Need:Short Range Head Mounted 2-way radios

[oleman]

Not going to be free BUT a police type UHF portable is as good as you can get in get. Highly recommended is a an ICOM IC-F60V. Best is that it is UHF so you are not competing on the few VHF bands. 4W, water prof, recharageable and has some crypto voice features and lots of hardware options for radio placement on the sender/receiver/operator
To make it mostly legal just reprogram to the almost free to operate GMRS freqs if in the USA. It is sized like Grandma's cell phone.

[Olddan1943]

Originally Posted by Quadrille in JB

I am looking for a pair of short range, head mounted 2-way radios. Our slip is located in a narrow creek next to an inlet where the tide flows perpindicular at 3-4+ knots.
To approach our slip, I line up the the boat with the slip and drift sideways while moving forward until I'm directly in front of the 13' wide slip and then move in until I rest the forward quarter on one of the pilings. Then I can easily maneuver into the slip using the piling as a pivot point. This takes perfect timing and perfect distance judgement from the cockpit to pull it off successfully. Unfortunately,this doesn't always happen. My distance judgement would greatly be improved if the Admiral could talk me in via hands free radio while stationed on the bow. All I can hear now is "slower, slow down."
Years ago we used simple low powered headsets made by Radio Shack that sold for about $20, but I can't find similar radios anywhere. The cheapest seem to start at $300 and are very bulky. Can anyone tell me where I can buy a simple similar set?
Thank you in advance. And you will win the Admiral's undying appreciation.

I bought my set from West Marine, many years ago. Might want to look at their on-line catalog.
Then check the on-line catalog of Radio Shack. I think they still maintain an on-line presence on the net.

[luciarose]

Originally Posted by ThresherMan

l would think that, if you both have cell phones (all too common these days), get a pair of cheap bluetooth headsets for the boat and call each other.

What good would that do if you're not in an area with cell coverage? (Which is really where we should all be trying to get to - and away from the everyday pressures of life...)

[barnakiel]

We have used Apps on our smartphones for that. Plus a regular headset.

The App we used connected either by BT or direct wifi whichever was available. We found direct wifi more reliable as BT tends to switch off if you say run down below and back.

Not sure you need to buy separate specialised kit for just that.

Cheers,
b.

[Quadrille in JB]

Thanks for all of the helpful responses. The Sena's seem like the way to go but they are pricey. We're trying to stay away from a separate radio with headset. The stand alone headsets are so much more convenient, especially when you're not wearing very many clothes.
We try to keep our iphones off of the deck as they're sooo easy to drop overboard, and so inconvenient when they go swimming.
I'll continue to research all of your suggestions.
thanks again

[Quadrille in JB]

Originally Posted by zboss

I have a pair of cruiser solutions two way headphones that we were going to sell anyway... if you are interested. Very reasonable price plus you pay shipping. PM me is interested.

Zboss,
I'm very interested. I PM'd you this morning.
I'm patiently waiting for your reply
thanks.

[waterman46]

On our boat it is impossible to communicate from foredeck to helm by voice, so we have a simple set of hand signals for manoevering and anchoring. Besides making us look like we know what we are doing, the system is quite inexpensive, requires no batteries and it works.

I'm sure you could invent hand signals that would work in your situation. May I also suggest that you pay more attention to driving in as close to the UPCURRENT side of your berth as opposed to just fixing on the downcurrent piling in your appoach.

[Quadrille in JB]

I definitely focus on the up-current side of the slip as I make my approach. That's why I need to get as close to the up-current piling as possible. With our wicked currents we quickly pass the up-current side and I have to manuever the bow into the slip before the down-current piling becomes the up-current piling. Very tricky, and things happen very quickly.
I have operated boats of all types since I was 10 years old.

Again, I thank everyone for their valuable input.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by wrwakefield

As others have mentioned, the SENA
for motorcycle touring is probably the best out there and still work in high wind/noise/wet conditions. [I can wear mine into the engine room while motoring and communicate with crew...]

PS: I forgot to mention you can pair these with your smart phone- which I find handy when engaged in phone calls while boating... or listening to music...

Will the SENAs sync directly with a non-SENA Bluetooth device, too? Like with a Bluetooth earbud/mic for a cell phone (but without the cellphone in the middle)?

