Well, I'm finally considering the purchase of some radios. I've been doing some research, some of which I've found on this forum. However, I've not really seen any discussion about the number of channels necessary for our events.

I guess my first thought was to get a 16 channel setup. But, now I'm really not sure if that's overkill. I've found some really nice Motorola's that are used, but are only 2 channels.
Would a 2 channel setup be way too limiting? I guess I don't really know how congested the airways get and assume that if there is any interference, that's when the extra channels are of benefit?

I've been looking at the Motorola GP300, CP200, P1225 (although these seem to be pretty old now). Are there others that you might have me look for?
I know I want a 4 or 5 watt setup. I'm also looking for used equipment. Yeah, I'm looking for a budget setup but want it to work properly we we use it!

I'm also really interested to know about my driver setup options. I can't stand the ear buds. Is there a system that I can either have installed in my Arai GP5K or some other type of setup that fits more like headphones for a helmet?
Also, what kind of mic system are you using for your helmet.

I know there have been threads in the past on this subject. I've looked through the ones I could identify. But, would really appreciate any insight as to what I'm really trying to accomplish with my radios and number of channels.
I also saw that folks mentioned connection types...IMSA and Nascar. Any further explanation would be helpful.

Thanks!

Ralph Warren is the resident radio guy. He sells some. Not sure which. You should ping him for info.

Jay

I was on the show "setup" recently and we used Racing Electronics radios and ear buds.

I'd never used a radio before. At first I thought I'd hate it and it would distract me too much. After awhile.... It was pretty helpful! Especially if you have a good person behind the other side of the radio. Giving you useful info at the right times. His voice did come in at the wrong time a few times and distracted me a bit but overall it becomes more and more useful and indispensable.

Now that the show is over and it's time for me to go racing again in my own car.....more and more I want to get a radio. I think now that I have a taste, I like it.

here's what we used
http://www.racingelectronics.com/

All the units on the show in all the cars worked great. I could hear my crewcheif over the engine noise and he could hear me well too. We never had an issue.... so I would have to recommend it. I wish we could of taken them home with us!

The ear buds can be a tad uncomfortable. It can help to tape them to your ear so they don't move as your putting on your helmet....

http://www.racingelectronics.com/Panther_web_special.gif

Ralph Warren is the resident radio guy. He sells some. Not sure which. You should ping him for info.

Jay


Hi Jay, I saw the email that Ralph sent. I'm considering his deal. I don't think that Ralph sells the crew headset or helmet accessories. I may be mistaken.

I was on the show "setup" recently and we used Racing Electronics radios and ear buds.

I'd never used a radio before. At first I thought I'd hate it and it would distract me too much. After awhile.... It was pretty helpful! Especially if you have a good person behind the other side of the radio. Giving you useful info at the right times. His voice did come in at the wrong time a few times and distracted me a bit but overall it becomes more and more useful and indispensable.

Now that the show is over and it's time for me to go racing again in my own car.....more and more I want to get a radio. I think now that I have a taste, I like it.

here's what we used
http://www.racingelectronics.com/

All the units on the show in all the cars worked great. I could hear my crewcheif over the engine noise and he could hear me well too. We never had an issue.... so I would have to recommend it. I wish we could of taken them home with us!

The ear buds can be a tad uncomfortable. It can help to tape them to your ear so they don't move as your putting on your helmet....

http://www.racingelectronics.com/Panther_web_special.gif


I saw that ad. It seems like a really good deal. Yeah, I used some high end ear buds last weekend and they killed me. I would like to find some ear muff type headphones that I could install in my helmet...if they make anything like that.

You can get custom earbuds made.

I'd also suggest getting the stubby antenna for the roof.

http://www.hrpworld.com/client_images/ecommerce/client_39/products/322_3_tn.jpg

http://www.racingradios.com/browseproducts/In-Helmet-Speakers.HTML

I don't know how they'd work. I think the earbuds are good, but I suppose these fit your description.

EDIT: or this: http://www.saferacer.com/sampson-racing-communications-racing-radio-starter-package.html?productid=573

You can get custom earbuds made.

Steve, true enough. I guess a custom ear bud wouldn't move around in my ear. I just prefer the idea of having the speakers somehow permanently attached to my helmet. Yes, the antenna is a must. Most of our stuff has elevation changes. I would think it would be frustrating without such antenna.

http://www.racingradios.com/browseproducts/In-Helmet-Speakers.HTML

I don't know how they'd work. I think the earbuds are good, but I suppose these fit your description.

