Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why can't I buy a go box without the radio and tuner?
This policy exists because each Shack-in-a-Box go box is professionally installed, fully integrated, and rigorously tested to ensure everything functions flawlessly before it leaves our workshop. Many components—including internal brackets, wiring, antenna routing, and power systems—are carefully designed for specific radios and tuners. Mounting and wiring are not simple plug-and-play steps, and mistakes in installation can lead to equipment damage or field failure.

By having you send your radio and accessories to us, we ensure proper fit, secure mounting, clean wiring, and full system testing. This level of quality and reliability is the hallmark of Shack-in-a-Box, and what our customers have come to expect and trust.

Can I purchase a go box "kit" and assemble it myself?
No. We do not offer kits or sell individual components. Our go boxes involve extensive design, engineering, and testing work, and we stand behind our craftsmanship by only selling complete, professionally assembled systems.

Can you make a custom go box with other radios, like the IC-7100 or IC-2300H?
In some cases, yes. We’ve done custom builds with radios outside our standard lineup. These builds take significantly more time (often 3-5 months) and are more expensive due to engineering and testing time. If you’re interested in a custom build, please contact us with your specific radio model(s), accessories, and use case.

Why don’t you offer technical support for how to use the radios in your go boxes?
At Shack-in-a-Box, our mission is to design and build high-quality, mission-ready go boxes that are fully integrated, professionally wired, thoroughly tested, and ready to deploy right out of the box. However, we do not provide technical support or training on how to operate the radios themselves. There are a few important reasons for this:

1. Radio Familiarity is Essential: Every ham operator should be intimately familiar with how their radio works before they take it into the field or deploy it during an emergency. That level of knowledge only comes from reading the manual, watching tutorials, and practicing regular operation.

2. Manufacturer Resources: Each radio manufacturer provides detailed documentation and user guides specific to their radios. We encourage all users to thoroughly review these resources. In addition, for new radios that are purchased as part of your go box, we include a Nifty! Mini-Manual to help you quickly understand and access your radio's features. We do not provide Nifty! manuals for customer-supplied radios.

3. Licensing & Compliance: We design and assemble the go boxes, but it's the licensee’s responsibility to understand how to operate their equipment legally and correctly. Because of this, we avoid giving instructions that could be misunderstood or misapplied.

4. Focus on Quality Hardware, Not Training: We specialize in building professionally integrated systems—not in providing training or education. There are many excellent YouTube channels, user groups, forums, and online courses available for learning how to operate your specific radio model.

Ultimately, our goal is to provide a reliable platform for your radio operations. The best way to get the most out of your Shack-in-a-Box is to combine it with a solid understanding of your radio’s capabilities.

Why don’t you use inexpensive Chinese radios like Baofeng, Xiegu, or Retevis in your go boxes?At Shack-in-a-Box, we are committed to building rugged, mission-ready go boxes that are designed for reliability, performance, and long-term use—especially in field or emergency environments where failure is not an option.

While inexpensive Chinese radios may be fine for casual use, they do not meet our standards for quality, consistency, and integration. Here's why:

1. Build Quality & Reliability: Radios from brands like Baofeng, Xiegu, and Retevis often lack the durability, RF performance, and manufacturing quality control we require. In field use, especially during extended operations or emergencies, these shortcomings can result in poor performance or total equipment failure.

2. Integration Limitations: Many of these radios are not designed with modularity or professional integration in mind. They may lack necessary ports, standardized accessories, or the ability to work with autotuners, filters, or solar charging systems. That makes it difficult or impossible to include them in a properly engineered go box.

3. Support & Documentation: Chinese manufacturers often provide limited or poorly translated documentation and inconsistent firmware support. That makes troubleshooting more difficult and leads to frustration for the end user.

4. We Stand Behind What We Build: We use radios from trusted brands like Icom and Yaesu—companies with decades of experience and excellent reputations for quality and service. These radios have proven themselves time and again in disaster response, EmComm, and DXpedition environments. We design our go boxes to the same standards.

While we respect everyone’s right to choose the equipment that fits their budget and needs, our products are designed for serious operators who want dependable, field-ready communications systems built for real-world conditions. That’s why we only use equipment we trust with our own lives—and our customers’ missions.

Can I order internationally?
Yes. We ship internationally, but additional shipping charges and customs/import fees may apply. We’ll provide a shipping quote before finalizing your order.

How do I place an order?
Once you’ve finalized the details of your build with us via email, we’ll send you an invoice through QuickBooks. You can pay using credit/debit card, ACH transfer, or by mailing a check.

To start the process, fill out our Contact Form with your full shipping and billing information, radio details (if supplying your own), and any specific requests.

Are your portable solar power systems compatible with other radio systems?
Yes. Our Solaris 720Wh Portable Solar Power Systems use Anderson Powerpole outputs and are designed to be RFI-quiet, making them ideal for communications equipment, including amateur radio, emergency services, and tactical use.

Where can I learn more about your story and how these go boxes are built.
Shack-in-a-Box isn’t just a business—it’s a family story, a legacy of resilience, and a passionate commitment to amateur radio. To truly understand who we are and what we do, take a few moments to explore our journey through the Ham Radio (dot) World YouTube channel (youtube.com/@HamRadiodotWorld).

This channel documents not only the go boxes we design and build but also the incredible journey of our family and especially our children—who are among the youngest Extra Class amateur radio licensees in the world. They've grown up with soldering irons, coax, and HF contacts instead of video games. They’ve spoken to astronauts through the ARISS program, earned awards, and presented at major hamfests like Dayton Hamvention and Orlando Hamcation.

Our kids—each with their own call sign—have been instrumental in Shack-in-a-Box’s development and growth. They've been homeschooled with strong foundations in STEM and continue to pursue higher education and careers that blend engineering, communications, and public service. Their ambition and curiosity have shaped our products to be more rugged, reliable, and mission-ready.

If you want to see where our passion comes from, and why Shack-in-a-Box products are built with such care, check out Ham Radio (dot) World. You'll find real stories, real education, and real amateur radio experiences—straight from our family to yours.

Check out our co-founder James Lea's personal recovery on his YouTube channel: No Limb Jim. It's a powerful testament to resilience and craftsmanship.

Still have questions?
Contact us directly at +1 (386) 414-0788 (Preferred Method) or through our Contact Form.