uncommon audio and communication device question

What did you buy? Spill it! Was it good? Suck?

Moderator: hemingray

teejay
Just opened an account at Cabelas
Posts: 43
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:06 am

uncommon audio and communication device question

Postby teejay » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:26 am

So here is what I'm looking for and maybe you folks can help me out.

I'm looking for some sort of device that can take multiplue audio inputs, and then put them through to a headphone and a mic. What I basically have in mind right now is like a ipod or iphone or xm radio plus some radio like a frs radio or the yaesu vx-7r. I want to be able to listen to music while being able to talk to other riders with me, and it would be nice if the device could sort of prioritize the signal. Say my music is secondary to voice comms.

I've seen the collett radios and they are similar to what I want, except for the whole private radio thing. I don't want to be limited to just that communication system.

I've seen some stand alone bluetooth devices that will plug into the headphone jacks of anything with a headset adapter, but I haven't come across any that would allow for transmit and recieve as would be needed for a ham tx.

Any ideas that you guys have out there, othern than left ear for one signal, and right ear for the other?

User avatar
Ken
Site Admin
Posts: 7501
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:23 pm
Location: Auburn, CA
Contact:

Postby Ken » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:39 am

Other than Collett...I haven't seen any that do that. The problem you have is.....in order to have that kind of functionality, it won't be on a FRS radio (or at least I doubt it). They aren't made for that....

FRS radios, in general...work fine in small numbers. 2 or 3. When you put 6 or 7 of them with a group...it's mayhem. At least that's what happened to us. The radio interference between the radios was unbearable.

All the other ATV talking devices....are all modifications for FRS radios. Firefox (the throat mic), Motocomm, etc....all use FRS radios (that they don't make) as the source. All they are, are variations of microphones. That's it.

In order to get what you want...Will almost certainly be proprietary. Whether it be collett, which is a proprietary radio and signal or Chatter Box, which uses standard frequencies, but uses a proprietary radio.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."

Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/

User avatar
GrizzlyGuy
Forever On The trail - RIP
Posts: 1411
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:11 pm
Location: Truckee, CA
Contact:

Postby GrizzlyGuy » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:17 am

Teejay,

I was thinking of something along the same lines of what you describe for next year. I haven't put all the pieces together, but here is what I was thinking:

1) Start with a Collett Platinum 900 Plus. I need to upgrade to a full-face helmet, so I thought that would be a handy addition. I can put in the secret ATVObsession channel to talk to these guys, it has a separate audio input jack for feeding in tunes from my iPhone (or iPod), AND it has BlueTooth.

2) My Yaesu VX-7R covers all the VHF/UHF ham bands and I have the freeband mod installed to let me get on FRS. Or on police, fire, forest service, etc. frequencies in an emergency. It lives in one of the front/side compartments of my rear bag at all times. By the way, it is perfectly legal to have the freeband mod installed. It just isn't legal to use it. But in an emergency, I'm using it. The FCC has my address and they can mail me my ticket. The ticket is better than being dead, I figure. :-)

3) Check out this TalkSafe gadget from a company in the UK. See also the TalkSafe Ranger, which is the same thing for a handheld radio. Those are basically Bluetooth interfaces for radios like the VX-7R.

4) Connect VX-7R to TalkSafe, let the Bluetooth talk to the Collett, and it looks like you've now got the whole ballgame. I don't think VOX will work via Bluetooth to the VX-7R, but PTT should work, and I personally prefer PTT only (we learned in hang gliding that VOX tends to lead to a bunch of heavy-breathers clogging up the frequency without even knowing it).

I like to wire my VX-7R into the ATV's 12V system, so I'd personally go with the original TalkSafe (and wire it into the system as well). But if you prefer to have the radio on your body, you might like the TalkSafe Ranger instead.

Word on the street is that the good folks over at Heil Sound are going to be the US distributor for these. I've been buying my mics from them since I first started in ham radio. So I figured I'd wait until they had them and buy the TalkSafe from them. Then buy the Collett, put it all together, and see if this hair-brained scheme of mine will really work. :-)
TV For Thrill Seekers: http://AdventureWorld.TV
More Videos: http://GrizzlyGuy.TV
Some More Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/ATVGrizzlyGuy
Photos: http://www.GrizzlyGuy.com/ATVs
My quad: Grizzly 700, 25" Bighorns, Bash Plates,
Warn 2500 Winch

teejay
Just opened an account at Cabelas
Posts: 43
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:06 am

Postby teejay » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:05 pm

That is what I've been looking for today, a device that could convert the input/output of a VX-7R into a bluetooth transceiver, and I've seen a couple of other devices like the talksafe that does tx/rx, however I'm not sure if the helmet would be able to pair up with two different bluetooth devices so I sent a email off to collett about it.

