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Bagstr

Let Us Do a Radio Comm Thread

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In the Spirit of holiday Giving, here is a quality radio that has the option of operating on the analog band and the digital band fairly seamlessly. Quality equipment. waterproof at a $125 price point when on sale. Listens to incoming and instantly transfers to FM or C4FM signal.

Also consider the Yaesu 270R analog 

https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=87CE6C1FF54D5BBCA7F39179AB3B1511&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=7CDB93B02164B1FB036530FBD7D37F1A&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

 

 

 

 

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Can this be used on the SDAR frequence? Is this still a HAM radio? what are the reach distance out in the hills, not on the flat? I got a Baofeng UV-5R, but have never used it on my SOLO rides.

 

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YES. This is a HAM amateur radio,

 https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=7CDB93B02164B1FB036530FBD7D37F1A&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

108-580 Mhz.    The main reason I am " mobilizing " this radio is that I want to encourage broader use of the Digital radio. The unit utilizes an AMS circuit which automatically listens and switches between C4FM and FM modes; digital and analog. It is capable of hearing either mode and instantly switching output to that mode. My understanding is this: You are on 146.505 analog like we use all the time and someone broadcasts in digital 146.505. The radio hears digital and switches to that mode. Someone else broadcasts in analog; the radio switches back to that mode and you hear and transmit in that mode. There is a possible problem: You with your fancy AMS radio cannot switch back and forth without pushing a button which is in your backpack.  I am hoping there is some combination of PTT operation that can initiate the switch.  I need to contact Yaesu on this subject.

This is just a " fun " project for me. Digital sound is supposed to be much more clear and strong up to the point it drops from weak signal.  If there is no one broadcasting in digital, it will have no impact on our analog use with the group.

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Hey Gov, what's that leaf doing on your perfect lawn?

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8 minutes ago, SoCalMule said:

Hey Gov, what's that leaf doing on your perfect lawn?

That’s a dead frog that dared to try and cross his lawn.

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15 hours ago, Covered in Dust said:

That’s a dead frog that dared to try and cross his lawn.

   You lawn aficionados, please notice the lack of doggie dead zones on the lawn.  At least until my daughter rolls into town. It really won't bother me.

        👀

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   Successfully found a 3.5mm right angle adapter cable for the FT79 at PCI Racing.  Don't need to make one. 

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Moderator, This probably should have been located in the Communication category. Please move if you agree.

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Bags;

Help a brother out here.  The value of these radios for bike to bike comm is beyond me.  I've suffered now through 3 separate days of group riding with these radio's (all purchased within the last 12 months).

From your posts above you seem to enjoy them as an effective tool.  I however do not!

Conversations go something like this....

Them: ...shhhhhhh..........grrr.........pop-crackle... sheeeeeeeeeeee........ motorcy.........sheeeeeeee... up the......insert blaring train horn sounds here ...... rolling?

Me: ............................................................................................................................................. what?

As I'm always assuming everyone knows more than me, I presumed I was doing it wrong.  But the fourth time someone said "here, straps this radio on" my response was REALLY?  Why?

I give you full permission to publicly ridicule me with statements like, "any 6 year old can do this Kelly" or "Were your parents first cuzin's or somethin'?"  As long as you also tell me how to use these paperweights for any practical purpose.

Over?

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52 minutes ago, Zubb said:

 

Over?

 

With the track record you describe, it's no wonder you reject the premise.

I can hook you up- happy to demonstrate and help with a setup. Those of us that ride together often (Bags included) have repeatedly seen the benefits of strong comms, both for safety and fun.
 

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@Zubb  Clearly you've never had a radio ride with Maestro PMB

 

2 hours ago, Zubb said:

Conversations go something like this....

PMB: ...Singing with the voice of an Angel

Me: ............................................................................................................................................. Thinking to myself **I've finally realized my inner peace**

 

 

Edited by Goofy Footer
  • Haha 1

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“ all purchased in the last 12 months “

Comments following offered in the best of humor,

Firstly, It matters what the quality of the mic and earphones.

Second, the antenna for range

Third, I have found that it is important to have a face shield down to quiet the wind noise.

Examples of Worth Wildness:

Six on a twisted, dusty route:

      #5 gets a flat.  Six Immediate calls out “ mechanical”.

