Ham Radio Kneeboard

Summary

This is a kneeboard that I designed for portable Ham Radio operations. It is 200mm x 140mm when closed and 200mm x 280mm open. It has slots to hold 1.5 inch elastic straps for securing to your leg as well as holes to accommodate up to 4mm shock cord to secure your equipment when in use. The slots allow the shock cord to remain installed and still allow the board to fold fully closed.

You will need to print:

1 - Top Plate
1 - Bottom Plate
2 - Hinge
3 - Hinge with Flange

I use 3mm shock cord with a double overhand knot in one end and cable clamp on the other end. That way I don't have to fiddle with tying a knot in the cord while balancing everything on my knee.

This is large enough to hold my QCX mini, Talentcell 3Ah battery and ZM-2 tuner along with a 3.5" field notes book for logging.

There is also an optional sidecar that can be attached. There are keyholes which fit the screws on an American Morse Portapaddle II, or you can use it to support a straight key.

Print Settings

• Printer brand:

Creality

• Printer:

Ender 3 Pro

• Rafts:

No

• Supports:

No

• Resolution:

.2mm

• Infill:

25%

• Filament brand:

3d Fuel

• Filament color:

Ocean Blue

• Filament material:

PLA+

• Notes:

This print takes up the entire print bed on an Ender 3, so you will need to ensure that your bed is trammed properly prior to printing or you will likely have issues with adhesion.

Post-Printing

Additional Parts and assembly

You will need a 1/16" metal rod like these to attach the hinges to the top and bottom plates. They were available in a 2 pack at my local hobby store for under $3. The recess in the top plate is designed to hold a 4" by 5" silicone non-slip pad. I used this one but you can buy a sheet of the stuff cheaply and cut to fit if desired.

I also use 3mm shock cord and cable locks to secure my equipment to the board.

You will also need a 1 to 1.5" wide elastic band and buckles which can be obtained from hobby or sewing stores, or Amazon to secure the board to your knee.