Radio Box Building
Suggestions


Over the years I've built many boxes using several methods, some worked good others did not. This is the way I build them today. The main thing they need to do is of course work properly and keep unwanted water out!
The box I'm using here is a 260/290 box that will not contain a servo for a third channel but the building process is the same otherwise.

First I start off gluing a piece of plywood to one end of the box. This determines the back of the box as well. The thickness is not too important but don't use a thin piece as this gives you a base to mount to.



After deciding which servo's you are going to use you will need to decide the depth to mount them in the box. I glue a piece of hardwood, usually oak at that point. The Oak holds the screws better.

Next I mount the throttle servo. At this point if I were to want a servo for a remote needle I would mount it beside the throttle servo but in the opposite direction so to have room for the linkage to operate.



From there glue in the wood for the front side of the throttle servo. Be careful to leave room to remove the servo when that time comes.  Also this piece of wood needs to be wider so that the steering servo can also be mount to the same piece.



The next step is mounting the steering servo. I use a 1/4 scale servo. That may be more than it needs but I hardly ever have trouble with the larger size if involved in a wreck or blowover. Also on the 360/340 box I use two of them mounted side by side.



The next thing is to determine where the steering rods and throttle cable needs to exit the back of the box and mark that as shown.



On the outside marks, this is where the steering will exit, drill 1/4 inch holes and at the mark for the throttle drill a 5/32 hole.



Cut a piece of 1/4 brass tubing about 3/4 inch long and glue it into place in the outside holes. Be sure to leave about a 1/4 of it sticking out of the back of the box. Likewise glue in a piece of 5/32 tuning in the hole for the throttle cable.



Radio box seals are the next thing to install. These install over the 1/4 tubing that was left sticking out of the box. They will need to be glued in place. I use CA for this.



The next thing I do is to secure the box to the boat. Scuff up the area on the boat where the box will mount. I use    silicone for this. Put a small amount on each end of the box and put it in place where you want it, maybe weigh it down and let it set till dry.



From here you can start the installation of the steering rods and throttle cable. I use 4-40 rods and a Sullivan Golden Cable #508 for the throttle. The Sullivan cable housing fits great into the 5/32 brass tubing but also put a drop of CA to further secure the yellow cable housing to the brass tubing.  Not shown in this picture is the connection of the steering rods to the servo's. I use solder on clevises at that connection. You may notice the blocks the connect the steering rods behind the box. I make these from aluminum. These make it easy to make adjustments. You can use Dura collars  instead.



Here you can see the antenna and switch mount. Nothing fancy with this, a Dubro switch mount and Bru line antenna mount. I use a 2-56 threaded rod to extent the switch rod up thru the cowl.
This about does it with the building of the box, hope this helps you and always if I can be of any further help let me know!