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My current NAV (News Acquisition Vehicle) is a White 2000 V 8 5.4L Ford Expedition.  As its my personal car I get to make things fit in it the way I want.  I carry an assortment of what I deem life saving essentials these are, Hard mounted GPS and mutliband cellular telephone, a very comprehensive medical kit know as a Gregson pack, Two fire extinguishers flares and chem lights and some survival ration packs MRE's.  Along with a bag with a change of clothes and some versatile Berghause fowl / warm weather clothing.

As the Expedition is a seven seat I have removed the third row seat and added an additional DC 12 volt outlet in the rear cargo bay so that I can plug in a 800 watt inverter to power a monitor and also my Anton Bauer charger.  My gear consist of my workhorse AJD700 Camera with a Canon 18:1 servo zoom lens. I have a Chroziel matte box and a good assortment of filters plus the standard lens shade.  I pulled the standard foam mic windshield off and replaced it with a Rycote softie that really makes a big difference in windy situations.  I recently added a set of Audio Technica Diversity wireless mics to my kit and as they are frequency agile I am able to switch to another channel rapidly as the situation dictates.  I opted for the Plug on transmitters for all my mics as they are more rugged than the beltpacks and are far more versatile I can plug them on to either my RE50 for interviews or swap it to an ECM-77 for a sit down interview.  Pressers are great as well when you can plug into a mult box.

My camera top light is a PAG this has to be one of the best designs of lighting versatility and value for money that has ever come to pass.  My kit has the HMI ARC pack plus the 12v quartz Varilux unit and a couple of standard quartz head as backup.  I carry all my gear in Pelican cases that are color coded so as identifying what's in what case is easier Orange for Video, Yellow for Sound Black for Power and Gray for Grip.  Velcro is one of the next best buddies in my kit it managers cable so that when its put out it is fast and available to hand.  My Lighting Kit is in an old Sony camera Flight case.  Over time I have been able to put together a comprehensive kit for all occasions.  I carry a 1K DP with Chimera Softbank , 3 x 650Watt Omni heads, 1 Sachetler 1K Fresnel and 2 x 1K PAR Cans with Daylight balanced lamps.  These are great and save me a packet on having to get an HMI in my truck.

My Grip kit consists of Five Heavy duty Lowel lamp stands and three light duty stands, various Matthew's boom clamps and happy heads.  Three French flags and a the invaluable Black wrap.  My Stingers are yellow jackets that handle well in low temp and also give me visual indication at the business end that they are hot.  I have three home grown 1K dimmer packs that are very robust yet compact and I have added male and female 20 amp Bates connectors to them so I can use them with other theatrical lamps if the need arises.  The invaluable flexfill and a few canvas gel roll pouches complete my kit.  

My camera support is a Vinten Vision 10 tripod that has served me very well over the years, having carbon fiber legs its very light and easy to carry.  I am able to carry an additional Sony flight case for stingers and other bits and pieces and can also double to hold my personal clothing in a suite carrier all out of the way.  My sound kit consist of an FP33 and a short carbon fiber fishpole with a MKH416. 

I carry a pelican case with six FM radios ideal when working with clients so they can feel part of the crew without getting in your hair. All this gear and still room for three passengers to travel in comfort, come snow or shine.  

I actually operate 2 news units on a daily basis.  One is a 1998 Ford Explorer with over 70,000 miles I've put on it and the other is an old "flame thrower" live van.  My equipment has to be ready to move from either vehicle depending  on my destination.  I keep the regular station povided stuff but I also pack for "anything".  I have rain gear for my camera and myself.  I also have cold weather gear which includes long johns and a ski mask to go under all the coats I carry.  I also have fire retardant clothing for fire calls, I got these from the state forestry (it's also a bonus because, sometimes they forget I'm not one of them and let me get right in on the action).  I keep spare boots for myself and a pair my reporter can borrow ( I wear a size 12 so I've never had a too small problem) if they don't want to get their feet dirty.  I also carry lots of sun screen and bug spray, the hazards of where I work.

