2-Way Radios: Dedicated Motorcycle Channel

[Banshee]

Riding home yesterday, I passed about four cop cars waiting on each side of the twisty section of Hwy24. I tried signaling to riders heading in the other direction, but started thinking that there had to be a better way to communicate.

I know a few riders out there already have 2-way radios with a hands-free kit that they use to stay in touch with each other. I think we should expand that a little bid and decide on a single channel to call our own, kind of how truckers use channel 9 on the CB.

It would be great if we could coordinate this nationwide eventually.

We could use it to give each other a heads-up of road conditions, speed traps, and radio for help in an emergency. Would be a great way to communicate with other riders, even if they're not riding in our group.

You can get a FRS radio with VOX (Voice-Activated, hands-free) for $50-$80, cheaper than most CB's. They have a 2-mile range, so riders can give each other plenty of notice on upcoming road hazards or police.

All we need to do is decide on a channel to call our own....

*Edit*: Just so you don't have to read the full thread, the tentative plan is to use Channel 7, which is the same for both FRS and GMRS Radios.

-Tim

[Devaclis]

Looking to get a set of hands free radios for the wife and I. I can't find a set for less than $350 each!!

I agree on the MC channel and also an "alt" channel AKA the Duke Boys channel

[dallas]

The basic Chatterbox system has two preset FRS channels of 1 and 8.

[puckstr]

I am interested in this.

[Banshee]

Scratch that $50-$80 price quote... Found a set for $29. Includes two radios and one wrist-watch communicator.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002HLY5Q/ref=nosim/?tag=mysimon-ce00-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B0002HLY5Q&linkCode=a sn

That's $15 for the radio, then the throat-microphone is about $20:
http://helmetaudio.com/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=AHA1115

[Banshee]

The basic Chatterbox system has two preset FRS channels of 1 and 8.


There ya have it! We have our Channels!

Which is the primary/backup, Dallas?

[Devaclis]

Very cool. Any place local to look at these radios?

[dallas]

There ya have it! We have our Channels!

Which is the primary/backup, Dallas?

The selector switch on the Chatterbox is either 1 or 2, with 1 being channel one and 2 being channel 8. It would probably be better to just run with channel 8. One thing I did notice though. On my Motorolla FRS radios, I had to set the subchannels to 00 in order for the Motorolla to hear what I was saying, but I could hear everything from the Motorolla no matter what subchannel it was on.

[Banshee]

You can also pick them up locally just about anywhere. Wal-Mart, Target, Radio Shack...

Most of the FRS radios are basically the same. The only key feature it has to have is the VOX, which lets you hook up an external earpiece and microphone. You'll want to get a throat mic to reduce road noise when you talk.

Thanks Dallas, looks like we're using Channel 8...

[Devaclis]

Man, I have been wanting info like this for over a year. Thanks a LOT both of you!

[Banshee]

Oh.... And I just noticed that the set for $29 includes two radios, and one wrist-watch communicator. Bonus! Now I can pretend I'm James Bond....

Just updated the link.

[dallas]

Man, I have been wanting info like this for over a year. Thanks a LOT both of you!

I love mine for listening to music when I am solo, and talking to the old lady when she rides bitch, but I need to look into the throat mics because anything over 55-65 mph, the wind noise sets off the VOX and it cuts out the music!!! I have tried a few things to make it a little better, but it still isn't up to my standards.

[puckstr]

I actually have radios like these I use for camping and 14ers. I will have to see if they have VOX. Sweet

[N1KSS1KS1x]

I've tried using these with my pops and couldnt get them to work due to wind noise mostly this was with a vox style and push to talk on your index finger and you push it with your thumb. The radios are cobra. If any of you are gonna get some come grab these and figure out a differant ear mic piece.

[Devaclis]

Gonna run out at lunch and grab a set of these:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5544177

I will play with them this week and let you know what I think.

[puckstr]

^^^ cool thing is if they won't work for ya.
It is Walmart they take everything back.

But I fucking hate to go to Walmart

[Devaclis]

I'll go for ya. Best place to pick up chicks with low self esteem :)

[dirkterrell]

I'll go for ya. Best place to pick up chicks with low self esteem :)

I can hear Sweetie Pie opening that can of Whoop Ass all the way up here in Boulder. http://www.boulder.swri.edu/%7Eterrell/images/goofy.gif

Dirk

[Devaclis]

I am gonna take her with me so I can use my manufacturers coupons!!

[Snowman]

Anyone have a good link to throat mics?

Woops never mind

[Devaclis]

Fay Myers has some decent ones. $40 each tho.

[Banshee]

Throat mics are really the only way to go on a setup like this, standard mics pic up way too much background noise.

They also make a funky earpiece that somehow picks up your speech from inside your ear, but they are more expensive.

When you look for the VOX, make sure it has the earpiece/microphone plugs on it.

Wal-Mart is the way to go. If you find one that works well and has the right connections, let us know the model number.

