Motorola MU350R GMRS Bluetooth + Sena

[LeeDavis]

I bought a Motorola MU350R GMRS bluetooth radio - http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00LLN0O6K/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new - to see if it would pair with a bluetooth headset without needing the additional Sena SR10 hub. It works!

I experimented with an old Camos bluetooth motorcycle helmet headset I've got. The catch was PTT and for that I used an inexpensive PTT headset from Ebay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Police-PTT-Earpiece-Headset-Mic-for-Motorola-Talkabout-Radio-1-pin-US-STOCK-/200986691804?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Headsets_Earpieces&hash=item2ecbbd88dc. I clipped off the earphone part so all that's left is the PTT which plugs into the radio accessory port. Conveniently, activating bluetooth on the radio deactivates the accessory port mike and speaker circuitry but leaves the PTT enabled.

Since this works with my sketchy Camos headset I know it'll work with Sena. HaulinAshe has an SMH10 I can borrow or I might splurge and purchase the S20.

[Bob]

Good sleuthing! REAL lucky the radio's built-in mic was disabled. This is a real breakthrough, for someone who doesn't want/need anything other than a 2-way radio piped into their helmet. Could put a crimp on Sena's sales of the SR10.

Wonder if that PTT is waterproof? Or if it even matters?

[Bob]

Lee, what type of battery does the radio use? LiOn or NIMH? How many Milliamp hours? I'd like to hear how many hours it will run under normal conditions with B-T turned on.

Also, will the radio run while its being charged--and does it charge from a USB port?

[LeeDavis]

Coincidence, Ashe just called and I'm meeting him in Hickory to get his SMH10. The MU350 battery in 1350maH, NiMH, twice the capacity of their other radios. It will also operate while being charged from a USB circuit.

[yamadog]

Wow! Great news Lee. Keep us informed as I too would like to use a Sena SMH10 w/o the SR10. Do I need the same radio you purchased?

[Bob]

Yes unless another mfgr brings out a bluetooth model. Probably will.

[LeeDavis]

Wow! Great news Lee. Keep us informed as I too would like to use a Sena SMH10 w/o the SR10. Do I need the same radio you purchased?

Yes, bluetooth radio and the PTT I got from Ebay are required to make this work. Just got back home with the borrowed SMH10 and it's charging. I'll know if 100% success soon, probably tomorrow, and will post.

[Bob]

Curious to hear how you sound to the other "end", and if the audio is loud/clear/etc with ear plugs.

Also, if there is any "lag" when pushing the PTT or in receiving a transmission.

[LeeDavis]

Curious to hear how you sound to the other "end", and if the audio is loud/clear/etc with ear plugs.

I think it'll be OK in those areas. I've run the entire system through my Camos headset to a Midland radio set up across the room. I could hear my voice coming from the Midland fine.

[Bob]

Cool. We need to get it out on a ride and put it to the real test then.

[LeeDavis]

Finished tests and it's all good! I installed the SMH10 to my helmet, paired the MU350R radio w/wired PTT then broadcast and received to/from a Midland radio. Whatever latency exists is too small to notice. Reception or broadcast was immediate by pressing either the MU350R wired PTT or the Midland PTT.

[Brick]

Whoa... this sounds promising! Good work there Lee. The SR10 is well kind of a pain in the ass.

However, I still think the Sena SMH-20... if ALL had one is the best of all possibilities. That being said they do have a more limited range than the radio. But the PTT is a pain and almost dangerous trying to push it to inform of gravel in a curve.

The price of that radio is low enough that I could probably sell my current radios and the SR10 and pay for it!

I do however have to say this as I expected Bob to say it already:

[Bob]

But the PTT is a pain and almost dangerous trying to push it to inform of gravel in a curve.

This is the part I just don't understand--pushing the PTT being such a PITA. I never even think about it, just press it automatically. Where is yours mounted, Brick? I have had motorcycle BT in a past life and really like the simplicity of my wired setup thru an Autocom. If I converted over to BT tomorrow, I would still want an SR10 in order to run my GMRS/etc thru it....but thats just me.

(PS--let me know if you wanna sell the SR10)

[Bob]

Plus I have another question. Lets say you went with Lee's setup; could you also pair up your Iphone directly with the SMH10 with the GMRS also paired with it? Do they use different BT profiles? How does that work?

