Bike to Bike Communication

[NC-Canuck]

Okay - thanks to a stock performing better then expected (LAKE) I have some cash to burn on getting the bike to bike communication set up next week. I have the Sena SMH-10 already so plan is to buy the SR10 and a 2 way weatherproof radio. Any suggestions for radios? and do you know if the cable to connect them is included or do I need to purchase that also? Radios I am considering are:

Motorola MS350 series - about $60
Midland GXT1000VP4 - $60

Would be interested in others setups and opinions on performance.

[Bob]

Steve--you may not need the SR10 now unless you want to combine several audio inputs, such as GPS, radar detector, MP3, XM, etc.

A couple of guys have bought the new Motorola radio MU350R which is a Bluetooth radio and will pair up directly with the SMH10 so the SR10 is not needed. Then all you need is an $8 push-to-talk button and you're good. Lee Davis and Yamadog have both done this, I'll let them chime in on the details.

[Bob]

However, if you DO need the extra audio inputs and want the SR10, I would recommend the radio that I have, its an Icom IC-F4011--kinda pricey ($170 for one radio) but its commercial grade with either 1, 2, or 4 watts transmit power, very clear audio, and a long life lithium battery.. Since my hearing sucks, I needed the clear audio to my helmet speakers, as the Motorola audio wasn't very clear at higher volumes--for me anyway.

http://www.buytwowayradios.com/products ... 11-41.aspx
If you decide to get the Icom, let me know before you order it, as it needs to be programmed at the dealers first.

If you want to go the cheaper route, there are several Motorola models out there and I would recommend you get the *best* one you can find, probably $80 or so for 2 radios. Their cheaper ones tend to have shorter battery life and not as clear audio. Battery life is important so you're not messing with it during the day trying to figure out why you can hear others but it won't transmit lol.

I'd avoid Midland, we just don't have any history to compare.

[Bob]

One more thing and I'll shut up. You mentioned "weatherproof" radio. The MU350 is supposedly "weatherproof" but we've seen one leak on us already, so I wouldn't pay extra just to get that feature. Regardless of which radio you get, I would suggest you treat it as a not-waterproof-at-all unit! Mount it up where you can reach it for sunny days if you want, but you can always move it to a tank bag when it starts to rain. They seem to work pretty well regardless of the unit's orientation.

[NC-Canuck]

thanks for the great info Bob. At this time I do not need any other inputs so maybe I don't need the SR10 and should just go with the Bluetooth radio. For those that have the Bluetooth radio - do these work to your satisfaction? any issues? I like that it is cheaper - gives me more to spend on other things for the bike.

[LeeDavis]

Steve, Here's a link to the thread where I devised a solution with bluetooth GMRS, Sena and a PTT. http://www.cofsta.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=367 It's a good discussion and AFAIK covers all the bases.

[NC-Canuck]

Thanks Lee - ordered the radio and the PTT. both arrive next week. looking forward to trying it out.

[LeeDavis]

Steve, I remembered another thing that matters that I don't think is in the linked discussion thread: With this setup the Sena mic gain is too high at Sena's default. Run the Sena utility and disable Microphone Boosting.

[NC-Canuck]

Got the radio - charged it up - linked it up - took just a second. No Problems. Updated the SMH10 to not boost the mic gain. Now waiting for PTT - should arrive on Friday.

[Bob]

Got the radio - charged it up - linked it up - took just a second. No Problems. Updated the SMH10 to not boost the mic gain. Now waiting for PTT - should arrive on Friday.

Now set it to channel 19 with the privacy codes set to zero. And make sure to turn off the "Roger Beep", battery saver, and Vox.

[LeeDavis]

Got the radio - charged it up - linked it up - took just a second. No Problems. Updated the SMH10 to not boost the mic gain. Now waiting for PTT - should arrive on Friday.

That's good. The Motorola that Yamadog had to return never wanted to pair properly. In actual use, engage the PTT and listen for white noise. That indicates you opened the GMRS channel and you're truly paired. It's only happened a couple times but I've had the Sena voice prompt say I was paired when I wasn't...no white noise. I turned off, then back on both Sena/Motorola...they repaired and all was OK.

