homebrew clear acrylic box is the best way to go, but unfortunately, if used for ham communication with a transmitter, doesn't resolve the shielding issue. For QRP operation, the shielding is not needed, but for QRO operators, shielding is almost a necessity.

On this page will be listed some ideas for cases, and will be expanded as more ideas come to fruition. Instructions for an easily constructed, clear acrylic box is being worked on, but for now, the DM-3 box will be presented to help with ideas for those that would like to build a case, or even use the DM-3.

The first inexpensive box found for the kit was a DM-3 made by Pac Tec. Pac Tec enclosures are handled by Fry Electronics and can be purchased from them if one is in your area.

The case external dimensions are 11.4 X 10.4 X 3.3 inches. The PCB dimensions are 10.9 X 9.9 X 3.3 inches. The Kit's PCB dimensions are 8.5 X 8.5 inches, so it fits inside the box with plenty of room to spare.

This information is mainly to show how the boards can be mounted in a box and spur some ideas to inspire your own design.

Board 1 is placed on top, then a PCB shield, and Board 2 on bottom. The placement worked out since all the connectors for the front panel controls and outputs at the back were convenient.

A PCB board was cut and screwed to the front of the case for easy mounting of the front panel controls and S-Meter.

The main tuning capacitor is soldered to the front PCB piece for a sturdy mount. The wires to Board 1, where the VFO is located, need to be larger than in the photograph to promote stability. The #22 hookup wire used in the prototype vibrated too easily.

Don't forget a ground wire from the main tuning and BFO cap to the Kit's PCB ground.

The bandpass and crystal filter switches have been left on the board, but for operator convenience, they need to be moved to the front panel. Simple panel mount SPST switches are all that is needed, unless the DFD2 frequency counter is used, then SPDT switches are used.

All the controls/switches, except the main tuning cap, can be mounted on the plastic front cover. If a frequency counter is included, there is plenty of room above the Bandpass and Audio pot (or S-Meter) to cut a slot for the AADE DFD2 frequency counter.