The one thing that is always noticed is the collection of pens I keep in the door pockets, anyone riding in my car will at some point ask for a pen.

Essentially I spend just about all of my time in a Live Link truck, in my case a Toyota Landcruiser. I would like to carry everything for any situation, but size and weight are limitations. Much of my excess gear is kept on hand at home (which is close to work) .. I will list this later.

On board are the usual ... a full ENG kit (Sony 400 Betacam with all the gear to suit). Around the back seat is my raingear, umbrella, hat and a warm jacket. As well, I carry a laptop computer (loaded with numerous programs and various databases), a GPS (useful for bush search stories as well as Live Link setups), a 300 watt Inverter (12 volts in, 240 volts out) for running NP-1 and Battery belt chargers while on the road. I have a fair size toolkit containing screw drivers, pliers, cutters, soldering iron and video head cleaning implements. There's also plenty of spares like bulbs and fuses and connectors. Two handheld scanner radios ... one that has Wideband FM mode, with a 6 foot audio lead for connecting to a Betacam. Very useful for picking up radio mics other than my own (like at public meetings and churches).

Also useful for recording emergency communications at airports, fire scenes and police incidents. I use a AOR AR8000 scanner radio that covers from 100khz to 1.9ghz, in NFM, WFM and AM, so I'm covered for most all situations.

I also carry two UHF handheld 2-way's (work frequencies), a VHF aviation handheld (for comms to charter helicopters) and a handheld frequency counter. The vehicle is also fitted with 2 UHF 2-ways, a VHF 2-way and handsfree kits for 2 cellphones. The ultimate Sungun .. a 250 watt Par-36 spotlight (normally used as an aircraft landing light). It's rated at 28 volts but I find that it will handle our 30 volt belts. Great for shooting night time incidents over a long distance (100 yards plus).

On the less technical side, I also carry lots of local maps (marine, aviation and national parks), street directories and local phone books.

In the back is an overnight bag with fresh cloths and toiletries. Tucked under the seats are a towline and jumper cables. In seat pouches are hair spray and face powder for the reporters, extra notepad and pens, sunburn cream and a compass for setting up link paths. A couple of bottles containing water and some snack food .... coffee etc to go along with the 12 volt coffee urn (that I've yet to put to the test). There's also an industrial hardhat that goes along the "safety style" boots that I wear. On my belt I carry a Leatherman Tool and a small Mag Light (there's also a larger water proof torch in the back of the truck). The excess gear that I leave on standby at home includes a sleeping bag (and other camping gear), and my scuba diving gear (we have a underwater camcorder).

If you have ever been on a story which just goes on and on, you know how difficult it is to get a lunch break. I carry a canvas bag with canned fruit and vegetables. Of course granola bars are always a good tummy stuffer... Don't forget the can opener!

At a local truck stop, I found a 12 volt coffee pot. I carry bottled water and instant hot chocolate mix. Cup of soup and even instant coffee for those who like the stuff... I also carry a 12 volt hair dryer. Also from the truck stop. It has come in handy more than once in bad weather. Then there is my 100 foot 1/2 inch rope. There has been more than one occasion when I had to lower myself down an imbankment or cliff to cover a story. The rope makes it easy to return to the top. My first aid kit is always in my car. I have battle dressings from the surplus store. Band Aids, Tylenol and other first aid stuff. A bottle of "Sting Ease" has come in handy more than once. I found it in the camping department at Kmart. Takes the pain out of bee stings! Of course, I carry a snake bite kit and even a signal mirror.

