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The goal is to have a 2plc intercom with PTT control of a VHF/UHF ham radio rig, and the ability to use a mobile phone with the system. Has anyone else put this type of system together? I'd like to learn from your efforts!

Key goals:
- Hearing protection and reduced driver fatigue from noise reduction
- Easy communication with copilot while moving at highway speeds
- Ability to use a noise-canceling headset to talk on the phone while OM (on the move)
- Ability for either pilot or copilot to use ham radio to communicate with trail mates while OM

Lesser goals:
- Ability to listen to music through headsets

Right now I see two options:

1) Aviation-based
- Aviation intercom system
- Aviation headsets (I have these already)
- Some type of adapter to the ham radio and PTT functionality

2) Dedicated vehicle solution
- Packaged solution from Rugged Radios (or equiv.) https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rugged+Ra ... f_=ast_bln
- Not sure about the ham-radio interface on this, but I'm sure there's a solution for an electrical engineer (me)

Ham-radio will likely be Yaesu (I have lots of their gear), but could be another brand if it integrates more easily.

Thoughts? This seems like a fairly general problem that others should have already solved.

http://terratrip.com/pro_plus.html

Thats a wellknown european Rallye-Equipment-Specialist .. might meet all your criteria ..

in the motorbike shops here you get much cheaper intercom solutions usually with bluetooth connectivity to the phone ... some yaesu have bluetooth on board as well.

regards from the alps .... Simon

I use some older model Sensear headsets. model SM1x SR. That model is no longer made and new ones are outrageously priced. But one can find the older models on eBay reasonably priced and in very good condition most of the time. It uses a rechargeable battery that can only be factory replaced which may be a consideration in purchasing older ones. It uses noise compression/enhancement that does allow conversation and situational awareness while preventing high dB exposure. Or, one can communicate between another headset using FM radio frequency, listen to FM radio, and it bluetooth connects to my iPhone. This older model does not bluetooth for music but does accept a corded connection. I have only used it with an HT using a cable connection for amateurs radio. The cables are again expensive but i found mine at a good price again on eBay. It is not a wired dedicated system but I can also use it for other uses as well, tractor, the range, etc. It works for me but certainly may not be ideal for all.

Here's where I've ended up:

Radio:
- Yaesu FTM-300DR (2m/70cm radio with Bluetooth), mounted on vertical fence (710K) behind driver on driver's side of fence.
- Comet B-10NMO for daily use (12in tall)
- Comet CA-2X4SRNMO for trail use (40in tall)
- OPEK NMO-3-1 NMO to UHF (SO-239) Female Adaptor through center roof plate

Center roof plate had two of four bolts changed out to provide grounding to vehicle body.
By using center roof pass-through to UHF connector, it can easily be re-configured to other radios while Oscar Mike.

L-bracket attached to roof support that's over front passenger heads to hand the radio microphone from the roof in the middle.

Radio head unit mounted above where a rearview mirror would normally go, with flat connect cable VHB'd to the center roof support beam.

Will be using either aviation noise-cancelling headsets (Bose, maybe) for on-road comms, or in-ear earbuds (will test Airpods). TBD. If and when passenger comms are req'd, will add aviation intercom unit.


12V power system:
- Bioenno LiFePO4 20Ah battery, ABS (BLF-1220AS)
- TI BQ24650-based MPPT charge controller wired to vehicle 2-prong radio 24V power outlet https://www.ti.com/tool/BQ24650EVM-639 . This charges at 14.5V 2A and battery is limited to 4A charge rate. Radio is approx 1/2A when on receiving (not measured).
- Additional DROK 720W buck regulator (DKP6012) that can supply up to 12A. Carried as a spare/stunt charging system. Programmable in the field with LED display. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071L ... UTF8&psc=1

This solution keeps the 12V system charged up from the 24V system, and has sub 1mA drain on the 12V battery when attached. All is wired with Anderson PowerPole connectors to allow for in the field reconfiguration as req'd.

The noise cancellation qualities of the the AirPods Pro is pretty darn good. Their connectivity to to non bluetooth devices is questionable.

BobbyD wrote: ↑Mon Aug 03, 2020 2:27 pm The noise cancellation qualities of the the AirPods Pro is pretty darn good. Their connectivity to to non bluetooth devices is questionable.

How would the AirPods Pro connect to a "non bluetooth" device? Do you mean "non Apple" device?

The AirPods can connect to either non-apple or apple devices. But I am not sure how well communications (voice quality) will translate to/from other equipment plugged into the device the AirPods are connected to.

It "should" work... but have not done any integrations like a SDR device to samsung phone and communicating using the AirPods... could work...

I do know that, while driving in the Pinz, I can hear an incoming phone call clearly/easily (going 50mph..so, it is loud) but the caller cannot hear me intelligibly when I respond. But I have better "transmit" when (in the same conditions) I use my ITC-2004, Four Place Stereo Portable Intercom from flighttech... but, that is what it is made for.

If you haven't already figured out the solution for this, try looking at this from David Clark. It is what I am in the process of installing in my 710K for the same reason. I use this same system at the Fire Department I work at and it has never failed. The parts can be bought in pieces off different sites used and be very cost effective. It is 12/24v so there is no need to convert the system, only have to run 12v to the radio.
https://www.davidclarkcompany.com/files ... 20Pump.pdf

At present, I'm just set up with the HAM radio and some Honeywell noise-cancelling headsets with Bluetooth connection into the radio -- so single person only.
https://www.honeywellstore.com/store/pr ... -53016.htm
https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=D ... Archived=0

The radio is behind the driver (speaker forward), head-unit above center of windshield, and powered by a lithium-iron-phosphate battery that's charged by vehicle 24V system for an isolated (clean) 12V radio power system.


PM me more details if you can of how you're making the connection to your radio -- I'm curious to see what your final system looks like since mine has been on pause for awhile and this might be a good option.

How will you handle PTT functionality? I'm presuming you're going to mount a switch somewhere -- I'm wondering where. And how will the passenger reach it?

From what I can see, the intercom functionality appears to be "hot microphone" in that there's no squelching. True?

Re: Series 3800 Vehicle Intercom System, 4 Position Engine with Pump Panel, Single Radio Interface
https://www.davidclarkcompany.com/fire- ... System.php

The C3821 cable connects to the radio with a wiring diagram then goes thru the U3805 to the PTT boxes to allow them to radio transmit. As long as the Master Station (U3800) is in the ON position all headsets are hot for intercom use only. Each headset has its own on/off, so when not in use just turn the headsets off. The radio runs thru the PTT boxes (U3811 & U3815). Those are for the front seat riders headsets, either can work the radio thru the PTT for transmit, all headsets, when on, hear the radio and all in vehicle talking, like an open mic, but only the transmit headsets radio transmit when PTT is pushed. All the radio controls are run off the radio. My Yaesu FT-891 has the head kit so it can be mounted separate from the radio. Its a simple intercom when the radio is off.

If you hit the System Layouts tab on that page it will show the layouts of different options.