Z06_BluByU

Guys,
our lemons team is looking to add in car communication so the driver and pit can talk during the race about whats happening (or not happening) with the car, fuel load, tires, brake, etc.. looking for some recommendations on what works good.. we're all on a budget but dont want crap..

is there a standard that everyone uses or a predominate brand/setup??

thanks for the any help!

Z06_BluByU

anyone!??! anything?!?! sampson maybe?

Don Keefhardt

Some will laugh...but this is a proven system -

CB radio - 5 watt mobile unit with an external speaker jack, in the car. Good (good = $15-20) used mobile radio speaker (check with your local 2-way shop, they'll have a stack of them under the bench), hose-clamped to the roll-cage right behind the driver's head. Volume turned up. Wanna talk ? Grab the mic, stick it in your face, push the button and yap. Get a good antenna (i.e. LONG) and mount it correctly.

Pit end - another 5-watt mobile unit with external speaker, powered by a car battery. It's loud enough so that everyone for 5-6 jack, wired to a speaker hung in somepits around you will hear it when your driver calls in.

Total cost = ~$150 (radios = $40 each, antennas = $30). That's cheaper than just one "helmet kit" for a VHF or UHF radio system.

I have the expensive stuff in two cars, and the cheap stuff in another. Both meet the need.

rustyguns

Z06_BluByU

think we have the car and pit communication covered.. just need the helmet kit.. was thinking of:

Racing Electronics RaceTRAC
this one seems like the split cable is a little more tidy.. no just solder and shrink wrap.

http://www.racingelectronics.net/ind...its&item=RE705


SRC:
Flex Boom Helmet Kit NASCAR $92

Complete NASCAR flex boom Helmet Kit with noise canceling M0201 high gain microphone and mounting hardware w/ do-it-yourself instructions.

http://www.srcproducts.com/product.s...5&categoryId=5

Sampson:
Complete NASCAR Flex Boom Helmet Kit $97

Complete NASCAR helmet kit with flex boom, dynamic high noise canceling mic and 1/8" ear phone jack. All mounting hardware and instructions included.
NASCAR Helmet Kit

http://www.sampsonracing.com/sampson...new/home_f.htm



Race communication of Virgina
NASCAR style helmet kit. Includes flexible boom, slim style noise cancelling microphone, earphone jack, mounting clamps, screws and cloth microphone cover. Made in the USA using quality components.

http://www.racecommunications.com/pr...elmet-Kit.html


the car has (or is going to have) the nascar style connector (not the imsa connector). price about the same.. whats the difference? mic quality? construction? anyone have any experiance with these or other similar kits?

also noticed the sampson has a rivited connection to the helmet whereas the racecomofVA has screws.. wondering if those might loosen continuously..

install article from GRM:
http://www.sampsonracing.com/sampson...new/home_f.htm

Don Keefhardt

You're going to need ear buds or helmet speakers for each helmet, along with those helmet kits. Figure on spending another $90 per helmet for earbuds. Consider "helmet speakers" too...you can get them from motorcycle specialty shops, or from Vince at P.E.D -

http://www.pedracingproducts.com/PED_Race_Radios.htm

Most of the mic / helmet kits are the same...so there is really no difference in suppliers. The "noise-cancelling" mics mostly just require that the driver has to yell a lot. I've always riveted & hot-glue'ed helmet stuff in place.

Earbuds are what you'll need if the environment is really noisy...I use earbuds in my open cockpit car, and the big noisy V8 thing. The other stuff, I can get away with the "helmet speakers"...they're actually painfully loud much of the time, and will use foamy earplug protectors AND helmet speakers.

Go with NASCAR plugs. It's just a standard 3-conductor 1/4" phone plug / jack, available at Radio Shack etc..."IMSA plug" is a mil-spec connector that is pretty much unobtainium thru normal channels, so if you break one, you're skeee-rooo'ed.

racerbob4

We have used Speedcom Communications for the last 12 years with no problems at all. You can call them at 386.760.7110 they furnish a lot of the pro teams with their team radios. You can also ask them if they have a couple of sets that were traded in on new radios. Figure on about 50% off on trade ins. You can use my name if you want.
Bob Hines

Z06_BluByU

thanks!!