jgadamski

I have a new riding partner who is a little unsure. I don't like drafting her, prefer a little extra space while riding. Giving turns, tips, etc is difficult from 1000 ft behind. I thought a walkie talkie type radio might be the thing, but are there bike helmet ones that actually work well for cycling?

gracehowler

You might check out a thread or two in the tandem forum on intercoms, there are a couple of threads.. We use a motorcycle bluetooth set up from Sena, there are other brands, I think most have to be rigged to work on bike style "half" helmets. They say bluetooth will work at a distance which on a tandem isn't much but I hear of mountain bikers who have good bluetooth success. we are pleased with our setup.
R&J

alan s 

Consider the low tech options. You could ride in front, alongside or closer behind. You could have a bell to signal the other rider. Etc.

JohnJ80

My wife and I started riding with the Cardo Systems BK-1 this year and really, really like it. We can have normal conversations and we just have to be within about 500' of each other (can go up to about 1500'). It's a full duplex intercom so it's like talking on the phone. The mic works great even in the wind and it's got speakers that "hover" over the ear so you have complete situational awareness as well. The whole thing is completely set up for bike helmets, well thought through and not invasive at all. It can be a little high end, but you can usually find a great deal on eBay that is far below list price.

Either way, before we had these, it sort of felt like we were going on the same ride separately. This way, we do it together and it's a lot of fun. My wife is not a tech buff but she loves these. So both of us would highly recommend them.

For coaching, I'd think it would be better than pockets. You can ride and observe.

I also think it's ultimately a lot safer than trying to ride side by side and talk or trying to shout back and forth. It's also really great so that if the rearmost rider has a problem, you don't wind up dropping them a mile back and not knowing it. We, literally, have conversations about all sorts of stuff as we ride.

Prior to this, I had looked for two way radios, ways to modify FRS/GMRS radios to work etc... Nothing works as well as this or even close. I suppose you could do it with a cell phone and a bluetooth headset, but that's going to depend on your cell battery, your plan and coverage.

J.

fietsbob

marine walkie talkies ... lots of hits https://www.google.com/search?q=mari...hrome&ie=UTF-8


When going to large demonstrations , My friends & I, put one in their pocket and we agree to turn it on at certain times, to save battery run-time.


[ might even not be VHS, IDK, not in my possession.]

Rollis

I, am currently using a Blue Parrot B250 XT Bluetooth, amazing clarity, and noise cancelling ability, with a tremendous battery life.

It is slightly awkward to use under my helmet, but worth the hassle.

The first generation models are now being sold for well under a hundred dollars. and the new 350 models are less then $130.00.

JohnJ80

And using marine (VHF) when you are not a boat or crew of a boat with a VHF marine license is completely illegal.

If you mean FRS (Family Radio Service) ie. Motorola Walkabouts, these can be used without a license but they have crappy range and you still need do the PTT thing (push to talk) so that would involve buying a speaker mic or equivalent and have to be attached somewhere.

J.

Yendor72

Thank's for the information JohnJ80, my wife and I have been riding at night which adds another element of danger due to sticks and animals all over the MUP we have been riding on. This would really help us out. I mentioned it to my wife and she seemed enthused to try it out. It may not be this year, since our season is about to end, but for next year it may be a necessity as we step up our riding.

JohnJ80

My wife had similar feelings. I ride a lot more miles than she does and am probably a lot more confident rider. Being able to point out issues like potholes, tar cracks when descending, cars approaching etc... she finds very helpful and has helped her confidence a lot. I'm also much better able to determine if we've hit a section that is perhaps more difficult for her than for me and adjust speeds accordingly.

What we both found surprising was how we were able to converse about points of interest. For example, yesterday we were doing a rails to trails ride to look at the fall color. Was really fun to be able to point out particularly interesting sights to each other - added a lot to the experience for both of us.

Give it a try. I'm pretty sure you'll like it. Everyone that has tried ours has gone out and bought a set.

J.

jyl

My son and I have carried FRS/GMRS radios on a couple of century rides. The range is fine for cycling with a buddy, you're not going to be more than a mile separated even if one flats and the other doesn't notice right away. The radios are small and fit easily in a jersey pocket. There are earpiece-mic accessories that include a push to talk button. They work okay, your helmet straps help keep the earpiece in place. You do have to raise one hand to the button, typically on the cord, to talk, which is fine. This is an inexpensive way to go, and might be all you need.

noglider 

This page says you need a license. So do people get licenses to use these radios?

I was a ham in high school and for a few years afterwards, so I'm sure things have changed. I don't know about this service. It says there is no exam for the license.

Looigi

To use the FRS/GMRS radios on the GMRS channels you should have a license. No license or permit is required for use on the FRS channels.

There are shared channels between FRS and GMRS that can be used by either, the FRS user limited to 1/2 Watt or less.

General Mobile Radio Service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Family Radio Service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Generally, the FCC exercises control over the frequencies, bands, emission types and uses to prevent RF chaos, and to raise revenue through licensing fees.

