Batboard

Hi all,

As I have gathered many programming cables, laptops and other radio programming equipment over the years I am finally realizing the need to consolidate in one bag for easy transport in the field. I am curious as to what method everyone uses. Laptop bag, duffel bag, some other method?

Let's hear from everyone as to what they use to lug their programming equipment around. If possible please be specific on bags etc.

I have an old Dell laptop bag that's more like a briefcase. The programming laptop goes in the main pouch (obviously), the programming cables in a secondary large pocket, the USB-Serial converter, RIB, and laptop AC adapter in another, and burned CDs with software in another (just in case).

Our programming cables are in individual heavy duty Zip Loc bags so the cables do not get tangled up and broken.

I have a small flat case in my backpack with my "common" cables inside, and a Pelican 1650 with the boatanchor laptop and all the other cables for less common stuff.

I use a plano worm wrap medium bag that I added extra pouches into to hold my cables, and everything goes in a pelican case with the laptop (Toughbook) for windows programming and a HP 200LX for the dos programs. Holds everything nice and secure and I can see which cable I want easily without having to dig and it protects each one I need.

I have an old soft briefcase with shoulder strap that I picked up at Lands End years ago. The laptop and all cables will fit in it pretty well for most needs.

I do keep the cables in zip lock bags to keep them separate and neatly coiled.

If I need to carry more stuff than just the programming gear, I usually move everything over into an LL Bean backpack.

Plastic bags in laptop bag. Take what I need into the field. Leave the rest at the shop.

i have this old school nintendo soft case for the cables and a small small power supply, i have an old boat anchore for the older radios

and i use my dell for the newer stuff. seeing how i am mostly doing TRBO now i really only need 2 cables

I have a bunch of the "GLIS" organizer boxes from IKEA I keep programming cables in. I have one for Motorola, one for Kenwood/Icom and one for odds and ends. For 3.99 and sometimes you can get them for 3 for 5, they are pretty handy.

I use Ziploc bags that have the white label space on them where I write the radio model that the cable fits. I've also found I need a relatively deep case to keep the cables from getting squashed which would result in damage to termination connectors.

I've attached the double sided velcro stuff used to organize cabling behind computers and what not. That, along with the heavy-duty ziploc bags that have the plastic slider keeps things very neat and tidy. I have an old Targus computer case that has a large storage compartment for all my cables on one side, a nice paded section for the latop and two large zipper compartments which both fit a 1 inch binder perfectly.

I use a old Dell Laptop case. I keep cables in the Zip-lock bags and labeled by HT or Mobile model. Yeah, tangled cables are definitely NO FUN. Also handy is a small precision Phillips and flat blade such as a WIHA or similar. Sometimes you need more than one outlet, stuffing a small power strip into the pocket is good too.