Building a Ham Radio Tool Kit

We talk a lot about acquiring ham radio equipment for the shack. Getting the best radio, antenna, power supply, etc. But what about the tools necessary to properly install and maintain your station? Some tools can come from the toolbox in the garage, but others are specialized. I’m going to give examples of tools I feel every operator should keep handy.

Keep in mind, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list. It is merely to give some examples to start to build your kit. I recommend keeping these tools separate from those in the garage. You’ll be working on sensitive equipment, and even grease or dirt residue could cause a problem in some cases.

Let’s start with screwdrivers. There was a day when if you had a Phillips and a flathead, you could fix almost everything. Nowadays, it’s not so simple. There’s a plethora of screw head types. And it’s important to have a driver that properly fits the screw. The Eclipse Tools Security Bit Set is a very nice set that will equip you for almost any fastener you may encounter.

The Eclipse Tools Precision Tool Kit pairs well with the bit set. It contains the tiny Phillips and flathead screwdrivers we used to call “jeweler’s screwdrivers.” Very helpful for use on the internal components of your equipment. In addition to the small screwdrivers, it comes with small pliers, nippers, tweezers, and a grounding wrist strap.

Hex keys or Allen wrenches are also important. Wera Tools makes sets in both Standard (below) and Metric sizes. These entry-level sets cover a variety of sizes and feature a ball end to help when you can’t get straight on the head of your fastener.

Wire and cable cutters are another valuable toolbox addition. Yes, wire cutters are different than cable cutters. CHANNELLOCK Cable Cutters will cut cable without mashing it or flattening the end. They also have small anvils on the grips to help make the cable completely round after cutting.

Klein Tools Multipurpose Wire Crimpers will cut 10-26 AWG wire with its anvil cutter. It will also strip the same size wire as well as crimp on terminals to that wire. This is a well-made and versatile tool.

And for fine trimming I recommend the DX Engineering Precision Shear Side Cutters.

Soldering is a skill we should all develop to some degree or another. Recently I fell in love with the Milwaukee M12 Soldering Iron. It has an adjustable head to match the desired angle and does a great job with connectors in the field. For fine control in the shack, the Eclipse Tools Smart Soldering Station works nicely.

Finally, let’s talk about cable prep tools. Having the capability to prepare your own cables to the exact length and with the exact connectors is priceless. I can’t say enough about DX Engineering Cable Prep Tools. They are made to fit specific cables so you can easily cut them to exact…