PRC-148 Radio, First Impressions and Initial Setup, and Follow on Setup on Chest Rig

Tactical Gear Tactical Gear
1

So I was posting on Euro’s thread on his loadout, and thought it would be best to start my own instead of hijacking his. This thread will be a ‘living’ thread for a while, because I have more gear coming in for my radio, that will require more pictures and comments. Hopefully this is helpful. Before reading this thread, I would definitely read Euro’s thread - there is some very useful information from him and Outlaw Systems. Click HERE for Euro’s thread.

So I’m not going to regurgitate Euro’s thread. Suffice to say, I talked to them enough that I decided to pull the trigger. The radio arrived last week, so I’m going to post some pics of the radio, and also some of the accessories I needed to pick up so I could run it on my chest rig effectively.

One thing I need to point out, is that I am not attaching the cable, or running the extension cable through PALS webbing on a PC. My PC is a Beez low viz, therefore it does not have PALS webbing. That said, I do have an extended X-Harness from Tactical Tailor that will suffice just fine.

What I have on-hand currently: PRC-148 radio (pics to follow), an antenna relocation cable (from CommoCage on eBay). 2M J-Pole roll-up antenna from Nelson_Antennas on eBay. (links below)

Accessories en route: Tactical Tailor PRC-148/152 radio pouch; Thales 1 meter blade antenna; TCI (Tactical Command Industries) Mast Relocation Kit, TCI Liberator II behind the head headset with noise cancellation, and PTT (getting a cord replaced)

I’m going to post some of my other post, just so you can see the accessories all on this thread. Specifically the antenna relocation cable I got off eBay. It’s a very well-made cable (Thanks DocSherm) and I will use it on one of my chest rigs.

Couple of things I learned since jumping in with both feet.

  1. The more I get into it, the more I realize I don’t know.
  2. I plan to run the following antennas:
  • 1 meter blade
  • 20" flex antenna
  • 2 meter J-Pole -

So this is the 2M J-Pole rollup antenna. This antenna is great when you need a little extra rx/tx range. You connect it to your radio and throw it across some tree branches, make your comms checks/messages, roll the antenna back up and move out.

For the J-Pole 2M antenna click [b]HERE[/b]. Keep in mind if you are going to a military radio (or clone) you will need an adapter, I believe an SMA male to TNC Male, but I need to confirm this.
ETA:I just confirmed from the guy who made the 2M J-Pole antenna for me. Shane is his name and he’s as solid as they come. Super helpful with ALL my questions and makes a very good product. He told me I needed an SMA Male to TNC Male adapter. I did confirm this would work. Here’s a link on Shamazon to the adapter you’ll need. With the adapter plus the 2M cable, it is still well worth the investment. For the J-POLE antenna adapter for use with PRC-148 click HERE. You can also find the same adapter on eBay for less, but I was concerned about shipping time. You can find the adapter on eBay HERE.

So let’s get started. I will provide links to everything I can. I cannot provide the link to my headset, but I’ll try to find one like it. Besides headsets are like AR’s, it’s a personal preference matter.

Here’s the radio: As Euro and Outlander said, don’t freak out because it’s coming from an AS website. Watch the videos. Click HERE for the radio.

This is all the items that come in the box from jkarmy.com It does have a genuine Thales battery which is a huge plus. The two items on the lower right/mid-right are the charger. The Thales twists onto that little plate just like it mounts to the radio. Light on the AC charger flashes amber when it’s charging, steady green when charged.

PRC-148 control head, you can see how well its constructed.

Top of radio. Standard military 6 pin comms connector for your TCI or Peltor head sets. TNC (threaded) antenna connector, on-off knob, frequency adjustment knob (middle)

The radio, Thales battery mounted. [/li]

Right side of radio:

Left side of radio. Volume +/- , PTT, & monitoring button

Bottom of radio, interface to the Thales battery.

