The Ultimate FT-818 Go Bag

Come along with me as we explore the ultimate go-bag for the Yaesu FT-818 and FT-817 - and probably a lot of other radios in this form factor.
The Gear:
👉 Bag: geni.us/ExCS
👉 Small Ditty Bags: geni.us/BEEScl
👉 Small Bungie Cords: geni.us/5ARiK
👉 DX Commander Poles: www.m0mcx.co.uk/
👉 3d Printed Rails: www.thingivers...
👉 Windcamp Battery: geni.us/caeCjAw
👉 Evolve III Laptop: geni.us/kN5mozJ
👉 Abbree 42.5" Antenna: geni.us/T2SqnHR
👉 DigiRig Radio Sound Card for FT8, Winlink and APRS: geni.us/LAVT4AZ
👉 DigiRig USB Cable: geni.us/uyPP1ka
👉 DigiRig Yaesu Series Radio Cables: geni.us/vwnpr
👉 LDG Z817 Tuner: geni.us/vvNj
👉 Velcro One-Wrap Ties: geni.us/Ff6RA
👉 Mast Straps: geni.us/1hVriFf
Click the 👍 Like Button, 🤡 Leave a Comment, ❤️ Subscribe
👉 Support The Channel 👈
❤️ Patreon: / temporarilyoffline
📺 KZbin Memberships: www.youtube.co...
💸 Tip Jar: paypal.me/temp...
🧰 Gear I Use: kit.co/Tempora...
🛒 Amazon Link: www.amazon.com...
📻 $15 off at Radioddity: radioddity.refr...
⚡ Meter I use in my videos: kaiweets.com/?...
👉 Fun Stuff 👈
👉 TOADs Discord: / discord
🕊️ Twitter: / kilomike9golf
😸 Github: github.com/Tem...
Where possible, all links are affiliate links, this youtube thing is an expensive endeavor and every little bit helps.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Nice work, Steve. I like that your kit includes a full antenna system. And, yes, bags evolve over time.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Your bags are awesome too! I've been 👀

[@TheTechPrepper]

@@temporarilyoffline Thanks man. We're producing very small handmade batches, but I'll try to send one your way.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@TheTechPrepper sounds good!

[@KC0QLU]

Nice setup. I also have the same bag but all black, I have most of the same stuff except I have the X6100 with the 3d printed handles and it fits perfectly in the top of the main pouch, I use that Velcro strap to keep it in place. The strap goes through the face plate/handle and holds it in place. I have the SOTA CARBON6 pole and was trying to find a way to support it on the bag. I like your idea of it sideways. Thanks again for all your videos.

[@temporarilyoffline]

That Carbon6 is a good mast! I have too many masts already or I'd have one of them too! Thanks for watching!

[@DonzLockz]

Well done Oprah! Very organised and thourough. My only critique would be the durability of the Jankapotamus. For POTA okay but perhaps upgrade for reliable survival comms. I bet you fit the most gear in the trunk stuffing competition every time!😂

[@temporarilyoffline]

I always win truck stuffing. The craptop is a sacrificial lamb ;-)

[@DonzLockz]

@@temporarilyoffline haha, overclock it to do FT8 and wait...💨

[@temporarilyoffline]

Right!

[@vironpayne3405]

CW and a key could replace all other digital gear. But, alas, I've been too lazy to learn CW. The best CW story I was a guy that did QRP CW regularly on his bicycle on his way to work. His key was hardly more than a paperclip shorting out on his handlebar. One morning he made a rare dx island contact and had a short QSO. When he arrived at work he realized he didn't remember going through the busiest intersection. Lol. No more qrp CW on the bike after that.

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

Great setup. Compact and complete!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks!

[@phillyedhrj]

Love the velcro straps. This is the way.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Agreed!

[@DaveW6OOD]

I’ve got bags like that everywhere for all my radios (the ones that are too big are in Pelican style cases). Yes, I have a bag “problem” too. I worry about not having the amp cable too, but I keep all my amp cables separately labeled and with my amp instead. 🤷‍♂️ The bag I have like that has my homemade M0XXT (dxcommander copy). It, of course, had a spiderbeam 10m black fiberglass mast strapped to it. Looks just like yours but it’s only an antenna.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I thought about an amp bag with all the amp supplies too, great idea. I am getting ready to go mobile, so a DX Commander bag is in planning - that one is going to be a mind blower for sure!

