Very often, cyclists face the acute problem of organizing communication between groups. This is especially true in places with no signal. mobile communications. That's when walkie-talkies come to their aid. Thanks to them, you can easily warn the lagging behind group about the danger on the route and ensure coordination.
In addition, radios for cyclists, as a rule, have convenient attachments for mounting on a backpack or vest pockets. It is very convenient for driving. In addition, using a headset, you can avoid being distracted by conversations while driving, without having to look for the signal call button or dial a number. All necessary settings must be made once, before the start of the trip.
Which radio is best for cyclists?
The choice of this equipment must be taken carefully. It would also be useful to understand some of the theoretical part. This applies mostly to beginners - professionals have known everything for a long time.
So, initially, before purchasing a walkie-talkie, you need to decide where you will primarily use it.
There can be three possible answers:
- Outside the city.
- Within the city.
- Mixed type.
Suburban conditions.
Here we can recommend the VHF ranges (136-174 MHz) - it is high-frequency. Such radios can be used on highways and off-road, where there are small obstacles to the signal. In addition, such radios are still not afraid of electromagnetic disturbances and other interference. Good options: Kenwood TH-F5 Turbo VHF, Kenwood TK-F8 VHF, Kenwood TH-K2AT
If your walk takes place along a remote, wooded route, there is a reason to use walkie-talkies that support the CB range. Even despite the fact that they are mostly used by truckers and taxi drivers. CB radios operate at a frequency of 27 MHz. The wavelength is about 11 meters. This means that it can easily bypass an obstacle with a diameter of more than 6 meters. No thicket is scary with her. The only negative is that in areas with interference on the air, they can provide poor-quality communication. Good portable options for radios operating in the CB range can be Intek H-520 Plus, Alan 42.
Urban conditions.
If you are sure that you will only ride within the city, then you need walkie-talkies operating in the ultra-high frequency range UHF. It can be either professional or amateur - most often, it’s the latter. The wavelength is approximately 70 centimeters. Frequencies - from 420 to 473 MHz.
This range includes two license-free permitted ranges:
- LPD - range, channel frequency - from 433.075 MHz to 434.775 MHz. The total number of fixed channels is 69.
- PMR range, channel frequency - from 446.00625 MHz to 446.09375 MHz. Previously, this was a European communication standard that did not require a license, but now it is allowed in Russia. You can use it safely in both Russia and Europe!
Thanks to this, you can have a fairly high-quality connection that is not afraid of any interference. With sufficient radio power, you can have a good communication range. If you decide to use walkie-talkies in urban conditions, then good options may be Ajetrays AJ-460, Ajetrays AJ-446, Ajetrays AJ-450, Midland GXT 1000, Midland GXT 1050, Midland GXT 650, Kenwood TH-K4AT, Kenwood TK-433/ 446, etc.
Mixed type.
If you don’t know exactly where you are going to ride, or your routes are too differentiated, an excellent option is to buy dual-band radios. As a rule, such devices can operate in the UHF and VHF bands. In this group, good options may be the Kenwood TK-UVF10, Kenwood TK-UV3R radios.
What other requirements might there be?
Everything here is quite simple and logical. Radios for cyclists must have the following parameters:
- Compactness - small size and weight: very important parameters for cyclists.
- Durability - for this, radios must have powerful body, which is protected from external influences.
- Ergonomics - convenient display, location of keys, availability of additional controls.
- Ability to work with additional equipment.
Useful article? yes ( 11 ) / No ( 6 )
Imagine the situation that you are going on a bike trip. On the way you will come across dense forests, hills, sparsely populated areas, in a word, places where there may be problems with the operation of a mobile phone. What to do?
In cases where it is necessary to ensure communication between all group members, athletes usually use velorations and bicycle accessories.
Velorations– a very convenient and extremely useful thing in such situations. The device has special devices that secure it in a secure position while driving. A bonus to walkie-talkies can be cyclist accessories, for example, a headset that allows you to control a walkie-talkie when a person is not able to hold the device in his hands
Imagine that you are ready to become the owner veloration, but now you have a dilemma: which model to choose?
It’s probably not worth telling you (you already know everything) that purchasing equipment needs to be approached seriously and responsibly. After all good device can become a reliable “friend” for many years.
Let's first decide on your route, during which you will use veloration.
We have three acceptable options: riding a bicycle around the city, outside the city, or a mixed type (when you ride both here and there).
Now let's look at each option separately.
So let's say you need veloration for travel within cities. In this case, your choice should be limited to models of radio stations operating in the UHF range (420-473 MHz). Such walkie-talkies have a wavelength of about 70 cm.
The UHF frequency range is considered “urban” and exhibits its own best qualities in dense urban areas. It consists of bands such as: LPD (433 MHz) and PMR (446 MHz), which are legal and do not require licenses.
Devices operating at such frequencies can be used without fear in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions of Russia.
If you have already decided that you will ride a bike in the city and admire the urban landscapes, radio stations with this range will be perfect for you. You can find a suitable model on our website.
Now let's consider a situation in which you are a lover of off-road driving or desert terrain located outside the city.
