The Briefcase Radio Assembly is one of the most simple and cost effective emergency communications tools that you can build. This was the first radio assembly I built when I was first learning about RACES/ARES in my area; recognizing my need to have a portable radio that had more punch than an HT but was easy to carry around. Its major downfall is the lack of internal battery power and an internal switching power supply. Fortunately switching power supplies aren’t very large so it isn’t much of an inconvenience to travel with both it and the briefcase. The lack of battery power is critical however if utility power is unavailable, with this design and the use of Anderson Powerpoles adaptation for use on a stand alone battery or a car cigarette lighter (or power port) is quite simple.

I started off by purchasing an aircraft aluminum laptop case from Office Depot, don't look at Staples all they have is a cheaper version made by Targus and the latches are terrible. I learned fairly quickly that the lid won’t close unless you remove the file holder in the top piece by carefully cutting the threads that hold it in. What you’re left with is a totally empty top piece that should allow for ample room for the radio equipment and any Powerpoles that stick up.

Since most laptop cases comes standard with a strap to hold the laptop in place for traveling I decided the best way to hold in all of my equipment was a cutting board which would allow the strap to secure it across where the radio bracket mounts. For this particular project I found a thick plastic cutting board from my least favorite place to shop, Walmart; what can I say, they are cost effective.

The power inlet/outlet was created by using a standard blank circuit board, I used 12 gauge stranded wire that I pre soldered. Once soldered I slide the wire with the Powerpole clip piece into place leaving about 1/4 “ exposed. I drilled two holes in the circuit board per Powerpole connector and slid the exposed wire through them mating up to two long soldered 12 gauge buss bars underneath. Note that if you choose to distribute your power this way, it will not be fused unless each device that is connected has its own fuse after the power distribution device. It is a cheap but effective way to distribute power but if you don’t fuse things don’t blame me if your equipment smokes!

I had a spare 12 volt gauge laying around my parts bin so for a little extra flare I mounted it onto the cutting board in the back and wired it with it’s resistor right on the power distribution circuit board. Power can be attached to any of the connections on the circuit board which will be distributed to all of the equipment. I drilled four holes in the cutting board and ran zip ties through it to securely hold in the 200 watt Black & Decker inverter you see to the right, it was also a Walmart special, although if I had to do it again I would probably purchase a Whistler.

As you can see this project was a great starter, simple and cost effective, but don’t let the simplicity fool you. The last time I had this unit out the area OES officer wouldn’t keep his eyes off of it, he loved it and so will your friends. The radio is a Kenwood TM-D700A, one of my favorites and I always leave a serial cable in the briefcase for use with APRS.