Fay Myers has some decent ones. $40 each tho.

Figure $25 for the radio plus $40 for the throat mic, still a damn nice communication device for less than $70 total. Even cheaper if we find a radio/mic setup that works well and order it online.

[Snowman]

Tries a push to talk mic that was velcroed inside my helmet that you could key with your chin. It worked ok once you got use to it. But it had issues with wind.

[Banshee]

Devaclis, the one you're looking at is actually a GMRS radio. It has a longer range, but "technically" you need an FCC license to operate it. Also, channel 8 on GMRS is different than channel 8 on FRS.

Channels 1-7 are the same, so if we decide on using FRS Channel 1 instead, we should be able to use both types of radios and still communicate with the Chatterbox users.

The downside is that Channel 1 supposedly has a lot of clutter, because everyone is already using it.

[Devaclis]

Ahh, are there no dual mode radios like that? This was the only one I could find that was waterproof and had VOX and got great reviews.

Thanks for the research. I will see if the work for our needs. the fact that channel 8 is different may be an issue but maybe we can find a workaround for that. I am off in 14 minutes to go pick them up.

[Devaclis]

I just completed the application for a GSRM license and will have the wife do the same. Not a bad process and you have access to run some really kick ass new equipment if you are licensed :)

http://eebie38.tripod.com/gmrs/licensing.html

[Banshee]

Thre are some radios that use both. The frequencies are off by a little bit for ch 1-7, but should be close enought to pick each other up. If you feel like "borrowing" a set of each from Wal-Mart and testing it, let us know.

Otherwise, if you pick up a set that do have both GMRS/FRS channels, set each radio to different modes and let us know if it works.

The downside to GMRS licensing is that not everyone will want to apply for the license. If we're going to try and use this as a new standard, we need to make it easily accessible to everyone or it will never catch on.

[Banshee]

On the licensing, it should be good for your whole household. No need for the wife to apply if you already have.

I'm getting mixed info on wether or not channels 1-7 are interchangeable between the two radios. I may have to pick up a set and find out myself.

[Banshee]

Okay, sorry for post-whoring. Channels 1-7 ARE the same, but if you get a GMRS radio you have to make sure it's certified to do so. Most dual-mode radios should be.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Radio_Service


Channel 1 is already considered the "unofficial" emergency frequency, so that's probably not a good choice.

I hate to exclude the Chatterbox guys, but I'm thinking Channel 7 might be a better option. It would allow both FRS and GMRS guys to communicate with each other, but give us the choice between getting a cheaper radio or spending the cash on a better radio and license for the longer range.

Channel 7 doesn't seem to be anyone's "unofficial" channel yet.

[leviathin]

once this gets ironed out i know me and some of the other northies are totally onboard

[dallas]

Channel 7 doesn't seem to be anyone's "unofficial" channel yet.


I don't care what you say, I am staying with channel 8!!!!:alien:

[Banshee]

I don't care what you say, I am staying with channel 8!!!!:alien:


Jackass.... :banghead:

[Devaclis]

I like the Cobra's so far. They feel like a quality radio. The clarity is pretty good. From Hampden to A-pahoe in the DTC they work well. They are backlit which is a plus IMO. You can set the sensitivity of the VOX operation.

The included ear bud and mic work ok but the ear bud wants to fall out of your ear and the mic does NOT work while riding. I will pick up a throat mic tomorrow to test.

[Devaclis]

Oh, the feature that really had me wanting these was the rechargeable batteries. Not standard AA or AAA rechargeable batteries. Now, if I could only figure out how to mount it to my helmet.....

[dallas]

Jackass.... :banghead:

No one else has Chatterbox or anything so I have been talking to myself this whole time. Just because you guys get radios, doesn't mean I have to talk to you!!!!

[Devaclis]

Just a few sweet nothings would be nice.

[Banshee]

No one else has Chatterbox or anything so I have been talking to myself this whole time. Just because you guys get radios, doesn't mean I have to talk to you!!!!

Ditch the chatterbox... Get a FRS/GMRS.... All the cool kids are doing it. :siesta:

[dallas]

Just a few sweet nothings would be nice.

Oh yeah, that's a great line you are taking.......that's it........lean it over just a little more........oh yeah.........speed up a little bit.......oh wait, not that much........oh yeah..........there you go.........just keep it going at a medium pace...........

[dallas]

Ditch the chatterbox... Get a FRS/GMRS.... All the cool kids are doing it. :siesta:
So do I need to get the combo FRS/GMRS, or am I good with just FRS?

[Devaclis]

hahaha

At a medium pace

/Adam Sandler

[Banshee]

If we're using Ch7, you can get FRS, GMRS, or a dual radio. They'll all work.

If you don't mind spending a little more, I'd get a dual. You can use FRS for now, and have GMRS later if you decide to license it.

On a side note, I doubt they have any effective ways of monitoring the licensing...