| Enjoying the open road on your motorcycle is a | | | | FRS channels are used. |
| great experience. There may be times though, when | | | | Midland has many FRS/GMRS radios in a variety of |
| you want to expand that experience by | | | | price ranges and features. While the higher priced |
| communicating with your passenger or riding partners. | | | | radios will have advertised transmission ranges up to |
| If that's the case then you are probably considering | | | | 35 miles these ranges can only be achieved under |
| purchasing some form of helmet headset | | | | ideal conditions on terrain with no obstacles and using |
| communicator. | | | | the higher powered GMRS channels. Don't expect to |
| When you're thinking about purchasing any helmet | | | | receive any manufactures' advertised transmission |
| headset kit, keep in mind that they are usually | | | | range and you won't be disappointed. |
| factory packaged for one helmet and do not include | | | | A pair of Midland two-way radios with an advertised |
| the communication device such as a two-way radio. | | | | range of 10 miles to 24 miles should be fine for this |
| Both riders or the rider and passenger will need to | | | | budget priced helmet communication system. You |
| have headset kits installed in their helmets. That's a | | | | should receive a transmission range of up to about |
| requirement for two (2) headset kits plus a pair of | | | | 1-2 miles using the FRS bands. When choosing the |
| some type of two-way communication device. | | | | radios look for a Midland model that has the VOX |
| There are many brands and types of headset | | | | (Voice Operated Transmission) hands free feature. |
| communication devices available in a wide range of | | | | Although the VOX feature is not necessary for this |
| prices. The higher priced systems may include | | | | helmet headset system, the hands free function is a |
| Bluetooth wireless communication between the | | | | good option to have if you want to use the |
| headset and a two-way radio or cell phone, FM radio, | | | | two-way radios in situations other than with the |
| and passenger intercom. | | | | helmet headsets such as at Nascar races, camping, |
| Since this article is about setting up a budget priced 2 | | | | hiking, hunting or other situations where |
| headset bike to bike or driver to passenger | | | | communication would be helpful. |
| communication for under $100.00 I will leave the high | | | | The best place to purchase this headset system is |
| priced feature loaded systems for another article. | | | | on eBay. Selling electronic items on eBay has become |
| Before making a purchase you must know the type | | | | extremely competitive and that's a big bonus for the |
| of helmet in which the headset will be installed. Some | | | | buyer as there is now very little price markup. |
| headset kits are designed for full face helmets while | | | | I speak from experience as I was an eBay Power |
| others are designed specifically for open face | | | | seller with thousands of electronic item sales. I would |
| helmets. | | | | package two (2) Midland headset kits with a pair of |
| For this communication package we're using two (2) | | | | Midland two-radios. This combo was very popular and |
| Midland AVPH1 or AVPH2 helmet headset kits. The | | | | many of my customers left feedback commenting |
| AVPH1 is for open faced and the AVPH2 closed | | | | on how good a system this was for the price. |
| faced helmets. Midland headset uses a 2-pin | | | | You probably won't find and eBay listing for 2 of |
| connector to the radio which provides a much | | | | these Midland headset kits packaged with a pair of |
| stronger connection point than most other brands | | | | Midland two-way radios but most sellers on eBay |
| that just use a 1-pin connector. Like the other brands, | | | | that list Midland products will have these items |
| there's only one headset kit per factory sealed | | | | available so just ask them to put a special package |
| package. This can be beneficial since one rider may | | | | together. |
| use an open faced helmet and the other a closed | | | | The Midland headset kits will wholesale for |
| face helmet. One of each kit would then be required. | | | | approximately $27.00 each (you require two) and a |
| In addition to the two (2) headset kits, a two-way | | | | pair of Midland FRS/GMRS walkie talkie radios will |
| radio communication device is required. We'll be using | | | | wholesale for $20 to $65.00 depending on the |
| pair of Midland FRS/GMRS two radios. These | | | | features. Two headsets with a pair of 12 to 24 mile |
| two-way radios are dual-service, or "hybrid," radios | | | | two-way radios should cost around $100.00. |
| and provide access to both the FRS (Family Radios | | | | Although this article is about putting together a |
| Service) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) | | | | budget helmet headset communication for the |
| bands, utilizing FRS channels (1-14) and GMRS | | | | motorcycle rider it would also be a great setup for |
| channels (15-22). Use of the radio's GMRS bands | | | | the ATV rider, snowmobile rider, paintball or any |
| requires an FCC operator's license. Dual-service radios | | | | other activity that requires a helmet and would |
| may be used without an operator's license, if only the | | | | benefit from 2-way communication. |