Skeen, that sounds more like what I was thinking about. Might be worth a shot for $50! Thanks for the link.


So, any comments on number of channels?

Ken - Dad has a setup some of the NASCAR guys are moving to in his helmet. It's a set of "over the ear" earphones inside his helmet. Seems to work great...he only needs the radio volume set to about 40%, while I need it at 100% with my custom earbuds and I still miss some things. He had it done by a guy local to him up in Winston-Salem IIRC.

Ken - Dad has a setup some of the NASCAR guys are moving to in his helmet. It's a set of "over the ear" earphones inside his helmet. Seems to work great...he only needs the radio volume set to about 40%, while I need it at 100% with my custom earbuds and I still miss some things. He had it done by a guy local to him up in Winston-Salem IIRC.

Sounds like that's exactly what I'm looking for. I thought someone could install earphones in our helmets. If you happen across that guys info, would you mind passing it along to me?

I use a set of midland radios, I had to get an FCC license to use them but they have a 21 mile range and have worked at all the tracks I frequent including VIR and Roebling to name a few. They were like $70 for the set plus the PTT and headsetas for a grand total of about $120 each in them. Worth every penny 18 channels also......

I use a set of midland radios, I had to get an FCC license to use them but they have a 21 mile range and have worked at all the tracks I frequent including VIR and Roebling to name a few. They were like $70 for the set plus the PTT and headsetas for a grand total of about $120 each in them. Worth every penny 18 channels also......


Wow, I didn't realize that using these radios in an amateur capacity would require such licensing. Were these radios intended for use outside the US?

I've looked at some Motorola gp68...which were intended for the Asian market. Just not sure about the keypad programming.

Anyway, do you recall the midland model you bought? They sound nice and cheap!

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT710VP3-22-Channel-26-Mile-2-Way/dp/B000P0RPX0

These are the slightly newer version of what i have

Ken - Dad has a setup some of the NASCAR guys are moving to in his helmet. It's a set of "over the ear" earphones inside his helmet. Seems to work great...he only needs the radio volume set to about 40%, while I need it at 100% with my custom earbuds and I still miss some things. He had it done by a guy local to him up in Winston-Salem IIRC.

Got a link/info on the product, or the installer? Please...:)

EDIT: Is this it? (http://www.rh2way.com/catalog.php?item=108&ret=pages%2Faboutnitroradios.php)

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT710VP3-22-Channel-26-Mile-2-Way/dp/B000P0RPX0

These are the slightly newer version of what i have


GMRS huh? And you've not had any issues? I've looked at the disclosure on these type radios...basically it's mountain top to mountain top. For city usage...it's more like 1-2 miles at best.
I suppose some of the units I've been looking at could be considered overkill. I dunno.

Ken - Dad has a setup some of the NASCAR guys are moving to in his helmet. It's a set of "over the ear" earphones inside his helmet. Seems to work great...he only needs the radio volume set to about 40%, while I need it at 100% with my custom earbuds and I still miss some things. He had it done by a guy local to him up in Winston-Salem IIRC.

from these guys? http://www.rh2way.com/index.php

good folks...the owner gave me his helmet to try the system out but i never got around to using it...i'm hearing (no pun intended) a lot of positive things about their new system...

Ken, I have purchased everything from Ralph Warren on the west coast, and he delivered a great set of radios with all of the trimmings for much less than Racing Radios. Everything has worked well for me even on the longer tracks and he programs the radios for you for several private channels so you will never get interference (which you might if you got regular radios). Also if Club Racing goes to having a public radio channel for steward-to-pit communications, Ralph will have that information and has offered to re-program the radios for free (I believe) to add that channel for everyone with his radios. I would definitely recommend him and love to support our racers!

I get my radios from Speedcom. Toto Lassally is the guy to talk to. He gets some Chinese Radios and I had my doubts. So I used two of them for this past year and they have held up just as well as the Motorolas I had. He has 16 channel radios and they are in the form of ST and MT. The MT is good so I can push the left button on my headset and talk to the crew, then push the right to talk to the driver. The 16 channels are just 16 different ways to program the radio. For example:
1- Car 1
2- Car 2
3- Crew
4- Race Control (RC)
5- Scan+Talk Car 1 and Scan RC
6- Scan+Talk Car 2 and Scan RC
7- Scan+Talk Car 1, Scan Car 2 and Scan RC
and so on...

