Requirements: VOX, unit is self-sufficient (no bike attachments), able to
communicate to at least 65mph, full-face or flip-up helmet.

Trying to figure out what the best deal is out there, say < $250/unit.

The autocom stuff looks nice, but it's close to 500 with the radios, if you
get the model that supports VOX and batteries in-unit.
NADY has units for a LOT less, altough it's tough to tell from reviews if
they're any good. Some reviews rave about them, some hate them.

There are various other solutions, but most are for sale exclusively
overseas.

How about a bluetooth headset with a bluetooth adapter to an FRS? Anyone
try to get this working with any success?

Thanks,

-pete

Try the Autocom systems. There are different units for different needs and
budgets. I think that there's one that meets your specs. I have had one on
my bike for about 2 years and love it. www.autocom.com (I think that's
correct).

Best Regards,
Davehd


"'Lefty'" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Pete Grey" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:4182abb2$(E-Mail Removed)...
> | Requirements: VOX, unit is self-sufficient (no bike attachments), able
> to
> | communicate to at least 65mph, full-face or flip-up helmet.
> | Trying to figure out what the best deal is out there, say < $250/unit.
> | Thanks, -pete
>
> Something to consider: Amateur <Ham> Radio.
> The FCC has dropped the morse-code requirement for a "Technician"
> license, giving you access
> to Everything above 30 Mhz. That includes 2-meters and "repeaters", some
> with "Phone patches".
> Anyone who can figure out wiring on a bike can pass the BASIC test for
> Technician. Exams for the
> license are givin by "Volunteer Examiner Teams", which are set up all
> over.
> (Ask at a Radio Shack or go
> to www.arrl.org) License manuals are readily available.
> Ham gear is All Over The Place on eBay, with "Swap Meets" in various
> regions too. Used is Much
> Cheaper than new, and as it's all "Solid State Electronics", no tubes to
> replace.
> Ham Radio Clubs are another way for a "Free Look" into the hobby.
>
> You say thats a whole lot for a motorcycle comm system... It's more than
> just a cell phone.
>
> On the bike, you'll need good headphone speakers, and probably a
> noise-cancelling mike, as well
> as a big styrafoam ball to knock the wind noise down, or try a throat-mike
> pickup. None of these will
> provide much fidelity. (Put the speakers inside your helmet, not in your
> ears. You need to Hear The Road
> to Survive...)
>
> One other trick is either FRS or CB for the radio-end.
>
> On the "power from the bike", look for some "Ferrite Beads" to put on
> the
> power lines. Alternators
> make lots of noise, and a bike's regulator usually isn't designed to
> filter
> this well. Cheap way around,
> use a battery for the radio, and charge the battery from the bike when
> you're not using the radio. You'll
> still have the "Radiated Noise", but if there isn't a wire passing the
> noise, less engine electrical noise.
> Another way around the noise is to use FM vs AM-SSB, and turn the squelch
> up.
>
> Good Luck, Lefty
>

Thanks for everyone's answers.

Autocom definitely has a system that works, but it's their high-end model,
which is about $450/ea, ouch! Two of those is tough to stomach.
Unfortunately their low-end model doesn't have VOX, and their middle model
requires external power. Almost like they know that darn near everyone's
going to want those in the high-end model:-]

