Idiots guide please

[john_aero]

Ok

so i am looking at fitting my next bike with a comms set up.

looking to have rider/pillion setup and maybe fit external aerial for long distance comm between bikes.

i am more fan of standard radio than bluetooth as dont have worry about charging it.

i wear ear plugs all the time but is it possible get earphone with inbuilt plug as well.

main reason want it is i can hook up a garmin gps, talk to pillion, and maybe listen music

i take it this is case buy it bit by bit and complete packages are not really around

again i am new to this so dont know lot about it

 

[Ravenbyrne]

Howya John,

The set-up I use is as follows.

Autocom Super Pro AVi 300
Autocom Bluetoth Dongle
Zumo 550
Icom PMR with external antenna and PTT (Push To Talk)

Above allows audio gps directions, MP3 music, mobile comms while on the move and bike to bike comms with herself.

Send me a PM if you need more details.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[john_aero]

cheers brian,

i must browse around and see if can pick them up hand enough

seen few 2nd hand autocom units cheap

can you have seperate pillion/rider music on/off

 

[Ravenbyrne]

cheers brian,

i must browse around and see if can pick them up hand enough

seen few 2nd hand autocom units cheap

can you have seperate pillion/rider music on/off

Seperate pillion/rider music............. not on my set-up

Maddocks are doing great deals on Autocoms at the moment

 

[john_aero]

Seperate pillion/rider music............. not on my set-up

Maddocks are doing great deals on Autocoms at the moment

what mean is when music on is it possible just to mute it on 1 mic or is it a case off on/off for both

must give them a ring so tomorrow

 

[john_aero]

http://www.adverts.ie/motorbike-parts-accessories/autocom-communications-kit/508322

was looking at this if not sold

 

[Ravenbyrne]

what mean is when music on is it possible just to mute it on 1 mic or is it a case off on/off for both

must give them a ring so tomorrow

Hmmmm.......... As I use the MP3 music files from the Zumo it is played into both headsets, so it's either on or off.

I'm almost sure the the newer Autocom systems have independent auto for rider and pillion so they can listen to two different audio inputs or not if the prefer.

 

[NLC]

John - for me

Starcom advance
Volume control
Push to talk
Intaride radio
External aerial from Troggy

I have a 16gb card on my Zumo which saves phafing with a iphone and ipod. 16gb will give you a lot of music. Music mutes when the radio comes on or the Zumo speaks.

Volume control and push to talk are good. Vox is a pain in the ass.

The Intaride radios are the only legal PMR radio that you don't need a license for that has an aerial that you can unscrew that I found in the UK. These radios can transmit up to 5 watts whereas most will do 0.5 watt. Very good radios with good support. We had one hiccup with some noise coming from the BMW and the bike power which will hopefully be sorted this week.

If I had to do it again I would have gone for Ultimate ear with the built in speakers. But I use Ultimate Ear with a 1db filter and I hear everything fine.

Bike comms is a dark art. Use the force. PM me if you need some help.

 

[john_aero]

cheers for the help.

just PM lad about his 2 kenwood TK2202.

i need check my license. i do have a RT license under my pilots license but not sure if covers it.

must make list up now of what want and search around

 

[stever1]

I use a Starcom Digital intercom system linked to a Zumo 660 GPS, this gives me music as well if i insert an SD card with music on it.
I also have the rotary volume control, and use PMR radio with PTT button on the right grip.
If using PMR radios be careful you cannot use a seperate antenna, and try and keep the radio upright for best broadcasting.

 

[john_aero]

cheers for the help lads

will take you all up on the pm when going to buy them

 

[Bumpkin]

I use a Starcom Digital intercom system linked to a Zumo 660 GPS, this gives me music as well if i insert an SD card with music on it.

I have similar set-up but with an Autocom Super Pro Avi and a Nuvi 765 in a waterproof case with music on an SD card.

I also have the rotary volume control,

One of the Starcom features that I would like on my Autocom

and use PMR radio with PTT button on the right grip.

Ditto, but on left grip, though I loped the annoying Autocom PTT switch of and soldered a Maplins push to make switch in it's place, much neater and mounted under the switchgear. The Autocom switch needed to be cable tied to the grip itself.

If using PMR radios be careful you cannot use a seperate antenna

Something of a grey area, have a look at the section entitled 'Converted radio equipment' on this Ofcom document. This seems to imply that an external antenna is permitted so long as the maximum permitted 0.5W ERP is not exceeded

and try and keep the radio upright for best broadcasting.

Yep, laying the radio down under a seat on in a tank-bag whilst using the integral antenna will all but kill any effective range. The external antenna deals with this problem allowing the radio to be hidden away and running off bike power with a decent chance of achieving a respectable range. I've had 3 miles over open country (to a static hand held transceiver) with 0.5 - 1 mile (bike-to-bike) riding in parts of mountainous Wales and the Marches with lumps. bumps, woodland and hedgerows in the way.

 

[john_aero]

what are ipods like hooked up to the units

thinking getting a mapping handheld as dont need full use of zumo and could wire phone into autocom/starcom instead i take it?

 

[Bumpkin]

what are ipods like hooked up to the units

thinking getting a mapping handheld as dont need full use of zumo and could wire phone into autocom/starcom instead i take it?

Anything with a 3.5mm stereo audio out will do. A regular music lead comes with Autocoms, not sure about Starcoms. However, leads are only £5 if they aren't included in a used kit.

If you're bike powering the audio device then you'll probably need an isolated lead. This goes for other accessories such as PMR radio and sat nav. These cost quite a bit more, £25-£35 or so. It's sometimes possible to get by without one if you power the intercom and the audio device from the same source. My PMR and Autocom are powered from the same feed and I don't need one there but I do for my sat nav.

The one advantage of using a sat nav with an MP3 player built in is that the music controls are more accessible, not that I would suggest using them on the move. I do believe that there are remote controls for iPods that people have used on bikes.

Phones can be hard wired if there's a lead to suit the phone available or connect via Bluetooth with the addition of a Bluetooth dongle from the intercom manufacturer.

 

[john_aero]

cheers.

really a phone is something i dont need fitted.

more if i wanted to can fit it after.

if on the move then last thing want be hearing is some ne giving me grief donw the phone when on the bike

 

[chas820]

Most pmr radios have aerials that cannot be unscrewed so be careful which one you choose.Intaride do some that you can use an external aerial with.Starcom is generally cheaper than Autocom(Starcom own both co`s)and in my opinion have better features.

 

[Andy B]

I know you said you didn't want Bluetooth but this might change your mind.

 

[john_aero]

must look into the different radios so

well not that didnt want bluetooth more save money and go conventional