My name is George Roach and I am a photog here at Fox Philadelphia. I keep the usual stuff (raingear, paper-towels extra tapes, steel tip fireman boots) inside my E-350 live truck but I pride myself with my light kit. I use to own a 5 ton grip and electric truck and have taken that experience with me to the news environment. I keep an apple box (a wooden box made from 3/4" ply) for many purposes. The reporter can stand on it so the back ground will be in the proper place for the stand-up, I can sit on it when waiting for a trial to end, I can have a monitor rest on it when it is wet out. (you see many uses) Unlike a milk crate, it dosen't give way or bend when I'm standing on it. Especially when I have the tripod extended all the way up and need a boost to shoot above a high obstacle. I also found a router speed control (mail order) to use as a dimmer when my 600 omni is just to bright. You can also make one using an extension cord with a house hold dimmer in line. (make sure it's rated at 20 amps) I also have a small portfolio case which keeps my gels flat and in good shape. Last but not least I bought a Math-boom from Matthews Grip in CA. to boom my small Lowell I-light out as a hair light and not as a side kicker. I'm constantly thinking and re-thinking my truck set up so I'll keep reading these postings. Hope I helped someone with my ideas.

George Roach

I keep my whole world in my '97 Cherokee. From batts to tape to raingear to clean undies, fresh water and enough toastee cheesy crackers to live for about 4 days...SERIOUSLY! I used to carry the bare essentials when I first started, but I have learned its way cool to have EVERYTHING you might possibly need. I have scotch tape and scissors, antifreeze, oil, 4 way lug wrench, jumper cables, more mic and vid cables than you can shake a stick at, and even a can of hair spray and a brush in case my lovely and talented (I use that term loosely) reporters forget theirs.

Jeff Taplin

Sony BVV-5 Betacams Steel Aircraft Cable Rope and Lock 3 Omnipro 650 Watt Lights with stands/ doors/gel holders/and 1 reflective umbrella 1 ceiling/sky clamp great for those fake dropped ceilings Sony Multi Channel wireless lavs ( God How I Love This Little Mic) 1/4 mile range clean,crisp audio Sony 650 Lavalier hard wire mics O-Connor Metal Sticks (Made from decomissioned tanks I'm sure..but never a wobble) Man they're heavy. Some of the guys still use wood...some have the newer graphites... Miller Fluid Heads Hand held mic Mic stands Wide Angle Zoom Through Lens (Great for that Macro Work and those beautiful GOD WIDE Mountain shots) We share two of those Digital Emergency Services Scanners Digital cell phones ( Hands Free For Safety ) Flex Fill Convertible Precision Battery Belts With 13.2 volt/30 volt dc output Switchable 120/240 charger built in Mini Pro Sun Guns With Dichroic corrective blue lens Umbrella A saftey reflective vest ( for those nasty highway accidents) or if you're new and adventurous, you may want to try one at a armed standoff)...........Hmmmmm......... Naaaaa.. Spare clothes and an extra jacket or two Rain Gear ear plugs Bug Spray A flare or two First aid kit phone books Maps headsets connectors and cables from here to the Milky Way Gaffer Tape... (Go no where without hundred mile an hour tape) UHF Two-Way radios Vehicle Mounted Radar Detectors Good Tunes For Highway drives and sleeping reporters Tools for emergency field repairs Tylenol..for those days that well....you know...just bite..... I know there's stuff I've forgotten, but my head hurts now and <g> anymore would be bragging.

Anyway...you get the picture...It's my office/home/retreat/shop/viewing suite/audio booth/ and from time to time I can even find room for me and my coffee drinking/donut scarfing/running behind/ reporter and his/her pen and notepad as well.....If I really must...<g>

Happy and Safe Shooting Out There...

From: K.L. Horner

I have found having good winter gear an asset. Working in cold weather 5 months a year has taught me there is no cost to keep you warm. Spending a little or alot will be no substitute for layers and staying dry....only my opinion but i've saved a ton and stayed warm. Other things to throw in a bag are the small things extra combs (mostly for reporters) some mints, gum or toothpaste, extra socks wool or tube, sunscreen and bug spray, dont for get a large water bottle for washing or drinking... Just some of the extras i keep on hand as well as those also mentioned...
From: James May 11, 1999