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Dr. Ken's
"McGuyverisms
Over the years, I've learned that the old adage, "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" is very true. Face it, sometimes you have to be an octopus to carry all your gear. Here are some ideas I've had that have come in very handy. They're easy to make and/or very inexpensive to buy. I have many personal philosophies, but I think my number 1 saying is: "Keep it cheap"
Tape Recorder Holster
This is a tool belt carrier for a large tape measure. You can find these in the Hardware Department of Sear's, Ace or other Hardware stores... All you have to do, is cut a slot along one side to accommodate the recorder's buttons, and add a rivet to the strap for a more secure hold. I found a big plastic belt clip that is supposed to be for holding paint cans (I think). This can slip under the belt loop in the back of it, and can be clipped to your pocket or belt.
Flashlight Holder
A lot of people like to carry a Mag-Lite. They're powerful and useful, but bulky and awkward to carry along with your other stuff, and sometimes you just can't put it down without putting it on the floor or ground. This is a Belt Clip for a key ring. You can find these at the key grinder of any place that make keys, and has "accessories" hanging nearby. If you go to Lowe's or Home Depot, you can kill two birds with one stone. In the rope and tie-down department, there are metal rings of various size. Find one that will fit the diameter of your Mag-Lite, and clip it in the belt clip...hang it from your belt or pocket.
Stick-On Velcro
This is the greatest invention known to man...1001 uses, and you can use it to attach extras to your video camera, tape recorder, clothes, whatever.... I use it to attach small flashlights to my video camera to save on battery juice, and to attach the mic to my big cassette recorder for simple one-handed operation. It's pretty cheap when you buy it buy the foot. Don't get the 'heavy-duty' kind that is all plastic. When they say "heavy duty" they're not kidding, this stuff won't let go!!
Key Rings
You can get a package of these at your Craft store, Pat Cataan's, Micheal's, etc... These are great to attach to your flashlight, camera, etc... Also, the small key ring belt clip can be used along with it, to carry your small flashlight. Oh, it's good if your flashlight has a hole or place for a wrist strap. (goes without saying) Carabiners
These have become fashionable of late to hook your keys to. You see them everywhere... hanging from women's purses and men's belt loops. They're also handy to attach to your flashlight by a Key Ring on a belt loop or clip in your pocket.
Table-top Tripod
Use this as a "pistol grip" for your video camera. This will take loads of strain off your wrist, arm, and shoulder while walking around for long periods, and if you need to set it down.
I like this one in particular. You can get it at Super-K at the photo department. It's small and compact, but the legs telescope to give you a full size tripod.
Ultra-Sonic Microphone
Looks like a regular mic, doesn't it? I did some surgery to this one, and removed the normal guts, replacing the receiver with an ultra-sonic transducer. Now it can record on the ultra-sonic level that regular mics can't. It won't pick up YOUR voice or surrounding noises, but will hear what your dog hears. How do we know it really works? I tried it on one of those ultra-sonic bug chasers.
Here is 5 seconds of sound from the regular mic. (the clicking you hear is my kitchen clock)
Now here is 5 seconds of sound from the ultra-sonic mic.
This is what Ultra-sound sounds like.
The "Burblemeter"
See the "What If..." section. This simple little device will detect static fields that spirits are more likely to produce than E.M.F's.
Collapsible Dowsing Rods
There are only three sets of these on the planet...Don't ask me to make anymore, it's a royal P.I.T.A.. These babies can be adjusted to any length from full size to short, and when folded, can fit into your pocket. They also fit quite nicely into a case from those store-bought reading glasses. (pretty slick, huh?)
Computer Microphones
If you use a recorder that has an 1/8th inch single jack plug, a computer microphone works great. This little one is THE BEST ever in my opinion...I got this one at Office Max. It's very inexpensive, but it works wonders! It's very sensitive, powerful, and clear, yet eliminates background noises such as the shuffling noise you get when you clip a mic to your clothes. I'm not sure if Office Max is carrying these anymore. They're getting harder and harder to find, but I buy them enmasse when I can find them. The stand-up desktop mics work well also. They sort of act as a "boom" mic.
Dual Microphone Adapter Jack
You can get these at Radio Shack for just a couple of bucks. You can plug in two mics at once, and spread them out to cover a larger area on one recording. What one mic doesn't pick up, the other will.
Microphone Organizer
Tired of messy tangled mic wires? Here's a use for those pesky empty film cans. Rather than throw them away, might as well find a use for them. Fuji film cans work best for this. Drill a couple of holes in the lid and bottom to fit the jack and mic snuggly, put the lid on first, then carefully wind the wire into the can. This takes some time but is worth it. You can also just plug it into the recorder as is, and it won't pick up recorder noises.
Velcro Straps
Use these to keep your wires and cords neatly wrapped for transportability.
Plastic Food Containers
Very handy to carry and store your batteries and film in. Keeps them safe, secure, and dry.
Vest-of-many-Pockets
You'll thank me for this idea. A hunting or fishing vest from any sporting goods department or outdoors shop is a wonderful thing. It has tons of pockets to easily carry everything you'll ever need...spare cameras, spare batteries, spare film, spare flashlights, spare tapes, smokes, phones, walkies...whatever you want.
"Batman Utility Belt"
Yeah, I hear you giggling...but it wouldn't be "official" without the symbol. Ok, the Batman symbol isn't mandatory...thats just my little add-on...<G> An old trouser belt, or a Tool belt with several small camera cases or pouches from an Army-Navy Store, is just as handy as the Vest-of-many-Pockets to carry all of your extra gear....(and your "bat-shark repellant", just in case)
Blacklight Flashlight
You don't see many of these anywhere. It's the newest addition to my collection of homemade tools. Sure, there are portable UV lights around...to check hand stamps and counterfeit money, they don't throw a spot beam like this little puppy does! It will light up a dark room...but, do not look into it, trust me! I almost fried my retinas... I don't know if it will work as I hope it will yet, but I'm still bound and determined to manipulate spectrums on video tape. Of course, I added a strip of velcro to it to attach it to the video camera.
A little creativity and ingenuity can go a long way. You don't need "specialty" items, just look for things around the house you can utilize.
Update 3/14/09 The next time you go to Giant Eagle for a tub of their really good potato, tuna, or macaroni salad, save the container. They'll hold 4 digital recorders comfortably for safe, secure, and easy transport.
Those little SanDisk Flash Drives come with a detachable neck lanyard.
I don't really see a need for this, unless you're smuggling secrets across international borders, or trying to make a fashion statement. Here's a better use for them.
Yep...attach it to your favorite recorder. This will free up a pocket, you'll know where it is, and you'll have it handy. If you're going to plant the recorder somewhere, just unsnap it from the strap. Does your wireless remote camera need an extra little boost in the IR department?
Help is just a Radio Shack run away. Pick up a package of Infrared Emitter and Detectors...part# 276-142.
 There is a light colored bulb and a darker colored bulb. You want the dark one, that's the Emitter. (or if they sell them separately better yet, I'm not sure) Simply pop out the bulb from a key ring LED flashlight, and replace it with the Emitter. You have to trim the legs so it'll fit.
Slap a little piece of velcro on the camera and flashlight, and there ya have it! This provides just enough helpful light in a compact size. Use your (*gag*) digital camera or camera phone to make sure you've turned it off...since you can't see IR light. You love
your big Mag-Lite, but sometimes its a big pain to manage. If you have a
couple of old key rings and some zip-ties laying around, here's your
solution. ~~~copyright 2006 Dr. Ken
None of this
material may be used without
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