[@vironpayne3405]

I've never fallen into the go-box trap. My perferred ride is my KLR650 motorcycle. Go-bags work great for me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pITLdYyij6x-osUsi=ryBN3V5RG29pi8DA

[@Trent28888]

The molle webing spaces fit HT belt clips in them nicely aswell for takin a HT with ya but if u need back support for a bag I just put in a 7-10mm thick nylon chopping board

[@temporarilyoffline]

Perfect solution!

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

That's a nice bag Steve! Seems like you can never have enough except in the XYL's opinion, lol. Next time you get a package with that dense 1/2" foam cut a piece for the bottom for some protection.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Fantastic idea, I have some and will get on it!

[@JustinJJN]

Can't wait to see more about rechargeable batteries for the 818 I bought a couple of talentcell rechargeable batteries for my 818 but they arrived fully discharged for God knows how long.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Coming soon!

[@jacknsaav]

Nice load out!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Bro!

[@MikeN2MAK]

Thanks, Steve. I need to update my 705 bag. You gave me some good ideas.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I've got a 705 bag coming... you'll like it!

[@DirtyPlumbus]

This is definitely vastly superior to the Attack On Titan backpack I've currently tossed my stuff into. Lol

[@temporarilyoffline]

I think that's a compliment... this ain't no 72hr pack

[@DirtyPlumbus]

@@temporarilyoffline nice pack and nice price. 👍 I'll probably pick one up. Thanks

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@DirtyPlumbus fantastic!

[@Superacerc]

If you're walking in the woods, the DX Commander pole sideways would catch a lot of limbs and trees. I'd run it tied to the side of the pack vertically.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I thought about that, But ran into a problem with worrying it would fall out the bottom of the strapping.

[@Superacerc]

@@temporarilyoffline true. Maybe a closed bottom sleeve at that it can sit in with molle straps and a velcro strap at the top. In my area I'd hit trees constantly if it was sideways.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@Superacerc I like that idea!

[@JPA66]

Those Molle water bottle holders work great. They have a drawstring you can pull tight to avoid it flopping around.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@JPA66 thats a good idea! 💡

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

2 thumbs up for Multicam Black! 73!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Right, had to be just a tad subtle

[@victorcharlie7491]

That's actually a pretty nice looking bag, I like it, tnx Steve!

[@temporarilyoffline]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@brucelasley1244]

Hey Steve, I thought those rails looked familiar. I laughed when I clicked the link and saw they were the ones I had designed and uploaded. Nice use of the slots on them for attaching the tuner. If you look I have a cross piece with a housing for the digirig it fits the slots in the rails. Good to know the rails got used. Take care and keep up the good work.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Hey Bruce! Thanks for watching. Yeah, those are great rails and I have a set of your X6100 ears as well. I needed something that could protect the cable set in the rear of the radio when in a bag vertically and this was 100% what I needed!

[@MattHeere]

Stuff a small piece of foam under the cap for the pole. The segments rattling around in there will drive you nuts, and may even snap off your fancy fishin pole mod.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Great idea, thanks!

[@W1BIU]

Steve, Enjoying your videos, as they give me ideas on how to setup my FT-818ND. Any chance of you doing a video on how you setup the Evolve3 laptop? what software you have installed and how you use it with the DigiRig in the field?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Hey Paul! Thanks for watching. I'm a linux user and I have videos of most of that stuff spread out across my channel: Basic Ham Shack Setup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnvGmqSJqrCFnLM FT818 w/DigiRig: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaHLpZmIm9iNrMk (this go bag video) Field FT8 POTA kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIWkonqYl96Dq6c Let me know if anything is missing or if you have any other questions.

[@ryanhuggins]

I have the same portrait of Kirk and Spock.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Awesome!

[@forgetyourlife]

I expected to see many comments about how that horizontal mast mounting idea won’t last longer than the 1st tree or eyelid it catch’s on the trail. 😮

[@temporarilyoffline]

We've got one so far. It's been fine for me on the trails here... I'm not bushwhacking over here 😇

[@ratchetman]

I like it!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks!

[@timg5tm941]

Really good idea. 73 and subscribed, thank you.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Welcome Tim - I'm a long time subscriber of yours!