[NC-Canuck]

Lee - I have set the radio and smh10 with the following settings - let me know if you have any suggested changes:


Interference Eliminator Code - 0
call tone - off
Vox sensitivity level - default is 3 - I changed to 2 - should it be 1 - for noisy environment?
Noise filtering - off
Keypad tone - off
talk confirmation tone (roger) - off

The smh10 is set as follows:

vox phone - disable
vox intercom - disable
EDR - enable
High quality a2dp - enable
sidetone - disable
microphone boosting - disable

[Bob]

Lee - I have set the radio and smh10 with the following settings - let me know if you have any suggested changes:
Interference Eliminator Code - 0
call tone - off
Vox sensitivity level - default is 3 - I changed to 2 - should it be 1 - for noisy environment?
Noise filtering - off
Keypad tone - off
talk confirmation tone (roger) - off
The smh10 is set as follows:
vox phone - disable
vox intercom - disable
EDR - enable
High quality a2dp - enable
sidetone - disable
microphone boosting - disable

I'm not Lee, but I think you got the bases covered with the radio--but you didn't mention the iVoX setting, it should be OFF. Once its set to off, the vox sensitivity doesn't matter anyway....

With the SMH10, my take on the mic boost is if you turn it off you will need to place the mic closer to your lips to be heard clearly but this will also keep from picking up background noise, which is good. For someone who mounts the mic on the inside of their chinbar where it can't be moved, the mic boost may be needed. Maybe Lee has experimented with this some more. Sidetone--you should try it both ways and decide. I like it.

[LeeDavis]

What Bob said. Turn off iVox then the Vox sensitivity isn't applicable. When you page through the radio settings everything should be off except bluetooth.

[NC-Canuck]

ok - thanks for the info. Documentation says the VOX won't show up until I plug in the PTT cable - so still waiting on getting that.

[Bob]

ok - thanks for the info. Documentation says the VOX won't show up until I plug in the PTT cable - so still waiting on getting that.

When you scroll thru the menu now, you don't see a setting for iVox? I think it IS designed to come on when you plug an accessory in but there should be a main setting to turn it on or off. Unless this radio is different from past ones I've seen.

From the manual:

Hands-Free Use Without Accessories ( )
You can use the iVOX feature to transmit hands-free without the need for any
headset accessories. Once iVOX is turned on, the radio detects your voice
and transmits when you speak into the internal microphone.
1. Press until Ivox appears on the display. The current setting On/Off
will flash.
2. Press or to select On or Off.
3. Press to set or to continue set up.
Hands-Free Use With Accessories ( )
You can transmit hands-free more reliably with the use of optional
headset accessories. Once VOX is turned on, the radio detects your voice
and transmits when you speak.
Many accessories (sold separately) are available for your radio. For more
information, visit our Web site at motorolasolutions.com/talkabout or
shop.giantintl.com.
1. Turn the radio off and plug the VOX accessory into the accessory port.
2. Turn the radio on. VOX shows on the display.
3. Adjust the volume appropriately by rotating . Lower the volume
before placing the accessory on your head or in your ear.
4. To turn off, simply remove accessory.
Note: There is a short delay between the time you start talking and when
the radio transmits. There is a short delay before the transmission is
completed

[yamadog]

I use my SMH10 with other Sena users that do not have a radio, just the Sena unit and I have the vox intercom set at enable. Is this a potential problem when using the gmrs radio system when riding with you guys? Do I need to disable vox intercom before using the gmrs/radio?

[Ed]

Might be worth testing against Bob's Icom setup, before you head out on a day-long ride.

The SMH10 User Guide- page 18, in the version I have- lists a technique to disable/enable VOX intercom on the fly, but I haven't used VOX to confirm.

[yamadog]

Thanks Ed. The general concensus (Bob and you) is to disable the Sena Vox intercom function which I have done. We'll see?