Radio on, and rx WX transmission. (the solid bar indicates you are receiving, and I believe it may reflect the strength of that signal) I’m still figuring things out. lol

Here are the pics of the relocation cable from CommoCage on eBay

It looks to be pretty well made, the ends are sturdy and have been shrink wrapped and a sealant around the bottom of the boot as well. The cable is recently manufactured (June 2016, It measures 46" long. Came packaged in a small bubble-wrap envelope, after all it is just a cable.

If you want to buy this cable on eBay - click HERE





To give you an idea of how much cable you get, I’ll post a couple of pics. When I get my radio pouch in, which right now I have a TT small radio pouch, grossly insufficient for this radio, I’ll make a thread and do like Euro did to show my chest rig and how I run the radio/antenna when I get it all in. But since you asked, I’ll post a couple of pics now.

The radio, with the CommoCage extension and the stock TRI antenna

I just ran it through the PALS webbing to give an idea of how much it takes up. For go-to, it would be a little more clean, and I probably wouldn’t position the antenna there, but it should give an idea of what you’re working with. Also as noted above, my PC is a low viz PC, so it is not covered in PALS, but I can do all I need to do with the extended X harness that TT makes.

This is not the correct radio pouch - this is a Tactical Tailor SMALL radio pouch. This is just to show how much antenna cable is running up the X -harness shoulder straps.

I will replace this cable with the TCI Mast relocation cable (with QD TNC adapter) and move this cable to another chest rig that has a different purpose. If you are interested in the TCI Mast Relocation Kit, Click this link HERE.

Just to clarify, the relocation cable from eBay does the job perfectly as far as I can tell. The TCI MAST Relocation Kit will allow me to relocate my antenna behind me on my Tactical Tailor X-harness, but since I’ve decided I want to be able and run different antenna lengths, which can affect the freqs that my radio will rx/tx on, I decided I wanted a QD mount. Hence the TCI MAST re-locator. It will come with a 90 degree QD TNC connector, that will allow me to disconnect from that antenna and connect to another antenna, either on the same rig on different rig.

Again, all this can be done with one cable, but it will be a PITA and less risk for damaging threads in a dark, cold, wet night if I have QD TNC connectors.

Updates to follow:
Tactical Tailor PRC-148/152 antenna pouch arrives 10/26/2016 You can buy this from Tactical Tailor by clicking HERE. If you are military/veteran don’t forget to use the WETSU discount code. Drops the price of the pouch to $36. If you look around, you can find it for less, but TT has amazing customer service, it’s worth the extra bucks.
1 meter blade antenna (Thales) will be here 10/27/2016.
Liberator II headset, at TCI getting a cord replaced, will arrive the 11/01/20166 and along with it a TCI Mast antenna relocation kit.
Adapter for my 2M/70 CM J-Pole antenna.

I will Edit To Add on the thread once I get some more parts in. Let me know if you have questions, I’ll try to answer. Or comments for that matter. If I’ve said something whack, straight it out!

Yeah it’s a big post and you probably fell asleep somewhere after the 3rd word, but if you made it this far, hopefully it’s given you some food for thought.

Thanks
Robert

=================================================================================================================================================================================

Well, it’s “finished” As finished as any kit item is until I decide to change something, but honestly, it’s pretty much exactly what I envisioned when I set up to build a chest rig. I decided to just edit the OP because then everything will be together and it will be a more congruent read. The post is meant to highlight the radio, but I’ll also talk to some setup on my chest rig in case anyone has questions/comments. Before I get started, I have to give some major gratitude to the M4Cer and my very good friend docsherm, who helped me put my chest rig together. It’s a far cry from the old ACU LBV I had. He designed my load plan and guided me through getting what I needed to get and how it should all work together. If you have any intention to build a chest rig and aren’t sure what you should get - or where you should start, then you need to read docsherm’s “Chest Rigs 101” post. There is no better place for you to start. You can find docsherm’s post by clicking: Chest Rigs 101 by docsherm

I will go in the order of my “Upgrades to Follow” from the Original Post and then show some pics of the final setup. As before I’ll post links where I can. I don’t know if Tapatalk shows the links, if not you’ll need to “Open in Web Browser” to see them.