-Chris

[waterman46]

Sorry, certainly didnt mean to imply you lacked experience. I had another idea, assuming both you and the Admiral have cellphones. How about using a pair of Bluetooth earpieces, about $20 each. The setup is not quite as easy as the headsets but then one just places a phone call to the other and you have full duplex hands free.

I have used this method when working aloft.

[Nani Kai]

I have had success with two models of hand held radios. Motorola MS350R, $120/pair on Amazon, rechargeable and also use AA's. These Motorolas are Waterproof, come with belt clips and are very robust. You'll need to buy headsets separately, around $20/pair for good ones. About half the cost are Midland GXT1050 VP4's, $70/pr includes the headset, also with belt clips, rechargeables or AA's, again on Amazon. These units are water resistant; they will take spray while transiting in the dinghy but would not survive a swim in the harbor. An added benefit of the Midlands is that they come with a VOx option as well as PTT. Push to Talk works best provided you have a hand free to reach up to your shirt collar to push the button. If both hands are occupied then Voice Operated can work well if you remember to open the channel by making a noise first then transmitting your message. To wit: If while on VOX the person on the bow says "Neutral. Come to Port" you won't hear the word "Neutral" because the mic is not open until you activate it with a sound. What you will hear instead is "come to Port". Which is not the same. If however the bow person says "Uhhhm, Neutral. Come to Port" you won't hear the uhhhm but you will hear the complete command. Takes a little getting used to but can work well.

[Cadence]

Looks like a no. of good suggestions. I guess the only thing missed was two tin cans and a string.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by waterman46

On our boat it is impossible to communicate from foredeck to helm by voice, so we have a simple set of hand signals for manoevering and anchoring. Besides making us look like we know what we are doing, the system is quite inexpensive, requires no batteries and it works.

I'm sure you could invent hand signals that would work in your situation. May I also suggest that you pay more attention to driving in as close to the UPCURRENT side of your berth as opposed to just fixing on the downcurrent piling in your appoach.

Hand signals are what we use most of the time, but we've noticed that they don't work well in the dark or from the masthead. Then the Intergalactic Communicators come into play.

Jim

[JPA Cate]

I'd like to say something about hand signals. They should be given from the outboard side of your body as you face forward, so that the person driving can see them from the cockpit. At night, the deck light should be turned on to illuminate the signaler. Figure them out with your partner. You need signals for "forward", "reverse", "port", "starboard", "a little". We have one for a short burst, as well; and "stop the boat!", turn off the engine, and increase or decrease the engine rpms.

Ann

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by Nani Kai

I have had success with two models of hand held radios. Motorola MS350R, $120/pair on Amazon, rechargeable and also use AA's. These Motorolas are Waterproof, come with belt clips and are very robust. You'll need to buy headsets separately, around $20/pair for good ones. About half the cost are Midland GXT1050 VP4's, $70/pr includes the headset, also with belt clips, rechargeables or AA's, again on Amazon. These units are water resistant; they will take spray while transiting in the dinghy but would not survive a swim in the harbor. An added benefit of the Midlands is that they come with a VOx option as well as PTT. Push to Talk works best provided you have a hand free to reach up to your shirt collar to push the button. If both hands are occupied then Voice Operated can work well if you remember to open the channel by making a noise first then transmitting your message. To wit: If while on VOX the person on the bow says "Neutral. Come to Port" you won't hear the word "Neutral" because the mic is not open until you activate it with a sound. What you will hear instead is "come to Port". Which is not the same. If however the bow person says "Uhhhm, Neutral. Come to Port" you won't hear the uhhhm but you will hear the complete command. Takes a little getting used to but can work well.

These inexpensive radios operate on a single channel at any one time, as such they are not full duplex and that's why the VOX is needed. So if one person needs to say anything to be heard by the other person, and other person is talking at same time, neither hears the other. Could lead to problem in tight situation. Also your transmissions are public. For the quick comms needed on docking you probably want full duplex, such as you have in a phone call or the more expensive headsets mentioned above.

I'm not sure why you need waterproofing for on deck use, unless you are planning to swim a line to the dock. Also I think Bluetooth will work if you leave both phones below deck and just wear the earpiece mics