FRS Radios - Simple Methods

[Brian_Sandra_Smith]

We are heading to Europe this summer and would like to use FRS radios for communicating while on the bike and when walking etc.

I have noticed Ian Bradshaw's comments however the equipment isn't available in Canada.

Does anyone have experience with using a FRS with headset with PPT, preferably the handlebar type?

Thanks!

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Brian & Sandra Smith
To be old and wise you first had to be young and foolish

[Tony Robson]

Originally posted by Brian_Sandra_Smith:
We are heading to Europe this summer and would like to use FRS radios for communicating while on the bike and when walking etc.

I have noticed Ian Bradshaw's comments however the equipment isn't available in Canada.

Does anyone have experience with using a FRS with headset with PPT, preferably the handlebar type?

Hiya, my wife and myself own a couple of Motorola radios and have an internal velcro speaker in our helmets, velcro mike on the inside of our helmets, the PTT is on the helmet side... only used a few times, they were okay, picked up to much noise though... might reuse them this summer... will keep you informed..

Tony.

[Brian_Sandra_Smith]

What kind of noise are you talking about when you suggest too much noise? I am assuming wind noise.

How is the PPT attached to the helmet?
Can it be located on the left handlebar?

[beddhist]

First, US or Canadian radios are probably not legal in Europe. Your options for the EU are certain types of (homologated) CB's or PMR.

I've tried one PMR bike set sold by Conrad Elektronik in Germany. Seemed quite well made and the range wasn't bad (several kms). But with the visor closed our voices sounded like ducks inside a tin can. Totally useless even at standstill. I sent them back.

There was quite a bit of discussion on a German BMW board. The consensus there seems to be that the only ones that actually work are the German made Baehr systems. Problem is they are hideously expensive. Not everyone agrees with this, of course.

Personally, I think I prefer CB over PMR, cause PMR doesn't allow external aerials and uses less power. The downside is that in some areas CB is full of chatter.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

[Tony Robson]

Originally posted by Brian_Sandra_Smith:
What kind of noise are you talking about when you suggest too much noise? I am assuming wind noise.

How is the PPT attached to the helmet?
Can it be located on the left handlebar?

Yes - wind noise picked up by the microphone and transmitted to the other set....

As I say we used a velcro fastened microphone on the inside of the chin guard... on reflection I would opt for the boom style and vevelcro it on to the outside and poke it up and under, easily removalbe...

The PTT button was velcro attached via a small stick on piece of velcro to the side of the helmet, I had mine on my left ear as I thought I can always put my hand on my ear..... made sense really...... We boutght 2 slightly different kits - One had a single wire from the radios upto 2 socket/plugs, then a long PTT wire off to the PTT button on one, and a long wire off to the Spear, mike on the other...

The other kit was a long wire upto a short PTT aand Short Spearer/mike wire.... The short one was great for the helmet, the other would be long enough to put down onto a tank for example... possibly the bars... it would be easy enpugh to extend as it was only a single phono sockect .i.e. back of stereo stuff...

The were plugged into Motorola radios and all kept in a breast pocket in the jackets, giving you the freedom to get on and off the bike.... and still talk without removing helmets..

A real mix of stuff - but the kit all came from a paragliding shop as the fittings are the standard ones used by all PMR radios of a 2.5mm jack for speacker and 1.5mm jack for microphone.... (i think....) all in a moulded fitting at a set distance apart...

The radios are the predecessors to the: Motorola Talkabout T6222 (below)



We use them (can't remember the title) as they take AA batteries - last ages (days!!!) on 3 Duracell batteries - hence don't need to worry about recharging on the bikes - just carry a few spares and pick up others as and when you need then - where in the western world can't you get AA batteries!!!!

Also - one of the few remaining models that has the standard Headphone/microhphone socket as mentioned earlier - later models like the one above have a single 1.5mm socket the does both - meaning you start wiring your own up OR buy motorola stuff to go with it...

not as fancy as these models but hey.....

Hope this helps.

Tony.

PS:



These are what we use - the Motorola TA200.. I think!?!?

[This message has been edited by Tony Robson (edited 17 June 2004).]