Using FRS radio as intercom on Motorcycle.

[mrglen]

I've been thinking of using 2 FRS radios with the VOX (voice activated Transmit) feature and an earpiece for a bike intercom between 2 bikes. I can pick up 2 Motorola FRS radios with earpieces for around $50. I've also been looking at radios like the chatterbox radio systems but the usually sell for around $250 and up for a pair. I may pick up the FRS radios this weekend and try them out. If it works I can save around $200. I think the problem would be with an FRS radio, if it would transmit every time someone spoke (VOX level) but not transmit with any wind noise or other sounds. If this works, it would be a cheap way of doing this.

Has anyone else tried using FRS radios as an intercom between 2 bikes? Do you know of any 2 way radios for bikes besides FRS radios that would be in the $100 range? Is it worth the extra $200 for a chatterbox?

 

[Guest]

I've been thinking of using 2 FRS radios with the VOX (voice activated Transmit) feature and an earpiece for a bike intercom between 2 bikes. I can pick up 2 Motorola FRS radios with earpieces for around $50. I've also been looking at radios like the chatterbox radio systems but the usually sell for around $250 and up for a pair. I may pick up the FRS radios this weekend and try them out. If it works I can save around $200. I think the problem would be with an FRS radio, if it would transmit every time someone spoke (VOX level) but not transmit with any wind noise or other sounds. If this works, it would be a cheap way of doing this.

Has anyone else tried using FRS radios as an intercom between 2 bikes? Do you know of any 2 way radios for bikes besides FRS radios that would be in the $100 range? Is it worth the extra $200 for a chatterbox?

I did, didn't work for carp, especially riding through the White Sand Missile range. Something kept setting off the radios (wasn't able to mute it or tune it out either) and I couldn't deal with it going off in my ear every 30 seconds, so off they came. There are some other radios out there now besides the chatterbox. I think the Dennis Kirk catalog carries a couple.

 

[posplayr]

I would think that Bluetooth is a must for this type of device. I have a single Sena mainly for the phone and audio integration not so much for intercom. If you want rider to rider, intercom, there will probably be a pretty limited range, but here are others for Snowmobile riders which is apparently longer range.

http://www.amazon.com/SHKLXMBT688IL...89&sr=8-3&keywords=bluetooth+intercom+headset

 

[terrylee]

I have one by Rider Communications, its blue tooth. It was not very expensive and works great and you can link up to 4 units together.

 

[Steve]

One thing to watch for with Bluetooth is battery life. My sister and her hubby got helmets with Bluetooth-equipped intercoms (just the speakers and microphone) that connected to the system on their Goldwings (yeah, they each had a Wing). Only took one trip to convince them to go back to wired speakers in the helmets. A typical riding day might be 10-12 hours, but the helmet system would only last about 8. That means that even if they plugged them in every time they stopped, they would still have a couple hours at the end of the day without intercom or radio.

If your typical riding day is less than that and you don't mind plugging in your helmet almost every time you stop, go for the BT. :encouragement:

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