Tactical Tailor PRC-148/152 antenna pouch: There are many pouches for radios, and granted I am definitely partial to Tactical Tailor, but this really is a great radio pouch. Fits the radio perfectly, Works similar to some admin pouches in that you can flip it out to change freqs or verify freqs on the radio, close it up and snap the ITW fastener

Radio pouch secured



Fastener released, pouch tilts open allowing access to control head of the PRC-148.

Here you can see the AN/PRC-148/152 Radio Pouch positioned left/front side of my chest rig. Between a universal pouch and my GP pouch. PTT cable also seen.

You can find the PRC-152 radio pouch at Tactical Tailor by clicking here.
If you’re military or LE, you get a discount at Tactical Tailor. Just enter “WETSU” when you’re checking out.

So at this point I’m about out of images and we have a ways to go, so I will have to post this and do a reply. Sorry I won’t be able to make it as seamless as I wanted, but hopefully you can still get some benefit out of the posts. - I have the majority of the other comments and pics written, it is just a matter to copy/past them into a new reply. So look below for…“The Rest of the Story.”

Thanks again for reading - Robert

2

I’m curious about how this setup is working.

I’m getting very interested in amateur radio, and I know this radio requires a license to operate legally. I’ve been considering what my first radio should be, and this is in the top three (along with a Yaesu 817ND and the new CommRadio CTX-10, which are both more base station units than the TRI clone).

3

I’ve taken some pictures of my chest rig and will try to get it all posted tonight along with some comments.

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4

Wow! I’m not sure how this has only one reply. Great post. When I made that thread (which kind of got turned to shit as all my photobucket pics were lost) I never expected to get so much interest on the radio. After all, it was a thread with a rifle, PC, optic, radio, etc etc.

Outlander is the one who put me on to that radio. People like to say “Oh, Airsoft? Pass!” until I drop my radio in the ocean and then challenge them to do the same with their “non-airsoft” Hytera/Motorola/BAOFENG. When they refuse I say “Ok, no sweat. Where do I plug the Peltors in on yours?” :wink:

You will love the blade antenna. I have NO SHIT reached almost eight miles in the most densely populated area in the 3rd most populous state during daylight hours using GMRS freqs with that antenna and that radio.

5

Best thread Eva!! Not sure how I missed this.

6

Great post! How rugged does the radio appear to be? Do you think it will be able to handle the elements and field use well?

7

Absolutely. The feel is certainly solid as a rock. EuroDriver has personally sunk his in the ocean. I totally agree with him. Don’t be fooled by the airsoft, this is as close to a military issue PRC-148 as we are gonna get without taking out a W2nd mortgage. I snapped some pics this morning of how it’s set up in my chest rig and will be posting those pics this afternoon.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i1qfjYhvW9M

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8

:lol: asking if this radio is rugged…

Outlander has a video of some guy using his to smash cinderblocks in half.

9

I regret not having that chest rig with me as I’m headed out to my little range to run some still, but testing out a new chest rig and build for my truck. Otherwise I would do some videos of submerging it etc. next time!!

Can you get the link to post that video Outlander has?

And thank you for the compliment above. Coming from you means a lot.

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10

I have very limited knowledge when it comes to radios but it appears to be a nice rig.

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11

I’ll start with the Thales Blade Antenna, 1 meter.

Antenna 1m Blade, 30-90 MHz I found mine on eBay, and it’s really hit or miss if you find one. If you do, just be sure that it’s in good shape and not damaged. Blade antennas will get weakened at the point they are folded up, if they have seen too much use. No one likes a limp blade antenna, and viagra won’t fix that.

