Comm in a bag?

A unique solution for airplanes _without_ electrical systems

After a couple of long cross countries in slow OLD airplanes,
we've come up with a novel solution for handling hand held radios.

Flying with a hand held can be a little more interesting that with
built in radios.

First, there is a lot more to a com system than just the hand held.

Power. AA batteries in a hand held radio do not last long transmitting.
Headsets are necessary.
Intercom box, Noise canceling box!,
Lots of spaghetti wiring strung all over the cockpit...

On a whim I bought a nice blue diaper bag at Wall Mart for $9.95.

A 7 amp-hr gell cell goes in first.
This battery will last for several days on a charge, depending on how
much transmitting is done. Leo's is a 12 AH version that fits the bag
width perfectly.

Then a plastic snap-closed box that fits the bottom of the bag to lock
the battery in place.

A compact 3 outlet 12 volt socket was modified by cutting off the plug
and installing terminals that fit the battery.

The radio, GPS, and one something else can be plugged in at the same
time.

The radio goes in one of the two outside (bottle?) pockets for quick
and easy access.

(The system can be upgraded to dual comms by stuffing another hand held
in the other pocket. ;^)

Small stuff goes in the bottom box. Misc. cables, AA batteries for the
radio and LED flash light (commonality), small battery charger, vom...

The Press To Talk switch sounds like a Good Thing, and really is,
but it's an inquisitive octopus that likes to crawl into everything.

A couple of velcro straps to hold it in shape, the whole wiry
mess stuffs into the baby bottle cozy and is completely contained.

Just plug it in if you want it and push the little red button to talk.

Note that EVERYTHING can pack into the diaper bag so that nothing
goes adrift on long trips. (Well everything but a flight helmet!)

Two sets of Lightspeed headsets, intercom, battery, gps, charts,
the flight plan, log books, camera, phone (turn off before take off!),
etc.

The big pocket on the back will hold several charts and still
zip shut. But not with all the charts and a knee board. Oh well.

I don't have one yet, but a plastic battery box with a power switch
would be a nice improvement. Right now, I just unplug the battery.

The whole mess weighs 8 to 12 pounds or so depending on what you pack.

Life is good, flying is sweet, flying old slow airplanes cross country.

But I wonder some times about getting stranded somewhere and having to
take a commercial airline ride home.

Any guesses as to how airport security might react to my diaper bag?


Richard