Hands-Free VHF

[Plan_B]

There was a short series of SAS stories on TV not so long ago. I noticed the guys were all wearing the hands-free headsets for communications. I suppose theirs was a dedicated radio frequency or secure net but, wouldn't it be handy for skipper/crew communications on even 35' plus vessels. Instructions to crew, picking up buoys, up the mast, berthing, foredeck work or even comms with another station could all be carried out easily, calmly and without shouting, waving or gesticulating.

Never seen anything like this for sale, or am I looking in the wrong places.

Any thoughts guys??

Regards

Dave D

 

[steverow]

Try motorcycle dealers, the headset radios they use on unlicenced 49Mhz band are very similar to what you are looking for.
Also the construction industry use similar devices, ie headband worn VOX radios.

Steve.

 

[rickp]

Quite a few of the PMR-style radios that you can get cheaply (argos etc) do this. We have a set of binatone cheapies that do hands free (they call it Vox). Works well enough using a mobile-phone style headphone+mic on a lead. Starts transmitting within a fraction of a second of you starting to talk (so clear your throat first...

Rick

 

[bruce]

called FRS radios over here, and many have the vox ability and are used for foredeck work, docking and anchoring, rather than shouting...

 

[JonBrooks]

Vox is great in a low noise world.
It will have the potential to stay open mic on a windy boat.
VOX= voice activated TX (voice in low cost kit is any noise)
A good quality VOX unit will normally have a level control.
In tests here once you have it adjusted not to activate on wind noise the user then has to shout to activate the mic.

There are some very good noise cancelling VOX kits on the market but normally only used by F1 teams and the like because they cost a mint.

They can be fitted to the Icom M1EuroV and the M87E.
There is a cheaper Icom VOX system for the M87.
It will be prone to the wind noise problem.

Regards

 

[Plan_B]

This is good stuff Jon, it tails off the options given by the other guys in that if I just want to talk to crew I have the PMR options (I have found some now thanks to the pointers from you guys) and there really is the VOX system for, certainly the Icom VHF if I wanted to choose that route. I note the VOX noise level comment which I hadn't thought about - I guess I could fit a roving reporter type hairy mic cover to reduce that!! - just a joke.

Thank for the tips all.

Dave D