The antenna unfolded stretched across my TT shemagh. Yes, technically it’s longer than 1 meter, but I’m not sure they count the base, but the actual antenna portion since that has a direct impact on the frequencies the antenna is capable to rx/tx on. (I think, feel free to correct me on this.)


Part number of Thales blade antenna



Another shot

There are some Thales antennas on eBay, the link will take you to the search, because I don’t know the buyers well enough to post a direct link, and you get a piece of crap I’d not feel good about that. Also when you are looking, also look for Harris blade antennas. They are the same quality as Thales at a minimum…
Click hereto search for Thales and Harris 1 meter blade antennas

Adapter J-Pole The J-Pole adapter is needed so I can use the J-Pole antenna. The J-Pole antenna mentioned in the OP gives you the capability to increase your TX/RX range, by throwing the antenna in the branches of a tree or some other pole - elevating in, giving in creased LoS (Line of Sight). It is a 2 meter antenna.

TNC Male Plug to SMA Male Plug M/M Straight Adapter RF Cable Connector
NOTE: When looking for an adapter you may run across some that are titled “RP - Reverse Polarity”. Stay away from those.


Liberator II headset Another eBay item. You’ll understand why I went to eBay once you price these or Peltor’s brand new. I know Peltors are popular especially in the SOF community, but the Liberator II is also an excellent headset. They are manufactured by Tactical Command Industries, and they sell into both the military and LEO space. Not surprisingly, SafariLand bought out TCI, but when you need to speak to a TCI rep you can get their direct line. I had to send my headset off to TCI for a cable repair and had them run some diagnostics since I didn’t have a 35V handy. The Liberator II has noise cancellation or what they call “Digital Sound Processing” which should suppress the bang-bang while not suppressing other sounds you may need to keep your happy heart ticking. Here’s a blurb from Tactical Life on a press release on the Liberator II’s which were released in 2014 (Digital Threat Compression Technology to safely reduce hazardous noise while enhancing low-level sounds with Digital Situational Awareness Enhancement, which simultaneously provides the user with 360 degrees of ambient sound reproduction and unbelievable situational awareness.) They also indicated that the headset is waterproof and you get about 600 hours of life on 2 AA batteries. It still worked when I got it and the batteries looked to be rather used. Sounds fun right?
I don’t have a tactical helmet, but they should work with Ops-Core, Team Wendy, and the issue ACH or MICH helmets. etc.

LIberator II headset, behind the head suspension

Here’s a view of the power button (that activates the noise cxl) and volume buttons. The mesh goes over your head, and the wired band securing the cables goes behind your head - hence “behind the head” suspension. The over the head is like a standard headset suspension like your Bose or whatever that is padded and goes over your head.

TCI MAST (Modular Antenna System, Tactical) Antenna Relocation Kit, Version 2 So this piece of my setup was not necessary, in that I already had an antenna relocation cable, that allowed me to move the antenna to the back of my X-harness on my chest rig. However, since I have more than one chest rig, I decided to get the MAST for my primary rig, and use the relocation cable (Link in the OP) for my truck or SPR kit.
This is a solid piece of gear and I am glad I went this route. It not only provides a pouch for the base of your antenna, but provides some security loops to prevent damage to the antenna base. I can build a cable easier than a blade antenna.


The MAST kit, with a velcro strap to secure the blade antenna when it’s folded up.

A closer up view of the MAST. It’s very well constructed and pretty easy to reach over your shoulder to release the velcro for the blade to extend. Using my left hand to fold and right hand to secure the velcro, I was able to secure the antenna. That’s why it’s positioned where it is, and also to get max LoS when extended, and less obstruction from my body.
[b]

Securing the blade (the easy way)[/b]

Here you can see the ‘security loop’ as it secures around the base of the antenna. One to keep the antenna from sliding up or down, but also to prevent any damage to the base of the antenna.

