Handheld Radar Device

[Cardinal Hordriss]

This was going to be the Second Doctor's etheric wave detector but as usual I got totally carried away and it came out quite different. I still think it would suit maybe Doctors 5, 6 or 7.

The lines on the screen look wonky because it actually turns it's not just that I couldn't be bothered lol.

[galacticprobe]

I like this! So simple-looking, and yet so cool-looking at the same time. Genius! Well done, CH! Why not call it an "Omni-signal Tracking Device"? It could certainly be more than just a handheld radar. That's what's so great about TARDISy gadgets; like the sonic screwdriver they're semi-telepathic... just think of what you need this to track, and the device tracks it: TARDIS locator, Radio Transmitter Source/Signal Strength and Direction Detector, DNA Locator/Tracker (for those Zygons)... the possibility for this super-multi-purpose gadget is endless!

And of course, since the Doctor and his gadgets and tools need a weakness (since it wouldn't be dramatic if everything worked perfectly on everything), it could have a limited range because of its size. But connect it to the TARDIS console and you could track the "whatever" anywhere at least within the Local Galactic Group, known simply as the "Local Group", which comprises more than 54 galaxies including the Virgo Cluster. (Still a limited range as anything moving outside the Local Group would exceed the device's range, even with it connected to the TARDIS console.)

That would make for a heck of a game of Hide-and-Seek! ("Let's see now... looking at the Omni-signal Tracker, it looks like that Sontaran Time Ship is moving out of the Local Group, and heading in the direction of Leo Triplet. Quick! Dematerialise and let's get after it before we lose the signal!")

Dino.
P. S. Yes; the Leo Triplet is a real Galactic Cluster, 35 million light-years away.

[Cardinal Hordriss]

Wow, thanks. The name was only intended to be temporary, just based on its appearance. I thought it might have UNIT or Torchwood origins but that would limit the scope of its function.

[galacticprobe]

Wow, thanks.

You're quite welcome, CH. (Honestly, I just looked at how it was put together - the parts and appearance - and let my mind wander. To be equally honest, the last time I let my mind wander like that, it went somewhere and took forever to come back! Oh, and no comments on that from the peanut gallery, please; I can already hear you thinking them. )

The name was only intended to be temporary, just based on its appearance. I thought it might have UNIT or Torchwood origins but that would limit the scope of its function.

Logical thinking when you see it at first glance. But there is a saying...
"Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere." -Albert Einstein.

On a related note: You wouldn't happen to have some photos of the assembly to make even a small Build Diary of this little cutie, would you?

Dino.

[Davros Skaro]

(Honestly, I just looked at how it was put together - the parts and appearance - and let my mind wander. To be equally honest, the last time I let my mind wander like that, it went somewhere and took forever to come back! Oh, and no comments on that from the peanut gallery, please; I can already hear you thinking them. )

Dino.

HAHAHA! Hear me from this far? Your good! 

On a related note: You wouldn't happen to have some photos of the assembly to make even a small Build Diary of this little cutie, would you?

Dino.

I agree, would love to see how you put this together!  Please? I also like it, very cleverly done.

Chris.

[Cardinal Hordriss]

I'm afraid there aren't any pictures of construction, I'm still not used to doing that, I just make the things lol. It wouldn't be very in depth anyway, the whole thing took well under an hour, the advantage of hording bits for model making, you can just throw stuff together.

[The14thDr]

I love the design and simplicity of this! I want one!! Dino's name and function really matches the prop - it's something I could easily see being used in the show.

How did you make the little antenna at the top?

[Cardinal Hordriss]

Thanks.

The antenna is two metal rods from an old radio aerial and a chunky keyring.

[Angelus Lupus]

It's exactly the sort of thing they would have made in the '80s as a prop! All it needs now is to "go ding when there's stuff"! 

[galacticprobe]

I'm afraid there aren't any pictures of construction, I'm still not used to doing that, I just make the things lol. It wouldn't be very in depth anyway, the whole thing took well under an hour...

