Tactical Radio Pouches WADSN

The most used radios in airsoft are undoubtedly the Baofeng radios, most often the UV-5R, UV-82 models. Boafeng is not one of the most durable radios, so it is worth getting a good quality radio case to help protect the radio from mechanical damage, water and dust. As there are many different models of cases and pouches on the market, this guide will explain what to look out for when choosing a pouch. 

Two-channel radios are most commonly used at milsim events and are a bigger investment, so it's important to protect these radios in different activities and environments too, even though they are incomparably more durable than just the Boafeng. 

Specific radio model

When choosing a sump, we must be guided by the radio we use. Two-channel radios, such as the most common Baofeng, are sold in different model ranges, each with slightly different dimensions. Boafeng supplies radios with a small battery with the option of buying a high capacity battery, but this is longer than the basic one, making our radio longer overall.
Therefore, we need to make sure that the radio with the purchased battery will fit in the bag. The ideal dimensions of a radio pouch means that the radio pouch is a hair larger than your radio, so that everything fits snugly but the radio can be removed quickly and conveniently. 
So shop for a radio pouch according to the specific type and manufacturer of your radio, the appropriate radios for the pouch are always listed in the product description. 
Nowadays, on the playgrounds we will most often encounter radios made by Baofeng, more precisely the UV-5R (and other models of this series), UV-82, AR-152 and others. Another manufacturer is Wouxun, for example the KG-Q360 model. Among the pro radios, we can occasionally see Hytera products. 
If you need a bag for long radios, we can recommend products from WADSN. If you're looking for a velcro pouch, products from Fenix protector and Templar's Gear are great choices. With MOLLE, products from PEW tactical and 8FIELDS are good choices.

Method of attachment and placement of the radio

First and foremost, ask yourself where you want the radio to be placed. There are several options.

On the front of the body 

Most often radios are worn on the front of vests where they can be easily accessed. With this placement, we must be careful not to let it get in the way when working with magazines. If you decide to place the radio pouch on your vest, we recommend putting it on the left side of the vest in the case of a right-handed person and on the right side in the case of a left-handed person. This way it should not interfere with removing magazines from the holsters. 

Our tip:
Always keep an eye on the antenna so that it doesn't drown and shield your signal, and so that the antenna doesn't poke your eye out when you move... 

On the back of the body

Another option is to place the radio in the catfish on your back - usually right on your vest. While this solution won't get in the way when removing magazines from the holster, we won't have good access to the radio, and if it falls on our backs then there is a risk of damaging it.

On the belt 

When there is no space on the vest, it is suggested to place the walkie talkie pouch on the belt. The ideal location is the same as on the front of the vest.

In the magazine pouch 

When both the belt and the vest are full and there is nowhere to put the radio with the pouch, the option is to put it in a tray pouch. Here we need to be careful that the radio fits well. You also have to be careful that the pouch is not pressing on the radio somewhere, so that it does not get switched off, misplaced or unwanted calls etc.

Our tip:
A radio in a magazine pouch is more of a necessity, and we recommend having a pouch specifically for the radio.

In the backpack 

As an emergency solution, it is possible to put the radio in a backpack. If we use the PPT with headphones, there is a much greater risk of the cables being torn off. Just like when placing the radio on your back, the radio can be damaged if dropped. In addition, if it is not in some sort of protective case or separate pocket then again there is a risk of the radio going off, unwanted calls to others etc. Here we can recommend a velcro bag from Templar's Gear, which will protect your radio in your backpack and on your back (but not only there).

Don't forget the antenna!
It all depends on the length of the antenna used as well, as when crouched or aiming high, the antenna can poke your eye out or knock off your glasses. 
Furthermore, the antenna should not be hidden or “lying down”, by incorrect positioning of the antenna you can have worse quality of connection or lose the connection altogether. In addition, the longer the antenna, the better the signal. It all depends on the quality of the radio used and the user's ability.

The durability of the bag

Last but not least, look for durable materials such as Cordura or nylon, and consider features such as IRR treatment for professional use

What is IRR? 
IRR is often associated with CORDURA material. It is a special fabric treatment that prevents the reflection of infrared light, which then protects against detection by, for example, night vision.

Protecting the radio against loss

Every walkie-talkie bag should have protective features such as adjustable straps, buckles or elastic cords that help to fix the walkie-talkie in the safety of the bag during movement. There's nothing worse than losing your radio during an event or quick move. 

Access and convenience

Last but not least, it's important to be able to quickly and conveniently access the radio, for example, when changing the battery, changing the frequency, or even routinely checking that the radio is working. That's why some cases offer a hinged design for quick access to the controls that also protects the display and radio controls, while others may have an open design with Velcro, rubber band or clip closure. These models, on the other hand, are compact and lightweight.
In case you want to carry the radio in an internal pouch, for maximum comfort you need to make sure that the case fits comfortably on your body and does not restrict your movement, especially when wearing it for longer periods of time, and at the same time does not interfere with, for example, the operation of the magazines in the pouches. 

Summary

In conclusion, holsters for two-channel radios help protect your investment from loss or damage. Ideally, you want a durable case made of either nylon or Cordura. Keep in mind the size of the radio and case to ensure compatibility. You don't want it too loose or too small. It also often makes it easier for you to access the radio itself.