Competition Communication.

[rusty_tlc]

Do any of you guys that compete use radios to communicate between the spotter and driver? Team and pit?

If so what kind of radios do you use?

[slvrbck]

Do any of you guys that compete use radios to communicate between the spotter and driver? Team and pit?

If so what kind of radios do you use?

Me n APE are gonna use 2 solo cups and some twine next week......

or, a lil something like this....

http://www.eartec.com/Rock%20Crawling/td902rc.html

[rusty_tlc]

Me n APE are gonna use 2 solo cups and some twine next week......

or, a lil something like this....

http://www.eartec.com/Rock%20Crawling/td902rc.html
That's the same system we use at my office. I have a snoopy on my cup. :Big Grin:

[slvrbck]

That's the same system we use at my office. I have a snoopy on my cup. :Big Grin:


I'm gonna magic marker a *!#& on APE's, that way it looks like.....well, you get the picture....

[MR.ROCKAPE]

YEAH I JUST BOUGHT THE EARTEC ONES.....AFTER USING JESSEs(FOR ONE DAY...:rolleyes: )I FIGURED IT WAS A NEEDED THING........

ONE THING I DID NOTICE WAS WHEN USING THE RADIOS I DIDNT GET NEARLY AS AMP'D UP AS I DID WHEN YELLING AT ROB!!!!:gapteeth:

[Robicon]

It could be because I'm deaf!! One too many explosions I think. :rifle:

I may be there to yell at ChickenWing. We're trying to avoid the Tardithon that's going on this week. :Big Grin:

[MR.ROCKAPE]

It could be because I'm deaf!! One too many explosions I think. :rifle:

I may be there to yell at ChickenWing. We're trying to avoid the Tardithon that's going on this week. :Big Grin:

WELL I MIGHT LISTEN TO YA BETTER SINCE MY RADIO WILL SOUND LIKE A HOT CHICK WHEN YOU TALK.....SO DONT BE SUPRIZED IF I TRY GET SOME DURING THE COMP!!!:eek:

[slvrbck]

WELL I MIGHT LISTEN TO YA BETTER SINCE MY RADIO WILL SOUND LIKE A HOT CHICK WHEN YOU TALK.....SO DONT BE SUPRIZED IF I TRY GET SOME DURING THE COMP!!!:eek:

SO I SHOULD TRY TO AVOID SAYIN' "JUST HIT IT YOU PUSSY, HIT IT, HIT IT, HIT IT!!!"???

[POOR BOY]

SO I SHOULD TRY TO AVOID SAYIN' "JUST HIT IT YOU PUSSY, HIT IT, HIT IT, HIT IT!!!"???

BWHAHAHAHAHA:laughing:

[MR.ROCKAPE]

SO I SHOULD TRY TO AVOID SAYIN' "JUST HIT IT YOU PUSSY, HIT IT, HIT IT, HIT IT!!!"???

YES THAT WOULD BE BAD!!!!

I MIGHT HOP OUTTA MY CAR LOOKIN LIKE A DOG HUMP'N THE AIR!!!

[slvrbck]

YES THAT WOULD BE BAD!!!!

I MIGHT HOP OUTTA MY CAR LOOKIN LIKE A DOG HUMP'N THE AIR!!!

THEN I'M DEF DOING IT....YOUTUBE MAGIC....ME RUNNING LIKE CRAZY FROM YOU!!!

[rusty_tlc]

So it's more of a marital aid than a communication device?

Just don't let RockApe have the blue pill before the comp.:eek:

[KNØCW]

a lil something like this....

http://www.eartec.com/Rock%20Crawling/td902rc.html

Wow, $300 + and you can talk a whole 150 yds? That's retarded, I can yell that far.

I was just looking at the specs and I have a radio in my Jeep that covers the same frequencies but puts out about 35 watts as opposed to the not quite a 1 micro watt that those put out.

Sorry, I am severe radio geek and just had to comment on those things.

[MR.ROCKAPE]

Wow, $300 + and you can talk a whole 150 yds? That's retarded, I can yell that far.

I was just looking at the specs and I have a radio in my Jeep that covers the same frequencies but puts out about 35 watts as opposed to the not quite a 1 micro watt that those put out.

