EMF27,
That's a nice set up! I have an AN/TRC 145 V1 S 250 shelter I've owned since 1999. Been working on it VERY slowly. Now that I'm retired I've had a little more time to play with it. One of the first things I did was strip out the old fluorescent lighting ballasts and put electronic ballasts in. That only worked for a while, (BTW, those ballasts were a bit difficult to find, especially for 2 foot tubes). So I stripped the ballasts out and went with direct wire 2 foot LED tubes. Wired the tombstones properly and they work just fine. No more ballast worries. I haven't tried the new lights with any radio gear (I'm a HAM too) so we'll see what kind of noise they generate. Eventually, I'll add 12 V LED's to it inside. More than likely red for night time.
The shelter was gutted out when I bought it. The only thing equipment left in it was the intercom (ARKAY INTERNATIONAL LS-147(C)/F1). I was able to find the power connectors ( U-237 B/G Connector NSN: 5935-00-134-5266 ) NOS still in the original bags. I snagged two. A friend gave me a 150' of cable and the reel for it that are for the specific shelter (he owns 6 shelters himself!).
I am in the process of removing the Field Connection Splice Panel. I saw where someone had put a window in there for a camper. I am putting a piece of aluminum plate back in there. Gives me more room inside. I just have to get the countersunk flat head rivets to put in.
Eventually I will use it as an emergency comm shelter. Use it as a remote repeater site, ARES, SKYWARN, Field Day, etc. I have it mounted on a PJ 16' car transport trailer right now. I figured it would give me a good platform for my 7kw generator, plus some ideas for antenna, and mast mounts.
It will need paint too. Everything I've read about the CARC paint and the 'Yellow Death" primer is bad!
I'll have to be careful in the prep and painting.
How's the electrical wiring on yours? I haven't popped all the gutter covers on mine yet, only the ones around the ballasts I trashed. I want to do a rewire on mine in the future. There's a big meet of Military Vehicle Collectors of California this weekend (April 17-20) in Plymouth Ca. . I went to one many years ago and they had some interesting stuff. I may try to go and get some ideas and see if anyone has spare shelter parts.
All in all, you have a nice project there. Love to see more pics as you progress.
