Stealth Radio Sling Bag – A Practical Portable Setup

I recently picked up this understated little sling bag on clearance for $19 (down from $30), and it’s quickly become one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” upgrades to my portable radio setup.

Why I Needed It
With me doing more portable sessions lately, I needed something simple and practical to carry a couple of radios, antennas, and a few accessories. Previously, it was a mix of cases and juggling gear in my hands, not ideal, especially when moving around.

The big driver here is mobility. My knees haven’t been great, and having both hands free while walking, whether it’s for balance, climbing, or just managing uneven ground, is genuinely important. A sling bag keeps everything close, accessible, and out of the way.

The Setup Inside
Inside, I added a plastic container to give the radios some structure and protection. Without it, everything would just knock around, not great for gear that isn’t exactly cheap.

That said, this part didn’t go smoothly…

The “Modification Phase” (a.k.a. making it fit)
Because the bag and the container came from different shops, they didn’t exactly agree with each other. The container was just a bit too thick, and the zip wouldn’t close.

So… out came the hacksaw.

I cut the container down and reassembled it to about two-thirds of its original thickness. A few screws anchor it to the middle timber divider, and some tape holds the structure together. It’s not pretty, but it’s solid, nobody will see it once it is in the bag and most importantly, it works.

This little DIY hack turned what could have been a failed idea into a really functional setup.

How It Performs
After using it, I can say it’s ticking all the boxes:

• Hands-free carry: huge win for mobility and stability
• Low profile: doesn’t scream “expensive gear inside”
• Compact but practical: fits radios, antennas, and accessories
• Extra space: room for a snack, phone, and keys
• Encourages use: makes it easy to just grab and go

And that last point is probably the biggest one. Because it’s so easy to carry, I’m taking my radios out more often, which naturally leads to discovering new signals and monitoring opportunities.

Final Thoughts
This wasn’t about buying the perfect bag, it was about building something that works for how I actually operate. A cheap sling bag, a modified container, and a bit of problem-solving has resulted in a setup that’s practical, discreet, and genuinely useful.

Sometimes the best solutions aren’t off-the-shelf, they’re the ones you tweak to fit your own way of doing things.

The start of the build process.

About the point where I had worked out that it was too think and the hacksaw came out.

Added some bubblewrap and testing the fit for both radios. I needed it to be snug but not too tight.

With the middle divider in and getting the bubblewrap in place.

After adding the tape to help hold it all together. I did have to add some more tape inside to stop the bubblewrap moving when I took the radios in and out.

Top view, with everything in place.

Just a little bit of duct tape...

The bag from the front, looking low profile.

Top access to the radios and aerials.

Middle Pocket - Wire aerial, USB cables.

Multi-tool hidden in the pocket.

Battery Charger for AA batteries.

Ear Phones in the front pocket, also space for my phone and keys.