Driver to Driver Intercom
12-10-2002, 10:56 AM
#1
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Driver to Driver Intercom
I know that some instructors at DE events have used Chatterbox intercom systems to talk to their students. But has anyone used any of their other products like the HJC-FRS, HJC-FRS X2, or GMRSX 1 for the purpose of talking to :
1. Fellow DE'ers who are in the same session as you who are also driving their cars at the same time
2. or for talking to someone in the pit area who may be getting lap times.
I can almost name the people on this board who are going to flame me for even discussing the possibility that I may be talking to a fellow driver while we are on the track at the same time. I can accept the flames (this is just a thought that has popped into my head - doesn't mean it will ever happen). But if you have a group of people you like to run with and get separated it could be useful for determining where they are.
The pit scenario is the one that mosts interests me. And I know alot of people are going to say "just install a hotlap timer" but most clubs don't allow them.
SUMMARY:
I was just wondering if any other DE'ers especially instructors talk to one another while they are on the track?
<a href="http://www.hjc-chatterbox.com" target="_blank">Chatterbox home page</a>
1. Fellow DE'ers who are in the same session as you who are also driving their cars at the same time
2. or for talking to someone in the pit area who may be getting lap times.
I can almost name the people on this board who are going to flame me for even discussing the possibility that I may be talking to a fellow driver while we are on the track at the same time. I can accept the flames (this is just a thought that has popped into my head - doesn't mean it will ever happen). But if you have a group of people you like to run with and get separated it could be useful for determining where they are.
The pit scenario is the one that mosts interests me. And I know alot of people are going to say "just install a hotlap timer" but most clubs don't allow them.
SUMMARY:
I was just wondering if any other DE'ers especially instructors talk to one another while they are on the track?
<a href="http://www.hjc-chatterbox.com" target="_blank">Chatterbox home page</a>
12-10-2002, 11:25 AM
#2
Race Director
Brian:
Talk to some of the PCA club racers, especially those who are on the same team. Here in NNJR, the Marshall brothers have two identical 944S2's that they club race (White cars: one with purple lettering and green shadow/trim, the other with green lettering and purple shadow/trim: real cool look!) Anyway, I believe they use a car-to-car intercom system, as many club racers do.
Also: give a call to Bob K. at Stable Energies (he sells the Chatterbox and it in PCA club racing). He may have some resources available. Phone: 973-773-3177
The use of car-to-car systems makes sense to me: you're getting feedback from a different perspective. But it is important to make sure it doesn't distract you from your driving.
Regarding communications with pit row: I don't think that's a good idea: it can lead to focusing too much on the lap time vs. your performance. IMHO, your performance shouldn't be measured based on lap times, but rather on your ability and whether or not you believe you are working at your limit!
A suggestion: if you have an in-car camera, you can use that to record your lap times AFTER the event. That way, you can record each and every lap, and note what was occurring on the track during that lap. (Traffic, slow car not letting you by, mechanical troubles/yellow flag out...etc) Use a spreadsheet. That's what I plan on doing with all my in-car videos over the winter months! Your pit-pal with a stopwatch won't be able to determine why you were slower or faster.
Just my $0.42
-Z-man.
Talk to some of the PCA club racers, especially those who are on the same team. Here in NNJR, the Marshall brothers have two identical 944S2's that they club race (White cars: one with purple lettering and green shadow/trim, the other with green lettering and purple shadow/trim: real cool look!) Anyway, I believe they use a car-to-car intercom system, as many club racers do.
Also: give a call to Bob K. at Stable Energies (he sells the Chatterbox and it in PCA club racing). He may have some resources available. Phone: 973-773-3177
The use of car-to-car systems makes sense to me: you're getting feedback from a different perspective. But it is important to make sure it doesn't distract you from your driving.
Regarding communications with pit row: I don't think that's a good idea: it can lead to focusing too much on the lap time vs. your performance. IMHO, your performance shouldn't be measured based on lap times, but rather on your ability and whether or not you believe you are working at your limit!
A suggestion: if you have an in-car camera, you can use that to record your lap times AFTER the event. That way, you can record each and every lap, and note what was occurring on the track during that lap. (Traffic, slow car not letting you by, mechanical troubles/yellow flag out...etc) Use a spreadsheet. That's what I plan on doing with all my in-car videos over the winter months! Your pit-pal with a stopwatch won't be able to determine why you were slower or faster.
Just my $0.42
-Z-man.
12-10-2002, 06:39 PM
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I use a TerraPhone in my car - mounted to the roll bar that supplies a Driver to instructor intercom link. it's hardwired and will hook up to a radio with an adapter. Subesports sells them for Rally cars. Peltor also makes a really nice system, btw. Terra trip makes economical in helmet speakers and mics as well for both open and closed helmets.
12-20-2002, 08:18 AM
#4
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I have often wondered if anyone has just tried using their cell phone with the "hands free" ear bud under your helmet?? Now that the phones are so tiny, it seems like you could just call the other party and then put the phone in you pocket. You would have constant two-way communication. Certainly dropped calls and background noise would be a problem, but at most track cellular coverage is pretty good and you have the same level of background noise no matter what system you use.
12-21-2002, 12:37 AM
#6
Burning Brakes
You should also be able to do it with the popular FRS or GMRS radios, the so called family radios. Most of these support vox mode (automatically starting to transmit when it senses you talking and switching back toi receive mode when you stop) when a headset is plugged into them. The downside may be that they are not full duplex - so you are either in transmit mode or receive mode and you can't both be talking at the same time.
01-05-2003, 03:20 PM
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We tried cell phones in one of the Anderson Motorworks prepared 944's but we couldn't get the volume high enough to hear over the engine. Our big NA 3.1 liter was just too loud(side pipes). Maybe a car with stock exhaust could make it work. The idea is sound.(pun intended). Thought we'd try it since we all have cell phones and race radios are big $$. Anybody else?TC