[@timg5tm941]

@@temporarilyoffline hey there that’s great to hear! I’m sure I was one of yours too but for some reason I’m sure YT has been nudging subscribers off channels here and there. Anyway I’m pleased to be back on board! 73

[@snakedoctor317]

Nice setup! I’m working on my own setup! Live long and prosper!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks! Share yours on TOADs discord when you've got it built out! Love go bags

[@Auxrad39]

T.O Nice go Bag well done :)

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks!

[@janiceemery2008]

Nice TO, great little to go bag. Love it. What happens if your battery starts to run down and you are out in the middle of nowhere? Thank you for sharing TO.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I have 4 batteries in that bag (only 3 in the video). One of the batteries has a charger. Room for another charger or a larger battery.

[@m_a_s6069]

Yes, keeping the appropriate cables where they need to be is very important. Especially when you are as absent-minded as I am. By the way, I almost wonder if you need to have a second YT channel: TOPnB (TO's Packs n' Bags) Great video. 73

[@temporarilyoffline]

I could - I might be up to a bag a month now!

[@leo2944]

hello! Do you by any chance remember the size of the screws to assemble the 3D pieces? I can't find anyone who knows, I would appreciate it very much

[@temporarilyoffline]

I used the screws that came with the radio. If you do get after market screws, make sure they don't go deeper into the radio than the factory screws.

[@45auto]

3:59 I think you mean bongo ties. Bolo ties go around your neck.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yes, ya got me!

[@thuff3207]

The DX Comander what is the part you put on the top? Ps I am not a fisherman so let me know please.

[@temporarilyoffline]

They are called fishing rod guides - amzn.to/3GH9dZb take some measurements and see if the size you need is in this kit. I got mine (one) for about the same price from the local bait shop.

[@don_n5skt]

I don't see how you pack all the heavy coats and layers of long underwear that it takes to go outside in WI in that little bag. 🤣Looks like a nice system. I also bought some of those smaller bags that you showed. And several of those cases that you had stored the 6100 in. Thanks for going over this. Also, you did not modify the power cable for the laptop to run off the battery? Don't you have issues with the laptop discharging when it sits unused for a period of time?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Honestly I haven't even turned that laptop on in a while. It's probably dead. Pre-flight checks before I go out. Last few times I logged on paper.

[@don_n5skt]

@@temporarilyoffline I just run mine off the battery when I get there.

[@temporarilyoffline]

That's the right way to do it.

[@gollygeewizard]

But where do the AR mags go? ;)

[@temporarilyoffline]

I have a different bag for that

[@LL-fu1uh]

Hello Steve do you think your fx-4c would work nicely with that bag? I’m looking for a bag that will carry my new fx-4cr and my antenna and battery pack:)

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yes, plenty of room foe the fx-4cr in that bag!

[@LL-fu1uh]

Thank you Steve:)

[@tuffgong-rm9vk]

Hi, when will this bag be available to buy, please?

[@temporarilyoffline]

You can buy it right now: amzn.to/3FVcqnv

[@tuffgong-rm9vk]

@@temporarilyoffline unfortunately it's not available in my country

[@temporarilyoffline]

Interesting - maybe search for the name or check ebay?

[@Kanoee64]

How much does a rig like this run?

[@temporarilyoffline]

This full kit is probably $1200, I got the radio, tuner, batteries for about $800

[@dan_in_sd]

Way to go TO. Never ceases to amaze me how much cr@p you can pack in a bag. You're freakin' amazin. 😉

[@temporarilyoffline]

There's room for me, but I had to pump the brakes! Weight vs. Practical storage

[@tomKZ8TOM]

How much does the bag weigh as you loaded it

[@temporarilyoffline]

8lbs!

[@tomKZ8TOM]

@@temporarilyoffline Thanks for the info TO! That’s a pretty manageable weight. I have not used a sling pack before and wonder if I would be switching shoulders often on a long walk or a real hike. You got me thinking. Mainly need a bag to stow the radio and stuff and a bonus is walking or hiking. So, I just ordered a Mountainsmith lumbar fanny bag to try out. Hopefully it will fit the FT-818.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@tomKZ8TOM Thanks for the tip on Mountainsmith. They have some good looking stuff.

[@paulsengupta971]

Does it have room for your coffee and sandwiches?

[@temporarilyoffline]

It does!