wireless clear com??

[mnfreelancer]

On a little bit of an aside from the immediate topic, back in highschool I worked for both the theatre and the access tv station that was based in the highschool. Access bought a fleet of 6 5 watt commercial motorola radios that I used extensively in setting up equipment for both theater and video. I also used them as a link to my stage runner when running the sound board from the booth. I dreamed of having an interface that could bring the radio to the wired clearcom system we had. Now such a device exists and I wonder how exactly it interfaces the half/duplex 2-way radio to the full/duplex intercom system. It almost has to use some sort of VOX system for when there is actually audio on the intercom side. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to key your radio to talk on the intercom. That also brings up the problem of talkover - with the intercoms you can talk over chatter if something important comes up (you shouldn't chatter on comms but everyone does), but on the radio if there is already audio you wouldn't be able to key the remote radio. Then also if you run any program audio over your intercom as some setups allow. Makes me woner...

[Wolf]

In my opine dont buy cheap wireless coms of any brand. When ive used cheap ones you will always get static NO matter what you do. I have never had this issue but ive heard it has happened - but on cheaper ones you can get interference from other form of wireless devices such as truckers and radio and cell phones. This us just what I think. Many people do buy cheap wireless and are happy with them.

[Malabaristo]

Originally Posted by mnfreelancer

I dreamed of having an interface that could bring the radio to the wired clearcom system we had. Now such a device exists and I wonder how exactly it interfaces the half/duplex 2-way radio to the full/duplex intercom system. It almost has to use some sort of VOX system for when there is actually audio on the intercom side. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to key your radio to talk on the intercom.

There's a simpler solution to the half/full duplex interface problem: use something that's already full duplex. To add a couple of wireless sets to my self constructed, Comclone based*, system I bought a couple of cheap Plantronics CA-10 headsets off Ebay. They're designed to go between the handset and base of a standard telephone. All that was required to interface them was impedance and level matching. In this case, I was able to do that just by changing settings on the Plantronics base station and making an adapter cable to connect with the headset jack of my beltpacks. They also work as well or better than the Telex wireless that I've used once before (though I don't know what type that was specifically or whether it was set up correctly).

Granted, the Plantronics units are 900MHz, so you could be at risk for interference with other products... hasn't been a issue for me yet.


*Note: I had some problems with RCrowley's exact design; incorrect component values and such. PM me if you want more info on this or the wireless part.

[Sayen]

Van, I'll do everything I can to start gig jumper here. I like that term, and people at work seem to enjoy stealing my fun projects. Gig jumping me?

I love this place - I've been dealing with the same issue, trying to add a simple wireless component to a wired intercom, which is probably why PI and EARTEC developed their respective products. Doing the system right looks great on paper, but is very expensive for a marginal increase in flexibility. For the same price as a wireless Telex or ClearCom system, I can purchase a hefty load of lighting gear, more mics for actors, etc. An economic solution, even with static and the occasional interference, is workable.

So since this thread was started, no one has tried the EARTEC setup? Or can speak to the quality of the Production Intercom wireless? In my case, I chiefly want one for myself, but can't justify the high cost for my own convenience as a teacher.

I like Malabaristo's concept, I may have to play with that.

[Spiceboy]

Although this topic is a little old now I thought some of you might find it useful to know that you can interface standard 2-way radios to a wired system using a device called a TW40 or TW47.

The wiring will depend on the 2 way Radio that you are using and may be a little tricky less common models. It gives you access to one channel but there are ways to set things up if you need more. Obviously it wont give you the same audio quality as a wireless but it should give you a workable solution on a budget.

[Sayen]

Thanks for the idea.

Has anyone tried the EARTEC system?

[DaveySimps]

I got a demo of the eartec units a couple of years back. We had them for a few weeks. They worked well, but we did not end up buying them. For the price, I thought they were to poorly made. The headsets were VERY cheap in quality, especially the light weight ones. I was worried they would not hold up. If they were to come out with a more rugged design of the plastic components for roughly the same price range, I would absoultely reconsider. They did interface with our wired Clearcom system quite well though.

~Dave