Bike walkie talkies?

[virtual120]

Has any one tried using walkie talkies for communicating between rider and pillian or rider to rider. I was thinking about using two walkies with throat mics for each rider/pillian. Would this work or has someone tried it successfully ?

I know the quality of the walkies would have a bearing but even if it was half decent it could be a great idea.

Thanks
Tim

[hellokitty]

what about 2 cellphones and those ear piece thingys? If for example it was your partner and they were on "best mates" like on Vodafone the call is free and just keep the line open????

[firefighter]

Um. Why not just get the helmet kits? By the time you buy two handhelds, two bone mics and ear piece, you will have spent a lot more for something not purpose built. A bit pointless.

[phred]

search for intercom or bike comms and be amazed at how ofgten this subject has been covered.

[Gremlin]

yes, I've used walkie talkies (uhf) between bikes. Very handy, don't use vox, and its not proprietary, meaning others can join in easily at a later date. Yes, this topic has been done, do a search.

[virtual120]

Nice one thanks. Ill invest in a couple. Way cheaper than bike ones for something ill hardly use.

[davereid]

Get a model that can operate with an external speaker-mic, this you clip to your collar up inside your helmet .

Your local electronics man can replace the "P.T.T." button with a reed relay. Then to talk you just wave a gloved finger with a magnet inside the tip at the mic.

Much easier than attempting to push a PTT button with gloved fingers, and more reliable than VOX.

[firefighter]

Nice one thanks. Ill invest in a couple. Way cheaper than bike ones for something ill hardly use.

Theres is purpose built ones on here, with good reviews for only $200 odd for two helmets. Purpose built, so no fucking around, compact and user friendly.

How much are the walkie talkies you are talking about? Are'nt they at least around $60 each for cheap ones? That's before you sort out the mics and ear piece. Plus it's no-where near as user friendly as a purpose built, plug and play unit.....seems a bit tight for the sake of around $50. You may as well get the right gear the first time, and save a lot of hassle, plus get all the other features you wo'nt get with a handheld radio.

[virtual120]

Theres is purpose built ones on here,

Where please ? - sounds good.

[firefighter]

Where please ? - sounds good.

They're $230, but close enough. Saves mucking around with two bulky handhelds.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/120672-Motorbike-Bluetooth-intercom?highlight=intercom

OAB's review on these here; http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/122446-BT-Multi-Interphone-Bike-Bike-Intercom?p=1129730779#post1129730779

[CookMySock]

Your local electronics man can replace the "P.T.T." button with a reed relay. Then to talk you just wave a gloved finger with a magnet inside the tip at the mic. Much easier than attempting to push a PTT button with gloved fingers, and more reliable than VOX.Thats a bloody good idea.

Make sure everything is unplugged or switched off after your ride though - before shoving your gloves into your helmet. :niceone:

Steve

[Hitcher]

The walkie talkies aren't the weak link in a bike-to-bike comms setup. The weak links are all of the sundry accoutrements designed to get microphones and speakers into a helmet, the push-to-talk button that needs to be attached to the LH grip somehow and, most particularly, the quality of the interconnecting plugs used.

If you want to spend top dollar, then the Baehr systems used by the Police motorcycle cops takes some beating. Otherwise there is a bunch of underspecced Chinese/Korean sourced stuff that's pimped by a number of suppliers, particularly PHS of Rotorua which, quite frankly, is more hassle than it's worth.

I'm waiting for the day when somebody invents a Bluetooth or equivalent system to connect a walkie talkie, with its superior range and battery life, to a cordless helmet system.

[Gremlin]

Really depends what you want to use it for, aye Hitcher? If you're using it a couple of times a year, shelling out big dollars makes no sense.

Hitcher, you should get a Baehr (if your italian eletrics don't give out :D). Use it almost every time I'm on the bike, and it never gives me grief.

[Hitcher]

Hitcher, you should get a Baehr (if your italian eletrics don't give out :D). Use it almost every time I'm on the bike, and it never gives me grief.

Have you ever looked under the seat on an Aprilia Shiver? There's no room for a box of matches, let alone a Baehr control unit. Also I don't live in west Auckland, so it would be a significant round trip to get the installation done.

[Gremlin]

Ah... you shoulda planned. To the disbelief of shops, I checked the space under the seat, and it was on my criteria (must be mad :weird:).

Last time I spoke to Tony late last year, he was planning to shift to Nelson / Hastings and run some accommodation... so when he gets there, he'll be a bit closer for you, and a bit further for me...