How do you organize your cables?

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:29 pm

For those of you with extensive programming cable collections:

I've got about 40 cables for various radios. Unfortunately, I've never found a good way to organize them. Some cables are fairly fragile (like the GE MDX cable with exposed pins), thus I've thought about some system with small boxes for each individual cable and a big box to store the small boxes.

So, how do you organize/store/protect your cables?

Jim2121 · Post by **Jim2121** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:42 pm

Hang them up in an area where no equipment/people/anything will touch them...3-4 cities in arizona I worked in... most places would hang them on a row of nails - wood spikes, whatever. but 10 -15 other workers there. they wear out. let them hang long, boxes can work also......
it depends on how many backup cables you have too.

_______________________
its 1 way--& my 2 cents....

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:42 pm

I guess I should've posted more qualifications. It's gotta be in a format that I can carry with me in a vehicle.

Pegs may be OK for around the shop, but most of my work is done in the field.

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:07 am

Each one are in a heavy duty 'zip lock' bag. The bunch of them is in a heavy plastic static safe box.

muggsy09 · Post by **muggsy09** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:39 am

Mine are each in a ziplock bag, and I keep them in a old laptop case

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:07 am

muggsy09 wrote:Mine are each in a ziplock bag, and I keep them in a old laptop case

Same here

JAYMZ · Post by **JAYMZ** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:36 am

Ziplock in Rubbermaid mini-bin with dividers for when I take it on the road. Hanging on pegs at home.

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:12 am

Well, I guess I'm the slob of the group. I keep mine coiled up and secured with 'velcro tape', then just dumped in an old ammo box.

Vcom · Post by **Vcom** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:06 am

Terry,

I was looking at this for another similar application:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/yxr5sb

Put the cables in ziplock bags, sort by whatever makes sense to you and toss 'em in one of the four cubes. Perhaps a small Otterbox or something similar would protect the MDX cable and still fit in a cube.

Just an idea...

Vcom

mr.syntrx · Post by **mr.syntrx** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:10 am

Mine are all loosely floating around the bottom of my backpack

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:35 am

kf4sqb wrote:Well, I guess I'm the slob of the group. I keep mine coiled up and secured with 'velcro tape', then just dumped in an old ammo box.

That's what I'm doing now. Unfortunately, I've now managed to tear up a cable as a result. Thus the need for additional organization.

mr.syntrx wrote:Mine are all loosely floating around the bottom of my backpack

Mine would *fill* the backpack.

Vcom wrote: was looking at this for another similar application:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/yxr5sb

Put the cables in ziplock bags, sort by whatever makes sense to you and toss 'em in one of the four cubes. Perhaps a small Otterbox or something similar would protect the MDX cable and still fit in a cube.

Quite interesting. Not sure if that's exactly what I'm looking for for programming cables... but I've got other applications for such a bag.

racerman1cars · Post by **racerman1cars** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:17 am

I have large brief case with foam sprayed into it then I cut out places for the cables to lay.

Vcom · Post by **Vcom** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:17 am

tvsjr wrote:Not sure if that's exactly what I'm looking for for programming cables... but I've got other applications for such a bag. :P

Well, there's always a Pelican 1650 with padded dividers. $$ :o

Jim2121 · Post by **Jim2121** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:38 am

for field work, a hardcase firearm case, with foam.. (less expensive than pelican) will work.. but more practical would be like Vcom's post a Pelican 1650 or whatever works for you...
___________________________________________
any leftover room put the shotgun in too....

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:51 am

Vcom wrote:
tvsjr wrote:Not sure if that's exactly what I'm looking for for programming cables... but I've got other applications for such a bag.
Well, there's always a Pelican 1650 with padded dividers. $$

Yeah, I'm actually thinking about a 1550. On the one hand, it's $200. On the other hand, so is a single programming cable.

Post by **wavetar** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:12 pm

We have a dedicated programming software/hardware cabinet in the shop with pull out shelves. All the RSS & CPS on one shelf, all the programming cables in bankers boxes with labelling on the front spread out over 4 other shelves. We've got at least one cable for pretty well any programmable Motorola radio ever made...the more popular models we have several cables for.

