522 Manpack
- Thread starter BKells
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Ooooh, Pl signaller. I'm so sorry 
I was Pl sigs(and I don't even have a comms course!) for cougar salvo in march. Prior to that, my time with the 522 had been fairly limited. I found the manpack to be REALLY hard on my shoulders. I don't know if it was just that particular manpack or if they are all like that...but after the first couple days it was driving me crazy. Luckily, I had a patrol bag that I had purchased from the WATC kitshop several years ago. The 522 fit in there quite nicely, and was infinitely more comfortable. When the time came to ruck up, I attached the patrol bag to the outside of my ruck. No problems.
Have fun out there. 2 1, out.
I was Pl sigs(and I don't even have a comms course!) for cougar salvo in march. Prior to that, my time with the 522 had been fairly limited. I found the manpack to be REALLY hard on my shoulders. I don't know if it was just that particular manpack or if they are all like that...but after the first couple days it was driving me crazy. Luckily, I had a patrol bag that I had purchased from the WATC kitshop several years ago. The 522 fit in there quite nicely, and was infinitely more comfortable. When the time came to ruck up, I attached the patrol bag to the outside of my ruck. No problems.
Have fun out there. 2 1, out.
If you use the issue 522 harness (which is a strange contraption), be sure to do up the strap that goes across your chest. It will greatly reduce the load across your shoulders.
There is no good way to use the 522 with 82 pattern rucksack. It is slightly longer than the 77 set and doesn't fit in the rucksack properly. I have never put the radio above the valise like MikeM mentioned but that is certainly worth experimenting with. That's the sort of thing that makes the 64 pattern ruck very good.
A tip for cold weather operations: putting your 521 radio inside your sleeping bag (with the headset sticking out) will save some battery life. I'm not sure if it feasible to stick a 522 there. Anyone try that out?
There is no good way to use the 522 with 82 pattern rucksack. It is slightly longer than the 77 set and doesn't fit in the rucksack properly. I have never put the radio above the valise like MikeM mentioned but that is certainly worth experimenting with. That's the sort of thing that makes the 64 pattern ruck very good.
A tip for cold weather operations: putting your 521 radio inside your sleeping bag (with the headset sticking out) will save some battery life. I'm not sure if it feasible to stick a 522 there. Anyone try that out?
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If youre using webbing, strap it on the front of you. If you're using the tacvest, put it between the valise and ruck bag, or in the ruckbag. The reason its rough on your back is probably the metal edges on the frame. Hold it down and torque the straps on the outside until the thing is almost U shape and you should be fine.
Cheers;
Andrew
Cheers;
Andrew
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BKells said:
Dump the harness that comes with it and put it in an NBC bag or small pack.
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If you can get your hands on one of the new Small Pack Systems they are built to carry a 522 and are quite comfortable for doing so, otherwise as is suggested, to the greatest extent possible secure it in some sort of other pack, the issued manpacks are uncomfortable and in many cases N/S.
Matt_Fisher
Army.ca Veteran
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What ruck are you currently using?
If you're currently using the 64 as your main ruck, then you can just strap the radio to the frame above your main bag and behind the valise.
How about using just a bare ALICE or 64 frame with shoulder straps/kidney belt and some 1" webbing and assorted fastex hardware to rig up a frame for the thing? ALICE frame may be preferable as you can use the 'cargo shelf' attachment.
If you're using the 82 pack, then you might want to try and cram it in to your main bag to the best of your ability, or you could leave it attached to the ALICE frame and lash it to the exterior of your pack (good luck on that) with 1" webbing and quick release buckles.
I've attached a couple pics of the Cargo shelf and how it attaches to the ALICE frame.
If you're currently using the 64 as your main ruck, then you can just strap the radio to the frame above your main bag and behind the valise.
How about using just a bare ALICE or 64 frame with shoulder straps/kidney belt and some 1" webbing and assorted fastex hardware to rig up a frame for the thing? ALICE frame may be preferable as you can use the 'cargo shelf' attachment.
If you're using the 82 pack, then you might want to try and cram it in to your main bag to the best of your ability, or you could leave it attached to the ALICE frame and lash it to the exterior of your pack (good luck on that) with 1" webbing and quick release buckles.
I've attached a couple pics of the Cargo shelf and how it attaches to the ALICE frame.
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No, I'm using the 84 pattern ruck. Yet ANOTHER reason that makes me question why we ever came out with the 84 pattern ruck in the first place.
I think I'll have to go with stuffing it in a patrol pack and walking around with that all day, probably the best option that's available to me.
I'll follow this post up when stalwart is over with what I found worked for me.
I think I'll have to go with stuffing it in a patrol pack and walking around with that all day, probably the best option that's available to me.
I'll follow this post up when stalwart is over with what I found worked for me.
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Remember to leave the top flap undone, so your sunray can play with the radio without trying to find all the buckles that will open the flap.
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Don't do that! Don't let him screw around with YOUR radio, maybe, if he's good let him grab the handset, nothing more! Once people start screwing with knobs and buttons you'd be surprised how quicky you ger zeroised or looze your freq's.Hatchet Man said:
Cheers;
Andrew
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JimmyPeOn said:
I dunno, those bars tend to be higher up the totem pole than my two chevrons. I don't see myself winning here.
Ya, lippy signallers might quickly find themselves moved to the 84mm or perhaps carrying around filled sandbags... just in case.Hatchet Man said:
That said, do up all flaps, straps, snaps, buttons, clips, and fasteners. Nobody likes insecure mission-essential kit. Just be sure that any radio on your back is accessible to another person, which means that the bottom of the display panel should be away from your body. Putting the 521 in its case backwards is a leading cause of knob drift.
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What reason would he have to play around with your radio? :threat: The only thing he should have to touch is the PTT and the handset. Ive seen a lot of comms go astray from someone else messing with the sigs kit. I do agree with putting it in so the LED screen is towards your back though. Makes things easier to see for SOMEONE ELSE WITH A COMMS COURSE.
Cheers;
Andrew
Cheers;
Andrew
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JimmyPeOn said:
Who knows why. All I know is that if your officer wants access, you give them access.
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I still don't agree, :
wht reason could he have? If you have done your job, why would he be messing with your radio?
wht reason could he have? If you have done your job, why would he be messing with your radio?
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Cause he might want to turn up/down the volume, change freqs, be a tard. I am not him. I just do what I am told. As far as I know him saying he wants access is a lawful command. .
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The volume should always be at full blast on a combat net, so he can hear whats going on when the firing starts. Unless youre on a Recce. If you need to swithch over to your admin net, then theres no rush. Take it off your back and switch it for him. All I'm saying is that Ive see na lot of comms flop and manpacks mysteriously zeroised, when a young Lt starts playing with dials. If you guys really want to take the chance thats up to you. Personally, they dont even come in the back of my radvan. Everything works that way, and all the officers I've worked with understand. I can't contribute any more to this post. Im out.
Cheers;
Andrew
Cheers;
Andrew
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