I'm looking at a iphone to handle the music, but I'm going to hold off a month or two to see if the rumors about 3g and a 32gb version of it are going to be released this year. That is what pisses me off about cool electronic products, as soon as you buy in, some better deal comes out. I should just stop being a pussy about it and accept it as the fate of the electronics industry and get one anyway. I figure I'll wait til the end of Feb at the latest and get one. The iphone is such a great concept, and it just irritates me that a lot of common features among cell phones today were left off for either battery reasons or Apple being Apple, and doing it because they can.

EDIT: although I guess I can just throw the iphone into airplane mode and plug in the headphone jack on the comm base.
Last edited by teejay on Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Ken
Site Admin
Posts: 7501
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:23 pm
Location: Auburn, CA
Contact:

Postby Ken » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:18 pm

GrizzlyGuy wrote:VOX tends to lead to a bunch of heavy-breathers clogging up the frequency without even knowing it).
LOL. You know....You can't make it come on breathing....even at the lowest setting. Sneezing? Yeah. Belching? Oh yeah. Breathing? You can't do it. The mic on that thing is really good. It wouldn't be surprised, if it is the most expensive part of the unit.

Remember, it was originally made for Snowmobiles...which are much louder than ATV's. Keith and his pipe, require the vox turned up to a higher threshold so the engine doesn't make it come on. But that's an easy fix. At the highest VOX setting...you can pretty much yell into it...and it won't come on.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."

Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/

User avatar
Ken
Site Admin
Posts: 7501
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:23 pm
Location: Auburn, CA
Contact:

Postby Ken » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:21 pm

teejay wrote:it just irritates me that a lot of common features among cell phones today were left off for either battery reasons or Apple being Apple, and doing it because they can.
What features were you looking for? They just added a bunch with a software update.

As for tech? There will ALWAYS be the newer, better thing to knockout the cool gizmo you just got. Once you accept that....you'll buy stuff and be happy.

I always say...you buy what you want, when you want...at the price you want and live with it. Cause two weeks later....it will be cheaper somewhere.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."

Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/

teejay
Just opened an account at Cabelas
Posts: 43
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:06 am

Postby teejay » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:43 pm

Ken wrote: What features were you looking for? They just added a bunch with a software update.
Heh:
  • 3G
  • GPS
  • SD card memory expansion
  • SDK - coming next month
  • Terminal emulator with ssh support like putty
  • LEAP/PEAP authentication for the wireless
  • Outlook Mobile Access
  • Flash support -added at a later date and through 3rd party
  • Hopefully a remote desktop client support
I know the SDK is hopefully going to resolve the last half of the options, we'll see but a lot of the wireless networks I'm around are secured using different authentication methods not supported, and quite frankly, the edge network in the Salt Lake valley is slow as dog shit compared to 3g coverage here. I guess really Edge vs 3g is pretty much a moot point, though so I should ignore it.

User avatar
Ken
Site Admin
Posts: 7501
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:23 pm
Location: Auburn, CA
Contact:

Postby Ken » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:26 pm

Not to get to far off track...oh hell..we're off.

3G would be nice. Edge for me..works about like dial up...the only good thing is...there are so many "mobile" sites that are trimmed down...it's not that bad. 3G is coming with iPhone II....it's a question of when. Some people thought they'd announce at MacWorld.

GPS. Would be awesome. With the latest update...they got REALLY close. Google Maps will now triangulate your position. It puts a circle on the map, to show you where you are...you can place a pin point on the map to get directions. There's also live traffic on the freeways...that's really nice.

Flash is coming, I would imagine. With edge....I'm not sure I'd want to surf a flash site anyways. :)

Outlook Mobile. Wouldn't count on it...ever. This device really isn't a blackberry replacement. Fortunately for me...we have web mail at Pizza Hut, so I just nav to the website and read it there. Google just made GMAIL access default to IMAP...so at least my personal mail is sync'd.

