Ride Comms

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This topic contains 13 replies, has 0 voices, and was last updated by  Anonymous 16 years, 5 months ago.

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  • #95234

    Dwayne O
    Member

    Hi Fellow OB`s,
    Just wondering if u guys use UHF radios while on the trails ??? I have a couple here & was wondering whether it would be worthwile to grab one of those in helmet mic/earpiece setups. They start around $130 depending on what radio u have I believe.
    Thought u guys would know how popular they are actually on the trail before I add one to my wish list !!! HA HA THE LIST IS GETTING BIGGER !!!!!!!!!
    Cheers

    #109651

    shane
    Member

    I’ve used mine only a couple of times on trail rides and once at a cross country thingo…money better spent elsewhere I reckon. Each to their own though, some people can talk on one all day long…

    #109652

    Dwayne O
    Member

    No Worries Shane.
    Anybody else got one or an opinion on them. I coul definitelt use the $$$$ on somethin else. Still heaps to buy


    #109666

    Greg
    Member

    We have tried a few different setups and have no had any success, we last tried some 5 watt setups with push to talk no what I wanted, we are waiting for some new 8 watt setups with push to talk.

    Eagle it is a must have especially for a ride the size of next weekend, there has to be a time when the sweep can communicate with the leader, also will be a must have come the snowy ride and the 3 states ride where the distance between leader and sweep could be who knows depending on the dust. As far as what the purchase am not able to recommend anything yet but am closing in on it.

    TB

    #109667

    Anonymous

    I think that provided you maintain comms through the use of the cornerman system, there is no real benefit from using the UHF whilst riding to stay in touch with the bunch. I think they are useful if one got lost, but in that situation, you would probably be stationary and could just use the handheld method. UHF is technically line of sight comms. The range of small handheld units is not that great anyway. Having said that, I carry a small handheld for emergency purposes.

    Just enjoy the ride without listening to chit chat in your ear.

    #109653

    G’Day Eagle 02, i have used them on some rides and they can be of benefit, we used them when we crossed the simpson, we had a group of eight riders and all had a turn up front and pass on any info such as vehicles on the track etc, it just means the guys at the back can let rip a bit and be given a bit of notice of any danger ahead. If you have the lead rider on scan then he can pick up 4wd’s well before he sees them. But in saying that for general dirt riding i think your money would be better spent on other things.

    good luck with your shopping list!!

    #109668

    Greg
    Member

    slug wrote:

    Quote:
    I think that provided you maintain comms through the use of the cornerman system, there is no real benefit from using the UHF whilst riding to stay in touch with the bunch. I think they are useful if one got lost, but in that situation, you would probably be stationary and could just use the handheld method. UHF is technically line of sight comms. The range of small handheld units is not that great anyway. Having said that, I carry a small handheld for emergency purposes.

    Just enjoy the ride without listening to chit chat in your ear.

    Nigel

    Sorry I am not meaning to hack on you tonight but again WTF

    The cornerman system with 25 riders, when someone breaks down or crashes think about the time it will take to spread 20 odd riders over the forest before you know something is wrong! If its such a bad idea how come the tour companies I have ridden with use them!

    8 watts UHF is far better than line of sight, 2.5 watt little ones are but not 8 watt.

    TB

    #109670

    Greg
    Member

    You coming on sat 25th eagle?, you see the radios work first hand if we get them lol

    #109650

    shane
    Member

    Forgot to add that a while ago I built some helmet/mic set ups and noticed that when riding the wind noise killed any voice comms. So I moved to a throat mic which solved that problem. Offroad helmets are terrible with regard to wind noise so if you’re looking at kit like that I would suggest the throat mic or that ‘head bone’ thing the coppers used to use (dunno if they still do).

    Radios’d be a benefit on the flat lands but if you’re up to your arse in creek water at the watagans and the crew are three valleys away your little radio is unlikely to help. Better to have a switched on sweep and leader who knows when to send someone back to help.

    Communicating with a crash truck on a big ride I’d suggest a commercial or amateur (sp?) handheld capable of at least the legal 5 watts, if not more!

    #109654

    Dwayne O
    Member

    Thanx All for the comments,
    I have a 5watt Uniden already whicj I intend yo carry in the camelback regardless of having a headset. Interesting to hear the differing opinions though, seems to me that they are usually carried, which was my original reason for the thread !!
    No sorry Trailboss, as mentioned in a previous thread, I am unavailable the next 3 weeks due to other commitments with sporting parties. Fun, Bbq`s & beer the next 3 weeks, poor old me HA HA
    I am mad keen on an appearance at the Xmas Party though, keen to meet some of you guys. Only hope I don`t become a burden being slow on the KLX,,,,,,,,,
    Thanx again for the info
    Cheers

    #109671

    Dont worry about being slow you can help me pick my bike up:laugh:

    #109655

    Dwayne O
    Member

    No worries Tiny,
    We can help each other I reclon.
    just noticed my shithouse spelling on the last post, I had a couple of brews this arvo with a bbq tea, the old brain can`t keep up anymore :huh:

    #109656

    Dwayne O
    Member

    See, there I go again (reclon) should have been reckon, my beer goggles are workin fine HA ha
    I`m goin to bed before I get in trouble.:S

    #109672

    Anonymous

    I have been on rides where they used radio’s before. They worked intermitantly, but were great when they did work. Typically, when we lost the leader the radio didn’t work and we couldn’t get hold of him. Half an hour and about 15Km later of me riding up and down the fire trail we found him.

    They are handy to have but I would not rely on them. A throat mic setup is pretty bling and would be better for dirtbike helmets as they are designed to allow high air flow through for cooling :)

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