Walkie talkies

Some of you may know that I recently started spannering for a mate who
races a ZX10R in MRO Powerbikes class[1]. Tori and I also do the pit-
boarding, which is a bit of a laugh as at some circuits you can't see
the rider clearly enough to give accurate signals in time to help in an
8 lapper. All we ended up doing was counting the laps down on one
occasion.

On September 15th Danny's at Brands Hatch on the GP circuit, which is
crap from a pit-boardng point of view. I'm looking to borrow a pair
walkie talkies for the weekend so Tori can stand at Westfield and relay
Danny's progress in time for me to put the right signals out for him.
Can anyone please help? Last time we used mobile phones to communicate
on the Indy circuit, but that got a bit expensive over 14 laps.

[1] http://www.imbergracing.co.uk/

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lozzo

Yep. Pop over next time you're in the area and I've got a couple you can
use.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer As featured in
Performance Bikes

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel says...

Has anyone ever told you that you're a very nice man? Thanks.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lozzo

Not with a straight face.

NP, IIRC you're around at the weekend anyway, aren't you?

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer As featured in
Performance Bikes

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel says...

I think I'm helping nosh an RD400 engine back together with window
sealer and hairpins, just like we used to back in the good old 80s.

 

You don't need a walkie talkie; you need a Suze, you do

Actually that's the answer to so many questions...

You don't need a <insert item, person or concept here>; you need a Suze,
you do

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lozzo

<slaps forehead>

<adds hairpins to shopping list>

Thanks mate, I knew I'd forgotten something.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer As featured in
Performance Bikes

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel says...

**** that. You don't buy them, you raid your little sister's bedroom for
them.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lozzo

Ah. One tiny flaw in that plan.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer As featured in
Performance Bikes

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

Gyp says...

Those Suzes are a bit rare and hard to find, they only come in little
sizes too, which is a bonus in some respects.

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel says...

It's ok, I still have a little sister who has her own hair.

 

<wave>
Guest appearances can be arranged

 

£ 20 in comet !

 

PMR radios have a range of between 3-5 miles and have loads of channels to
choose from. Should be good for track comms
http://tinyurl.co.uk/bpge
Cheers
Trev

 

Many tracks are EMF pollution sewers, so cheaper radios hardly work at
all.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Lozzo belched forth and ejected the following:

You can buy a pair for 20 quid.

 

ginge!

 

Unfortunately, this is bollocks. They have only 8 different
frequencies (channels).

However, what they do have is a coding system that, even if someone
else is hogging the channel, means you don't have to hear what they
are saying unless you want to, and there are over 100 of these
integrated codes.

It is probably the most cost-effective solution, but you may have
trouble finding a clear channel if there are many pmr sets in use
there.

 

If you think this may become regular, or you want a cheap bike to bike
intercom, buy your own.

Avoid the cheapies, they truly are shyte.

Look for the acronyms CTSS and DCS.

A lot of the bog basic cheapies are 8 channel only and you get a lot of kids
playing with them, you will also pick up any CTSS transmissions.

CTSS is the minimum. This gives you 38 'sub channels'. Its basically the
same 8 channels but a continuous tone is transmitted along with the
original signal. If you are using a CTSS channel along with your main
channel, it should squelch out all transmissions not using that CTSS tone.
Much clearer as a result.

DCS gives you digital coded squelch and is clearer still. The transmission
is still analogue, but you'll now get a larger range of sub channels ( 93 I
think ) per main channel and anyone just on the base channel just hears a
high pitched hiss.

Cobra or Midland/Alan are good basic radios. I get between 0.25 to 3 miles
range from mine depending on terrain. Motorola DCS units are very good, but
pricey.

If you want to find out more, try http://www.446user.co.uk/

 

As a bonus, the Midland G5 - which is small, light, easy to operate,
and bought as a pair in a blister-pack come with NiMH batteries and a
mains charger - also has a biker kit available for it.

It has the basic CTCSS tone system for 'privacy', but has a good
reputation and is easily available.

A headset is also available, which can be used with the VOX for to
make a hands-free unit; useful e.g for doing a pit board at the same
time.

All these options push up the cost, so it might be better to take up
the offer of a loan pair first, to see if there any over-riding
problems such as channel-usage, etc.