SDK. The newest upgrade, gets ready for it. You can now add more screens and move, add and delete icons. I don't blame Apple for being tight on this one. The LAST THING I want on my iPhone is a virus or even having to deal with Antivirus software. So I'm REALLY going to hope that Apple breaks the crap out of any 3rd Party apps.

SD Card. Would be nice.


When iPhone II comes out...you can get an iPhone for cheap...and then really have buyers remorse for the new features! :)
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."

Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/

User avatar
GrizzlyGuy
Forever On The trail - RIP
Posts: 1411
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:11 pm
Location: Truckee, CA
Contact:

Postby GrizzlyGuy » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:47 pm

Ken wrote:
GrizzlyGuy wrote:VOX tends to lead to a bunch of heavy-breathers clogging up the frequency without even knowing it).
LOL. You know....You can't make it come on breathing....even at the lowest setting. Sneezing? Yeah. Belching? Oh yeah. Breathing? You can't do it. The mic on that thing is really good. It wouldn't be surprised, if it is the most expensive part of the unit.
That's cool, sounds like Collett solved the VOX-in-wind problem and the ham radio guys are STILL working on it. :)

Kind of funny VOX incident, I don't know if you've seen my Bay Area Soaring video. At about 2:10 into it, you can hear me saying (on the ham radio) "this is KU6J who doesn't have a breathing problem but does have a camera so if you guys see me drop by for some pictures". Then Flyin Boy comes screaming by under me yelling "get me in the video!" and I dive on him.

So here is what really happened:

1) About 2 minutes before that cut, some newbie flying with VOX keys up and all 50-ish of us in the air hear a real bad imitation of a heavy-breathing type of crank call. For like... almost 2 minutes. :roll:

2) The newbie finally stops transmitting, and someone else yells "Who's got the fawking breathing problem!" on our frequency. :D

3) I key up via the PTT on my finger, and not wanting to get confused with the newbie, say what I said. :lol:

Yeah Teejay, I was thinking of calling them and asking the Bluetooth question too. Then I figured that these would still be nifty gadgets to have, so I'd just buy them and test it some day.

FYI, the VX-7R does have a Bluetooth option, but I somehow decided (maybe incorrectly) that it would only work with the Yaesu headset, so I was looking at the UK gadget as a more general solution. :-)

Also, even if the Collett VOX is good like Ken says, I don't think the Collett VOX will be able to key the VX-7R. Seems like that would still need to be good ole PTT via the Collett buttons and Bluetooth back to the VX-7R. But dunno, someone needs to test it and see. It would be suhhhhhweeet if their VOX could key the Yaesu.
TV For Thrill Seekers: http://AdventureWorld.TV
More Videos: http://GrizzlyGuy.TV
Some More Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/ATVGrizzlyGuy
Photos: http://www.GrizzlyGuy.com/ATVs
My quad: Grizzly 700, 25" Bighorns, Bash Plates,
Warn 2500 Winch

User avatar
Ken
Site Admin
Posts: 7501
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:23 pm
Location: Auburn, CA
Contact:

Postby Ken » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:41 pm

Ok...


I just watched your video....it looks peaceful, solitary....and F**$&# DANGEROUS!
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."

Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/

User avatar
GrizzlyGuy
Forever On The trail - RIP
Posts: 1411
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:11 pm
Location: Truckee, CA
Contact:

Postby GrizzlyGuy » Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:39 pm

Ken wrote:Ok...


I just watched your video....it looks peaceful, solitary....and F**$&# DANGEROUS!
He, he, he. That was actually a super-easy day, lift everywhere, and if you had a big piece of cardboard and held it just right... you probably could have soared. :lol:

About the only dangerous part was that it was such an easy day that every newbie in the Bay Area was in the air. Not only had they missed the "never use VOX" lesson in hang gliding 101, but they apparently didn't pay attention to the class on "aerial right of ways" either. You'd fly right at one of these guys, wait for them to maneuver in the expected way, and... nope. Nothing but more heavy breathing clogging up the frequency when they got nervous. :roll: :lol:
TV For Thrill Seekers: http://AdventureWorld.TV
More Videos: http://GrizzlyGuy.TV
Some More Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/ATVGrizzlyGuy
Photos: http://www.GrizzlyGuy.com/ATVs
My quad: Grizzly 700, 25" Bighorns, Bash Plates,
Warn 2500 Winch

ATVUtah
Just realized teal ATV clothes are lame
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:41 pm
Location: Utah
Contact:

Postby ATVUtah » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:28 pm

Baehr Motorcycle Communication Systems has been making devices for combining multiple audio and microphone inputs into one control unit that feeds to either one or more Helmet mic/speaker setups for motorcycles for quite a while now.

