Radio holder/chest rig

[Chief_Rick]

I worked our local Christmas parade tonight for the first time with our Amateur Radio Emergency Services group.

This was my first time working a public event and I had a difficult time keeping my radio where I could hear it.

I have a speaker mic, but I kept having problems with it coming unplugged when I had the radio clipped to my belt. There's no way to lock the microphone plug into the radio.

We have to wear a reflective vest, so I'm looking for something to wear under that. Something low-profile, non-tactical.

The radio is 2.5" W x 4" H x 1.75" D

I like the look of the 5.11 Skyweight Survival Chest Pack but was looking for something a little narrower. I could clip my radio to the webbing or put it in the pack.

Recommendations?

 

[Modoc]

I’d look int the radio chest harnesses used by wildland firefighters. It’s been a few years since I used one, but it worked very well.

https://www.wildlandwarehouse.com/product-category/fire-line-gear/radio-harnesses/

Single Radio Harnesses - Single Radio Chest Harnesses

Supply Cache carries convenient solutions for hands-free carry of wildland 2-way radios. Shop today for a number of single radio harnesses options today.

www.supplycache.com

 

[Herb Stoner]

I carried a radio in a chest harness quite often during my years in the ski business. Plenty of smaller lighter options once you get away from the “tactical” BS. Don’t remember them all but the last one was from a company called Cascade. Look for SAR or ski patrol supplies and you’ll find plenty of options.

 

[smcfarland]

Hill People Gear makes great chest carriers. What I use to carry pistol up front when hiking and want to be more discreet about it. Very good suspension system.

 

[SouthernGunner]

I actually have a similar setup I use when I work ARES events. I use a hill people gear chest rig and for a Fehu angled radio pouch to keep the antenna out of my face. I don’t have any pics of mine right now but here is a screenshot of the pouch. I modified the pouch to make it work for shorter radios with some zip ties and tape on the bottom

 

[Chief_Rick]

I ordered a Hill People Gear SAR Kit bag (medium). I like that the molle is angled.

Also ordered an inexpensive radio holder off Amazon for the smaller Amateur radios. Will test upon receipt.

Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[powdahound76]

Looks like a good start.

In the pouch you can keep a pen, small notebook, flashlight, etc and not too tactical looking.

In a loud area, look for a mic/earpiece set up so you can hear easier (and no one else can).
My hearing with any background noise is meh on a good day and this really helps me.

Not sure your radio and this is the ear piece/mic combo I use.


Decent earpieces (that fit your ear, not just jammed in the external auditory canal) are available all over the web. Got my from a police supply place.