Sorry, I am severe radio geek and just had to comment on those things.

THEN YOU MISSED THE FACT THESE ARENT VOICE ACTIVATED OR NEED A BUTTON HELD DOWN TO TALK??? AND DRIVER/SPOTTER CAN TALK AT THE SAME TIME???

THESE ARE A SPECIALIZED COMPACT RADIO FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE......PLUS I GOT PINK "BRITTANY SPEARS" HEAD SETS FOR ME AND MY SPOTTER!!!!:eek:

RADIO GEEK THAT!!!!:mullet:

[MR.ROCKAPE]

THEN I'M DEF DOING IT....YOUTUBE MAGIC....ME RUNNING LIKE CRAZY FROM YOU!!!

YEAH.....BE SCARED IF I CATCH YOU........:thbananahump:

[KNØCW]

THEN YOU MISSED THE FACT THESE ARENT VOICE ACTIVATED OR NEED A BUTTON HELD DOWN TO TALK??? AND DRIVER/SPOTTER CAN TALK AT THE SAME TIME???

THESE ARE A SPECIALIZED COMPACT RADIO FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE......PLUS I GOT PINK "BRITTANY SPEARS" HEAD SETS FOR ME AND MY SPOTTER!!!!:eek:

RADIO GEEK THAT!!!!:mullet:

At a 150 yards ( actually less unless your spotter is scared) I think it's a waste of money. If you were blasting through the desert at 100+ mph and needed to be warned of a dangerous obstacle or something along those lines, then that radio set still ain't gonna be worth shit 'cause it has piss poor range. If you are out crawlin' rocks, you should be listening to your spotter, not chattin' about the chick on the sidelines with the big tits, therefor, why would you need full duplex? Communications is what I do, and I'm good at it. I could hook you up with a much more reliable communications solution for a shitload less money, and no you won't need to get an FCC license.

[rusty_tlc]

At a 150 yards ( actually less unless your spotter is scared) I think it's a waste of money. If you were blasting through the desert at 100+ mph and needed to be warned of a dangerous obstacle or something along those lines, then that radio set still ain't gonna be worth shit 'cause it has piss poor range. If you are out crawlin' rocks, you should be listening to your spotter, not chattin' about the chick on the sidelines with the big tits, therefor, why would you need full duplex? Communications is what I do, and I'm good at it. I could hook you up with a much more reliable communications solution for a shitload less money, and no you won't need to get an FCC license.
I've done a little spotting on technical trails. In an ideal world the birds are chirping in the trees, clouds drift gently by and the driver and spotter carry on a pleasant conversation at normal levels. In Real World® there is engine noise, helpful bystanders giving their input, and for some new drivers a fair amount of stress. In competition you can add PA noise and enthusiastic crowds to the list of distractions.

We have used the little family service radios for spotting and they helped a lot. The driver can focus on the radio and the spotter can talk in calm tones, all in all a more pleasant experience. I think duplex would be even more helpful, especially when the driver is watching something on his side of the rig and the spotter is watching something else.

As far as pricing goes they are selling into a niche market, of course the price will be high. I've been working in manufacturing electronics for a couple of years, when you have a product with this small of a market you simply can't build and sell it for the same price as regular consumer electronics. I know there are a lot cheaper options but for these guys Radio isn't their thing, they want something they can buy and use today. And for most of them $300 is probably a mouse fart in a tornado when it comes to expenses.

[slvrbck]

At a 150 yards ( actually less unless your spotter is scared) I think it's a waste of money. If you were blasting through the desert at 100+ mph and needed to be warned of a dangerous obstacle or something along those lines, then that radio set still ain't gonna be worth shit 'cause it has piss poor range. If you are out crawlin' rocks, you should be listening to your spotter, not chattin' about the chick on the sidelines with the big tits, therefor, why would you need full duplex? Communications is what I do, and I'm good at it. I could hook you up with a much more reliable communications solution for a shitload less money, and no you won't need to get an FCC license.

Have you ever been to a comp before? Been a spotter for someone? Had someone spot for you? Rusty has it right, PA, sideline spotters, engine noise, etc....makes it a bitch to hear and be heard. Some teams don't use radios, those guys don't have a voice at the end of the comp.....