We only bring the cables onsite that we know we're gonna need, and we have large laptop bags with lots of extra pockets for the cables. Once we come back to the shop, cables go back in their box.

Todd

Vcom · Post by **Vcom** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:29 pm

tvsjr wrote:Yeah, I'm actually thinking about a 1550. On the one hand, it's $200. On the other hand, so is a single programming cable.

You may be right...a 1650 might be a little overkill. Meh, either one would do a fine job.

Good luck in your search! Maybe a little show-and-tell when you get situated?

RKG · Post by **RKG** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:54 pm

Another vote for ZipLoc bags. Each cable has its own bag, and also in the bag is the label from the box or bag the cable came in ID'ing the p/n and cable name. Each cable also has two non-removable labels: one with my name and the other with the radio or class of radios (e.g., MTSX) that the cable programs. All those ZipLocs in a large, bright orange, plastic tool box (a Home Depot special some years ago), secured with a padlock. The box has another big label engraved on it with my name.

Actually, three of those boxes: one for portable and mobile cables (which, at this point, is so full that it may spawn a second box); another for infrastructure cables (base stations, consoles, Cimarrons, etc.); and a third for oddball stuff (some GE radios, some pagers).

My ugly orange boxes have one nice feature: the bottoms have four molded plastic feet and the tops have matching molded indents, so that the boxes can be stacked with some security. I also have a folding, wheeled yuppie case carrier that easily accomodates two laptops (one DOS and one Windows) and one or two orange boxes, and makes hauling all this sh--, er, stuff, around easier than it otherwise would be.

AHSGA · Post by **AHSGA** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:19 am

This is where I have bought pelican cases.

http://www.cases4less.com/

Regards

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:31 am

AHSGA wrote:This is where I have bought pelican cases.

http://www.cases4less.com/

Regards

Thanks. They appear to be significantly cheaper than CasesByPelican.com, which is where I've ordered from in the past.

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:06 am

well i have an old super nintendo blue coushin case that i put them and the rib in

KuhnElectronics · Post by **KuhnElectronics** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:17 am

i have a cabinent on the inside of my truck...and all of my cables are inside the compact palm microphone boxes...i just had a couple guys save theirs when they go do a swap out or a new sale or something...

everything fits, except the SP50 jig and its in a external speaker box...

then i just write whatever radio is on the end of the box and they all fit on one shelf and the shelf above has my 2 tone remotes..1 DC and 1 tone and my MTR speaker, mic, and my AC level meter...

i am kinda interested how everyone has their trucks set up...maybe we could post pics?

just a thought...

-nick

stay-con · Post by **stay-con** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:57 pm

tvsjr wrote:So, how do you organize/store/protect your cables?

Might I suggest one of these? With additional boxes or soft cases inside to organize the individual cables.

http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Luggage-Catal ... B0009DCE6G

Unlike most catalog cases, this one has side pockets to stuff all the OTHER things like tools and work orders.

Jeff

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:58 pm

stay-con wrote:
tvsjr wrote:So, how do you organize/store/protect your cables?
Might I suggest one of these? With additional boxes or soft cases inside to organize the individual cables.

http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Luggage-Catal ... B0009DCE6G

Unlike most catalog cases, this one has side pockets to stuff all the OTHER things like tools and work orders.

Jeff

Played with one. No individual dividers to protect fragile cables, unfortunately. I'm as worried about a Minitor cradle damaging certain radio cables as I am the outside world damaging them.

Motofanatic · Post by **Motofanatic** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 2:13 pm

Just wanted to chime in to say thanks and throw out another website for getting a Pelican.

After reading all the excellent suggestions in this thread, I went out and got the Hefty Ziplock with Sliding Zipper Freezer bag (Qty 35) at Target. Then I needed to weed through all the Pelican models to figure out which one would work best to carry the cables as well as the RIB, power-supply, etc.

I was all ready to order from: http://www.cases4less.com/

since they did seem to have the lowest prices. But doing a bit of Googling, I was able to find: http://www.leisurepro.com

which had the exact same prices, plus FREE shipping (UPS Ground) and no sales tax (at least for me since I'm in Calif along with cases4less)

Leisurepro is on the east coast so perhaps the east coast guys will get their shipment quicker than I will, but my order shipped within 2 days of ordering it. I'm currently waiting for it's arrival via UPS Ground.