The MAST Relocation Kit also came with a 90 degree QD connector. This gives you the ability to disconnect one antenna and connect another. For example, I can quickly disconnect the 1 meter blade antenna and connect my 2m cable when I need the extended rx/tx capability to send a message. Disconnect the 2m, reconnect my 1m blade antenna, and move out. This 90 degree QD fitting is part of the “Version 2” of the MAST kit.

A good shot of the 90 degree QD fitting. I placed the antenna cable out front for the sake of the pic, as you will see I normally keep it behind my PTT

A clean picture of the antenna cable as it connects to the MAST 90 degree QD adapter

How it’s normally ran on my chest rig

This concludes the comms updates to my chest rig. I will do a reply to this post and continue on with my chest rig setup for those of you interested…

Thank you for reading, I hope this is proving helpful to you.

12

Wrapping up the chest rig. Rather than put links to the chest rig setup inside the comments, I’ll put them all at the end of this post.

Plate Carrier:
Beez Combat Systems NIJ II Carrier in khaki
Soft Armor: Second Chance Monarch
Rifle Plates: SKD Tactical Ceramic, shooters cut, single curve

Chest Rig - Tactical Tailor 2 Piece MAV with TT Extended X Harness, and TT Center Adapter

Basic Load = 9 x 30rd 5.56 mags (maximum load out = 11 x 30rd 5.56 mags)

Starting far right side (as worn)

SO Tech Viper Flat A1 IFAK pouch I’ve tried a few different IFAK pouches or blow out pouches. This is hand down my favorite when you want a full IFAK size pouch. Pull that strap you see, and the IFAK kit comes out. It’s secure, believe me, but also pretty easy to deploy.

Inside I have the necessities for trauma:

[ul]
[li]Ace bandage,
[/li][li]2" gauze,
[/li][li]plastic tape,
[/li][li]moleskin,
[/li][li]trauma shears (from Madison Supply or Elite Supply, another favorite),
[/li][li]blood clotting agents, both gauze and powder),
[/li][li]Nasopharyngeal Airway,
[/li][li]nitrile gloves,
[/li][li]acetaphetamin (no ibuprofen or naloxone which have blood thinning characteristics),
[/li][li]Halo Seals (Note: I don’t normally have chest seals in my IFAKS, as I keep mole skin in sheets large enough to suffice, in this case they were given to me, so I’m using them.) Spare TQ, that would get moved to outside of chest rig once one is used.
[/li][li] Vaseline gauze
[/li][li] Antibiotic ointment
[/li][/ul]

Continuing to the right…

  • TT 2 mag shingle - I have KYWY inserts in my double and single mag shingles, rather than using the bungee cord, which I take off and repurpose to secure my TQ, light sticks, scissors etc on various rigs. I will also tell you the double mag shingle, makes a great pistol holster for my G19, when not used for ammo. (which would be a rare circumstance)
  • TT Multipurpose Pouch - Probably the best pouch on my chest rig. You won’t believe how much you can store in this pouch. I have maps, included coated in acetate, notepad, markers, pencil, lighter, camo tape, camo sticks, small multi-tool, water purification tabs, light stick and that’s not even filling it up. I do not build a chest rig, without the multipurpose pouch, with the exception of a low viz chest rig I have…
  • Gerber Strong Arm fixed blade - It’s a good fixed blade, thick, excellent purchase on the grip in wet weather or gloved hand, it’s a very solid grip. Steel takes a good edge and keeps it.

