At work we are issued Motorola Harmony i325's for out comms gear, but the problem some of us face is how to carry the thing. They are quite a bit smaller then the old VHF radios we used to use so the old chest packs/carriers/etc are all oversized.

One of the better options we have is the Coaxsher - Scout chestpack, but it falls short due to storage space and overly large pockets for the radio.

F-701 for scale:


Second radio in the Coaxsher pack w/ Garmin 60csx in second pocket:


any of you use chestpacks on a regular basis? Any suggestions for a chest pack with a single radio pocket and more organization?

I use one for my Ham HT radio that I got from these guys.

http://www.mooremfg.com/index.htm

They're made up in Washington State, good prices, adjustable to fit a wide variety of radios. My HT is a small Kenwood model and I can adjust my pack to fit it with no problem. It will also hold a full sized commercial type radio like the older style Motorolas.

Has some pockets, a speaker/microphone holder, pen and flashlight holders.

Give em a look.

Try Link custom and I like mine.

Very satisfied customer

Lee

I'm a fan of The Pack Shack's chest pack-

http://thepackshack.com/shop/agora.cgi

-but it looks like it'll be too large for your handheld.

Standard disclaimer applies.

if not a chest pack, how about a throat mike?

Haven't really considered the throat mike and don't think that is a viable option. MTE doesn't like supplying us with much more then the hand mike, and even that was a PITA to get; had to wait till the 'right' person was in the tool room to get it otherwise you would be told "You don't need that."

The reason I'm leaning towards a chest pack right now is these Harmony radios tend to turn themselves off when in a back pocket with hand mike over shoulder. When RX/TX they keypad lock isn't active and the power button will power it down (big surprise there, right?), it makes for many frustrated moments when supervisors/coworkers finally get ahold of you and then you get the reaming for having your radio off. The other reason is organization. I could just stuff all my work essentials in the chest pack (notebooks, pocketknife, pens/pencils, small tape measure, etc) and not have to swap them from one pair of coveralls to the next.

Take a look at CMC Rescue for some of their radio harness rigs. I was introduced to their products years ago and have NEVER had an issue with one. I do know of someone who did and the remediation by CMC was lightning fast.

I found the same issue recently when using some of the newer smaller radios. The over-sized chest pack made it difficult to change channels. They're a great idea, but if you're wearing an ICS vest and a chest pack, there isn't really anything from the front to identify you. Definitely suggest something on the chest pack itself, as all you'll be left with is the sleeves of your shirt.

OilFieldComboy,

Check out Conterra's chest packs. I have used them for USAR activites and they are awesome. The thing I like about them is that there shoulder straps are elastic so you dont have to keep adjusting for whatever layers you are wearing. They just came out with a new style that looks promising.

Here is a link:
http://www.conterra-inc.com/index.php?cPath=10

Thank you for the Conterra link ccl442, it looks like I just found a winner. Those have more of the features I've been looking for then any of the others.

Think I'm going to order both a Conterra and a Green Woods to see which will for sure cover my needs.

Thank you all for your replies.