Autocom and PMR radios

[haydw]

Been having a look around at radios to plug into my autocom active-7- I will only be using it very occasionally and my mate already has a proffessional radio that he can code to the PMR446 frequencies.

Had a look on the BT website and they are selling their range of Freeway radios off at ridiculous prices- has anyone any experience of connecting these to an autocom, if so, which interface lead (part no) is used, and as my friend wont want to hear the sweet nothings I will be whispering in my mrs ear, I would also want to use the PTT (part 136) button.

For cheap as chips radios, are they any good???

 

[AndyT]

Been having a look around at radios to plug into my autocom active-7- I will only be using it very occasionally and my mate already has a proffessional radio that he can code to the PMR446 frequencies.

Had a look on the BT website and they are selling their range of Freeway radios off at ridiculous prices- has anyone any experience of connecting these to an autocom, if so, which interface lead (part no) is used, and as my friend wont want to hear the sweet nothings I will be whispering in my mrs ear, I would also want to use the PTT (part 136) button.

For cheap as chips radios, are they any good???

Come oin Peeps - Answer the mans question as I have an Autocom system but no radio???

AndyT

 

[Greg Masters]

I looked at the BT Freeway radios (not for bike use) but decided that their weak point was going to be battery life. They come with rechargeable batteries which always hold less than Alkaline batteries of the same size and putting 3 (or was it 4?) AAA sized batteries in every time I went out would make this an expensive radio.

I can't comment on connectability nor radio performance.

Greg

 

[Whiteliner]

I contacted Autocom regarding the BT Freeway PMR radio's as I had a pair kicking around. They do not produce an interface lead and do not recommend their use. I'm slowly putting my Autocom system together on my R1200GS, I got a pair of Motorola T5422 radios from eBay and the interface lead from Autocom. The T5422's are only £54 to £59 for the pair to buy new anyway. The build quality is much better than the Freeway sets and they just feel more solid. I haven't put the radio on the bike yet so I can't comment on performance on the road. Also, I think that the PTT lead only works with the more expensive ICOM and Kenwood radios but I might be wrong and I'd welcome advice about this.

 

[Greg Masters]

The 5422s have the same battery issue, but at least you can chuck the rechargeables away and insert 3 x AA Alkalines (which I can always find much more cheaply than AAAs!!)

Greg

 

[oblertone]

Intaride

You could always try Intaride, their PMR radios are VERY compact, can run off the bike battery and come with an autocom lead and PTT if required.

ps - the newer one's can also be boosted to 2w by a simple keypad code, but of course you won't need that as it's illegal in the UK

 

[bikermike]

I have Freeways with PTT facility, (the Maplins PTT style leads) and an Autocom. Yeah, Autocom weren't over enthusiastic about the radios when I asked about interconnects, but they were all I could afford at the time. I have used this set up on three bikes now and although not earth shattering, they worked well enough for our weekend jaunts and two European tours.
Last year my Autocom unit threw a wobbler and the nice people at Autocom sorted me out with a replacement unit, but for some reason my exisiting PTT / Freeway leads were a different plug / socket arrangement to the new Autocom. Contacted Autocom and they requested that I send them the leads, and they sorted the connections for me, FREE!!! superb service!!
The unit works well enough for my needs, without resorting to pricier PMR units. If the Freeways are cheap enough, and you can get the leads, why not give them a try?