TPA-857 Pack Frame - A new Radio Man Pack

Why not mount the battery at the bottom of the frame?

Can you just build me one lol?

Awesome video. I just got an 857 yesterday and already ordered the TPA and bad to start building out. Figuring out a tuner to add to it. Thanks for all the awesome content

The patch cable you have linked, looks like one you have installed, but the other patch cable connected to the Yaesu looks different. Do you have a link for it?

Gaston: you did great in spite of the interruptions. I have learned a great deal about man-packs, which are just what I need since I enjoy NPOTA, POTA and SOTA work as well as the West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Group’s weekend excursions—Radio under the spreading Oakes. So since one of our younger members introduced me to the frame plus man-packs, I have acquired Armoloq rails for my FT-870. I bought the bag from Optics Planet. The battery is a 12v. 12 AH deep discharge Lioh, a gift from a big battery dealer. I just finish rejuvenating it (back from near death) after a long period of inactivity. BTW, Seth at Amoloq is the best: his work is elegant, is service is first rate, and he built the business from scratch. Highly recommend Armoloq!
Thanks for your great videos, I’m catching up on them as I can.
73 Tom NY2RF

I love the way you set up your radios. I am in the process of buying my first radio and am looking at going the route of setting up a man pack.

Could you set it up for a Chest pack?

I want to see a video of the neighbor's race car.

do those High Ground pouches come with the radio and frame? Gosh, $206 for a pouch is quite excessive. Then why we end up buying Chinese from Amazon, no way that pouch will cost that much to manufacture...

A male / female adaptor for the mic could be used To avoid having to take the head off to remove the pack unplug the mic from the adaptor 🤔 Amazon something like that “RJ12 6p6c Female to Male Telephone Panel Mount LAN Network Ethernet Extension Cable 15cm”

You need to post a link for your power supply

I was cracking up with all your outtakes,between the engine and the dogs coming out!! Lol ,Thanks for the video!

Stupid question...What does "TPA" stand for? 🤔

Hey Tech Prepper I love your videos. I copied ur setup with an ft857 and a tpa packframe plus a signals stick antenna. I have a small problem where the swr of the radio is high on 2 meters when i transmit. But the Swr drops a little when I place my hand on the frame of the TPA frame. I wonder if you could give me some advice on what is going on? I am a quite new ham sorry if this question is dumb.

Maybe I missed it but how is it powered when SOTA?

Do you have a video showing how to properly assemble the armorloq to the 857?

Great video and very nice concept. One big question that jumps out at me with the 857 is airflow... the radio has a fan in it and blows out the back taking air in thru the vents around the control head. How does this pack handle airflow? My first thought when seeing this is radio will be running pretty hot after a time (I do understand that you're NOT running full power, etc.). Also, the 857 is meant for 'mobile' (read 'vehicular' ... not being critcal but pointing out the expected power usage environment i.e. QRO vs. QRP, etc.) comms and is a bit of a pig when it comes to power so hence the 1.5 hours of battery life on your 4.5AH. You can likely take a page from OH8STN's power experiments and augment a slightly larger 6.0Ah battery with a foldable solar panel and Genasun (or other suitable) charge controller. But power options can be flexible... my main question is the heat management of the radio sitting inside the bag?🤔

Would live one of those cages but cannot get them in the UK
I have managed to get the cheap Chinese knockoff but quality wise it's nowhere near

I like your setup. I'm currently using a Gator box which it very big and heavy. I am looking for something more portable for POTA and SOTA. I am also currently using a Chameleon MPAS2 which I need to condense maybe to a Tactical Delta loop or wire antenna. I think the Tactical delta loop would be more shoot and scoot capable than a wire in a tree. Also don't let life's inconveniences take so much control of your life. Their only temporary.

Just got the TPA-857 for my radio delivered yesterday. A fantastic accessory. Thanks for showcasing it. True freedom means that we sometimes have to put up with things we don't like. Just imagine being in the 'burbs and he was running that engine only 100 ft away.

