Courtesy of ADS Inc you too can learn the basics of field communications in the first installment of what we hope is a continuing series on the subject. “The Comms Locker” is written by Dave Meadows, a former Navy SEAL who specialized in the field before coming on board with ADS. We like Dave’s laid back style backed up with easy to read diagrams and can’t wait for the next article.
Read it here.
Tags: ADS Inc
Posted in ADS, Comms | Comments Off on Learn the Ins and Outs of Comms
While Bulldog Equipment’s latest lineup of pouches is well suited for both communicators as well anyone who carries radios, it was designed specifically for use by Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. Designed to protect many communications devices and keep them close at hand on packs and fighting kit, there are also pouches for specialized equipment such as the izlid as well as options for both the AN/PRC-117F and 117G. Additionally, their AN/PRC-152 pouch allows the user to access the control panel without removing the radio from the pouch. Developed with feedback from the JTAC community, this unique pouch suite is a welcome addition to the tactical toolkit.
The entire Bulldog line is Berry Compliant and available in a variety of colors and patterns including their popular Mirage camo. For more info or to order, visit www.bulldogequipment.us.
Gerber Legendary Blades is known to unveil new tactical products as the Association of the US Army’s Annual meeting in Washington, DC and this year did not disappoint. This time, they released three completely new products as well as a new color (Tan 499) for the Strap Cutter which makes it OCP compatible.
The first and most impressive of the new products is the Cable Dawg. Designed specifically for communications troops, this tool will find a home with anyone looking for a handy tool for fiber optic and other IT-related work. Featuring wire cutter, CAT5 jacket cutter, RJ45 Crimper Head, Wire strippers, Knife blade, Magnetic driver extension with tool heads. Additionally, the handles are crafted from glass filled nylon to help reduce weight and the side of the handle that houses the driver extension and tool heads can be removed.
Gerber also introduced a new light, the Hands Free Recon (HFR-M) which is kind of a new take on the mini angle head. The on/off switch in on the top with the lights mounted perpendicular to the body. It includes four outputs including a low Night Vision System detection, White, Red, and IR. Additionally, you can choose low, medium, high, or beacon modes. Mounting options include helmet and MOLLE. Finally, the HFR can use AA or CR123 batteries for up to 6 hours of illumination.
We’ll leave that fourth product a mystery for now. After all, we have to leave something for the other guys to write about.
All Gerber products are available for unit or agency purchase from ADS.
Tags: Gerber
Posted in Comms, Gadgets, Knives, Lights, Multicam | Comments Off on Gerber Unveils New Products at AUSA
Many of our readers use portable masts for a variety of tasks, and with the proliferation of more and more electronics systems incorporating communications as well as sensor technologies, the need for additional masting capability continues to grow. With the new Expedition series of masts from Will-Burt a single man can extend 4 foot (1.2 m) sections to heights from 8 feet (2.5 m) to 60 feet (18.3 m) with lightweight payloads such as cameras or antennas. The mast system features two bubble levels as well as a center guide tube to provide a smooth guide path when raising and lowering tube sections as well as a tube lifter to give the user an ergonomic advantage when raising heavy payloads.
Additionally, as part of this line, Will-Burt has introduced the Ranger Pack kit which includes a pack that accommodates the 65 lbs system which is capable of lifting up to a 50 pound payload (23 kilograms) to 24 feet (8 meters) above the ground. This system can be deployed guyed or un-guyed and is designed to be operated by one or two man elements.
The EmFX Pouches from NEMO Equipment that we wrote about back in July are finally available both for unit orders through ADS and individual purchase with Tactical Distributors. Essentially, the pouch creates a mini Faraday Cage blocking all incoming and outgoing Radio Frequency signals. This means, you can’t pocket dial someone and no one can remotely query the data stored on your cell phone. Unfortunately, bad guys can query this data, so as you stroll along on business or vacation, criminals (or worse) can collect your info, all without your knowledge. The only way to protect this data is to store it in a safe place. If you are someone who travels frequently overseas this pouch is a good investment.
Interestingly, in Chapter 4 of William Gibson‘s new book, “Zero History†the story mentions a Faraday Cage pouch for passports and what nastiness can happen to unsuspecting passport holders. In case you didn’t realize it, new passports include a Radio Frequency ID tag that contains information on you and allows customs to more quickly process you. NEMO Equipment is currently working on just such a model for passports.
Tags: NEMO Equipment, William Gibson
Posted in ADS, Comms, Gadgets, Recce | Comments Off on EmFX Pouches from NEMO Equipment Now Available
Anyone that’s met G.W. Ayers will attest that while he’s a nice, typically soft-spoken guy, he looks like someone shaved a gorilla(1) and hung LBE on it. This shouldn’t be taken as an insult—he’s a smart guy and we like him. It might, however, explain our initial hesitation at the sight of those outstretched paws(2) when he reached out and offered to take us over to check out his new radio pouch. We got over it and rode along.
Glad we did.
This pouch is an outstanding piece of kit and is another one of those forehead-smacking ideas. It came to them from an SF operator in the field, who explained what he needed and stood by. GW was quick to sic his custom shop on it. The result is now in use in a number of places, including several SOF organizations.
