using walkie talkies in France
Discussion
Hi everyone,
We are considering getting some cheapo and cheerfullo walkie talkies to keep in touch when driving to / from the circuit. I'm sure I've previously read or heard somewhere that there may be a problem with using them in France? Can anyone offer any advice on use, frequencies, recommended products etc?
Cheers,
Longers
We are considering getting some cheapo and cheerfullo walkie talkies to keep in touch when driving to / from the circuit. I'm sure I've previously read or heard somewhere that there may be a problem with using them in France? Can anyone offer any advice on use, frequencies, recommended products etc?
Cheers,
Longers
The cheepo radios are fine for ca to car but the range isn't up to much.
In theory, all PMR radios are .5W but in practice the better quality radios have a longer range. I use a Kenwood TK3101 for my bike to bike coms. Another person I ride with has an identical setup. The range on motorways is a couple of miles. In contrast, another mate has a Cobra radio from Maplins. It's range is nowhere near as good.
Of course, the Kenwoods are much more expensive but there are some bargains on Fleabay. I bought a pair, second hand four or more years ago and they are still going strong.
In theory, all PMR radios are .5W but in practice the better quality radios have a longer range. I use a Kenwood TK3101 for my bike to bike coms. Another person I ride with has an identical setup. The range on motorways is a couple of miles. In contrast, another mate has a Cobra radio from Maplins. It's range is nowhere near as good.
Of course, the Kenwoods are much more expensive but there are some bargains on Fleabay. I bought a pair, second hand four or more years ago and they are still going strong.
Just won a pair of Oregon Scietific (Rubberised Oh Err Misses ) On Ebay £6.95 . Have used these before the range is about 2 miles between cars , Will have to shout a bit if the roof is off your TVR Longers.
Just need to get the SAT NAV set up for France and a charger for the phone .
Any chance of getting a tow bar fitted , Going to need a trailer to carry all this additional kit !!!!!
Mike R
Just need to get the SAT NAV set up for France and a charger for the phone .
Any chance of getting a tow bar fitted , Going to need a trailer to carry all this additional kit !!!!!
Mike R
Reading this thread reminded me to hunt for my Cobra MT725s, last used en route to Le Mans in 2004 and - now I've found them - on charge in readiness for this year.
Car-to-car they were OK though some of our less technically minded female users had problems with the concept of push-to-talk, release-to-listen...
We were never more than about a mile apart (we had the radios in the first and last cars in our convoy of four Rileys) though didn't use them that much - at the (slow) speed we were travelling it was just as easy to shout or pass notes from car to car...
Car-to-car they were OK though some of our less technically minded female users had problems with the concept of push-to-talk, release-to-listen...
We were never more than about a mile apart (we had the radios in the first and last cars in our convoy of four Rileys) though didn't use them that much - at the (slow) speed we were travelling it was just as easy to shout or pass notes from car to car...
Never had any problems with using radios, and there's lots of sub-frequencies IIRC. I'd say its only around the Le Mans site that you'd have any potential frequency conflict issues. On the road it should be fine.
Having said that, I can't remember being able to understand anything that was said over the cheapo radios either
Having said that, I can't remember being able to understand anything that was said over the cheapo radios either
inigo said:The Cobra 725s aren't too bad but their quality drops off quickly with range. They may be audible at a mile or more when in a car but certainly not in a noist environment like a bike helmet, which is so noisy I always wear earplugs.
Never had any problems with using radios, and there's lots of sub-frequencies IIRC. I'd say its only around the Le Mans site that you'd have any potential frequency conflict issues. On the road it should be fine.
Having said that, I can't remember being able to understand anything that was said over the cheapo radios either
Two tin cans and a piece of string??PMR 446 License exempt radios are perfectly legal to use in all EU countrys.
Last year, I found that the french were also using the 446 frequencys, so the best way to overcome chashing conversations is to either get a more powerful transmitter, or use a different ctcs sub channel. (most PMR Radio's have 38 configureable subchannels for each main channel). Models like the Kenwood 3101 / 3107 have channels 1 - 8 normally configured with no sub channel, and then channels 9 - 16 configured the same as channels 1 - 8, but with a ctcs sub channel as 8.
Last year, I found that the french were also using the 446 frequencys, so the best way to overcome chashing conversations is to either get a more powerful transmitter, or use a different ctcs sub channel. (most PMR Radio's have 38 configureable subchannels for each main channel). Models like the Kenwood 3101 / 3107 have channels 1 - 8 normally configured with no sub channel, and then channels 9 - 16 configured the same as channels 1 - 8, but with a ctcs sub channel as 8.
I just bought a 4 pack of Binatone Trek 100s on ebay that claim to go 5 miles. Checking them out around here they seem pretty good.
I was going to suggest that we have a frequency agreed on here so that any random convoys that meet up on the drive down can chat or warn about speed traps Gumball style. It looks like there are enough people heading down from the Calais area on Thursday to make it worthwhile.
I was going to suggest that we have a frequency agreed on here so that any random convoys that meet up on the drive down can chat or warn about speed traps Gumball style. It looks like there are enough people heading down from the Calais area on Thursday to make it worthwhile.
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