Appreciate your videos, this one was great, great information share, and the interruptions are life, don’t sweat it as previously commented.

Don't hate on the harley

So frustrating. I feel your pain on the multi-takes. All good sir! Thank you.

I am trying to make up my mind, I need one for my FT-818, but they seem too long.

Where can that frame be purchased?

I rode Harleys for 30 plus years but never raved the motor like that, must of been a RUB.
I thought the dogs coming out weren’t a distraction. I thought the video was fantastic, I thank you for making it!

I agree about being hard on gear. I was the RTO and jumping out of the APC (before the Bradley) with my Ranger ruck in hand tossing everything on the ground then gearing up.
The wife says I’m to ruff on stuff, I feel if it breaks with me using it it isn’t worth having.

Cool - I'm going to replicate this system. Thanks for a great video 👍👍 73 de GI8WFA.

Gaston .... love the pack setup for my truck / SOTA / POTA / RaDAR and camping uses =) I mostly do digital ... Fldigi, JS8call and CW but getting more back into phone / APRS / EMCOMM / events / races / did SAR for several decades of years and the like =) Looking forward to seeing more your videos =) I'm much older in body but still think I'm twenty :-))) Been a Ham since August of '91 =) Was able to move back into the edges of way outer 'burbs with real 60' - 75' trees again =)

Great video, I picked up an armorloq kit for my 891. Just curious what hf antenna are you using ? Doesn't look like a PL239 adapter

Have you figured out a way to record audio in and out from the data jack port for your QSOs?

Just found your channel. Good stuff. Really shows that you put in the time and effort. Don't sweat the interruptions. A little unplanned comic relief always helps. Like you said - "that's what you get for living in the country with no rules which i love". I left the suburbs behind years ago. I've never felt so free. Never going back. Keep up the good work.

Love the run dmc shirt

Have you seen any way to mount the head to your car in an elegant way? There is no 1/2-20 thread. How do people mount this to the car? thx.

I really like your set up. I also appreciate the list of needed items to set up this radio. Do you have a video on how you put it all together?

Chuck Glass
KE8IYO

Nice video

Does the 857d run encryption like aes 256?

Very nice setup, where did you find the prc-117 bag? I’m looking doing something similar with my 857d.

I'm ordering one of those TPA frames for an 891. I like the pack, but would like a bag with a top cover similar to the bag that you were running with the 817 in a prior video to help keep it protected to some degree from the elements. Any suggestions?

Nice setup...

Building this exact setup, thanks so much for posting! I've searched and searched trying to find a kit that would fit my requirements and while there's a ton, you have the most comprehensive overview using high quality bits.

Only item I wasn't sure on, which pouch did you go with for the LifePo battery? I found the side admin pouch, but haven't been able to find the proper size for the battery setup.

I would love to meet up sometime Gaston my qth is south of you and your area and crown are 2 of the places my wife and I are considering for a home purchase

I served with Logan back in the 90's he made some great gear, I'm glad his company is still running strong. TT

I get engine noises and such from my neighbors as well, although my other hobbies involved hot rods and motor sports. Sometimes my neighbors play what seems like bass boosted music after 2200. The dog interference would drive me nuts though.

Unless I missed something, water might be a good addition.

Great video. I'm a new ham and looking for a setup that will do exactly what you've accomplished. Thanks for the thorough review of your setup.

Superb video. Exactly what I have been looking for. Very well done, professional and filled with great information. My thanks!! de AC7AX

How hot does the radio get in the bag?

I plan on using my FT-891 in the field and in the shack.
In your opinion, will the pack frame allow you to use the radio on the desktop? In other words, does it make the radio too long to be usable sitting on a desk?
Thanks!!

Please don't run full power on the 857 when you are working that small whip when it is in your lap. You don't need to be irradiating your body with unnessicary RF. 10 watts is my personal limit and I try to keep the radiating element at least 3 feet from me.