Thread: Securing Portable radios in cab of apparatus

Hi all,

Curious if anyone has any ideas on how to secure a portable radio in the cab of some fire apparatus. We have a customer that has about 15 large trucks and has motorola XTS5000 radios. They have a bank charger in the back, but up front they just need something to securely hold the radios (not charge them, just hold them). By "securely" I mean something that will allow the radios to not fly around in case of a rollover/accident (complying with the NFPA accident standard that came out a few years ago)

We thought about bolting a leather radio case to the console, but the customer has belt clips on the back of their radios, so can't put them in a case. We also thought about making an aluminum bracket that the belt clip can clip on to, but the belt clips aren't strong enough to hold the radios in case of an accident.

Any ideas? Motorola has nothing off-the-shelf but I'm hoping someone here can help.

Many thanks.

velcro

Originally Posted by Jarred J.

velcro

Please tell me you're joking.

Originally Posted by Jarred J.

velcro

thats a joke right?




how about mounting them in a pelican type box somewhere ( if there is room )

Originally Posted by leftcoastmark

We also thought about making an aluminum bracket that the belt clip can clip on to, but the belt clips aren't strong enough to hold the radios in case of an accident.

This is what we do.

The Velcro may not be such a bad idea. Wait, don't flame me.

Attach 2 pieces of it to a bulkhead, the mating parts emanating outward from the attaching point - 180 degrees horizontally. (Such as hooks to the left, loops to the right.) Make each chunk long enough to wrap around the radio. You are not attaching the Velcro to the radio itself, which would not support the weight of the radio and also would then not allow the radio fit into a pouch.

pretty much my thought in simple terms. you make a "harness" for the radio out of velcro. verticaly and horizontaly.


why would you spend $400 for a pelican case to put a radio in it when you wouldnt be able to hear it....

Pickup some aftermarket carry cases - the kind that are adjustable for various size radios. Adjust them so the radios with belt clips will fit in them. Then bolt 'em to the wall of the cab or where ever. Insert radio, fasten the securing strap and you are good to go.

Originally Posted by Steve0625

Pickup some aftermarket carry cases - the kind that are adjustable for various size radios. Adjust them so the radios with belt clips will fit in them. Then bolt 'em to the wall of the cab or where ever. Insert radio, fasten the securing strap and you are good to go.

That's kind of the default way we were thinking of going, so thanks. I was hoping that someone may have had a different/better idea, just in case.

FYI - we need the radio to be able to stay latched on the dash during a 10g pull, which works out to a pull (any direction) of about 13.5 lbs.

We use the Motorola Kit#RLN4884BSP01.It is the holder,mount,and strap,that comes with the RLN4884B charger,just without the electronics.

Some aftermarket charger manufacturers have vehicle chargers with bungee straps that go over the radio top to hold them securely in place.$69 a pop.Cheaper than a Motorola 12VDC cig plug type thing.
Endura and Impact are 2 brands we sell and have used for exactly this purpose.Nice ,neat looking and you can use them to charge the portables if needed,or spare batteries for those loooong incidents.
They come with mounting bracket ( L bracket) ,power cord,bungee strap and charger tray.Plus you can keep belt clips on them. The adaptor cup for the XTS1500 is called a Motorola-5/7 (M5/7) style cup.

Originally Posted by InstallDude

We use the Motorola Kit#RLN4884BSP01.It is the holder,mount,and strap,that comes with the RLN4884B charger,just without the electronics.

Thanks. It comes with a bungee strap or something? I just don't see that on any of the pictures I can see online.

That might work well.

Originally Posted by leftcoastmark

Thanks. It comes with a bungee strap or something? I just don't see that on any of the pictures I can see online.

That might work well.

A strap comes with that model

Yes,it comes with a bungee strap.

You can buy those minibungees at various hardware stores. Maybe combination of the belt clip and a bungee from same point that the belt clip is on, over and around the radio/antenna/vol/ch controls, would fit the bill??