[RARECJ8]

and don't overlook the hecklers either...

[MR.ROCKAPE]

UNTIL RECENTLY I HAVE ALWAYS USED THE YELL AT YOUR SPOTTER METHOD....SOME TIME WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WELL IT WORKS FINE...OTHER TIMES IT GETS YOU RILED UP AND POOR DECISIONS ARE MADE......AND WHEN YOU ONLY GOT 10 MINUTES TO FAWK AROUND YOU WANNA BE THINKING CLEARLY!!!!

[BIG BLUE]

YOU WANNA BE THINKING CLEARLY!!!!

aw your fawked...i dont think slvrbck has ever thought clearly...:Big Grin:, Robicon is always hitting the ground every time a rig backfires and Jesse just picks lines to see if he can get you all twisted up.

I noticed that the teams that had headsets were able to communicate better and able to tackle lines a lot differently.

[BryanD]

since this is a communication thread i thought i'd suggest/bring up;

on a rescent wheelin' trip into rubicon having communication between rigs would have been nice due to the the amount of traffic and passing, etc. what happened to the day of good old CB's? well, i actually know i suppose. i quit using mine because even with an amp performance sucked, especially in places like rubicon with the mountains & trees. mine would "squeel" so bad because of my electric fan it was almost useless unless you turned the motor & fan off. what ever, basically i guess CB is "old" technology and we must move on.

i have several of the the newer "family band" radio sets, and although for a small compact handheld the performance is still only ok at best. none of mine have volume levels loud enough to hear over an engine/exhaust.

rescently talking to T.Wayes, JR, Berger, etc in Rubicon they mentioned many people using the radios below for long range communication at KOH and other races. Actually ran into T.Wayes' wife, (Lel) around Miller Lake walking in and she was communicating with Tom at the springs via one of these radios. They apparently have an extremely loud speaker so you can hear well, are water proof, handheld, reasonably priced, can use a remote speaker/mic.

i sure would be handy if people started using radios like these for back country communications.

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=481&zenid=ce9a9474db8fedc9a5e9ce09d2d52559

[Robicon]

I have one of those, I also have one of these - Yaesu FT2800M (http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/fm_txvrs/2800.html).

Both of mine have been opened for commercial use, basically race team freqs.

The handheld has about a 7-8 mile range. The vehicle mount is 20+. In the right terrain.

We use similar hand held's when we ferry HMMWV's across the Rubicon.

[rusty_tlc]

since this is a communication thread i thought i'd suggest/bring up;

on a rescent wheelin' trip into rubicon having communication between rigs would have been nice due to the the amount of traffic and passing, etc. what happened to the day of good old CB's? well, i actually know i suppose. i quit using mine because even with an amp performance sucked, especially in places like rubicon with the mountains & trees. mine would "squeel" so bad because of my electric fan it was almost useless unless you turned the motor & fan off. what ever, basically i guess CB is "old" technology and we must move on.

i have several of the the newer "family band" radio sets, and although for a small compact handheld the performance is still only ok at best. none of mine have volume levels loud enough to hear over an engine/exhaust.

rescently talking to T.Wayes, JR, Berger, etc in Rubicon they mentioned many people using the radios below for long range communication at KOH and other races. Actually ran into T.Wayes' wife, (Lel) around Miller Lake walking in and she was communicating with Tom at the springs via one of these radios. They apparently have an extremely loud speaker so you can hear well, are water proof, handheld, reasonably priced, can use a remote speaker/mic.

i sure would be handy if people started using radios like these for back country communications.

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=481&zenid=ce9a9474db8fedc9a5e9ce09d2d52559
Almost every one in my Land Cruiser Club is licensed for Ham. It's a simple test that cost $14. You can buy a decent 2M radio for $140 the antennas cost about the same as CB. The range is great even in places like the Rubicon.

Plus you can use the repeater system and extend your range to cover many miles. There is a good network of repeaters in the Rubicon area. We even got instructions on how to remove the C clips in a true trac locker from a guy in South Shore while we were sitting on the Dam at Loon lake one time. That was nice since none of us had ever taken one apart before.