-pete

"Dave HD" <davehd-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:8eSdnesxRM0a_xjcRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Try the Autocom systems. There are different units for different needs
> and budgets. I think that there's one that meets your specs. I have had
> one on my bike for about 2 years and love it. www.autocom.com (I think
> that's correct).
>
> Best Regards,
> Davehd
>
>
> "'Lefty'" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> "Pete Grey" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:4182abb2$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> | Requirements: VOX, unit is self-sufficient (no bike attachments), able
>> to
>> | communicate to at least 65mph, full-face or flip-up helmet.
>> | Trying to figure out what the best deal is out there, say < $250/unit.
>> | Thanks, -pete
>>
>> Something to consider: Amateur <Ham> Radio.
>> The FCC has dropped the morse-code requirement for a "Technician"
>> license, giving you access
>> to Everything above 30 Mhz. That includes 2-meters and "repeaters", some
>> with "Phone patches".
>> Anyone who can figure out wiring on a bike can pass the BASIC test for
>> Technician. Exams for the
>> license are givin by "Volunteer Examiner Teams", which are set up all
>> over.
>> (Ask at a Radio Shack or go
>> to www.arrl.org) License manuals are readily available.
>> Ham gear is All Over The Place on eBay, with "Swap Meets" in various
>> regions too. Used is Much
>> Cheaper than new, and as it's all "Solid State Electronics", no tubes to
>> replace.
>> Ham Radio Clubs are another way for a "Free Look" into the hobby.
>>
>> You say thats a whole lot for a motorcycle comm system... It's more
>> than
>> just a cell phone.
>>
>> On the bike, you'll need good headphone speakers, and probably a
>> noise-cancelling mike, as well
>> as a big styrafoam ball to knock the wind noise down, or try a
>> throat-mike
>> pickup. None of these will
>> provide much fidelity. (Put the speakers inside your helmet, not in your
>> ears. You need to Hear The Road
>> to Survive...)
>>
>> One other trick is either FRS or CB for the radio-end.
>>
>> On the "power from the bike", look for some "Ferrite Beads" to put on
>> the
>> power lines. Alternators
>> make lots of noise, and a bike's regulator usually isn't designed to
>> filter
>> this well. Cheap way around,
>> use a battery for the radio, and charge the battery from the bike when
>> you're not using the radio. You'll
>> still have the "Radiated Noise", but if there isn't a wire passing the
>> noise, less engine electrical noise.
>> Another way around the noise is to use FM vs AM-SSB, and turn the squelch
>> up.
>>
>> Good Luck, Lefty
>>
>
>

Pete Grey wrote:
> Requirements: VOX, unit is self-sufficient (no bike attachments), able to
> communicate to at least 65mph, full-face or flip-up helmet.
>
> Trying to figure out what the best deal is out there, say < $250/unit.
>
> The autocom stuff looks nice, but it's close to 500 with the radios, if you
> get the model that supports VOX and batteries in-unit.
> NADY has units for a LOT less, altough it's tough to tell from reviews if
> they're any good. Some reviews rave about them, some hate them.
>
> There are various other solutions, but most are for sale exclusively
> overseas.
>
> How about a bluetooth headset with a bluetooth adapter to an FRS? Anyone
> try to get this working with any success?
>
> Thanks,
>
> -pete
>
>
>
I have a set of Collett Communicators I bought 10 years ago that worked
well. These are the old 49 MHz units so range is a little short and the
Vox made a noticeable pop. On the other hand they only $150 each and
very rugged since they were designed for snowmobile racing. The current
version is 900 MHz and much neater looking: see
http://www.collett.mb.ca/home_main.htm

Ed

Motorcycle Consumer News did an article on alternatives to the high
priced options and reviewed several systems that could be put together
for under ONE hundred dollars. The article was in March 04. I
haven't tried their suggestions, but I saved the article because I was
in the market for just such a product (haven't made the investment
yet) I don't have the URL, but you could search for it, or if you're
interested I could email the pdf to you (I saved it to disk). Post a
message here if you want it and I'll send it to you.

-Luke

On 10 Nov 2004 21:24:51 -0800, (E-Mail Removed) (luke) wrote:

>Motorcycle Consumer News did an article on alternatives to the high
>priced options and reviewed several systems that could be put together
>for under ONE hundred dollars. The article was in March 04. I
>haven't tried their suggestions, but I saved the article because I was
>in the market for just such a product (haven't made the investment
>yet) I don't have the URL, but you could search for it, or if you're
>interested I could email the pdf to you (I saved it to disk). Post a
>message here if you want it and I'll send it to you.
>
>-Luke
Luke,

Please forward the article.

D

"luke" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Motorcycle Consumer News did an article on alternatives to the high
> priced options and reviewed several systems that could be put together
> for under ONE hundred dollars. The article was in March 04. I
> haven't tried their suggestions, but I saved the article because I was
> in the market for just such a product (haven't made the investment
> yet) I don't have the URL, but you could search for it, or if you're
> interested I could email the pdf to you (I saved it to disk). Post a
> message here if you want it and I'll send it to you.


I would certainly like a copy of that as well. Remove obvious Anti-Spam
from my email address.

Thanks