Radio Communication on Road Trips

[RedSnake351]

I always thought that having a two-way radio setup in the first and last cars would be extremely helpful. Would like to find a good radio system that doesn't make the electronic ignition act up when you key down the mike button.
A group of more than about 10 cars always presents a challenge when going through towns, seems like a few guys always get stopped by traffic lights or at stop signs when crossing a busy highway.
A couple of years ago we tried using the little 2-way hand-held transceivers and every time we keyed the mike, one of the guy's engine would misfire.
Is anyone familiar with a good system? A few of us have amateur radio licenses, has anyone used '2-meter rigs' in this scenario?
Ralph-N9JZM

[fsstnotch]

I was thinking the same thing as I remember a ride my father in law gave me a few months ago on his goldwing. It was cool because the radio would be playing and then when you talked, it just automatically broke into the music. But I was thinking about doing something similar to what you are thinking. On a long trip, my wife will be bored to death if we can't talk! lol

[RedSnake351]

Being in Iraq, maybe you can inquire about the systems you guys in the field are using. Although us poor civilians wouldn't be able to afford the equipment what the Army pays for.
(I do remember from my Vietnam days, we used to do a lot of trading with the supply guys! (SHHHHHHHH, SECRET!)
Ralph

[fsstnotch]

I dunno what they use here, but when I was a tinker, I ran the comm on the base. We used Motorola 5000 and EF Johnson LMR's (about $4500 ea) and then they just got headsets. it wouldn't work well I don't think as you would have to key it up everytime you wanted to talk. I'm going to have my wife find out what kind of equipment is installed on the goldwing. I would rather somehting a little more "two way" so you could have a conversation. Maybe we can retort to the old.. steel can and string method?

[ffindling]

Nextel "direct connect" works quite well as long as you are in a Nextel
coverage area. No problem for unrelated Nextel subscribers to set up, just
program each others Nextel unit ID number into your phones and away you go!

....Fred

[Secret Squirrel]

A little known feature that some Nextel phones have, it's called "DirecTalk". It is a walkie-talkie feature. It does not use the Nextel network. You should be able to talk direct to each phone or a group of phones that are set to specific channels and codes. It works similar to FRS radios but not using FRS frequencies. You will be able to see if your Nextel phone has this feature by going to the Main Menu and looking for the "Walkie-Talkie" or "DirecTalk" icon. If you find it, then you can use it and set each phone the same.
The only concern when using "DirecTalk" is you will not be able to receive phone calls or Direct Connect calls, because you are completely off the Nextel network. You will have to exit "DirecTalk" to resume normal operation.

I use Nextel phones for personal and work. We find this very useful at times when we have no signal and are working near each other. Line of sight rule is in effect.

[fsstnotch]

I never even thoguht about the nextel option... maybe I'll have to change providers?! But then.. how well can you hear it if you are cruising on the highway with sidepipes?

[Secret Squirrel]

Fsstnotch,

I can hear it very well, as long as I hold the Nextel close to my ear while driving. You could also use an earpiece. The DT feature beeps before every transmission. If your model of Nextel phone has vibe and sound activated together, you can feel and hear it when receiving the first DT call. That is depending on how loud your sidepipes are and if you are in OD. I wear mine on my shoulder strap while driving.

[Joe Wicked]

If keying the mic is causing a misfire, it sounds like either something is not wired in correctly, or it is pulling too much of a load on the system. If it is a momentary load, and then the car runs fine, while the mic is keyed and you are talking, then I would suggest a large capacitor be put inline. Similar to what is run in high wattage audio amps. If it is a continuous misfire, then either the device is wired wrong and creating a short, or the electrical system is operating at it's max and as soon as you use more, there is not enough juice to keep the car running. I would expect battery charging issues with the latter.

[Michael P. Wole]

MSD systems have high freq built in...I cannot operate my garage door opener when the Cobra is running..turn the ign off and door opener works fine.Just my 2 cents on the misfire issue