Communication: The Problem To The Answer

This entry is part 17 of 320 in the series Adventure Rider Issue #1

The problem to the answer

Being able to communicate with other people and other riders is far more than a convenience. It’s a serious safety issue. There’s some very high-tech equipment available, but it’s not difficult to find what you need.

When you’re travelling big distances with one or more other riders it makes sense to be able to contact each other while you’re riding.

It’s not a social issue – although a chat can make a long ride far more pleasant – it’s a big safety concern as well. On a dirt-road or desert ride bikes might be spaced a kilometre apart to allow the dust to settle between riders. Even a small group can end up strung out over several kilometres, and the sweep rider can be left high and dry for a very long time before the group realises he’s in a ditch somewhere or struggling with some kind of bike failure. Going back the other way, the lead rider may well find a very dangerous situation and need to let those behind him know before they fall victim, one after the other.

There’s also the need to be able to get help. That’s something where no-one wants to be caught short.

Let’s have a look at few possibilities…

Beacons

Very few adventure riders would be unaware of the SPOT personal tracker and the EPIRB – more correctly, the PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) is specifically a marine-spec locator. It’ll do the same job, but EPIRBs tend to be larger than PLBs.

A distress beacon should be in every adventure rider’s kit, or at least one in every group. They signal distress using a satellite network, so they have far greater coverage than a mobile phone, and if someone’s hurt badly enough to need to set off an emergency distress signal, they may not be physically able to use a phone.

The SPOT is popular because it has a number of handy functions,

Communication

like sending an “Okay” message to programmed phone numbers and e-mail addresses and allowing anyone with access to the Web to track a rider’s path and position. The SPOT is a subscription service, though. The subscriber has to buy the unit then pay an annual fee to keep it operating.

The PLB has only one function, and that’s to send a distress signal and notify emergency services of the beacon’s position. Once the PLB is purchased there’s no ongoing fees. Battery life is around five to seven years, and that’s all there is to it. Hit the button anywhere in the world and someone will start looking for that beacon.

In both cases the owner needs to register their beacon, and buyers need to be aware that a unit bought from overseas will have its country of origin encoded into its signal.

Just between us

Probably the most interesting area of communications for riders is being able to talk to other riders, or for the rider to be able to speak to the pillion without having to slow down and shout, and this is where the blue-ribbon gear really gets interesting.

In years past there have been a lot of good communication systems, but they relied on a cable from the rider’s helmet to some kind of control centre on the bike. Now there’s Bluetooth, and that’s changed everything.

There are still very good cable set-ups available, but once you’ve tried a wireless set-up you’ll never go back. Of course, the luxury of being wireless means you’ll pay more, but prices are dropping fast as technology surges ahead, and right now there are some great Bluetooth options at prices that would’ve been impossible a few years ago.

For communication between rider and pillion it’s hard to beat a straight Bluetooth rig. A small send-andreceive unit sticks on the side of each helmet with a mic and earpiece between the shell and liner, the units ‘pair’ – the Bluetooth word for recognising each other and connecting – and that’s all there is to it. Rider and pillion can chatter away to their heart’s content. It’s a very inexpensive, wireless, and generally rechargeable outfit.

For riders who tend to stay not too far from each other, the same setup will work. In fact, technology has advanced so far that we’ve seen one Bluetooth rig claiming 700m, line-ofsight connectivity. That’s awesome. No fuss or fiddling about selecting frequencies. Just pair up and prattle on.

Radio star

Once there’s a Bluetooth dongle on the side of a rider’s helmet, a huge world of connectivity opens up. He can Bluetooth to his phone, GPS, iPod or even to a UHF radio, and that’s good news for adventure riders.

A mobile phone is great, but it means dialling out or answering a call, having a phone up on the ’bars where it’s open to crash damage and weather, and it’s for contacting one person at a time. Riders love UHF because it means they can monitor all kinds of chatter, and with one touch of a PTT (push to talk) button they can get their message out to an unlimited number of people.

Anyone on the same channel within range will get the message. There’s no licence necessary and no ongoing fees to pay, and the radios themselves are relatively inexpensive. There are waterproof models available, and different power outputs, and there’s often excellent information available just by listening to local traffic.

There’s a few specific bike-comm rigs offering Bluetooth connectivity, and that’s a clincher. Until recently riders have tried to come up with ways of bodgying mics in their helmets or draping the attached radio mic over their shoulders, hanging by a curly cord, but now it can all be done with a very neat, efficient wireless package.

Quietly

Any competent installer of comms gear should be able to help you to a sensible choice of the equipment that will suit your needs. The big tip we have for you here is to work out what you want, then ask for it. If you want music, GPS and phone, and that’s all, say so. Do you want noise-cancelling (you’re a mug if you don’t)? Do you need to integrate speakers into custom-formed earplugs? Open-face or full-face helmet? Do you have specific power-draw limitations? Is it important the system is waterproof?

Work out those kinds of things, get them straight in your head, then find yourself a competent tech/retail outlet and tell them what you need.

Get that bit of communication right and communication from then on will be easy.

Adventure Cams

We went looking for someone who could give us sensible and expert advice on bike comms, and we ran into Ross and Steve at Adventure Cams. We thought they’d be all about helmet cams, and they are, but they’re totally switched on when it comes to bike comms as well, and as SENA importers and distributors, they were busting to tell us all about the latest gear from the leading edge in bike-communication technology.

“Adventure bike riding offers so many experiences, why not share it by communicating with others on the ride?” frequencied Steve Cooney, his eyes shining. “Having used SENA (SMH10 and SR10) on a recent Canning Stock Route ride, the benefit of being able to communicate with everyone, including those annoying fourwheel drives coming over the hills, was invaluable. This gear will remain part of my kit. Over,” he transmitted enthusiastically.

Breaking the silence has never been easier thanks to the SENA Bluetooth range of communication solutions. Get Ross and Steve to assist you with the right system from UHF connectivity to a simple Bluetooth intercom system, and get the equipment you need for the job you want done. SENA’s range offers simplicity with seamless functionality via the unique Jog Dial system designed by riders for riders.

“If you haven’t experienced the benefits of Bluetooth, such as stereo music and GPS connectivity, now is the time,” transmitted Ross Palmer. “With systems available from as little as $129, isn’t it time you broke the silence on your next ride?” We’re convinced.

We’re convinced. Contact Adventure Cams, the Australian Distributor for SENA Bluetooth to discuss your needs. The guys offer free, friendly support – including a two-year warranty on all products – and have retailers throughout Australia. Give them a call on 1300 115 007, or log on to www.adventurecamshq.com.au

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