Front left side (Left to right from ammo pouch with CAT TQ attached) to the PRC-148 radio pouch

  • TT Universal Mag Pouch - These pouches are probably my favorite ammo pouch. Yes I know the world loves the HGSI and other brand tacos, but I can do a lot more with this Universal pouch than I can with a taco. Taco’s have their place, just not on this particular chest rig. It can hold 1-3 x 5.56 mags, 2 x 7.62x51 (AR-10/SR-25) mags, on my SPR rig, I use it to hold a TT medical insert. It can be used to holster my G19, and basically as a small GP pouch if needed.
  • TT Center Adapter; TT Single mag shingle; TT Compass pouch attached (Compass in front) - The center adapter connects via clips to each side of the MAV and is velcro backed. It gives me a somewhat quick release for the 2 piece since I don’t have to use the ITW buckles, I pull the velcro apart and can lay prone without laying on my chest rig, the biggest benefit to the 2 piece MAV and why I got the 2 piece for this application. It has PALS webbing so I can connect the single mag shingle to it and the compass pouch to the mag shingle.
    Inside my compass pouch, I have a Silva Ranger compass. I also have Cammenga with my SPR rigs, this is the standard military lensatic with tritium, we all used, Silva makes an excellent compass
    Shown is my Garmin Foretrex, worn on my wrist when kitted up, stored in my GP pouch
  • next to single mag shingle, another TT universal pouch with 2 x 5.56 mags and CAT TQ attached via paracord bands. (testing this setup with my TQ and seeing if I can deploy it as easily as if secured with parabands.)
  • Next to universal pouch, is my PRC-148 radio pouch, already discussed.

Some detail on the TT Center Adapter…
Pic of how the Center adapter secures the 2 pc. MAV together



The center adapter secures to each side of the MAV

Moving past center of MAV, to front right:

  • TT universal mag pouch with 2 x 5.56 mags (Told you these were one of my favorites)
  • TT PRC-148 radio pouch

Left side (as I wear it)
- TT General Purpose (GP) Medium pouch, chemlights and Madison Supply trauma shears in PALS webbing
- TT Universal mag pouch

Inside my GP:
[ul]
[li]Oakley tactical gloves
[/li][li]Restraints
[/li][li]Rite in Rain Leaders Book (the 5x7)
[/li][li]chemlights
[/li][li]IR strobe
[/li][li]550 cord
[/li][li]protein bars
[/li][li]whatever else is mission essential
[/li][/ul]



Outside chest rig:
Zip tie restraints
Ranger beads

Gun Belt (Basic Load = 5 x G17 mags)
Glock 19 Gen IV (Cerakoted Colt Coyote Brown and black)
TRL-1 weapon light
Glock 17 mags
Active Handgun Trainer’s belt w/ Cobra Buckles (AustriAlpin)
SafariLand 6378USN ALS Low Sig G19 holster w/ TRL-1 - Easily the best holster I have ever used.
TR_Holsters dual mag holders (with tensioner screws) (eBay)

unholstered

Battle Rifle - custom build, painted by me (that’s probably obvious lol)
10.3" SBR (From the bottom up)

  • Vickers sling Krypton Highlander w/ burnsed socket for conversion from 2 pt sling to single pt sling
  • LMT SOPMOD butt stock
  • VLTOR A5 buffer system, with H2 buffer
  • Fortis RE QD end plate
  • Hogue hand grip w/ cargo management (fancy name for in-grip storage)
  • CMC curved 3.5lb trigger (made in Texas naturally)
  • DSG Arms LPK-Enhanced (-) enhanced bolt release (Not compatible with ambil bold release kits)
  • Troy Ambi- Bolt Catch/Release
  • Battle Arms Development ambi selector switch 45/60
  • Aero Precision Lower
  • Aero Precision Upper
  • Redi-Mag
  • Raptor CH
  • LMT FA BCG (The only BCG I run)
  • Precision Reflex Fixed Sights (Originally had LMT fixed sights, replaced those with these. Liked these so much, swapped out my Daniel Defense fixed sights with Precision Reflex. The visual connection between the rear aperture and front sight is slick and as natural as I’ve seen)
  • EOTech EXPS 3-2 (Yes I still have my EOTech, and I will keep on using EOTech, it’s what I’ve been training with and what I’m good with.)
  • LaRue 10" free floating rail (Yes I’m aware they haven’t changed anything in 10 years, but if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.)
  • GG&G shorty (Replaced with BCM shorty that just arrived in the mail)
  • BA 10.3 barrel, Hanson profile
  • BA pinned gas block
  • BA melonited gas tube
  • TRL-1 light (Looking to swap this out - maybe with TRL-1HL, or PowerTac, still undecided
  • BattleComp comp

I don’t have an AAC Brake on this weapon as I don’t think I’ll suppress it. I built this weapon as a CQ rifle and extended the barrel 6" defeats the purpose in my mind.

