Making your own squawk box e caller snow goose call. Easy!

[Midwestduckhunter]

Northern Skies Outfitters. Squawk Box E caller snow goose call. Saw this on another forum, so I thought I would post on Nodak for others to see. The process below is how to make one of the best ecallers sold on the market by yourself. It is not exactly the same but about 95% the same. I'm guessing you could make this unit in a couple hours and save $300 or more in the process. Plus knowing who sells these units for $500 plus makes it that much sweeter making your own for a fraction of the price. I have ordered all the parts and plan on making several of these. PM me with questions. I will also likely sell some at my cost and save you $300.

I see a lot of questions on how to make your own ecaller popping up as usual during this time before most people start hunting snows for the spring. Who wouldn't like to have a crisp sounding, portable, last all day ecaller that doesn't break the bank. I certainly do, in fact I like having 3-4 of them. So here is my part list on how to NOT spend an ridiculous amount ($300-$500) on a commercially made ecaller and virtually make 2-3 for the exact same price. (Note; may be able to find parts cheaper elsewhere)

The housing- 12.99
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 00028-0140

The amp- $18.90
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLMPA35-Chan ... B004HJ931M

The Speakers- (2 to 4 depending on your preference)- $45.80-$91.80
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PHSP4-6-Inch ... power+horn

MP3 Cable to Amp- $2.53
http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlimited- ... rds=3.5+mm

12 Volt Rechargeable Battery-(1 or 2 will run ecaller all day) $17.99 (Note: I use a piece of wood to seperate this battery from the amp so that it sits tightly and doesn't have to be removed for charging. )
http://www.amazon.com/Volt-Rechargeable ... chargeable

Now your going to need 1 duplex 120v outlet, with faceplate. On these you need to break the copper connection that sits in between the screws so that your channels from the amp are separated. NOT doing this will lead to overheating of amp. These will have to be inserted into the casing but using a saws all to make a hole big enough for the outlet to set with the faceplate covering it. One channel of the amp goes to one part of the outlet, and the other channel goes to the remaining.

You will need 1-2 Male 120v plugs. I say 1-2 because you can connect 2 speakers to 1 plug, just pre-twist the wire together before you put it inside said plug. If you want to have each speaker have an individual plug you will need outlet extensions. I recommend NOT doing this.

Misc Wires for connects, and its always a good idea to have an extra fuse for amp.

If needed I can provide pictures of completed product, but with a little intuition you will bang out an ecaller in virtually no time.

Total Cost with 1 batteries, 4 speakers and misc parts(roughly)- $157 + shipping of parts.

Adding a remote is at your discretion, I personally haven't found the need for them, but adding one is simple and easy and will add anywhere from $10-$25 per unit.

Good luck, and remember "Save the tundra"

[possumfoot]

if you decide to build some to sell, i would gladly take one off your hands. minus the battery. ( i use an electric wheelchair battery).

[Bruce]

Only amp link works.

[Midwestduckhunter]

Only amp link works.

Your right. They are all fixed now. Have at it and make a great ecaller

[WingedShooter7]

Good stuff here, run the same unit(s) myself. After opening up the "commercially" made ecaller I couldn't help but laugh at what a complete joke his pricing is.

[themaskedmallard]

It amazes me no one has opened up a Squawk Box before this and posted this exact thing, I guess there is a sucker born every day as they say. Good Ecallers that are easily made for fairly cheap. Can they be improved? Absolutely. But they work plenty well enough for most people. Good call on juviesoup part on the refuge for sharing.

[SASKATOONGOOSEHUNTER]

Nice post. I like how you sourced everything out.

If you have pics, might as well post those as well.

I just went ahead and bought a Goose Getter last year, too much hassle getting stuff shipped to Canada but I'd love to build a few some day..

[Dedbrd]

On the wiring diagram of the amp it calls for the orange wire to the radio. Do I disregard it??

[waterfowl101]

I was wondering the same thing!!

[WingedShooter7]

Red and Orange tie together if I remember correctly.

[Old Time Waterfowler]

whats everyone using to produce the sounds in side the box a mp3 player, cd player? any pictures of the unit you built that you can post showing the inside and out side of the box.

[Old Time Waterfowler]

forgot to add that this might make a good predator calling box might be a little loud with the amp but you could have the caller and attach a decoy and small speaker all in one small box kinda like a mojo.easy to pack in and out. what does everyone think?

[juviesoup]

Nice to see this thread made it over here too! For those of you wanting some pictures of the unit, here are the ones from the Refuge thread. Feel free to PM me with any questions regarding these, want to help out anyone I can save themselves some serious cash. Tell all your buddies to stop wasting money!

This is the inside, however there should be alligator clips on the end of the wires coming off the amp that go to the battery. Had this amp give out due to some unforeseen conditions and haven't replaced it yet. My 6 working units are located across the state, but will have my hands on one within a few days to add more updated pictures.

[Kelly Hannan]

That's awesome. I'm a sucker, I jumped all over it. Should have almost all parts by the weekend

[juviesoup]

whats everyone using to produce the sounds in side the box a mp3 player, cd player? any pictures of the unit you built that you can post showing the inside and out side of the box.