[LeeDavis]

Plus I have another question. Lets say you went with Lee's setup; could you also pair up your Iphone directly with the SMH10 with the GMRS also paired with it? Do they use different BT profiles? How does that work?

I'll have to try that. Sena says you can do it with their multipoint pairing. It allows 2 HFP (hands free profile) connections.

[Bob]

Plus I have another question. Lets say you went with Lee's setup; could you also pair up your Iphone directly with the SMH10 with the GMRS also paired with it? Do they use different BT profiles? How does that work?

I'll have to try that. Sena says you can do it with their multipoint pairing. It allows 2 HFP (hands free profile) connections.

Great--let us know. And will an incoming phone call override the GMRS---or vice-versa? What about streaming music (Pandora)--how will that interract with a GMRS xmit? Can they/will they co-exist and work together seamlessly....and how?

[Ed]

The SR10 is well kind of a pain in the ass.

Curious why you feel this way- for me, using the SR10 as the radio/PTT interface couldn't be easier; if my GPS had an audio-out jack I'd integrate it as well.

Changing from the Icom radio to one of our Midland GMRS handhelds (or my Midland portable CB) is a 2-second cable swap, and swapping it from the SV to the Bandit is an easy unplug/reconnect for the PTT. I multi-pair the cellphone to the SMH10 for background music and turn-by-turn, and the group radio traffic takes precedence if/when someone talks... so, what's the PITA?

While the bike-to-bike bluetooth connectivity of the SMH10 is nice in some instances, and the clarity is tops- full-duplex four- or six-way conversations within a riding group would drive me to turn it off in no time flat.

[LeeDavis]

Plus I have another question. Lets say you went with Lee's setup; could you also pair up your Iphone directly with the SMH10 with the GMRS also paired with it? Do they use different BT profiles? How does that work?

I'll have to try that. Sena says you can do it with their multipoint pairing. It allows 2 HFP (hands free profile) connections.

I did it and it worked. Made a phone call - no problem - and bluetooth GMRS remained intact.

[Brick]

Ed, my problem with the SR10 is that on almost all rides I've been on at least one rider had to reboot the SR10. I too have had to do that and mine is IN my tank bag in the compartment that RKA has for the wires and connectors.
Bob, my PTT button is on my left grip on closest to the switch pod.

[Bob]

Ed, my problem with the SR10 is that on almost all rides I've been on at least one rider had to reboot the SR10. I too have had to do that and mine is IN my tank bag in the compartment that RKA has for the wires and connectors.
Bob, my PTT button is on my left grip on closest to the switch pod.

Is the PTT actually ON the grip--or on the bar next to the grip? I have seen *someone with it on the bar where you can't press it without removing your hand partially from the grip, which would be an issue, for me anyway--since I can press with my thumb and stay on the grip.

I wish Sena would figure out that SR10 robot-sounding thingie--I think thats what you're referring to for reboot, correct? Heck, once a ride isn't too bad--I don't mind stopping for 30 seconds while someone reboots thier SR10.

[Ed]

Gotcha, Brick although I personally have never had to re-boot my SR10... but I only use it for the GMRS-to-SMH10 interface, so I'm curious to know what circumstances might be conspiring to overwhelm the system (e.g., the user is taking/dropping phone calls while music is playing and the GPS is muttering and the group is discussing lunch on the radio- all via Bluetooth, simultaneously).

[Ed]

I wish Sena would figure out that SR10 robot-sounding thingie

Has anyone from the group requested help via the Sena user forums, describing the issue/trigger conditions?

[Brick]

Yes Bob... it is ON the grip. I know my hands aren't as big as your paws but in a corner is tough for me... not gonna crash pushing a button for sure!

Yes, when ever someone says "you" sound like ET... it's a re-boot issue for the SR10 on someone's bike.

You are right I probably don't need to get rid of the SR10 and truth be told I don't need the SMH20... I guess I THINK I would like it.

Ed, my problem with the SR10 is that on almost all rides I've been on at least one rider had to reboot the SR10. I too have had to do that and mine is IN my tank bag in the compartment that RKA has for the wires and connectors.
Bob, my PTT button is on my left grip on closest to the switch pod.