If you travel in not too remote places (where there are no big obstacles to the signal), you will need walkie talkies for cyclists, working perfectly in one of the most universal ranges - VHF (136-174 MHz). But if your path lies through a dense forest, choose a device with " civil band" - CB. The wavelength of radio stations operating at this frequency is about 11 meters. This means that such a station will be able to pick up a signal, despite an obstacle with a diameter of more than 6 meters.
And the last option - mixed, when you want to ride both in the city and outside it, so you plan to use the radio station in both cases. Then choose dual-band radios operating in the UHF and VHF bands.
That's it for yourself quick guide. But there are a couple more important points, which are worth considering when you decide on territorial issues.
Remember that veloration must be compact, because when moving, the size of the devices plays an important role. Secondly, walkie-talkies must meet quality standards that characterize their reliability. And thirdly, make sure that your model has the ability to connect additional equipment, for example, headset that won't occupy your hands, batteries increased capacity, helping you stay connected longer, and antennas, to strengthen the signal.
You can find the perfect one for yourself and your friends in our online store. We will be able to please and pleasantly surprise you not only good choice, but also the cost of goods.
Peter Bridger
What headsets/radios are there for cycling communication?
I ride my bike to work, sometimes I share the ride with a colleague. The problem is that the wind and the distance between the bikes make it very difficult to hear what the other person is saying.
It would be great to have some kind of cordless phone headset for communication while driving. For example, one solution could be a Bluetooth headset, similar to those used with mobile phones, combined with some kind of mobile phone or radio.
The best I could find were corded units designed for two people sharing one motorcycle. The radios I found were again for motorcycles and also seemed very expensive.
Are there such units for cyclists?
Neil Fein
Not exactly the right answer, but I often set up a set of signals for touring partners: one ring on the bell means "I'm here" and please ring back, and several times frantically - "let's stop here." I suspect you won't find a headset for a bike, and the challenge will be to find a headset that fits the walkie-talkie that will play well with both a bike helmet and And with the sound of the wind. Perhaps something designed for boating might work, or something military grade?
Freiheit♦
@neilfein: The main thing to look for in a microphone is "bone conduction". They hear your voice through the jaw and are much less likely to hear wind noise.
Daniel R Hicks
I suspect the motorcycle gear is the closest you'll find. Unfortunately, not only is it expensive, but it's also heavier and bulkier than you'd like.
OMG pony
@freiheit: Throat microphones are another option and are easy to find through paintball sources. The only problem I'm having is getting real throat microphones where you only need to whisper to communicate.
Answers
zigdon
A few years ago, when my wife and I started riding together, we got a pair of cheap two-way radios with headsets that included VOX. This allowed us to talk even when we weren't riding side by side. And since we weren't trying to talk from a mile away, it didn't matter how cheap the radios were.
Of course, this requires you to coordinate with your colleague, both radios tuned and tuned to the same frequency.
Brian Knoblauch
FRS radios are fairly inexpensive, most seem to have VOX, and will fit the bill (since it's designed for that specific type of use). Bluetooth can be made to work too, but it's not really designed for that. Additionally, if you need more range, you can buy a FRS/GMRS combo radio, get an FCC GMRS license, and talk over much longer distances (like if you're at a large event and get separated).
Neil Fein
What is VOX? Is this a trademark?
zigdon
The BK-1 product line was acquired by Terrano, LCC. and from today will be sold under the Terrano-X brand.
Philip T
There is a new product on the market that has just been released by VERTIX. This is a wireless system specially designed for cyclists and equipped with a remote control remote control on the steering wheel. The distance between two riders is 500m and you can have up to 4 riders in a group with a range between the first and last rider of up to 1.5km! time battery life is 10 hours. There is wind noise filtering, as well as an anti-choking feature - your friends won't hear you breathing heavily, but only when you're talking!
nick3216
I can recommend Motorola radios T5522 with VOX (although PTT is more reliable). Used to coordinate them in 24 hour races. It has now been discontinued, but similar systems can be bought for around £25 or so.
Rob T.
They are a bit pricey, but the solution my wife has been using for several years is Eartec Simultalk 2.4GHz radios. About $300 per pair. The benefits are small, light, simple and very user friendly as it is just like talking on the phone.
The downside, besides the cost, is that adding a third rider is problematic.
FRS/GMRS radios with VOX and a good headset that will fit under a bicycle helmet, must be more economical solution, but I suspect you may have to try a couple of radio and headset combinations until you get a setup that works for VOX. and bicycle helmets. A radio with VOX settings would be highly desirable.
Criggie
It's a rough, hard place to be on a bike. I used cheap PRS (UHF frequency) radios because they can be found for $30-$40, run on regular AA batteries, and the headphone/mic sets are $10 each. I mount the radio on my collar so it's high enough for a good signal, or on my belt and use the PTT mic on the collar.
The range is about a kilometer, more if it's open space like a road. VOX is a setting, but I found it too sensitive. They're not small or light, but for the price, I won't cry to break one.
Finally - they are a standard transceiver, not a proprietary pair where one breaks and the other becomes useless.
Chef Flambe
Bluetooth technology is designed for use over short distances. Less than 10 meters if there is a clear line of sight. I would suggest that you purchase a portable two-way radio (FRS) and a headset with microphone at retail.