Spaced out adding that part on the original post on the refuge. Will add it now for those interested. I recommend a battery operated MP3, and the so called "modified" version that comes with a SB is nothing special. Battery will allow you to replace it if it fails due to cold or dies in the heat of battle, unlike an Ipod.

What we need is a MP3 player that runs off AA or AAA batterys, we then can run it off a D cell battery obviously allowing for multiple days even weeks of use off a single battery. Bottom line AA, AAA, and D batteries are all 1.5 volts therefore any of the 3 will work.

This is basically the exact same MP3 that comes with the commercial version
http://www.amazon.com/Ecloud-ShopUS-Bla ... player+aaa

What you will then need a D cell battery holder,
http://www.amazon.com/JAMECO-RELIAPRO-B ... ery+holder

All you need to do is run two wires one for positive and one for negative from the batter holder (that one already has it) to the MP3. Best way would be to solder the wire into the mp3 player.

[bassinmeyer]

Any idea how long mp3 would run without modifying for the D cell battery. Thanks for the links I have received my parts and just have to assemble and pick up an mp3.

[juviesoup]

Any idea how long mp3 would run without modifying for the D cell battery. Thanks for the links I have received my parts and just have to assemble and pick up an mp3.

Depends on how long your running them, I would say you'd be able to get at least a couple hunts out of one. At least that's what we've been getting, with a D cell multiple hunts is no question.

[ndhunter44]

Is there a way you could add a picture of the outlet without the face plate on. I'm interested to see how you cut it to room for the outlet itself. Thanks

[juviesoup]

Is there a way you could add a picture of the outlet without the face plate on. I'm interested to see how you cut it to room for the outlet itself. Thanks

Just cut a hole big enough for the outlet to sit in.

[Kelly Hannan]

I think it is awesome that you are taking the time to walk us all thru the build process. Thanks

[juviesoup]

I think it is awesome that you are taking the time to walk us all thru the build process. Thanks

My pleasure! I hate to see people waste money on something they can do themselves, alot of money at that!

[ndhunter44]

Perfect thanks

[buck&duck]

Where on the outlet do you cut the copper connection

[juviesoup]

Where on the outlet do you cut the copper connection

[Kelly Hannan]

You are using the outlet to plug speakers into?

[juviesoup]

You are using the outlet to plug speakers into?

Correct.

[Kelly Hannan]

why the outlet as opposed to headphone jacks?

[Kelly Hannan]

I got my box, speakers and amp today. Of course I had to play right away and in the process I tried to switch the filter setting on amp. The little plastic lever broke, do i really ever need to move it? What does it do

[Dedbrd]

So I have everything assembled and the left speaker doesn't work(green wire). Left speaker works with the black wire! Switch out amps, same thing. Any suggestions???

[Kelly Hannan]

check green wires did you use the same plug in for amp?

[Dedbrd]

Swap both amps and both harnesses used both with each other.

[Kelly Hannan]

Just for kicks, try other speaker on green side. I know you said it worked on black side. What about polarity?

[juviesoup]

I got my box, speakers and amp today. Of course I had to play right away and in the process I tried to switch the filter setting on amp. The little plastic lever broke, do i really ever need to move it? What does it do

You can open up the front of the amp and try to switch it back, otherwise I don't think itll make a huge difference.

So I have everything assembled and the left speaker doesn't work(green wire). Left speaker works with the black wire! Switch out amps, same thing. Any suggestions???

Did you try using a different outlet, making sure both colors are on the same L/R as in Green upper L/R and black lower L/R? Is the copper part cut on the outlet like mentioned? The amps are built pretty cheap but I can't imagine getting two faulty amps at the same time

[Dedbrd]

I hot wired the speaker to the amps. I used both harnesses on both speakers and both amps. So I wired everything 8 times. Everything works on the right (black). I have the outlet set up right. I tried switching the wires. I don't know!!!

[juviesoup]

I hot wired the speaker to the amps. I used both harnesses on both speakers and both amps. So I wired everything 8 times. Everything works on the right (black). I have the outlet set up right. I tried switching the wires. I don't know!!!

I guess I'm not sure what you mean by hotwired the speakers to the amp? If you did that what did you use the outlet for?

[Dedbrd]

I didn't use the outlet to test the speakers. I just hook the wires to the amp wires. I didn't want to put everything together and the take it back apart, AGAIN!!!

[Kelly Hannan]

maybe only getting one signal out of MP3??? I don't know either.

[juviesoup]

maybe only getting one signal out of MP3??? I don't know either.

Could be this. Try using a different AUX cable or MP3 or both. Other than that I'm not sure what it could be. Is that channel connected all the way into the amp? I find it hard to believe that both your amps could be faulty, but weird things do happen, especially on $18 amps.

[Kelly Hannan]

so far mines working good. Waiting on the correct battery to arrive. I'm a little concerned on the volume, but won't know til I get it out in the field

[juviesoup]

so far mines working good. Waiting on the correct battery to arrive. I'm a little concerned on the volume, but won't know til I get it out in the field

Volume should be no issue if everything is set up correctly. We've had them LOUD before.