Is the PTT actually ON the grip--or on the bar next to the grip? I have seen *someone with it on the bar where you can't press it without removing your hand partially from the grip, which would be an issue, for me anyway--since I can press with my thumb and stay on the grip.

I wish Sena would figure out that SR10 robot-sounding thingie--I think thats what you're referring to for reboot, correct? Heck, once a ride isn't too bad--I don't mind stopping for 30 seconds while someone reboots thier SR10.

[Bob]

I just posted a temporary "sticky" in the Upcoming Rides section re. trying a new GMRS channel. If this presents a problem for anyone, please let me know, but it's worth trying to see if it will eliminate a couple of our problems. Check it out!

[Marc K]

Wonder if this will work with my Scala ? That would save me a lot of $$

[Bob]

Order one from Wally World and check it out. If it doesn't, then it's defective, right? Just take it back to any store for a refund.

[LeeDavis]

Wonder if this will work with my Scala ? That would save me a lot of $$

It should. The Motorola radio uses the simple bluetooth headset profile.

[yamadog]

Lee, what pin size is on the PTT that plugs into the acc port on the new Motorola? 3.5 or 2.5? I have a PTT w/o a pin and could attach a pin, just need to know what size works. Thanks.

[LeeDavis]

Lee, what pin size is on the PTT that plugs into the acc port on the new Motorola? 3.5 or 2.5? I have a PTT w/o a pin and could attach a pin, just need to know what size works. Thanks.

2.5mm. Your PTT must include the microphone circuitry or it won't work. A tiny integrated mic is part of the Ebay PTT I recommend. Even though enabling bluetooth on the Motorola disables the mic it still has to be in the circuit. Here it is even cheaper than my original link http://www.ebay.com/itm/FBI-Style-Headset-Earpiece-Mic-for-Motorola-Walkie-Talkie-Talkabout-Radio/281398170206?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D23491%26meid%3D902b09c9edb14795b68c3787ab830703%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D10073%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D271473882857&rt=nc

[yamadog]

Thanks Lee for the heads-up on the mic/ptt. It's just that I don't see a good way of mounting that kind of PTT switch to my handlebars/grip. How are you mounting it?

[LeeDavis]

Here's my setup on the KLR. The PTT is on the left mounted with "Extreme" velcro available from Lowe's Building Supply. I did the same sort of thing with the FJR. I'm sure there are other inventive ways you could do it.

[Marc K]

Lee - what are you doing with the ear piece ? Wrapping up and securing it somewhere ? Looks like a simple solution to my radio / BT problems. Thanks for letting us know !

[LeeDavis]

Lee - what are you doing with the ear piece ? Wrapping up and securing it somewhere ? Looks like a simple solution to my radio / BT problems. Thanks for letting us know !

The ear piece wiring can be clipped off. The business part you need and end up with is just a single wire.

[yamadog]

Lee, I tried to pair my Sena with the Motorola but it won't work. Do I need to have the PTT installed prior to trying to "pair"? My Police PTT has not arrived yet. I followed Sena instructions and had the Motorola BT "on" and in pairing mode. Can you give me any pointers? Thanks.

[LeeDavis]

After you activated the Motorola bluetooth did you press the "-" button on the Motorola for several seconds until the blue LED on the radio flashed quickly. That's pairing mode and my Sena and Motorola paired within seconds. No, you don't need the remote PTT for pairing.

[Bob]

Don't forget to stand on one foot and dance the bluetooth jig.

[LeeDavis]

Don't forget to stand on one foot and dance the bluetooth jig.

To my surprise I couldn't get it to screw up. With phone and radio I paired in one order, unpaired then paired in the opposite order, did multipoint pairing, non-multipoint pairing... It all just worked.

[yamadog]

OK, so I stood on one foot,sang the pairing song, held my head on an angle, crossed my eyes and pressed the "-" button for several seconds, flashing blue led and still no pairing. What the #*$#! I will try again. The Sena is on and charged. I have the radio on and charged. I start the process and hear the Sena "pairing" double beeps for several minutes and then nothing. I must be doing something wrong. I'll keep trying. Hightech, I'm not!

[Bob]

Is there another bluetooth device turned on in close proximity to you--like a cel phone?? Could cause interference.

[yamadog]

I thought of that and tried to pair the radio with and without my cell phone on. Same results. I know I must be doing something wrong but I did manage to pair my cell ok.