Designed for the Harris 152 radio (AN/PRC-152 Falcon III for purists and grognards), this modular pouch addresses the biggest problem you can have with your radio pouch—once it’s in there, you have to pull it back out to make adjustments and sometimes even to use them. Says GW, “What we’ve done is design this so it’s MOLLEd [note: that’s a verb, not a typo] onto the gear, then the radio will fall free at 45 degrees so you can change your channels, then you secure the radio. It’s a one-handed operations, so that you don’t have to pull the radio out of the pouch when you have to deal with it.â€
(From the description on their site: ‘Releasing the heavy duty quick-release buckle on the front of the pouch allows the entire pouch to lean out, giving the user easy access to the keypad and screen, which faces the wearer and remains protected by a clear window.’)
The pouch will also carry the MBITR radio in the same configuration (yes, AN/PRC-148 MBITR radio, we can use the official cool name too), if you’re using that instead of the AN/PRC 152. GW’s folks developed wings on the side of the pouch to Velcro open and shut, so if you had to get to the buttons for some reason, or the data port on the opposite side, you have no issues. This is going to be really well liked for some of the AF guys that have to run a lot of data through(3).
So far the pouch has been a slam dunk for Tactical Tailor and they expect it to continue (note: they haven’t made these in our size yet, but give them time). It retails for $30 and is available in Foliage Green, Coyote Brown, MultiCam and Black. (No word on ABU or MARPAT, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.)
As you might have expected it’s constructed of 1000D Cordura nylon and heavy-duty hardware. Attaches to any MOLLE or PALS style gear with two long MALICE CLIPS® (included). Buy it here. Seriously, go buy one, or two. And tell GW we sent you.
As usual, if you have any ideas for us to review, drop us a line at BreachBangClear.com or FaceBook.com/MadDuo; unless you’re going to complain about our opinions, writing style and philosophy (or if you are Joy Behar or Keith Olbermann) . In that event you should feel free to go play in traffic and Foxtrot-Sierra-Oscar(4). MAD DUO OUT!
1 Gorilla GeeDuya GeeDubya, not Gorilla beringei beringei.
2 This should not be interpreted as hyperbole. Have you seen his mitts? He’s got fingers like bratwursts. Just sayin’.
3 It would probably be just as well received by Security Forces anyway, though they’d prob’ly lose it or break hours after guardmount—which is better than what the grunts will probably do it. We won’t go into that here.
4 The middle one is “Smoothâ€. We don’t have a brevity code for it, but you get the idea.
Silynx recently started offering the C4OPS headset system with MultiCam bags, Compact Control Units, and wireless Push-to-talk modules. While the new color scheme is the most obvious enhancement to the popular C4OPS headset system, it is hardly the only improvement. Silynx maintains continuous contact with their customer base to solicit feedback based on real world use. Software updates such as those below are constantly pushed out to the field.
The enhanced PC programming software makes setting system parameters a snap. The system is now GPS enabled giving the MBITR on board Blue Force Tracking. However, unlike traditional BFT systems, C4OPS does not send automatic GPS locations but rather can be set to send them along with transmissions as well as by time or distance settings. The GPS information can also be provided to the operator on demand through the headphones via a selectable synthetic voice. Additionally, the C4OPS systems can be configured to transmit pre-set text messages through the radio.
Not only have the ear buds been improved with the ability to accept a custom ear mold, but they also now come with a storage pouch. They also offer venting for MFF parachute operations.
In addition to the software and earbud enhancements, Silynx also offers a couple of radio battery cables that can be used by anyone who employs the MBITR. The variant above adapts the BA-5590 battery to the MBITR to allow the battery to be stored remotely from the radio. This is especially important for lithium batteries as they can easily combust if they take fire. Below is an adapter for the standard MBITR battery and offers additional load carriage options.
If you’ll be attending the Warrior Expo – East in Virgina Beach on 15-16 July be sure to stop by booth #111 and check out the C4OPS headset system.
Lots of units are beginning to the M50/53 Joint Services Protective Mask. Canadian firm CON-SPACE has developed a new and alternative communication system for the M50 as well as the AVON C50. This new electret mic and quick disconnect have been developed to be used with virtually any handheld two-way portable radio and CON-SPACE Radio Gear. The E-Mic plugs into the masks built-in pass through connector and mates with their A5 connector on the exterior of the mask. Once connected to the mask, the CON-SPACE quick disconnect interfaces to three CON-SPACE Radio Gear products:
1. SRVA Voice Amplification Radio Accessory PTT – Allows user to amplify voice and the ability to communicate through a portable radio
2. CSVA Voice Amplifier – Allows user to amplify voice only
3. SR65M Radio Accessory PTT – Allows user to communicate via portable radio
All three devices can be easily interchanged when used with the E-Mic system which can also be connected to any MSA Sordin Supreme Mil and Supreme Pro Active Noise/Noise Canceling Headsets as well as Peltor ComTac products.
There are currently two mounted voice projection units available and the E-Mic and CON-SPACE Radio Gear combination gives the user yet another alternative choice.
Please contact Matt Fiddes, Sales Manager at mfiddes@con-space.com.