       #6 Rips a Digger and hits hard.  Barely conscious calls out “Man Down”.

        #7  If the conversation is tedious, change your group.

   

       😬

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@Bagstr, so yer sayin' there's a chance ...

Thank you for your kind offer.  PM inbound in 3 ... 2 ... 

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Pickiing Up on this thread,,,  Zub, I thought you were contacting PMB for intel.

Rugged Radio or PCI are sources for quality Comm gear. Noise cancelling microphone, military grade cabling and better ear speakers and ear buds. I find the earbuds work better for my hearing audio spectrum. As noted above, a pull down face shield makes for less volume needed and better quality output to your team. I am to only member of my team that uses Yaesu as they are Cheap. I just appreciate quality. Boa fang or whatever Amazon garbage that is current gets the job done for most riders.

All this is for straight comm only. I don’t mix music or phone calls with riding. The sand is hard enough without picking up a call. For that talk to PMB or others qualified to speak to it.

   🚶‍♂️

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19 hours ago, Bagstr said:

Pickiing Up on this thread,,,  Zub, I thought you were contacting PMB for intel.

Rugged Radio or PCI are sources for quality Comm gear. Noise cancelling microphone, military grade cabling and better ear speakers and ear buds. I find the earbuds work better for my hearing audio spectrum. As noted above, a pull down face shield makes for less volume needed and better quality output to your team. I am to only member of my team that uses Yaesu as they are Cheap. I just appreciate quality. Boa fang or whatever Amazon garbage that is current gets the job done for most riders.

All this is for straight comm only. I don’t mix music or phone calls with riding. The sand is hard enough without picking up a call. For that talk to PMB or others qualified to speak to it.

   🚶‍♂️

Yeh, I plan to see PMB soon on this. I got way lates with helping dad again and then got the Flu a few weeks ago. 
plan to re-engage this topic before Christmas. 
 

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Before we master radios we need to master this website . 

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  • Haha 1

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This should work. Not real pretty, but at least it's sumthin. Please let me know if it works. 

 

Bike to Bike Radio Equipment Starter Kit
You need: 1.Radio, 2.Push to Talk, 3.Helmet Kit, 4.Harness, and 5.Jumper
Or just this: 1.Radio and 6.Complete Kit
1. Radio (buy one):
Open Box Radio $19 (Baofeng UV-5R):
https://www.baofengradio.com/collections/analog/products/open-box-uv-5r
Or this one $19 (Baofeng GT-5R):
https://www.baofengradio.com/collections/analog/products/open-box-gt-5r-4w-1w-dual-band-rad
io
New Sealed Box $29: https://www.baofengradio.com/collections/analog/products/gt-5r
https://www.baofengradio.com/collections/analog/products/uv-5r
These radios are pretty much the same. The UV-5R is an older model and is capable of
transmitting on frequencies that are not legal (police, aircraft, etc.) The GT-5R has been fixed so
it cannot transmit on those frequencies. I can program UV-5R radios, I have not tried
programming GT-5R. These are available all over the internet. I buy from Baofeng Radio. They
are probably not counterfeit. Others may be. They are easy to program using CHIRP.
http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_CHIRP.php#Getting Started I can help with that.
2. Push To Talk Button (buy one):
Nice unit ($$$):
https://www.pciraceradios.com/collections/motorcycle-quad/products/motorcycle-ptt-bolt-on-race
https://www.sampsonracing.com/Motorcycle-Bar-Mount-Push-To-Talk-Water-Proof-p/ptt-mc-pm.
htm
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collections/moto-replacement-parts/products/motorcycle-race-pu
sh-to-talk-with-nexus-jack
Cheaper ($$):
https://www.sampsonracing.com/Off-Road-Motorcycle-Velcro-Mount-PTT-p/p0526.htm
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collections/moto-replacement-parts/products/motorcycle-velcro-
mount-push-to-talk-with-female-offroad-nexus-port
I think it is better to buy the higher end PTT. This is an important part of the system and a good
one makes all the difference. But if you are on a budget, the cheaper ones will work.
3. Helmet Kit (buy one):
https://www.pciraceradios.com/collections/motorcycle-quad/products/motorcycle-helmet-wiring-k
it
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collections/moto-replacement-parts/products/alpha-audio-offroad
-helmet-kit-with-speakers-mic-earbud-jack
https://www.sampsonracing.com/Off-Road-Moto-Helmet-Kit-w-Speakers-p/src-hk-off-spk.htm
These are similar. Some have an extra jack that you can tie into your phone or whatever to
listen to music.
4. Harness (buy one):