As for a license, there is a new rule with the FCC and all of us had to buy a 10 year license for each frequency (I think it was $200) As for Canada, I have to buy a temporary license when I go there. As for club racing, I guess you can guess away with it but if you do trip over someone else's frequency, they can report it to the FCC. I know a towing company in Watkins Glen got fined because they didn't have a license for their radios and they were tripping over GA race control.

If you really wanted to go a budget route, I have 6 Motorola P50's, 7 holsters, a 6 gang charger, BMC cable adapter (for the in car radio) 6 headset cords, PTT button and a car harness. These are crystal radios and only one channel, they have been aligned and work like a champ. I just need more channels and these won't work for me any more. All you need to complete the set is an antenna, your wired helmet and headsets.

I'll get some pics today and post this over in the FS forum.

I bought my Motorola's from Toto at Speedcom. At the time he had a number of sets of Motorola's that were used one time, at Sebring by Oreca Viper team, I got them for about 40% less than new. The radio's arrived looking brand new, could not tell they were ever used. Anyway they have always worked great. Speedcom has great customer service and great prices. They also sell custom ear buds that are made from molds of your ear, like hearing aids, you might try these.

Admittedly, this is pretty ghetto, but has anyone tried using a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet headset and then just use cell phones to communicate? I’m guessing the major drawbacks are spotty cell coverage at a lot of tracks, battery life, and the inherent problems of talking when both parties are on a cell phone.

Just a thought.

I saw that ad. It seems like a really good deal. Yeah, I used some high end ear buds last weekend and they killed me. I would like to find some ear muff type headphones that I could install in my helmet...if they make anything like that.

When I was at the 25hr, Tanner Faust was installing some ear muff type earphones in his helmet. I didn't pay attention to the brand or where he got them. He said there's a piece of foam that's removed from your helmet and they fit right in. I believe they're glued in, but not sure. He said he liked them a lot.

Sorry but I have no contact infor for Tanner. You might try google. I know he's sponsored by Rockstar.

Jay

EDIT: Now that I've read the posts following the one I responded to, the ones Tanner was installing looked a little like the ones in the 1st link in post #7. I also remember Tanner saying he removed the foam. Again, I didn't relay look at them all that closely but I thought they looked a lot like the ear pieces on a headset the crew chief would wear. A larger plastic housing that surrounded/covered the complete ear. Unless you're old and have big ears like mine ;-)

Admittedly, this is pretty ghetto, but has anyone tried using a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet headset and then just use cell phones to communicate? I’m guessing the major drawbacks are spotty cell coverage at a lot of tracks, battery life, and the inherent problems of talking when both parties are on a cell phone.

Just a thought.

Ha, I did this in the analog days...but with digital, you're either connected or not.
If the call is dropped:mad lol

When I was at the 25hr, Tanner Faust was installing some ear muff type earphones in his helmet. I didn't pay attention to the brand or where he got them. He said there's a piece of foam that's removed from your helmet and they fit right in. I believe they're glued in, but not sure. He said he liked them a lot.

Sorry but I have no contact infor for Tanner. You might try google. I know he's sponsored by Rockstar.

Jay


Jay, that's definitely the direction I'm headed. I may try those foam headphones that was posted earlier. $50 is worth a shot. They look nice and comfy!:D
I'm gonna make some calls on Monday to find out how my Arai is put together and if I've got material that I can simply remove to make room for those pieces.

Admittedly, this is pretty ghetto, but has anyone tried using a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet headset and then just use cell phones to communicate? I’m guessing the major drawbacks are spotty cell coverage at a lot of tracks, battery life, and the inherent problems of talking when both parties are on a cell phone.

Just a thought.

some tracks are in the boonies...summit, nelsons, etc. cell coverage sucks. dropped calls are a hazard. nothing like trying to redial in a race car...

Got a link/info on the product, or the installer? Please...:)

EDIT: Is this it? (http://www.rh2way.com/catalog.php?item=108&ret=pages%2Faboutnitroradios.php)


Yup, that's the guy.

Admittedly, this is pretty ghetto, but has anyone tried using a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet headset and then just use cell phones to communicate? I’m guessing the major drawbacks are spotty cell coverage at a lot of tracks, battery life, and the inherent problems of talking when both parties are on a cell phone.