Maybe you could tell us a little about how you went about building it? You could post more photos (we love photos!), with something like a pencil or chopstick to use as a pointer, while telling us what parts you used to make the box, the screen, the gold/brass fasteners on the corners, etc. (We already know about the radio aerials/antennas and the split-ring key ring, but could you please enlighten us on the other bits you used and how you assembled it?)

A little of something is better than not knowing. (Think of it as a "show and tell".)

Dino.

[Cardinal Hordriss]

Let me think...

The black box is for fly fishing bits, not sure where I got that.

The fasteners are some heavy,domed, brass tacks I fished out of a tin of old screws and things at work. I made guide holes with notice board pins first and then pushed the brass tacks into the exciting holes.

The radar screen is in a brass tin. I cut a green disc from the lid of a pot of hair product, that goes in the bottom of the tin. On top of the green disc is a sheet of acetate with the lines printed on it, that came with the grid-lined acetate I recently used on my console. The acetate can't be glued in place without it showing so on top of the acetate is just a clear plastic disc from my bits box and the whole thing stays in place of its own accord. The tin is just glued to the box.

[galacticprobe]

The black box is for fly fishing bits, not sure where I got that.

I'm sure this could be had at any sports or bait & tackle store. In fact I think I've seen things like this in some of the ones we have around where I live... looking at them and thinking "Those are interesting. If only I had a use for one".

The fasteners are some heavy,domed, brass tacks I fished out of a tin of old screws and things at work.

Hmmm. I might have to hit up an office supply store for those, since I don't know anyone where I used to work anymore; they've all either transferred or retired now. It's a bummer, too, because I do remember seeing loads of those all over the Admin office.

I made guide holes with notice board pins first...

Sounds easy enough, and the right way to do it so the box doesn't crack or split.

...and then pushed the brass tacks into the exciting holes.

Pushing brass tacks into "exciting" holes... I'm sure there's double meaning in that one!

The radar screen is in a brass tin. I cut a green disc from the lid of a pot of hair product, that goes in the bottom of the tin. On top of the green disc is a sheet of acetate with the lines printed on it, that came with the grid-lined acetate I recently used on my console. The acetate can't be glued in place without it showing so on top of the acetate is just a clear plastic disc from my bits box and the whole thing stays in place of its own accord. The tin is just glued to the box.

The acetate should be easy to create with some transparency film and a grid drawn out on a computer. Once the grid is made just print it onto the film and you've got your "radar grid". Thin plastic is easy enough to find in a picture frame from a dollar store (or a Pound Land in the UK). Cutting the disc will just take time and careful effort.

The brass tin is going to be the tricky piece. It may come down to some small PVC tubing cut to the right size, and then painted brass. I don't think I've seen any brass tins anywhere, at least not ones that small (using the split-ring keyring as a size guide).

Thanks for the breakdown, CH! I'm sure there are lots of other members on here who also appreciate it.

Dino.

[Cardinal Hordriss]

Glad that was of help.

The brass tacks are more like you get on leather furniture than the stationary variety.

Oh dear, that should have said existing holes not exciting lol.

For the tin maybe something mints came in? It has a diameter of 6cm.

[galacticprobe]

The brass tacks are more like you get on leather furniture than the stationary variety.

I see now: like upholstery tacks. I have seen those in craft stores. Thanks for clarifying that one.

Oh dear, that should have said existing holes not exciting lol.

Well... maybe. But then how many times has the Doctor gone down an existing hole, only to find it to be a very exciting hole?

For the tin maybe something mints came in? It has a diameter of 6cm.

I'll have to look. I've only seen mints in rectangular tins (with round corners), but I'm sure if I look hard enough I'll find a round one close to that size. (6cm = 2.36 in = 2 ⁹/₂₅ in - one of those oddball fractions of an inch. It's close enough to 2.33 in to call it 2 ¹/₃ inch.)

Thanks again for the extra info!

Dino.

[Cardinal Hordriss]

Big update/total rebuild.

I really do not know what this is. I was bored. Perhaps wouldn't look out of place in season 3 or 4 of Red Dwarf, maybe late 4th early 5th Doctor.