/id30.htm

If you are located in the USA and are flying on 72/75Mhz freq's, then your transmitter's FCC approval will be voided after the transplant. Although the cabinet may seem insignificant, it is assumed to be a vital component in the RF performance of the radio. Hence, changes to it require Part 95 re-submission (about $5K).

[fumblefingers]

I built an ace silver 7 a number of years ago, before there were readily available FM boards. I used the module from a Hi-Tec transmitter, and was able to get it Gold stickered by a local, qualified, tech. This systen worked great untill I retired it. I believe that FMA has usable boards available for this now, to modify the Ace silver 7, and Micro Propo for FM.
john

[lensrc]

I have a few old radio boxes that I would sell fairly cheap.reply to lensrc@casstel.net