Just a thought.
I have a Chatterbox! (piece of crap) intstructor/student communicator. I got a cell phone cable for that and used it at Mid-Ohio. I could hear my guy in the pits fine (except at high speed on the straights), but, for some reason, I couldn't be heard at al. I don't know if it was the cable or the Chatterbox!. I got the cable from www.chatterboxphonecable.com, but their customer service was horrible! This only cost $24 over the cost of the Chatterbox!, though, so it was worth a try.

Also if Club Racing goes to having a public radio channel for steward-to-pit communications

I believe Ralph said race control was going to be on a broadcast channel not steward to pit communications so you'll hear a lot of chatter between corner workers and whomever happens to be doing race control. Some may be useful some not. If you have an extra person monitoring race control then fine but if you're driving then you don't want to hear a lot of useless chatter from the corner workers.

-Carlos.

I believe Ralph said race control was going to be on a broadcast channel not steward to pit communications so you'll hear a lot of chatter between corner workers and whomever happens to be doing race control. Some may be useful some not. If you have an extra person monitoring race control then fine but if you're driving then you don't want to hear a lot of useless chatter from the corner workers.

-Carlos.

That all depends on the track. Some tracks have hardwired race control to corner workers (like Road Atlanta). Most tracks use the radio frequencies. It is usually not difficult to ask what frequency race control is on- somebody that works at the track should know. You don't really want to listen in on the stewards radios- it isn't anything interesting.

Ken - Dad has a setup some of the NASCAR guys are moving to in his helmet. It's a set of "over the ear" earphones inside his helmet. Seems to work great...he only needs the radio volume set to about 40%, while I need it at 100% with my custom earbuds and I still miss some things. He had it done by a guy local to him up in Winston-Salem IIRC.

Saw a similar setup at PRI, actually I bet it to be the same. Pretty slick shit

GMRS huh? And you've not had any issues? I've looked at the disclosure on these type radios...basically it's mountain top to mountain top. For city usage...it's more like 1-2 miles at best.
I suppose some of the units I've been looking at could be considered overkill. I dunno.

I use Motorola GMRS radios as well. I use a Motocomm helmet setup. It isn't the ultimate set up... but it has always worked for us.

I just remembered something else about the ear pieces I was talking about in my previous post. I think Tanner said they were used by rally types because they were comfortable, the excessive surrounding noise and they had to wear them so long.

If anyone wanted to contact Tanner Faust, I discovered he hosts Redline TV on Speed.

Jay

Hey guys, let me know what you need. I can provide you with a variety of options at a great price.

Dale

Ken, I have purchased everything from Ralph Warren on the west coast, and he delivered a great set of radios with all of the trimmings for much less than Racing Radios. Everything has worked well for me even on the longer tracks and he programs the radios for you for several private channels so you will never get interference (which you might if you got regular radios). Also if Club Racing goes to having a public radio channel for steward-to-pit communications, Ralph will have that information and has offered to re-program the radios for free (I believe) to add that channel for everyone with his radios. I would definitely recommend him and love to support our racers!

Our club bought all of our radios through Ralph. I also bought two for myself. Ralph was hugely helpful with everything from simple advice to going out and getting competitive bids. Everything he has sent us works perfectly and our club and I couldn't be more happy with his products/services. I highly recommend Ralph.

Admittedly, this is pretty ghetto, but has anyone tried using a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet headset and then just use cell phones to communicate? I’m guessing the major drawbacks are spotty cell coverage at a lot of tracks, battery life, and the inherent problems of talking when both parties are on a cell phone.

Just a thought.

I did this for a year. It works ok. At Barber and MSR is works. At Hallett it didn't. If you have reception its great. If not then the call is lost and there is basically no way to regain communication at that point.

Thanks for all the ideas guys.

I've just purchased 6 used Motorola GP300 handhelds. These are 8 channel radios and have some kind of fancy keypads on the face of the radios! Not sure what you actually do with the keypads:D

Anyway, I may not need all 6 of them...so, once I get them in hand and see that all is OK, I may have 2 for sale and will make someone a great deal.

These are 4 watt UHF radios and supposedly built like a tank!

Now, I just gotta get the car harness, antenna, helmet kit and crew chief headset;)

Merry Christmas to me!

Hey guys, let me know what you need. I can provide you with a variety of options at a great price.

Dale

There ya go! Please support those vendors that support Bf.c.

Jay

Does anyone know if Ralph Warren has a web site? From what I know of the guy, I'd love to do business with him on the radio thing. When our car was stolen, he was the first guy to cross post the info over here. Never met him, and he is all the way across the country. That's class.