PRC-148 Radio, First Impressions and Initial Setup, and Follow on Setup on Chest Rig
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.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psmgp93zzt.jpg
For the J-Pole 2M antenna click HERE. 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.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psietfz4ah.jpg
PRC-148 control head, you can see how well its constructed.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psunzmf1cv.jpg
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)
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psmejeb80n.jpg
The radio, Thales battery mounted. [/li]
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps5hgwr1dt.jpg
Right side of radio:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psy1w53l11.jpg
Left side of radio. Volume +/- , PTT, & monitoring button
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pssjg1tvni.jpg
Bottom of radio, interface to the Thales battery.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psjmsk4vkz.jpg
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
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pscfi7f5rc.jpg
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
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps8sn2kvv4.jpg
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pskjfq39kj.jpg
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psr0izsddn.jpg
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psalczob53.jpg
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psbnzohoum.jpg
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
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pstrtxtwrs.jpg
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.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psimevs3od.jpg
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.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pssbkwnslh.jpg
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
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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
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pss1qn0qo5.jpg
Fastener released, pouch tilts open allowing access to control head of the PRC-148.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psmtxkvl04.jpg
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.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pskaspzb5j.jpg
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
PRC-148 Radio, First Impressions and Initial Setup, and Follow on Setup on Chest Rig
Quote:
Originally Posted by
coastwatcher42
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?
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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PRC-148 Radio, First Impressions and Initial Setup, and Follow on Setup on Chest Rig
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RobertTheTexan
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...
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
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps7i5ejpvv.jpg
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)
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps2qnb8c3c.jpg
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.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psuhrowiy7.jpg
Inside I have the necessities for trauma:
- Ace bandage,
- 2" gauze,
- plastic tape,
- moleskin,
- trauma shears (from Madison Supply or Elite Supply, another favorite),
- blood clotting agents, both gauze and powder),
- Nasopharyngeal Airway,
- nitrile gloves,
- acetaphetamin (no ibuprofen or naloxone which have blood thinning characteristics),
- 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.
- Vaseline gauze
- Antibiotic ointment
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psumt7lhfp.jpg
Continuing to the right...
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psppsmnuo8.jpg
- 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
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps6gmwlowh.jpg
- 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
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psgq5kags8.jpg
The center adapter secures to each side of the MAV
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps7dr7fahp.jpg
Moving past center of MAV, to front right:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pskaspzb5j.jpg
- 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:
- Oakley tactical gloves
- Restraints
- Rite in Rain Leaders Book (the 5x7)
- chemlights
- IR strobe
- 550 cord
- protein bars
- whatever else is mission essential
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps8mibtzi1.jpg
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)
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psjfcizkc2.jpg
unholstered
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psmhzgcf7b.jpg
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.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps5gfyydck.jpg
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...psvs0vjfaz.jpg
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.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pstgkpqpou.jpg
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.
PRC-148 Radio, First Impressions and Initial Setup, and Follow on Setup on Chest Rig
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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PRC-148 Radio, First Impressions and Initial Setup, and Follow on Setup on Chest Rig
Hey Turnkey... A couple of thoughts on trying to narrow it down if you cannot find another 6 pin PTT adapter.
1. It was difficult to tell, but is that locking washer inside the PTT headset flush with the base of the pin nubs?
2. Can you verify that the nubs are in the same position as the slots on the male 6 pin on the radio? Maybe you can hold it upside down next to it.
3. Take something a small tape measure or even a toothpick and measure the radio 6 pin and measure the headset 6 pin just to make sure that the headset is seating far enough down.
I think we can agree that it's likely not, but maybe this can help you narrow down the part that is defective. Or as it said try another PTT cable or headset. I looked for an extra I would mail you, but no joy on that.
I have seen in the past where a cable
Was rebuilt and that circular retaining clip was not pressed deep enough and it prevented locking on the radios. These were standard mil spec Army radios. I can go out to my shop and check your radio and headset measurements.
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