JohnJ80

As Looigi says, for GMRS use, you are supposed to have a license. That said, for the portables I don't think many people do. I do and also because I have a base station that I use as well. That said, if the FCC catches you using them and if they think you are a big enough problem, the fines are pretty severe. So, if you are serious about doing this, you should have a license. You can get it from the FCC through an on line system and it's not a big deal.

The cheapie units available in the blister packs are fine unless you are in an area with a lot of other people. Then, it's like the old CB days all over again and it's kind of a pain. If you can get units with digital (not analog) squelch codes, that helps but often there are just too many people on a channel.

I have some UHF commercial radios that I've programmed up for our own usage on GMRS channels using digital squelch codes. If I'm on a GMRS only frequency and with the digital codes, we seldom have interference even when doing things like skiing at Vail on a busy day. If you had the blister pack versions with analog codes, it would drive you nuts on a day like that.

I'm probably going to buy some digital only radios for a SAR application that I have. I'll also upgrade my FCC license for the particular form of digital voice traffic. Once I do that, then it's zero interference.

FWIW, you can buy old analog (but digital squelch code) UHF radios on eBay for cheap - $35-50. You can program up to anything you want and they will work far better than the consumer junk. That said, don't do this sort of thing unless you are pretty sure you understand what you are doing.

J.

noglider 

Thank you, @JohnJ80. Very informative.

jyl

I was KE6GPF, but unfortunately I think I have allowed my license to lapse :-(

On your typical bike ride, even a big century, not many people will be using FRS/GMRS radios. Just have a prearranged set and sequence of frequency/code that each person knows to try if the first one is clogged.

For bike use, compact and light are important, so the el cheapo consumer radios are nice.

If we were backpacking or something, I'd use something better.

Is ham radio still a thing?

JohnJ80

Having both a lot of experience with radios and also having the Cardo BK-1 system, I'd recommend the BK-1. It's more convenient, it's better conversationally because it's full duplex (like your telephone), it doesn't require any button to push to talk so you can keep your hands on the bars, it's all contained on the helmet (and not a noticeable weight at all), is rugged, is waterproof, will also work with your cell phone as a headset, can also be used to listen to music, allows the user to have superb situational awareness, and has long battery life.

The only downside is that it is not cheap.

J.

Yendor72

I just ordered a set of the Cardo BK-1 DUO for my wife and me. There is quite a price cut on the Cardo website so I pulled the trigger. I can't wait for spring now.

JohnJ80

Wow! that is one heck of a price cut. These are fun, I think you'll really like them.

If anyone needs a single one, I have an extra and I'd sell it cheap. Brand new, never used.

J.

ModeratedUser150120149

[QUOTE=jyl;17241075]I was KE6GPF, but unfortunately I think I have allowed my license to lapse :-(

On your typical bike ride, even a big century, not many people will be using FRS/GMRS radios. Just have a prearranged set and sequence of frequency/code that each person knows to try if the first one is clogged.

For bike use, compact and light are important, so the el cheapo consumer radios are nice.

If we were backpacking or something, I'd use something better.

Is ham radio still a thing?[/QUOTE]

Yes indeed. Just tested several people last week.

Don"t need Morse Code any more. That removed a perceived obstacle for many people. Renewed emphasis on emergency communications and the art of electronics and radio.

Captlink

[QUOTE=HawkOwl;17399632]I'm a ham and a VE also most of the handy talkies have vox circuits built in for hands free communication.You can also access the phone lines over most repeater groups.Cost has come down to about 40.00 a piece which is much cheaper if you loose or damage one.Tests are free and the study material is not expensive.I recommend getting a amateur radio license for any one as it is a world of fun for the whole family.

Shimagnolo

Before college, had a Novice license, then later a Technician license.

In college I got an Electrical Engineering degree and in my senior year, took a radio theory course that made all my previous amateur radio studies seem like kindergarten stuff. Upon graduation, I could have sailed through the Extra class written test.

But I couldn't get my damned code speed up to 20wpm.

Then years later, (after I'd forgotten most of it), I learned they dropped the code requirement.

ModeratedUser150120149

Funny, according to ARRL there is more Morse Code use today than before licensing caught up with the times. But, now it is voluntary and done for fun. Much like the old AM radio folks.

So, this definitely isn't the old fashioned amateur radio. Lots of Art and Science work, micro-computer like Pi and Arduino and daily stuff like between vehicles, bikes, hikes, etc.

One correction to your post: Depending on under which VEC's auspices the test is administered there is a nominal fee.

Still, to address the OP's needs directly, becoming an Amateur Radio Operator(Ham) with a Technician license would give the ability to not only talk within the group but to have increased safety.

Yendor72

We had our first outing yesterday with the Cardo BK-1 Duo's, WOW! That's all I can say. I could speak in my normal speaking voice and over the wind noise she could hear me clearly. I could hear her clearly as well. Made the ride that much better. My wife said it was the best investment we have made for riding. Then she asked how much and I told her she responded, "Yes, that is worth it."

JohnJ80

Exactly my wife's response as well. Glad you like them. We found it really enhanced our rides.

J.

ItsJustMe

Motorcyclists have helmet mounted radio intercom systems.

There are some bluetooth ones, and also some headphone/mic/push-to-talk button things that plug into FRS radios.