https://www.pciraceradios.com/collections/motorcycle-quad/products/motorcycle-harness
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collections/moto-replacement-parts/products/motorcycle-offroad-
communication-cable-harness
https://www.sampsonracing.com/Rugged-Off-Road-Communication-Body-Harness-p/p0456.htm
These are similar, but…I have found that when mixing and matching different brands of
equipment PCI and Rugged Radio (for example), the plugs don’t fit as well as if they are all
matching parts from one source
5. Jumper (buy one):
https://www.pciraceradios.com/collections/radio-interface-cables/products/radio-adapter-short-c
ord?variant=7920323909
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collections/moto-replacement-parts/products/connect-to-handhel
d-radio
6. OR…..You can just buy the kit! These kits are EZ, They come with all the stuff listed
above, but they come with the lower end PTT, You can upgrade to the perch mount PTT
for $12:
https://www.pciraceradios.com/collections/motorcycle-quad/products/motorcycle-kit-kenwood2
I recommend PCI Race Radio for any and all of the above.
Extra: Some guys really like these helmet mounting brackets. I have some good hot melt glue
that works great. Some can’t get some glue to stick to the helmet so they use the mount:
https://www.ruggedradios.com/products/quick-install-helmet-kit-microphone-mount?variant=316
92553453664

Edited by amgems

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Thanks for the work Mr. Amgems.  Good advice regarding the PTTs. Those are the 

most difficult to fit properly.

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And just as a reminder, Why do we need radio comms?

A. We don’t want to loose anyone out on the ride.

B. We want to be Johnny of the spot if a rider goes down.

C. The comms allow the ride to Flow smoothly and efficiently. Especially in adverse conditions, I.e. Dust, traffic or different preferred pace.

D. Finally, If you are the only rider without comm,  what position does that put the others in? They have to waste valuable brainpower looking out for you.

E. Essentially,  you are out with group because you would like to know what they have to say.

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When I used to ride with a Harley group they used GMRS radios for the road captains, with most comms between the lead and tail riders.  It helped keep big group rides better organized.  I initially thought it was unnecessary but definitely appreciated when there was any kind of incident.
 

I went with GMRS as you simply pay a fee to the FCC and your whole family is licensed for 10 years.  None of the hard work Ham radio users have to go through. Typically about a 3-5 mile range, which is plenty if the group doesn’t get split up too much.

My gear is hardly used now because I no longer ride with any groups that use radios, but for reference:

  • Originally used cheap Motorola GXT radios, which worked well on road and everyone could afford one as they are cheap, but the battery was not lasting, so…
  • I now have the Wouxun KG-UV9G, which can monitor 2 channels.  Potentially useful off-road , for example to also monitor channel 19 which the Jeep off-roaders use. I programmed all 50 of the Motorola  channels into it, so it can work quickly and seamlessly with them. I also use it to listen to other frequencies for fun, such as the tower frequency at Romona airport when stopped for a rest break.
  • To use it when riding I have the Sena SR10 Bluetooth 2-way radio adapter with PTT button
  • I have a Cardo scalarider Q3 headset, that is connected and works well.

I hope that helps someone?

Out of curiosity, @Mr.JAJA what is the SDAR frequency?  

 

 

 

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11 hours ago, IanT said:

Out of curiosity, @Mr.JAJA what is the SDAR frequency?  

146.505 is most often used by some SDAR members. Be aware, this is a frequency within the amateur radio spectrum. Law requires an FCC license and appropriate station-identifying protocols at all times, and conversations may only be carried out with other licensed stations.

Some folks are increasingly using PL tones as well to eliminate interference.

It is my suspicion (not personal experience or knowledge) that most users are ignoring the regulations- these are low-power units operating in remote areas in simplex (not repeater) modes, which would mean it don't make no never mind to nobody.

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