Doing some market research...How many of you guys run car to pit radio systems? What type? Where did you get them?

 

For the 12 hrs at the point we had regular 2-way radios - the same type used by workers.

For in car, it was mounted (zip tied) to the cage, and the earpiece outlet was used, the PTT button was on the dash and it plugged into the driver's helmets, they already had earpieces hardwired in.

For the pit/crew chief I just used regular headphones.

This seemed to work well but the battery for the in-car died at 10 hrs.

 

From my looking last year, there were two types I found, the Speedcom and Racing Electronics systems. I went with the RE Mustang System upon several recommendations and purchased through Chris Wire (CFR RX7 driver) at Racecar Engineering (unfortunately he is no longer there - you might want to hit him up w/ questions however as he seemed very knowledgeable on this stuff). The plus of the Speedcom systems is that they occasionally will be trackside for repairs and such. RE doesn't do this anymore (but they have a storefront 10 miles from my house and to date, they have been very helpful when I have had questions). The one thing we have noticed (and it might be a short in the headset) is that it is much easier to hear the in-car radio from pit lane w/out the headset. We have been running w/out that most of the year (it could just be my tin-can interior that is causing the disruption, I noticed the same thing w/ Junkins radio when I was on the pit end last year at Lowes - same type car, same issue?). If you can get a gain antenae for either system, I recommend it (we lose a fair amount of contact from T5 til you crest the hill at RA for example).

 

I have been looking into budget alternatives to the very expensive full duplex racing radios. One inexpensive option that I think would work well would be the Motorola type FRS radios, with headsets and VOX. 5 mile radius, and the voice activated functionality mimics spendy full-duplex radios.
Also, it seems a little silly, but if there is cell reception at the track, you could use cell phones. Since most plans have unlimited weekend minutes and handsfree headsets are pretty compact and could fit under a helmet, it definately seems like a viable option. Of course the big liability is reception. But I bet a amplified antenna could all but eliminate that.

hold on crew cheif, Ive got a call on the other line

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, it seems a little silly, but if there is cell reception at the track, you could use cell phones.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Can you hear me now?

 

The radio sets usually run around 1k. People sell cheaper ones for 600-700 but they a 2watt systems and you will not have communications in all sectors on a track. The 5watt and higher you will have communications in all five sectors.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have been looking into budget alternatives to the very expensive full duplex racing radios. One inexpensive option that I think would work well would be the Motorola type FRS radios, with headsets and VOX. 5 mile radius, and the voice activated functionality mimics spendy full-duplex radios.
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Me too, but the problem I'm finding is plumbing the VOX boom-mikes into the helmet. They're pretty big. If they were smaller it could work.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Me too, but the problem I'm finding is plumbing the VOX boom-mikes into the helmet. They're pretty big. If they were smaller it could work.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I believe they use standard 3.5mm (IIRC) connections. If you could find something low-profile like a cell phone handsfree that may work, although I think most cell phones use a 2.5mm connection.

 

When I do large group tours of our manufacturing facility, we use these Radio Shack communicators. They're either PTT or completely Voice Activated. We tested them in cars and drove in opposite directions, and they worked up to about 1 mile of seperation. If only I could rip the ear piece apart to fit into my helmet....



$hit... clubphoto is down right now.

 

Just bought a system from Sampson Communciations out of CA. Bought the 5 watt system. The system uses Vertex radios. They said they are as good as Motorola for less money. About $200 less. Came complete with everything you need, even the kit to make custom earbuds. A nice addition, helps with the car noise too. I haven't use it in a race yet, that will be the ultimate test. I did alot of research and this system seem liked the best for the buck. They were good people to deal with too.......price was $1279.00 .........I'll let you know in 2 weeks how good a system it really is.......

 

My experience is limited to Motorola radios. They are the big brand on the block & I feel comfortable with them. Parts & service is available pretty much everywhere.

The team I crewed for in '00 & '01 used the SP50 portables without a car mounted antennae. There was no communication for about 1/3 of the track @ both Sears (Infineon) & Thunderhill. Other than that, no problems.

I purchased my radios & rapid chargers off of Ebay & bought the harness, push to talk, antennae & helmet kits from http://www.racetech-racing.com/index2.html . I am running the Motorola P1225 (UHF) portables with a roof mounted antennae. I did purchase the 1225 because of their ability to run using 2 watts or 4 watts. The lower power level saves battery life. The antennae is key. I have had no reception problems with this set up @ all using the low power setting of 2 watts. In addition, the 1225 has something called X-Pand technology. It has something to do with compression/uncompressing the signal. They sound clearer than the SP50's.

We use the headset in the pits. Makes it easier to hear the driver IMHO. You gotta have the mic right up against your mouth for clear transmission to the driver.

I have never had a battery go dead. We used the radios in the 12 Hour last year & switched them out @ ~ hour 6. This year, we will be running a battery eliminator.

Last year, a competitor ran a FRS. He lost ~ 1/2 the track @ Thunderhill.

HTH

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have been looking into budget alternatives to the very expensive full duplex racing radios. One inexpensive option that I think would work well would be the Motorola type FRS radios, with headsets and VOX. 5 mile radius, and the voice activated functionality mimics spendy full-duplex radios.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I've been thinking along the same lines. I recently picked up the GMRS (FRS) version of the Chatterbox and plan to give it a try at the Summit Hyperfest.

http://www.hjc-chatterbox.com/gmrsx1.asp

 

i used a Motorola 2 mile range FRS jobbies and they worked fine for what i needed, green flags, and lap times. theres not much to communicate in between quite frankly, except for emergencies. but my setup really only allowed 1 way talk to me.

but since i was thinking about asking this question, but this thread has already been started, im oging to try to hijack it by asking what EXACTLY do other racers find useful to communicate during a race? what do you think is important? ie. lap times, +/-, position, flags.... in other words, how do you effectively use your radios?

 

Besides what you mentioned Tyson, during enduros, you can talk about fuel stops, track conditions (yellows, etc), potential car problems, etc. You can also talk about your competitors position & problems.

One thing that I think is nice when there is a ton of mixed classes on track is using your spotter to tell you who you are competing with. eg if you let car x get by, will he be able to bring someone in your class with him.