Features like Stereo Music Input • Rider to Passenger Intercom • Prioritized Universal Stereo Interfaces • Continuous Wind Noise Suppression • Automatic Stepless Volume Control • Automatic Music Volume Suppression • Individual Volume Control with Left/Right Balance

I'll warn you before you click the link they are not cheep.
http://www.baehrusa.com/
Have fun, ride safe, keepem wheels down, and see you at the Jamborees,
[url=http://www.atvutah.com/catalog/index.php]Buy my Paiute ATV Trail Guide book I need beer money[/url]

User avatar
GrizzlyGuy
Forever On The trail - RIP
Posts: 1411
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:11 pm
Location: Truckee, CA
Contact:

Postby GrizzlyGuy » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:04 pm

teejay wrote:and quite frankly, the edge network in the Salt Lake valley is slow as dog shit compared to 3g coverage here. I guess really Edge vs 3g is pretty much a moot point, though so I should ignore it.
I feel your pain, Teejay. It's as slow as puppy poop around here too. Some good news, though: they have coverage out into the middle of NV. Who'd have thunk it. Here I am, enroute Paiute-ish Utah, Hwy 50, cruise control on, iPhone in hand, nothin' but old mines and pioneer bones all around:

Image

Happy, happy boy. Weather.com is showing that the front moved through, it's cold as hell out there, snow and mud probable. We might have the trails all to ourselves. Flyin Boy happy. Me happy. Life is good. Ride on. :D
TV For Thrill Seekers: http://AdventureWorld.TV
More Videos: http://GrizzlyGuy.TV
Some More Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/ATVGrizzlyGuy
Photos: http://www.GrizzlyGuy.com/ATVs
My quad: Grizzly 700, 25" Bighorns, Bash Plates,
Warn 2500 Winch

User avatar
Ken
Site Admin
Posts: 7501
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:23 pm
Location: Auburn, CA
Contact:

Postby Ken » Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:50 am

ATVUtah wrote:Baehr Motorcycle Communication Systems has been making devices for combining multiple audio and microphone inputs into one control unit that feeds to either one or more Helmet mic/speaker setups for motorcycles for quite a while now.

Features like Stereo Music Input • Rider to Passenger Intercom • Prioritized Universal Stereo Interfaces • Continuous Wind Noise Suppression • Automatic Stepless Volume Control • Automatic Music Volume Suppression • Individual Volume Control with Left/Right Balance

I'll warn you before you click the link they are not cheep.
http://www.baehrusa.com/

Hmmm. Nice units.


The problem with PTT on a Quad...probably isn't obvious....but, in order to do PTT, you have a button somewhere to talk. Usually on the handle bars. And...you have a radio....usually on the Quad. Then you have a mic....Which is in your helmet. So the problem....You have a radio and button on your quad and wire running to your helmet with the mic. If you're rock crawling, as Eric has learned...sometimes...you just off your quad really fast. Either A) To save yourself or B) To run over and save your buddy.

So....consequently, you need to disconnect FAST....often. We used the Motocomm setup at first. I went through 2 Motocomms because the wires got broken.....one got yanked and broke...and the other just wore out from repeatedly getting plugged in and out.

The only way around it...is button, mic, radio and battery...ALL on you.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."

Regards,
Ken Hower
RTF Director
http://www.rubicontrail.org/

ATVUtah
Just realized teal ATV clothes are lame
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:41 pm
Location: Utah
Contact:

Postby ATVUtah » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:24 am

I agree Ken.
That's why I use the VX-7r in a tactical vest pocket and a helmet mic GG pointed me to with a PTT button that is on my finger; but any wires are under my shirt so they wont snag on anything when I ride for radio communications :D
Along with a cell phone in another tactical vest pocket and SPOT in another pocket.
The Baehr system would be nice for a road bike but not the quad. It just seemed to fill teejay's requirements.
Have fun, ride safe, keepem wheels down, and see you at the Jamborees,
[url=http://www.atvutah.com/catalog/index.php]Buy my Paiute ATV Trail Guide book I need beer money[/url]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 35 guests