Portsdown 4 enclosure options?

Discussion about this major DATV Project. See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_Portsdown_Transmitter
Post Reply
G4GHD
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:18 am

Portsdown 4 enclosure options?

Post by G4GHD » Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:50 am

I've recently built a Portsdown 4 and am using the 7" screen as mentioned by Gareth G4XAT on page 24 of CQ-TV 289.
Unfortunately this screen has different mounting point spacings from the official Pi 7" touchscreen, which would appear to rule out the SmartiPi Touch 2 Case, which has been mentioned on the forum previously. Any other suggestions? FWIW, the screen's horizontal mounting holes are spaced approx. 155mm apart, while the vertical spacing is about 93mm.

g0mjw
Posts: 2659
Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:15 am

Re: Portsdown 4 enclosure options?

Post by g0mjw » Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:49 am

I would suggest a 3D printed case. I have been working on a design with Colin, G4KLB. We can send you the STL files.
Screenshot 2025-10-20 125511.png
Screenshot 2025-10-20 125511.png (23.21 KiB) Viewed 475 times
Mounting the screen is easy, it just requires two brackets making, one for either side to fit to the case. You can either 3D print something or just bend a sheet of aluminium.
Screenshot 2025-10-20 125256.png
Screenshot 2025-10-20 125256.png (63.62 KiB) Viewed 475 times
Mike

G4GHD
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:18 am

Re: Portsdown 4 enclosure options?

Post by G4GHD » Mon Oct 20, 2025 3:39 pm

Thanks Mike, looks good, but regrettably I don't have a 3D printer myself.

radiogareth
Posts: 1401
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:46 am

Re: Portsdown 4 enclosure options?

Post by radiogareth » Mon Oct 20, 2025 5:07 pm

How about one of these, but mounted on its back, ie standing upright and 'looking up at you'?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/406288742719
or something like this?
https://www.tme.eu/gb/details/g1507/des ... es/gainta/
I googled "console instrument case" which throws up several options.
Gareth

G4GHD
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:18 am

Re: Portsdown 4 enclosure options?

Post by G4GHD » Tue Oct 21, 2025 1:55 pm

Thanks Gareth,
that first one looks like a contender, but I'm not sure if heat and ventilation will be a problem in that orientation.

radiogareth
Posts: 1401
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:46 am

Re: Portsdown 4 enclosure options?

Post by radiogareth » Tue Oct 21, 2025 5:17 pm

I've used a small fan and in/out vents on my first one, nothing on the second but used a clamshell wraparound passive heatsink and sprayed the box inside with nickel spray to keep the RFI in. Very little temp difference reported between them. Use decent stick-on heatsinks and it will be fine. If it overheats the height would give good convection with a few well placed holes.
Gareth

G4GHD
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:18 am

Re: Portsdown 4 enclosure options?

Post by G4GHD » Tue Oct 21, 2025 6:08 pm

Thanks again Gareth, that's good to hear.

Post Reply

Return to “The Portsdown Digital ATV System”