I'm not affiliated with these guys, but I'd consider checking out a combination like this:

RAM Composite Single Socket Mount with 2.5" Round Base (AMPs Hole Pattern) & Diamond Base

Cradle Holder - Universal Finger Grip for Cell Phone - RAM Mount

Originally Posted by BigWil

I'm not affiliated with these guys, but I'd consider checking out a combination like this:

RAM Composite Single Socket Mount with 2.5" Round Base (AMPs Hole Pattern) & Diamond Base

Cradle Holder - Universal Finger Grip for Cell Phone - RAM Mount

The problem with most RAM stuff is it requires friction to hold stuff, which isn't suitable for a safe mounting solution. We do a TON of in-vehicle computer mounts (not RAM) and see problems with this all the time.

We're exploring the motorola charger base idea now. I'll let y'all know how it works out. Many thanks for the comments so far.

Just get a Motorola Portable Radio Case and bolt/screw it down, simple and easy and have seen it done.

I can tell you guys that the bungee cord method really works.We have two portables in each of our engines (1 bungee) a peice right in the middle of the portable works just fine...

There are several MOLLE gear pouches that could serve this purpose, or use a forest service MOLLE compatible radio chest harness that has fastex buckles instead.

Blackhawk makes a USAR harness that could be secured through some D-ring brackets, and could be removed on scene to serve double duty.

For example, COAXSHER MOLLE Radio Holster
A single radio holster that you can attach just about anywhere. The MOLLE Radio Holster is capable of holding the Bendix King down to smaller size radios.
Attachment capabilities of the MOLLE Radio Holster are as follows:

• Hip-belt on a Coaxsher backpack
• Shoulder straps on a Coaxsher backpack
• Front of MOLLE Chest Harness
• Belt on pants
• Any item with the MOLLE attachment system

7" H x 3 1/2" W x 1 - 1 3/4" D

Originally Posted by RMBROWN

I can tell you guys that the bungee cord method really works.We have two portables in each of our engines (1 bungee) a peice right in the middle of the portable works just fine...

What type of bungee did you use? We used that method for a while but found out they wore fast, especially after everyday use multiple times.

Race car two way radio holders are perfect for what you need they are a solid boxed pouch more or less that would normally be mounted on the roll bar of the race car to put the "spotters" radio in ..they bolt on and then the radio drops in and is secured by a strap. Holds the radio in when a race car rools at 100+ Mph I would certainly think they would stay in when an engine tips over.

check with places like RH2way.com or Franksradio.com or just google racing radio equipment.....there are lots of suppliers for racing stuff out there for various applications

Im gunna go out on a limb here and say, Put it on your belt...

actualy the logical thing to do would NOT get in a rollover/accident.

but we all know "it" happens

so does bacon. but bacon is a million times better that "it"

This all nonsense. If they are really that worried about, tell them to keep the portable radios in a compartment and not in the cab.

Originally Posted by lafd55

Just get a Motorola Portable Radio Case and bolt/screw it down, simple and easy and have seen it done.

As mentioned in the OP, the client uses belt clips on their radios so the radio won't fit into the case.

Originally Posted by speedwaysafety

Race car two way radio holders are perfect for what you need they are a solid boxed pouch more or less that would normally be mounted on the roll bar of the race car to put the "spotters" radio in ..they bolt on and then the radio drops in and is secured by a strap. Holds the radio in when a race car rools at 100+ Mph I would certainly think they would stay in when an engine tips over.

check with places like RH2way.com or Franksradio.com or just google racing radio equipment.....there are lots of suppliers for racing stuff out there for various applications

Ooh, I like this one. Thank you.

Just get a universal holder like this: Model 763 Portable Universal Radio Carrier | Safariland™ If it works for patrol cops, it should hold a radio in a collision.

Originally Posted by BigWil

Just get a universal holder like this: Model 763 Portable Universal Radio Carrier | Safariland™ If it works for patrol cops, it should hold a radio in a collision.

Thanks, but that's friction fit and won't work if inverted.

Originally Posted by leftcoastmark

Thanks, but that's friction fit and won't work if inverted.

Ok, then use this one: Model 762 Radio Carrier, Swivel | Safariland™