Radio comms

Craig321 · 16 Sep 2013 at 12:01

Hi,

I'm looking to get a couple of radios so me and my brother can talk while riding.

I've found the Cobra MT975 radios along with the Pama HM-100 which includes a headset, VOX (voice activation) adapter and push to talk but can't find that many reviews on them.

I'm looking to spend about £80 and would rather have voice activation over push to talk to avoid that extra cable running from handlebar to the radio.

Any recommendations?

Thanks

ShakenNstirred · 16 Sep 2013 at 13:12

How about bluetooth headsets

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Craig321 · 16 Sep 2013 at 13:31

Wireless would be nice, but we'd still need some sort of walkie talkie wouldn't we as bluetooth doesn't really go that far?

ShakenNstirred · 16 Sep 2013 at 14:29

Craig321 said:
Wireless would be nice, but we'd still need some sort of walkie talkie wouldn't we as bluetooth doesn't really go that far?

how far are you expecting to be apart
some bluetooths headsets do 500 meters+ depending on obstacles.
I guess walkie talkies will be cheaper but vox tends to go off all the time with wind noise and you have wires

Craig321 · 16 Sep 2013 at 15:55

More often than not no more than a few metres apart but if we get split up for whatever reason I'd like some distance available to still communicate. 500m may be enough, but looks like they're really expensive compared to walkie talkie unfortunately

Spokwiththeears · 16 Sep 2013 at 16:47

The combination in your original post should be fine, me and a friend use the same headset with a lower model of radio (Cobra MT600). They'll reach a few hundred metres and once you've got the voice activation level perfectly balanced it's great.

I put the radio in the left inside pocket of my jacket and the cables for the headset and microphone are routed and tucked away behind the helmet padding.

Can't complain for £60 for two headsets and two radios.

SPG · 16 Sep 2013 at 21:10

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/92812

Bit more than you want to pay, but just come back from a Tour of germany (Rain stopped play a little) and couple had these things. Worked very well from and work even better when ear plugs are in.

Great for satnavs, music on the phone etc.

Craig321 · 17 Sep 2013 at 00:03

Hmmm, very tempting as I can use that when I use TomTom on my iPhone as well.

ttaskmaster · 20 Sep 2013 at 17:29

You tend to get what you pay for with this stuff.

PMR446 is reasonably cheap. Having used them myself, I'd recommend a Midland-Alan G7 or G8 set.
However, PMRs can often have their line of sight spoiled by as little obstruction as your leg, especially if you're lead bike.

Personally, I prefer a CB radio - Midland 42 Multi does nicely and will hit ranges up to 10 miles with awesome clarity. 12v power adapter included in case you have a hella socket on the bike and you're sorted!

VOX is badly overrated, IMO. You almost always clip the start of your transmission and noisy lids will trigger all manner of silliness. Nothing worse than riding 120 miles with some other bugger's click-click-click going off in your head, especially if it's followed by a roger beep every time!!