The Xoloitzcuintle "Sho-low-eets-queen-tlee" is an ancient breed of dog. Evidence of their existence has been found in the ruins which remain from the Pre-Columbian societies of Mexico and the countries of Central and South America. The Xolo is a very devoted dog and dislikes being apart from its human owner. They tend to bond primarily to one person but are devoted to the entire family. They make excellent watch dogs and do not bark without reason. The Xolo is a rare breed, numbering approximately 4000 in the world.

The idea for the radio harness emerged during a Super Fly trip to Mexico in 2003. I had been trying to modify my existing radio harness to manage my GPS and camera (since I simply find the “cockpits” more than a little cumbersome). Although my field modifications didn’t hold up for more than a flight or two, I was encouraged in that I knew a better mousetrap could be designed.

Jeff Farrell of Super Fly gave some great input for the single shoulder strap and the antenna pocket, AND he didn’t think it was dumbest idea he’d ever heard. A couple days later we stopped quickly near the Malinalco launch so Chris Santacroce could feed his favorite dog and take a take the photo below. From this photo Russell Agnew drew a graphic representation you see on the logo.

My brother built the first prototype based on some back-of-the-envelope drawings. About that time I was visiting Paraglider/Machinist/Inventor Extraordinaire Stu Caruk from towmeup.com and his talented wife Anita in Washington. I was so impressed with high-tech machine shop and tow bridle sewing equipment that I talked Stu and Anita into completing the design and running the first production. Yep, Made In USA…Ridgefield, Washington. Sal-lute!

After a year of design and re-design, I put the first of the production into test, right back at the El Piñon launch in Mexico where the idea was born. I was alarmingly satisfied with its function. Jeff Farrell called me a technogeek. Thanks Jeff! And thanks to my brother Mynor, Stu and Anita Caruk, and Chris Santacroce for the photo.