[PSUBS-MAILIST] STX-101 repackaging

[Alan James via Personal_Submersibles]

 Good work Jon. But how do you know it is going to work better in the sub? And why would it? Alan
    On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 10:23:52 AM GMT+12, Jon Wallace via Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:  
 
 I built a "thin-box" for the OTS STX-101 today.  I intend to reverse the roles of the STX-101 and the SSB-2010 having convinced myself that due to my previous experiences with the 101 topside (none of them good) it makes more sense to have the 101 inside the submarine.  The OTS STX-101 case, however, is very bulky at 6.5 inches in depth (165 mm ) and simply takes up too much real estate, primarily protruding too far within the cabin of a Kittredge sub when mounted on the ribs.  Additionally, the case cover raises only 90 degrees and is essentially non-removable which makes placement within the confines of a K-sub almost impossible.
The STX-101 case is required to be bulky only because it is designed to carry two 6-vdc lantern batteries as power in the field, underneath the STX-101 panel.  These lantern batteries are unnecessary when powered by submarine main batteries and it turns out that the electronics for the STX-101 will fit easily into a box only 1.5 inches deep (39 mm).  This substantially reduces the real-estate required by the device and in fact allows it to sit recessed within the ribs of the submarine if installed vertically.  Even when mounted horizontally across two ribs the home-built case protrudes 75% less into the cabin than the stock STX-101 case.
A separate carrying case can be purchased from Harbor Freight or similar outfit to protect the STX-101 in it's new housing.  As well, the STX-101 electronics can be reinstalled into the original case at anytime since the "thin-box" requires no modifications to the electronics.
I built the box out of 3/4 x 1.5 composite trim found at Home Depot.  The backing is a 1/4 inch plywood panel.  The box will be covered with multiple coats of paint to seal and protect the back panel.  Since all connections enter through the STX-101 front panel, there are no holes to drill or modifications to be made for power, mic, speaker, or transducer.
Jon

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