Next step is installing the race radio. We have a hand-held radio with a roll bar box. What are the considerations when mounting a radio? We don't want it in the way of a potential quick exit from the car but I assume that the controls should be reachable for the driver while strapped in.

Any recommendations or best practices to share?

Why not mount it low, next to your seat? You should be using an external antenna anyway...

Why not mount it low, next to your seat? You should be using an external antenna anyway...

+1. Or mount passenger side to the center console. You don't want it anywhere that the driver could accidentally change the channel.

I can't reach mine when I'm strapped in, but I don't find this to be a problem. Just make sure part of your pre-grid checklist is to turn the radio on!

I have also never used an external antenna. I've never had a problem reaching my crew or our team car.

I can't reach mine when I'm strapped in, but I don't find this to be a problem. Just make sure part of your pre-grid checklist is to turn the radio on!

I have also never used an external antenna. I've never had a problem reaching my crew or our team car.

you must run on flat, short tracks....;)

external antennas required on most all east coast tracks.

best place i found to mount box is to tranny tunnel on pass side just aft of the shifter. easy reach to change volume and channel, but not in the way of anything. it is also low and on the "light" side of the car.

Is it ever necessary for the driver to change channels during a race (restart for instance) to speak with race control, the pace car, etc. or is that communication handled through the crew chief?

Is it ever necessary for the driver to change channels during a race (restart for instance) to speak with race control, the pace car, etc. or is that communication handled through the crew chief?


driver change channels? yes. sometimes you can get interferance or cross talk on the channel you start on and you and your crew need to shift to a different freq. if you have race control or the flag net programmed into the radio, you can switch and listen if need be (if your crew isn't monitoring it for you.) drivers should never be talking to race control or the pace car or flag stations.

driver change channels? yes. sometimes you can get interferance or cross talk on the channel you start on and you and your crew need to shift to a different freq. if you have race control or the flag net programmed into the radio, you can switch and listen if need be (if your crew isn't monitoring it for you.) drivers should never be talking to race control or the pace car or flag stations.

While that sounds useful and everything, I much prefer (as a driver and a crew chief) that one channel is used. The crew chief can listen to multiple channels, but as a driver, I'm usually a bit too busy...

Much more likely to have to change volume than channel.

While that sounds useful and everything, I much prefer (as a driver and a crew chief) that one channel is used. The crew chief can listen to multiple channels, but as a driver, I'm usually a bit too busy...

agree...that is why i said "if need be" and "if the crew isn't monitoring for you"

be it for volume or channel, the radio needs to be within easy reach of the driver.

Mine is not reachable ... hasn't been a problem yet. Do a radio check before you go out, and adjust the volume then. Not like you'll be fiddling with it during the race ... I barely have enough time to push the PTT button!

I barely have enough time to push the PTT button!

That's what we discovered this weekend. This was a trial day to practice our race craft, communications, etc. and one more thing to add to the driver mix turned out to be a lot.

Mine is not reachable ... hasn't been a problem yet. Do a radio check before you go out, and adjust the volume then. Not like you'll be fiddling with it during the race ... I barely have enough time to push the PTT button!

volume check on grid not necessarilly the same as volume needed when car is near redline in pack before start while you are waiting for crew to call the green flag....

using a ptt button mounted behind the steering wheel on the spoke under your fingers normal 9&3 position becomes easy and instinctive quickly.

i have also experienced a ptt button failure. this caused it to lock in talk mode. radio evidently had a alarm feature if transmit pressed too long. ear piercing tone was emitted. thankfully radio was within reach to turn it off. yes, could have just yanked the helmet plug, but far more instinctive to just turn the knob i always turn rather than grope around for the wires to yank.

i still recommend the radio be in easy reach of the driver and the driver get used to fiddling with it. just like all the rest of the controls in the car.

All good points. Learn from the experienced folks! Re volume: Once you set it in the first race, it should be the same for the rest. The ear-piercing alarm is definitely a candidate for reachability, but as you said, pulling the cord is an option.