[rusty_tlc]

I have one of those, I also have one of these - Yaesu FT2800M (http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/fm_txvrs/2800.html).

Both of mine have been opened for commercial use, basically race team freqs.

The handheld has about a 7-8 mile range. The vehicle mount is 20+. In the right terrain.

We use similar hand held's when we ferry HMMWV's across the Rubicon.
I have the FT2800 in my FJ40, 65W baby!That thing is a blow torch. With a good antenna in a place like Death Valley you can get an easy 40 Miles out of it.

[Hardcore-CashMoney]

I have one of those, I also have one of these - Yaesu FT2800M (http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/fm_txvrs/2800.html).

Both of mine have been opened for commercial use, basically race team freqs.

The handheld has about a 7-8 mile range. The vehicle mount is 20+. In the right terrain.

We use similar hand held's when we ferry HMMWV's across the Rubicon.

hey whats the dealio with using the race freqs, do you have to get a special license from the FCC to use those channels or how is that done?

[rusty_tlc]

hey whats the dealio with using the race freqs, do you have to get a special license from the FCC to use those channels or how is that done?
IIRC the bands used for racing are part of the ones allocated for business/commercial use.

I forgot most of the regulatory stuff I learned to get my HAM license :redface:

[Hardcore-CashMoney]

IIRC the bands used for racing are part of the ones allocated for business/commercial use.

I forgot most of the regulatory stuff I learned to get my HAM license :redface:

I kinda figured it must be like what our radios at work are set up. We had to get an FCC license to use the 440 band in our trucks.

[BryanD]

i think i'll get one of the handhelds. maybe some others will do the same and we can start communicating again. it would really be nice since the group always gets split up for some reason or another.

i would like the extra power of a "mounted" unit, but i would like to use it for a variety of back-country & remote areas i go in different vehicles/boats, etc, so the mobile would be best.

do any of the higher end mobile units work better, or just more bells/whistles?

[rusty_tlc]

i think i'll get one of the handhelds. maybe some others will do the same and we can start communicating again. it would really be nice since the group always gets split up for some reason or another.

i would like the extra power of a "mounted" unit, but i would like to use it for a variety of back-country & remote areas i go in different vehicles/boats, etc, so the mobile would be best.

do any of the higher end mobile units work better, or just more bells/whistles?
I made the mistake of getting a high end hand held as a first radio. They are a lot harder to use than a mobile unit. First because the one I have suffers featureitius, there are so many features the manual is twice as big as the last mobile unit I bought. It took forever to read and figure out how to do basic stuff. Second because the key pad is small. Third the 5W output isn't enough power. I could have bought two entry level mobile units for what the VX-7R cost.

IMHO Yeasu is the best bang for the buck in Ham radios.

[Robicon]

i think i'll get one of the handhelds. maybe some others will do the same and we can start communicating again. it would really be nice since the group always gets split up for some reason or another.

i would like the extra power of a "mounted" unit, but i would like to use it for a variety of back-country & remote areas i go in different vehicles/boats, etc, so the mobile would be best.

do any of the higher end mobile units work better, or just more bells/whistles?

You can also get a 1/4 wave antenna with a magnetic base. It will increase your range and you can still move it to different rigs.

[BryanD]

ok,

that Yaesu FT2800M appears to have good specs for a good price, only around $150

rusty_tlc,
Do you find the FT2800M to have a loud enough speaker that can be heard in an open vehicle going down the road, or do you really need an external speaker close to your head?

have you had any electrical noise through the radio like i mentioned i did with my electric fan and the CB?

i see that "the antenna farm" offears a "transmit bump" option for $35. this is what Wayes recommended getting, but not really sure why. i see it is available on the FT2880M as well: http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_67_70&products_id=273

[4X4BABE]

SO I SHOULD TRY TO AVOID SAYIN' "JUST HIT IT YOU PUSSY, HIT IT, HIT IT, HIT IT!!!"???

http://www.sovo.com/2003/12-12/arts/feature/liv-SamFrodo.jpg

:bj:

[rusty_tlc]

ok,

that Yaesu FT2800M appears to have good specs for a good price, only around $150

rusty_tlc,
Do you find the FT2800M to have a loud enough speaker that can be heard in an open vehicle going down the road, or do you really need an external speaker close to your head?

have you had any electrical noise through the radio like i mentioned i did with my electric fan and the CB?

i see that "the antenna farm" offears a "transmit bump" option for $35. this is what Wayes recommended getting, but not really sure why. i see it is available on the FT2880M as well: http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_67_70&products_id=273
I'm adding an external speaker for highway use in the topless FJ40 but the radio is plenty loud on the trail. I picked up some Trick Tabs (http://www.tabzone.com/#Tabs) at Fiber Craft that I'll weld to the cage to mount it. trick Tabs are the shitz, Sam turned me on to them last year.

Ham city has the FT2800 for $126 (https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=122&idproduct=958) in general I find Ham city to have the best prices. If you call them they will help you figure out what all you need to make the radio work for you.

This filter (http://www.newhamstore.com/parts-tools-rope-guys-crimp-connectors-accessories/noise-filter-40-amp/prod_170.html) should help with noise from the ignition and alternator

You are planning to get a license aren't you? Don't be a Delta.

[MR.ROCKAPE]

See all this talk about needing a lic. and a manual to use a radio is why $300 is like a good deal for the radios I bought....granted they are two different systems for totally different uses but you get the idea why I paid what I paid....hell the hardest thing on my new ones is making sure we both have our transmit buttons pushed in and if we are on the A or B channel!!!

Now if I could get chicken wing to "STOP YELLING AT ME" I would be good!!!!:cool:

[slvrbck]

http://www.sovo.com/2003/12-12/arts/feature/liv-SamFrodo.jpg

:bj:

oh wow!!!

[BryanD]

I'm adding an external speaker for highway use in the topless FJ40 but the radio is plenty loud on the trail. I picked up some Trick Tabs (http://www.tabzone.com/#Tabs) at Fiber Craft that I'll weld to the cage to mount it. trick Tabs are the shitz, Sam turned me on to them last year.

Ham city has the FT2800 for $126 (https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=122&idproduct=958) in general I find Ham city to have the best prices. If you call them they will help you figure out what all you need to make the radio work for you.

This filter (http://www.newhamstore.com/parts-tools-rope-guys-crimp-connectors-accessories/noise-filter-40-amp/prod_170.html) should help with noise from the ignition and alternator

You are planning to get a license aren't you? Don't be a Delta.

thanks for the links! and yeah, started looking into the liscense thing at lunch time, but ran out of time. did come across a "get your ham license in a day" webpage that gave tips on how to study the questions and pass all in one day.

See all this talk about needing a lic. and a manual to use a radio is why $300 is like a good deal for the radios I bought....granted they are two different systems for totally different uses but you get the idea why I paid what I paid....hell the hardest thing on my new ones is making sure we both have our transmit buttons pushed in and if we are on the A or B channel!!!

Now if I could get chicken wing to "STOP YELLING AT ME" I would be good!!!!:cool:

i just want something that goes farther than a few 100 feet or yards. although just being able to "chit chat" and not have to PTT would be cool. like anything, you can't have it all.

[slvrbck]

Now if I could get chicken wing to "STOP YELLING AT ME" I would be good!!!!:cool:

Dude, that was the highlight of the weekend.....best part is, they knew we were making fun of them on the last course. I think me and you both said "stop yelling at me" at least 20 times each on A3!!!:gapteeth:

[rusty_tlc]

See all this talk about needing a lic. and a manual to use a radio is why $300 is like a good deal for the radios I bought....granted they are two different systems for totally different uses but you get the idea why I paid what I paid....hell the hardest thing on my new ones is making sure we both have our transmit buttons pushed in and if we are on the A or B channel!!!

Now if I could get chicken wing to "STOP YELLING AT ME" I would be good!!!!:cool:
It's all about the right tool for the job. For competition I think the full duplex radios you use are way better than the 2M radios I use.

[rusty_tlc]

Bryan, here is a link to the QRZ practice test

QRZ (http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl)

Exam Schedule (http://wadg.org/?page=classes)