[Kodak-Pro-R]

Nobody using these? Sena SPH10 headsets.

 

[littleboss]

I bought a Btech UV-25x2 off of Amazon for $123.64 and a Browning 450MHz-470MHz UHF 3dBd Land Mobile NMO Antenna for about $31. Also had to buy the BTECH PC04 FTDI USB Programming Cable for $22 because the Yaesu and Baofeng one that I have won't work. I already had a coax with NMO mount so I didn't have to buy that. I took a piece of 1/4" aluminum and made a bracket to mount the radio to the rear view mirror mounting point. I glued a magnet to the back of the microphone so it sticks to the side of the radio's bracket. I fabricated a bracket to mount the antenna to the back edge of the aluminum roof. I didn't install it in the center of the roof because you would need a NMO mount for thicker surfaces which I didn't have. I ran a ground wire from the screws that hold the NMO bracket to the roof to the cage mounting bolts. SWR on the GMRS simplex freqs is 1:1 and on the GMRS repeater freqs it is 1.5 to 1. We don't have any repeaters around so I didn't cut off the antenna any to get it better for those freqs. I also programmed a lot of ham repeaters into the radio as well as Search and Rescue freqs for where we ride in Colorado. I carry a 2M/70cm antenna behind the seat if I need to transmit on those I can swap out the antenna. I carry a Garmin Inreach so the radio is basically a backup but nice to have access to the ham repeaters as a licensed ham. Of course we use the GMRS freqs from SxS to SxS. All programming was done with CHIRP. The radio has a nice loud speaker so easy to hear. I don't need or want a headseat.

 

[Tricon]

I bought a Btech UV-25x2 off of Amazon for $123.64 and a Browning 450MHz-470MHz UHF 3dBd Land Mobile NMO Antenna for about $31. Also had to buy the BTECH PC04 FTDI USB Programming Cable for $22 because the Yaesu and Baofeng one that I have won't work. I already had a coax with NMO mount so I didn't have to buy that. I took a piece of 1/4" aluminum and made a bracket to mount the radio to the rear view mirror mounting point. I glued a magnet to the back of the microphone so it sticks to the side of the radio's bracket. I fabricated a bracket to mount the antenna to the back edge of the aluminum roof. I didn't install it in the center of the roof because you would need a NMO mount for thicker surfaces which I didn't have. I ran a ground wire from the screws that hold the NMO bracket to the roof to the cage mounting bolts. SWR on the GMRS simplex freqs is 1:1 and on the GMRS repeater freqs it is 1.5 to 1. We don't have any repeaters around so I didn't cut off the antenna any to get it better for those freqs. I also programmed a lot of ham repeaters into the radio as well as Search and Rescue freqs for where we ride in Colorado. I carry a 2M/70cm antenna behind the seat if I need to transmit on those I can swap out the antenna. I carry a Garmin Inreach so the radio is basically a backup but nice to have access to the ham repeaters as a licensed ham. Of course we use the GMRS freqs from SxS to SxS. All programming was done with CHIRP. The radio has a nice loud speaker so easy to hear. I don't need or want a headseat.

Any reason you didn't get something like this for $12? Does both UHF and VHF (so you don't have to swap it out) and the range has been fantastic for me so far.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802377925171.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.29.21ef1802tPvle4&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

 

[littleboss]

Any reason you didn't get something like this for $12? Does both UHF and VHF (so you don't have to swap it out) and the range has been fantastic for me so far.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802377925171.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.29.21ef1802tPvle4&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

Those things are junk, basically a radiating dummy load. The shortest 2M/70 cm antenna is about 18 in. It might work on gmrs though the SWR would probably be high. It's 6 in taller than one I've got and has a loading coil in the center. Just something else to get caught on the trees and tore up. Easier to just carry a spare antenna behind the seat

 

[Tricon]

Those things are junk, basically a radiating dummy load. The shortest 2M/70 cm antenna is about 18 in. It might work on gmrs though the SWR would probably be high. It's 6 in taller than one I've got and has a loading coil in the center. Just something else to get caught on the trees and tore up. Easier to just carry a spare antenna behind the seat

It's worked fantastic for me, awesome range back to base camp.

 

[littleboss]

It's worked fantastic for me, awesome range back to base camp.

basically a coil. It would work the best on the UHF freqs. Way too short to be effective on 2 meters.

 

[Tricon]

basically a coil. It would work the best on the UHF freqs. Way too short to be effective on 2 meters.

Don't know what to tell ya, we were on 151.025 and it was perfect for miles and miles.

 

[SigLeader]

Deleted

 

[SigLeader]

I wasn't going to pay PCI or Rugged $1500 for a cheap Chinese VHF radio, so I picked up a VGC VR-N7500 for $150 (I actually got a VR-N7500 base unit and 2 x VR-N75 Handlhelds for $122 off eBay used). It's an awesome radio, has bluetooth, 50w UHF/VHF, its completely controlled from your phone or tablet(meaning you can mount the base unit anywhere, tucked away). Also has APRS so when someone speaks to you , they pop up on a Google Map to show you where they are.

Can even send text / pics over RF to the two handheld VR-N75's I have. I programmed all the PCI and Rugged channels into it, and I'm bluetoothed to my helmet Sena 50R. Have VOX intercom to my wife and kids in the car over bluetooth to all the helmets, then hit the BT PTT button and I can talk to other cars. You can even monitor multiple channels at the same time without having to switch.

Shit, this thing will even use my Tablet's 4G connection and create a web link my wife can listen in on our comms at home hundreds of miles away.

Just wanted to let you guys know you don't have to pay a shit load for comms! And you don't have to have wires all over the place.

Total cost depends on what you do for helmet comms, you can just use the included wired handheld as a speaker/mic. You can plug it into your stereo. You can use your phone/tablet over bluetooth. Or you can get some Sena/Cardo helmet comms.

All in, I think I spent about $500 for Radio, BT Helmet comms, Tablet, and antenna....and its insanely more useful to me than a $1500 Rugged Radio setup. Plus, I hate having a wire to my head while driving/getting in and out of the car.

View attachment 690639

I really like the wireless setup. Have you had any issues with dust or water. I didn't notice any IP rating on the radio. Also would this work if I just have a phone in my pocket. I have ride command so I use that for navigation.

Anything you would do differently now?

 

[robertg64]

How is the comms earpiece connected to the speakers? Wiring is spliced?

 

[robertg64]

Good video.
Since I'm lazy and like to do things the EZ way,
I would have notched out the headsets where you pulled it apart instead of having to drill a hole and re solder wires.

Mine I just ran the wire over the muffs since there are already speakers in the bluetooth headset.
I couldn't figure out how to remove the ear muff pad or else i would have run the wire behind the pad.
View attachment 679231

How is the comms earpiece connected to the headphone speakers? Spliced wiring?

 

[185EZ]

How is the comms earpiece connected to the headphone speakers? Spliced wiring?

The headphone speakers don't work.
The comm comes with it's own speakers and inserted into headset

 

[robertg64]

The headphone speakers don't work.
The comm comes with it's own speakers and inserted into headset

Gotcha, when you said there were already speakers in the Bluetooth headset, I thought you were saying you somehow connected those speakers to the comms earpiece output cable. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[185EZ]

They look like this,

 

[robertg64]

Ok perfect thanks. I’m trying to combine this idea including the comms / hearing protection, with some kind of bike helmet (not even necessarily an Atv helmet- have kids riding, they could wear a decent bike helmet if nothing else), ever looked at something like that? I wonder if some kind of behind the head / neck ear muffs would work.

 

[185EZ]

These are lightweight DOT helmets.
Axel helmets