With apologies for the multi-year delay (last time I mentioned it was Jan. of 2004 or so), here are some pics of my efforts.
(Shot 1) This is my 'black RIB' which I keep with one of my programming laptops. The other (my 'gray RIB') stays with my swap meet field programming set, out in the garage in a big blue ATA crate with the computer and other goodies.
![Image](http://www.bluefeathertech.com/pics/rib1.jpg)
(Shot 2) This is the front panel. The toggle switch on the left is power, the one on the right switches programming connectors between the front panel D-sub and the RJ45-type on the side. The power indicator is made by Dialight, and is a cartridge LED type. Note the mil-spec D-sub connector.
![Image](http://www.bluefeathertech.com/pics/rib2.jpg)
(Shot 3) This is the back panel, again with a mil-spec D-sub. The three-pin circular connector is for external power. I had a whole boxful of those little buggers, so I standardized on the connector type and wiring for both RIBs. Should one fail, the other can take its place in true 'plug-and-play' fashion.
![Image](http://www.bluefeathertech.com/pics/rib3.jpg)
(Shot 4) This is the RJ45-type connector, used for Maxtracs, Maratracs, GM300's, and anything else that uses a similar programming cable including the Pro series. A straight-through CAT-5 network patch cable works wonders.
![Image](http://www.bluefeathertech.com/pics/rib4.jpg)
(Shot 5) This is the RIB's interior. Both are built pretty much the same way. Note the Augat machine-pin sockets for the IC's, and the widespread use of 1% metal-film resistors. As far as mounting the board to the box, I took good advantage of what was supposed to be the pass-through holes for the stay-clips on PC-mount D-sub connectors.
As you can tell, the wiring for the D-subs, power, and switches is simply extended as needed to the front and back panels.
![Image](http://www.bluefeathertech.com/pics/rib5.jpg)
The wire itself is aircraft-grade Teflon-insulated, scavenged from a good-sized coil of the stuff that showed up in the scrap bin at the Boeing wire shop. It was one of many small scavenges I managed before I was laid off.
Description and part numbers for the specific housing I used can be found here.
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... highlight=
Keep the peace(es).