Also after replacing the LMT sights with the Precision Reflex I failed to mount my TRL-1 on the top of my rail where I like it. I decided to wait as I was waiting on some rail ladders from LaRue Tactical. All that arrived today, so I swapped out most of the LaRue index clips for the ladders and moved my light.

I will come back and Edit To Add all the links for the chest rig. It’s 0452 and I’m poppin’ smoke.

I hope this was a helpful post. Let me know if you have questions or comments.

Last thing. I said docsherm helped me with my chest rig, but he’s helped me in just about every aspect. Helped me organize my IFAK and I generally don’t build an AR without consulting with him a few times at least. So I really wouldn’t have much to show without his help. Never want to claim to do something alone when I haven’t.

13

Guys,

Sorry I could not post all of this in one post - but it’s out here if you want to see the updates. It was rather late when I finished - around 0445, so…yeah it might have some strange things.

  • Robert

Thank you 85 CUCV, I have put a lot of work into it, but I also had some great help.

Depending on how serious you want to get, there may be a need for you to setup a base station and have a radio in your kit like the TRI PRC-142 clone. My step-dad who is licensed and eyeballs deep in HAM, has a “comms room”, plus a nice Yaesu in his truck, plus some handhelds.

Thank you brother!

Thank you JP!

Absolutely

Guys,

Sorry I could not post all of this in one post - but it’s out here if you want to see the updates. It was rather late when I finished - around 0445, so…yeah it might have some strange things.

Robert

14

Not radio related, but I’m also a fan of those TT universal mag pouches. I recently removed mine in an effort to eliminate as much Velcro as possible from my kit, though. Time will tell if it stays that way

15

There’s definitely 2 camps out there. Open top and velcro. I have a Ten Speed chest rig and my SPR chest rig that uses open top pouches. (they probably have a more tacticool name, but that’s how I think of them.) For me, at the very beginning of building this rig, when docsherm was asking me 20 questions - “flexibility and adaptability” were key principles in the build. The universal pouch fit those requirements better than any tacos I’ve seen. Also I wanted to maximize ammo load out with out getting ridiculous. I train with this vest on and no it’s not a lightweight like my Ten Speed, but it’s not meant to be.
I think mission/purpose determines what’s smart and what’s not. But sounds like you’re focusing on what’s the right setup for you.

16

Did you have any issues hooking up your PTT? I cannot get my Peltor 6-pin to lock onto the radio connector for the life of me, already got a small blister on my palm trying to push and turn to lock it in place.

17

No issues here. Did you take your finger wet it and give the o-ring a swipe? Then try it? Can you tell of the pins are not engaging? In other words are there some marks that indicate the PTT female fitting is not going down far enough to engage?
You can try sending a pic of the 6 pin male on your radio. I can compare to mine.
Also I think I’ve used a little bit of oil on my finger or Vaseline maybe and swiped the o-ring. Technically you should probably use a silicone lube or something but I was not a commo dawg. It’s been a long time since I’ve tried some of hose tricks I used as a soldier, but the “wet Willie” I’ve used more times than I can count.

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18

Lick it before you stick it.

Or use your finger to lube the o ring with spit.

Whichever.

19

I’ve done both of these more times than I can count.

I even think I did it on a few radios too.

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20

I got her nice and wet first, it’s as if I can’t press it down far enough.