1. Electronics
  2. SDR

Softrock case

Converting an old CDROM drive case for use as a test enclosure for my collection of Soft Rock radios.
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  • Power supply from the case.  Long power line is current limited to run an LED, drive cable has +5v on red and +12 on yellow.

    Power supply from the case. Long power line is current limited to run an LED, drive cable has +5v on red and +12 on yellow.

  • Power supply from the case.  Long power line is current limited to run an LED, drive cable has +5v on red and +12 on yellow.

    Power supply from the case. Long power line is current limited to run an LED, drive cable has +5v on red and +12 on yellow.

  • RCA jacks on the rear panel appear to have some kind of filtering on them.

    RCA jacks on the rear panel appear to have some kind of filtering on them.

  • Untitled photo

  • Untitled photo

  • RCA jacks on the rear panel appear to have some kind of filtering on them.

    RCA jacks on the rear panel appear to have some kind of filtering on them.

  • Entire rear panel assembly.  Center section originally had large SCSI connectors.  Holes are all tapped for standard case screws.

    Entire rear panel assembly. Center section originally had large SCSI connectors. Holes are all tapped for standard case screws.

  • Better view of rear panel.

    Better view of rear panel.

  • Power supply in it's case.  I've searched on the part numbers but haven't confirmed any specs for it.

    Power supply in it's case. I've searched on the part numbers but haven't confirmed any specs for it.

  • Long lead is +12v limited to around 20ma to run a power LED.  The case did not have a power LED, so I added one later.

    Long lead is +12v limited to around 20ma to run a power LED. The case did not have a power LED, so I added one later.

  • case assembled.

    case assembled.

  • Bottom of case still featuring Laser warnings from the CD-Drive mechanism.

    Bottom of case still featuring Laser warnings from the CD-Drive mechanism.

  • Front view, not very tall but should be tall enough for me.  Front fits a 5.25" drive so blanks are easy to find.

    Front view, not very tall but should be tall enough for me. Front fits a 5.25" drive so blanks are easy to find.

  • Rear view with case on.

    Rear view with case on.

  • Untitled photo

  • Case with power supply installed.

    Case with power supply installed.

  • Untitled photo

  • Another old drive case I have waiting for a project.  I liked the all mental construction of the Sony better for this though.

    Another old drive case I have waiting for a project. I liked the all mental construction of the Sony better for this though.

  • Another drive case I've kept waiting for a project.

    Another drive case I've kept waiting for a project.

  • Not sure what the SFD1001 was...but otherwise it looks more or less like a good old 1541 and only cost me $12.

    Not sure what the SFD1001 was...but otherwise it looks more or less like a good old 1541 and only cost me $12.

  • Original power supply was modified to give the +5/+12 needed to run PC drives.  I used to use this to house my first CD-ROM drives.

    Original power supply was modified to give the +5/+12 needed to run PC drives. I used to use this to house my first CD-ROM drives.

  • My original set of Soft Rock test cables.  Antenna is at top (coax came from an old WiFi access point), power in the middle, and stereo output on the bottom.  All setup to use .100 pitch pin headers like the Softrock boards use.

    My original set of Soft Rock test cables. Antenna is at top (coax came from an old WiFi access point), power in the middle, and stereo output on the bottom. All setup to use .100 pitch pin headers like the Softrock boards use.

  • Revised set of cables with new power cables on top.  Makes it quicker to try with some of my other power sources which were built to work with a Rock Mite, PSK-20 and some other projects which all use the same size power connection.

    Revised set of cables with new power cables on top. Makes it quicker to try with some of my other power sources which were built to work with a Rock Mite, PSK-20 and some other projects which all use the same size power connection.

  • I still need to make one more stereo cable for TX testing.  And I'll have to come up with a PTT setup off the computer.

    I still need to make one more stereo cable for TX testing. And I'll have to come up with a PTT setup off the computer.

  • Current front panel layout.  Failed attempt at making DDS-60 controller fit on the left.  Antenna in (I may move it to the rear, but that means going over the power supply which I'd rather avoid.).  I/Q out in the upper right, and a toggle for switching crystals.

    Current front panel layout. Failed attempt at making DDS-60 controller fit on the left. Antenna in (I may move it to the rear, but that means going over the power supply which I'd rather avoid.). I/Q out in the upper right, and a toggle for switching crystals.

  • Basic wiring of front panel to SR v6.0.  Toggle hardwired for testing at this point.

    Basic wiring of front panel to SR v6.0. Toggle hardwired for testing at this point.

  • Mounting board I cut and drilled to give me an easily worked place to experiment inside.  I mounted the board with the original hardware from my second V6.0 which recieved a QSE/PA stack and needed longer bolts.

    Mounting board I cut and drilled to give me an easily worked place to experiment inside. I mounted the board with the original hardware from my second V6.0 which recieved a QSE/PA stack and needed longer bolts.

  • Debating what color to make the power LED.  I have a huge bag of blue LED's...but "Blue is the new Red" and I'm getting sick of them.  I couldn't find my smaller Green so I ended up going with Yellow.

    Debating what color to make the power LED. I have a huge bag of blue LED's...but "Blue is the new Red" and I'm getting sick of them. I couldn't find my smaller Green so I ended up going with Yellow.

  • Bottom of the board showing the hole I made to clear the RX/TX headsink and the way I taped the bolts to hold them while I tested things out.

    Bottom of the board showing the hole I made to clear the RX/TX headsink and the way I taped the bolts to hold them while I tested things out.

  • Ready for it's first powered test.  The power connection is temporary.  It just happened to fit.  I'm still working on a power solution that will also allow for external 12v operation.

    Ready for it's first powered test. The power connection is temporary. It just happened to fit. I'm still working on a power solution that will also allow for external 12v operation.

  • Cover on.  Need to make a better face plate still.

    Cover on. Need to make a better face plate still.

  • Untitled photo

  • Untitled photo

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