For years I've just had my programming cables and RIB sitting loosely in a old briefcase which has been falling apart. Never even thought about the ziplock bag and Pelican case idea until I read it here. As usual, Batboard again proved to be a valuable source of info and ideas!

Vcom · Post by **Vcom** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:02 pm

Motofanatic wrote:But doing a bit of Googling, I was able to find: http://www.leisurepro.com

which had the exact same prices, plus FREE shipping (UPS Ground) and no sales tax (at least for me since I'm in Calif along with cases4less)

Shipping can be a killer on these cases, so FREE shipping really sweetens the deal. Thanks for heads-up!

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:44 pm

Now he tells me!

Actually, I've already ordered a 1654 (1650 with padded dividers) from Cases4Less. Shipping was about $20, so not too terribly hideous. This will be used for all my cables, pager cradles, RIB/UPI, all that jazz.

I ended up ordering a 1500 for my Bird 43 and slugs from CasesByPelican, as they're the only company that allows customization of the foam thickness for the non-pick-and-pluck model (pick and pluck shreds too easy... I buy solid foam and cut it out).

Motofanatic · Post by **Motofanatic** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:46 pm

tvsjr wrote:Now he tells me!

Sorry, would have posted sooner but I just ordered it on Monday.

tvsjr wrote:I ended up ordering a 1500 for my Bird 43 and slugs from CasesByPelican, as they're the only company that allows customization of the foam thickness for the non-pick-and-pluck model (pick and pluck shreds too easy... I buy solid foam and cut it out).

Uh oh, how easily does the "pick-n-pluck" shred? If you pluck out a nice rectangle for a smooth surface item (like a RIB) does it still start shredding itself within a few month? few years?

Or does it start shredding when you constantly remove items that have protrusions (like the N-connectors sticking out from a Bird 43)?

Reason I shy away from too solid of a foam is then it becomes so stiff, it actually doesn't absorb much of the shock when the Pelican is tossed around. What has been your experience? Do they come in varying degrees of rigidity?

Thanks.

techie · Post by **techie** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:57 pm

It depends on how much the pick-n-pluck foam was cut at the factory.. I've seen them last for years under moderate use, and I've seen them start to fall apart within days..

You can get foam in almost any density you want, and with some spray adhesive, you could create inserts with differing density if you so want.

You could get creative, and use high density foam to create dividers, and medium density within compartments, with a high density shell around the entire package.

use a hot knife or hot wire to cut, in a well ventilated area, with a respirator.. the fumes are no fun to breathe.

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:36 pm

Even on a box like the RIB, you end up slipping your fingers down beside it to remove the box... every time you do, you compress that pick'n'pluck... eventually, squares start coming out. Tends to happen to me fairly quickly, and I'm pretty careful with my gear.

The foam that CasesByPelican uses is about the same consistency as the pick-and-pluck... I use an Xacto and an Xacto saw to make intricate cuts... a jigsaw can be used for big cuts.

For my Bird 43 case, I've got regular foam in the bottom, but I've got a chunk of 1-inch closed-cell polyethylene (the white, plasticky, foam stuff) on top which will be drilled with a hole saw for slugs. Ideally, I'll end up with 16 slug positions on the left and the wattmeter on the right. I've got a Plano case with all my adapters and test cables (RG58, LMR240, and RG223 cables... all silver/gold/teflon connectors and adapters) which will go with it. As far as the case, I ordered a 0.5" layer on the bottom, a 2.75" layer in the middle, and a 1" layer (which will serve as the "frame" for the polyethylene) on top, along with the eggcrate in the lid. Once everything's cut out, I'll use a spray adhesive designed for foam to connect everything in the case.

As far as the solid (non-pick-and-pluck) foam... I've got several cases, from cases for laptops to my T3011DX to other stuff. The "solid" stuff works just fine and has protected that stuff for many years.

n5tbu · Post by **n5tbu** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:24 am

"Mine are each in a ziplock bag, and I keep them in a old laptop case"

Same here.
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