In-boat Communications

John Kennett · 08 February 2001, 15:46

I've looked at these before, and I don't reckon they are up to much. I would only even consider them if you are planning to wear a helmet -- even so the wind noise at speed would probably make them difficult to use.

Having said that, I might just be a miserable pessimist and they might be a £20 bargain. You've certainly got more patience than I have to find anything on the Maplins site!

If you want to do in-boat comms properly in a RIB there is only one company to go to. Have a look at www.dsdevelopments.co.uk to see how it's done but don't expect to get far with a budget of twenty quid!)

John

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John Kennett
RIBnet

Brian · 08 February 2001, 23:56

I have spotted that a company called Maplin Electronics sells a kit for a motorcyclist and his pillion passenger to talk to each other. It consists of a pair of earpieces and headset microphones and a small box of tricks (can be viewed on their website WWW.Maplin.co.uk)
This strikes me as a possible for RIBsters (Motorbikers:lots of wind rushing by, people getting wet, wanting to talk and in close proximity to each other. RIBsters: anything sound familiar here?)
Anyway, before I lash out the princely sum of £20 on this item, and force one of my few remaining friends to try it out with me, has anyone experience of this unit and if so, what are your comments?

[edited to make link to Maplin site work]

[This message has been edited by John Kennett (edited 08 February 2001).]

Alan · 09 February 2001, 13:50

RIP Brian E.

Electrocuted by Maplin headset somewhere off Plymouth breakwater in a Force 5 and the rain!

OK, overly dramatic perhaps but I share John's sceptiscm about the Maplin product. The DS Developments stuff is incredibly expensive. (when I enquired about a waterproof case for my VHF, the cost was much more than the VHF itself!). Supposed to be good though. I would think it would need to be encased in a helmet rather than just a woolly hat?!

ALan

GED · 10 February 2001, 18:52

I USED RALLY CAR HEAD SETS AND MODIFIDE
THE MIKE TO MAKE IT WATERPROOF ALL FROM DEMON TWEEKS CHESTER . WILL COST A BIT MORE THAN £20

GED

Michael · 11 February 2001, 22:31

Tried the DS site but got a "no index" error mesage.

Brian · 12 February 2001, 09:25

Me too.
Will try again in a couple of days.
Agree with you John about Maplins website!!
I actually saw the product in a showcase in one of their shop windows, and THOUGHT I was being helpful in giving you the website address. Silly me!

John Kennett · 12 February 2001, 12:30

It seems that DS Developments were having a few problems with their web host, but the site is now back!

John

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John Kennett
RIBnet

Powerboat · 14 February 2001, 23:14

DS have a superb reputation amongst professional users and the prices reflect their client base ( Rescue / Military etc . )

I saw some PMR private mobile radio sets www.sasproducts.co.uk at the London Boat Show however they weren't waterproof . They did however have throat mikes and snug ear pieces which are essential for talking in windy conditions . The cost of a package would be about £300 . They would be fine if you didn't fall in !!!!

As would the Maplin kit ( if you could get a throatmike )

Best wishes ,

Stuart www.powerboat.org

Rod Macdonald · 06 March 2001, 18:47

DS kit is the Rolls Royce of waterproofing. I belong to a sailing club on the South Coast that owns 3 Neptune cases. The oldest was built for a Seavoice RT550, when the radio was new some 18 years ago! The radio is still in perfect working order. An unprotected Icom M50 lasted only about 5 years before all the internal connectors failed. As they say, you don't get owt for nowt...

Brian · 07 March 2001, 16:18

I have now purchased the Maplin kit. It is very basic and relies on a)your being able to clip the earphone and mike onto say a motorbike helmet b) your plugging the extension wire into a small box the size of a fag packet (and ditto your co-speaker),ie max. two users and your movement is restricted. Box not waterproof but could be console or jockey seat mounted in waterproof bag. Very basic, as I said, but CHEAP.
I also have acquired a Plan B. I have a pair of Motorola TA200 hand held radios-cost about £70 the pair. Then bought two earbud/throatmikes at £13 each which plug into the radio and are VOX (voice activated).
The sets can be worn under your drysuit with only one very thin wire coming up through the neckseal. Advantages are multi-user, usable between boats or boat and shore, say about 2-3 miles range,(not even your marine handheld radio will legally do boat-to-shore!).
All as yet untested in the wet and windy stuff. Will keep you all informed.

Powerboat · 07 March 2001, 20:35

Hi Brian ,

the Motorola , vox throat mike system sounds very interesting .

Can you ask whoever supplied the kit to contact me as I would be interested in buying a set or two for trial purposes .

Best wishes ,

Stuart www.powerboat.org

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www.powerboat.org

Brian · 08 March 2001, 23:38

Stuart,
I bought my radios from a high street shop, Dixons. The earbud and inline mikes, Part number ENMN4009, I bought by mailorder over the phone from a Motorolas disti. in Southampton called Airsys on (UK) 02380 718700.
Motorola will tell you if they have a disti. in The Republic if you ring them on (UK) 0500 555555.
Please be aware that I have not tested the units at sea yet! (They work fine in my kitchen though.)

Powerboat · 14 March 2001, 23:20

Cheers Brian ,

We have Dixons in Dublin and I already do a fair amount of business with Motorola .

I'll let you know how I get on !

Best wishes ,

Stuart

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www.powerboat.org

Brian · 18 March 2001, 19:18

I went out to sea from Plymouth on Saturday and “road tested” the two radio combinations detailed above. The results were surprising.
Neither system is designed for RIBsters. Neither is designed to be waterproof and neither is suitable for rough, tough and VERY wet conditions. However…
The Maplins system, Chatter Box, performed superbly. It is designed for bikers and worked clearly in strong winds. The mike/earpiece needs to be fitted either to a helmet or a modified pair of hi-fi earphones. The cigarette packet sized box could be console or jockey seat located although it clipped well onto my lifejacket belt. Lack of waterproofing and the ability to “roam” are its only drawbacks. At £24.95, good value for money.
The Motorola system started with many advantages. “Wireless”, so roaming is possible (to theoretically, 3km). Fits under drysuit, good range of frequencies, ability to “lock” settings against accidental operation etc. BIG problem however was wind. VOX activated very easily in strong breeze to the extent that transmission locked out the non-transmitting set. Microphone desperately needs shielding, anyone know how I can do this? This system has enough other advantages for me though.

Powerboat · 18 March 2001, 22:50

Have you tried using a VOX throat mike under the dry suit seal. You can also keep the motorola under the drysuit . The only lead popping through the Neck seal is the ear piece . This should cure the wind problem .

Best wishes ,

Stuart

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www.powerboat.org

a.t.park · 29 March 2001, 15:42

Forget about the rest buy the kit that works.
I bought 2 helmets + intercom for a sponsored around Ireland event (DS developments) it was a fantastic piece of kit, performance 10/10. The kit is not cheap but you "get what you pay for".