G
GPMG
Guest
Does anyone have suggestions on how a small FMP can be made waterproof such that it can be used even in poor weather?
F
fusilier
Guest
GPMG
I have the same problem. I bought one of those little FMP covers from the Canex, but it‘s not completely waterproof. It makes a difference, but not much. I know the Canex down here sell the covers, there made by a company called Canadian Peacekeeper. There‘s also little waterproof paper notepads made by the same company. However I would‘nt pay 7.99 a pop for a tiny notepad, plus it‘s much smaller than an FMP. During my Winter Indoc in Goose Bay I carried my FMP in a ziplock bag, it helped a bit.
Hope I helped a bit, if you can‘t get ahold of the canadian Peacekeeper stuff, contact me, I‘ll pick up one for you in Gagetown.
Fideliter
I have the same problem. I bought one of those little FMP covers from the Canex, but it‘s not completely waterproof. It makes a difference, but not much. I know the Canex down here sell the covers, there made by a company called Canadian Peacekeeper. There‘s also little waterproof paper notepads made by the same company. However I would‘nt pay 7.99 a pop for a tiny notepad, plus it‘s much smaller than an FMP. During my Winter Indoc in Goose Bay I carried my FMP in a ziplock bag, it helped a bit.
Hope I helped a bit, if you can‘t get ahold of the canadian Peacekeeper stuff, contact me, I‘ll pick up one for you in Gagetown.
Fideliter
G
GPMG
Guest
Thanks Fusilier, I have my FMP in a zip lock as well, but my main problem is in using it when it is raining. I know there exists some notebooks with waterproof paper, but as you said, they are rather expensive. I wondered if anyone here has an inexpensive solution to the problem.
H
Harry
Guest
Hi GPMG,
Here are a few ideas that I have used:
a. use pencils and omni-crome pencils (colour), unless the page is completely soaked through, it will work;
b. if you have certain proforma‘s like patrol orders, weapon site data cards for example, make a good copy, map tac it and attach it to the top inside of your FMP, then use omni-cromes or greese pencils for these. As a section commander I had a mini book of twelve of the required ones map tac‘ed and attached to my FMP. I had a good zip cover and it worked great; and
c. another option, if you have any friends in the supply system, see if you can get your hands on the old three ring accounting card holders. I used these when I worked the Sigs world and found them awesome, insert your proforma or template, little strip of map tac or gun tape accross the top, and presto, water proof and a good surface to right on.
Depending on what kind of FMP cover you get, the options are only limited by the resources and a bit of creative mod 101.
Another option is to check out a survey supply company, they usually have some form of cover similar in size to an FMP type that is water proof and you can get survey pad inserts that are water proof, however these can get pricy.
I hope this gives you a few ideas, remember the field craft cread, KISS.
Here are a few ideas that I have used:
a. use pencils and omni-crome pencils (colour), unless the page is completely soaked through, it will work;
b. if you have certain proforma‘s like patrol orders, weapon site data cards for example, make a good copy, map tac it and attach it to the top inside of your FMP, then use omni-cromes or greese pencils for these. As a section commander I had a mini book of twelve of the required ones map tac‘ed and attached to my FMP. I had a good zip cover and it worked great; and
c. another option, if you have any friends in the supply system, see if you can get your hands on the old three ring accounting card holders. I used these when I worked the Sigs world and found them awesome, insert your proforma or template, little strip of map tac or gun tape accross the top, and presto, water proof and a good surface to right on.
Depending on what kind of FMP cover you get, the options are only limited by the resources and a bit of creative mod 101.
Another option is to check out a survey supply company, they usually have some form of cover similar in size to an FMP type that is water proof and you can get survey pad inserts that are water proof, however these can get pricy.
I hope this gives you a few ideas, remember the field craft cread, KISS.
J
JRMACDONALD
Guest
As paper tends to be a "Water Sucking Material", this is a continuing problem. good solutions have been presented above. i would suggest, for your own trials, a product called Map Seal , by Aqua Seal. It is a solution/compound that is "painted" on a sheet of paper. It gives it a "wax like " feel and is, generally, water resistant. pencils work best and can be erased. the paper, however, becomes very stiff( it is coated) and "breakable". The problem I found with Map Talc/ map tac/ plastic page protectors is they result in a huge increase in size/thickness of your pad.. Best solution-- use sign language or yell! 
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I‘m not convinced it‘s possible to "waterproof" an FMP (except for sticking it into a "baggie", but then it‘s REALLY difficult to write ... 
)
Alternatively, maybe it‘s useful to think in terms of only writing in your FMP when it won‘t get soaked - otherwise, use something else (e.g. "mac tac" your map, and write on it with a grease pencil).
)Alternatively, maybe it‘s useful to think in terms of only writing in your FMP when it won‘t get soaked - otherwise, use something else (e.g. "mac tac" your map, and write on it with a grease pencil).
G
GPMG
Guest
Thanks for all the suggestions. You have been most helpful.
Since I already use grease pencils for marking range cards, it would seem that the best thing for me to do now is to map tac a few sheets of paper for use with orders and leave a few sheets of ‘normal‘ paper for adreps and personal use.
I will also look for the Map Seal product as suggested and experiment with it. By having just a dozen pages treated, perhaps I can avoid carrying a ‘book‘ into the field
Since I already use grease pencils for marking range cards, it would seem that the best thing for me to do now is to map tac a few sheets of paper for use with orders and leave a few sheets of ‘normal‘ paper for adreps and personal use.
I will also look for the Map Seal product as suggested and experiment with it. By having just a dozen pages treated, perhaps I can avoid carrying a ‘book‘ into the field
