In car communication

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 17:02

ThreadID: 80238 Views:3533 Replies:7 FollowUps:5

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Outback Communication Requirements Explained

Adequate consideration of your communications gear is essential when venturing into remote Australia. It is considered necessary that each vehicle venturing into the outback should be equipped with a

John T

Hi , This is my first post, but not my first visit to this great site where I have learnt so much that my wife and I can use when we soon embark on our grey nomad treks.
I do have a question that someone may be able to answer. friends of mine have a Toyota Tarago, which is fitted out to accommodate the husband's wheelchair at the rear of the vehicle. This makes communication difficult when they are travelling as thay cannot hear each other without yelling, which is not altogether a good thing. What I am trying to find out, is there a communication device that they can use that the husband does not have to press any buttons to talk or recieve? he has very limited use of his hands so a normal walkie talkie won't be useful.
Any info would be much appreciated

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Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 17:16

Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 17:16

A "walkie talkie" may do the trick IF it has VOX (voice activation feature). Having one that can be adjusted for sensitivity may be the go and relatively cheap. VOX feature is usually built into an external microphone/headset component of the handheld radios.

Food for thought....and BTW welcome to the forum :)
Andrew

AnswerID: 424905

Reply By: Notso - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 17:52

Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 17:52

What about looking at one of the Motor Cycle comms systems for rider and pillion?

Bro in law has one, not too sure how it all works but they chat away whilst fanging down the road.

AnswerID: 424910

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Friday, Jul 23, 2010 at 08:40

Friday, Jul 23, 2010 at 08:40

I think "Not so" has hit the nail on the head here. As far as cost is concerned I personally wouldn't care as it can also be a safety thing. There may also be someting that the rally drivers use.

Ask the local Apex boys. See if they can help. If you were here I would hop around and ask Niel Bates to see if he has something he doesn't use any more that may do the job.

But I do think the bike stuff may be the way to go. Check out the local bike shops.

Phil

FollowupID: 695424

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 18:25

Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 18:25

A momentory switch on a plate near where his hands are would only need weight on it to activate it and a handy person may be able to wire it into the motorbike setup which may be the best as it has a mike and headset arangement.

The noise in the car may prevent VOX as it needs to have a reasonably quiet enviroment to operate??????
Someone will correct me no doubt but my phones voice control gets upset in the fourby

AnswerID: 424915

Follow Up By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 19:58

Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 19:58

Gday
Helicopters have the voice activated system so outside noise is not a problem.

Murray

Muzbry
Great place to be Mt Blue Rag 27/12/2012

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FollowupID: 695372

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 20:14

Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 20:14

Yes but the cost would be prohibitive.

Quite a few years ago in another life I worked as an Toll operator for Telecom NZ.

They were resurfacing the outside of the building and using jackhammers to remove the old surface.

They bought about 150 helicopter headsets that were supposed to be noise cancelling. Didnt really make B all difference the callers and us still couldnt hear each other These headsets were in the vicinity of $1000 each.

FollowupID: 695373

Reply By: a convict - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 20:06

Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 20:06

'Baby Listener / Talker'

..a bit heavy on battery use but we use a 'baby listener/talker from Living room up to Attic, say 7/8 metres distant. I looks a bit naf but works a treat, and saves shouting.

AnswerID: 424927

Reply By: Member - Brian R (WA) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 20:25

Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 20:25

Hi J T
I would be looking and talking to the guys on motorbikes.
Communication is very inportant for those with disabilities, I would mention ....please remember to include the poor bloke in the wheelchiar in any ideas or whatever you look into. hope you get my drift.
Yes I reckon talk to the Motorcyle guys
Brian

AnswerID: 424930

Follow Up By: SDG - Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 21:56

Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 at 21:56

There are a couple of different varieties that we use on motorcycles.
One is a basic mic/earpiece setup that is connected to another via a small box. Limited range.
The other is a blue tooth setup. Again a mic/earpiece setup, connected to a small box which usually attaches to a helmet. This transmits to another unit wirelessly. Some of these have a range up to two kms. It should be possible to adapt these to fit in a car. EG. instead of an earpiece, change it to a larger speaker.

Some of these bluetooth units can also be used with mp3 players, mobile phones, some gps unites, etc.

Look up intercom bluetooth on ebay. There are a few there.

FollowupID: 695395

Reply By: Member - Boobook - Friday, Jul 23, 2010 at 06:38

Friday, Jul 23, 2010 at 06:38

This voice operated mike wfor common UHF radios should do the trick. Less than $20 too.

AnswerID: 424955

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Friday, Jul 23, 2010 at 06:38

Friday, Jul 23, 2010 at 06:38

OopsVOX

FollowupID: 695415

Reply By: John T - Friday, Jul 23, 2010 at 07:42

Friday, Jul 23, 2010 at 07:42

Thanks for all the info fellas, much appreciated, I think the motorbike option may be the way to go. Brian, thanks for the suggestion to include the bloke in the wheelchair, he is part of the discussion at all times.

AnswerID: 424958