RF project boxes? with connectors? WHERE? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: TriodeTiger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 10:59:07 am
content: I was specifically looking for things like these:Basically I intend to play with some RF circuits such as high bandwidth noise generators, or pulse generators and alike, with 50 ohm terminations I can easily plug in to my scope or from my function generator.What are these called? "rf project boxes" turns up nothing useful anywhere, ideally I'd like it where I can order thru-boxes such as if I wanted to make a filter, or order one with 1 BNC in/2 out kinda thing like a splitter can, of different sizes.Also..anyone know a good source for generic stuff like T-connectors and things? any eBay store have'm all where I can stock up for my RF experiments?Thanks

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 11:43:49 am
content: I've always had things like that custom made. I've never seen a generic offering.

author: richard.cs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 12:08:22 pm
content: The boxes in your photo are definately custom machined out of solid blocks. For the kind of experimentation you want just buy standard diecast boxes and add connectors yourself. Most RF connectors are availiable in single-hole mount (usually they specify a D shaped hole but they're usually ok in a round drilled hole if you're careful tightening them up).At work we use these for all kinds of RF prototyping.

author: penfold
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 12:51:45 pm
content: Check out a POMONA - 3230, they are not cheap, circa 40 GBP.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 05:46:00 pm
content: Www.compac-rf.comNot sure if they sell in small qties

author: TriodeTiger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 08:33:59 pm
content: Quote from: richard.cs on June 16, 2014, 12:08:22 pmYeah, I guess if they're simple bolt-on stuff, it's a little too much to ask for premade goodies. I'll shop around for a used drill, and see if I can score an assortment of boxes from a single seller on eBayThanks all.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 09:21:28 pm
content: I've used double sided PCB material soldered together. Simple to cut and drill. Add a few extra holes in it to connect both sides together.I've also used thick copper shim.

author: Rory
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 09:59:41 pm
content: Here are some metal enclosures.http://www.tentec.com/categories/Enclosures/Die cast boxes have been used for ages in RF prototype development.http://www.hammondmfg.com/scpg.htm

author: xquercus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 06:08:09 am
content: As others have said, RF connectors need to be added to an enclosure of your choice. If you are looking for a specific BNC connector, check out Amphenol 31-221-RFX. The RFX indicates their "commercial" (cost sensitive) grade bulkhead BNC connector. It's really as simple as drilling a hole, filing the edges, and screwing on the bulkhead connector. Here is the mouser catalog listing which includes a link to the drawing/datasheet:http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol/31-221-RFX/?qs=%2fha2pyFadugY0lWeCQ5KAMYqcgt3K5TLPPXw8YBQyo3LLD6bh7C3Xg%3d%3d

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 03:21:33 pm
content: Expensive, but it is along the lines of what you are looking for:eBay auction: #160487219157

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 03:48:08 pm
content: I have used tin plated steel enclosures for RF similar to these:http://www.tekoenclosures.com/en/products/product-group/RF/serie/2Because they are tin plated you can solder your connectors and/or PCB ground plane to the enclosure. The springy fingers make sure you have a good RF connection between the lid and body, and the steel shields low frequency magnetic fields as well. They also often come with dividers that are convenient for isolation in multi-stage filter or amplifiers. They are not as easy to machine as die cast aluminum. The thin walls flex more under machining forces and the steel is harder than aluminum.

author: PE1RKI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 04:00:49 pm
content: i make the rf alu boxes myself and i make them on order, pretty expensive though because alot of labor goes into a perfect box.see link in signature for pictures.

author: Pitrsek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2020, 02:58:02 pm
content: Search has brought this topic up for me when I was looking for RF boxes.For future reference, I'll add what I've found interesting in 2020:https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=8681https://www.crystek.com/home/enclosure/enclosure.aspx

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2020, 04:00:11 pm
content: From one of the old replies, I went to the link for Compac RF boxes. A better link ishttp://www.cpiaero.com/assets/compac_catalog_2018.pdf. Back in the '90s, I had good luck with them (apparently cut from extrusions) since their walls are flat and perpendicular, with removable top and bottom plates, while die-cast boxes, with only one cover, need to be slightly trapezoidal for casting.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 10:38:13 am
content: Most of the time such enclosures are custom made for a specific project. Sometimes people can recycle them.There is an RF developement platform for experimenting, that has standard enclosures, see:See:https://www.xmicrowave.com/Housings:https://www.xmicrowave.com/product-category/x-cessories/machined-housings/Pricey though.

author: M0HZH
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 12:34:04 pm
content: 6 year old topic and still not much changed.Quote from: Rory on June 16, 2014, 09:59:41 pm+1 for the Hammond diecast boxes; cheap, good and easy to work with.

author: TheUnnamedNewbie
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 12:35:12 pm
content: If you are on limited budget, you can find lots of diecast boxes from china that are not as nicely made, but do work well enough for 99% of applications.

author: DROBNJAK
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2022, 01:41:03 pm
content: If you are only after a cheap generic type of metal enclosure / case one trick you can apply is to go to eBay and search for "RF amplifier case". Since there are tons of RF amplifiers on eBay search will return some really cheap ones. While ceaseless RF amplifier might cost $3.0, the same one with case will cost about $13.0. So when it arrives you throw away the amplifier. $13.0 is still cheaper then custom made case of the same size for minimum $65.0.