Wireless intercom recommendations

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Portage_Bay

Portage_Bay

Guru
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
3,237
Location
United States
Vessel Name
Pacific Myst
Vessel Make
West Bay 4500
We want an intercom system. She wants to call me when she has a question while driving. I might be two decks down and can't hear her. I don't want to pull wires all over the boat. I'm looking for wireless intercom recommendations. I don't want voice activated, the boat is noisy down below when underway, they'd probably be on all the time.
 
I have one but I can’t recommend it. We use it when docking and it’s ok. It’s full duplex, so no button to push after a call is established. Engine noise makes it tough to hear now and then. Don’t know if it would shoot through two floors, pretty low power.
If you find a better one post a link.
 
So far I haven't found anything that looks like it's any good. Just toys.
 
We've been sorta kinda able to use our cell phones for that. With our without a Bluetooth ear-mic or it could even work with our SENA headsets. Gotta have cell signal, obviously...

And we've called our handheld VHF from one of the fixed units, so cell availability isn't required... although depends on reception throughout the boat.

Our boat came with some kind of built-in phone-ready system. I think just for an older connection to dockside phone... but it may be possible to repurpose those jacks somehow...

-Chris
 
Portage_Bay said:
So far I haven't found anything that looks like it's any good. Just toys.
Click to expand...
That’s what I found. It goes from cheap to hugely expensive in one jump. There’s one out there for you, we just haven’t seen it yet.
 
This one looks kind of interesting: Pardon Our Interruption...
The interesting thing is that it can auto answer. The one I use is a hosmart, you have to push button to answer. Full duplex after that. Voice quality will be about the same on all of them, noisy background makes for tough coms unless you get one with a handset.
 
Bmarler said:
This one looks kind of interesting: Pardon Our Interruption...
The interesting thing is that it can auto answer. The one I use is a hosmart, you have to push button to answer. Full duplex after that. Voice quality will be about the same on all of them, noisy background makes for tough coms unless you get one with a handset.
Click to expand...
Thank you, that one does look interesting and won't break the bank to try it.
 
You might look at the Sena Marine products - less intrusive than over the head headsets. No push to talk...
store-us.sena.com

Marine Products

Sena is a leader in Bluetooth and Mesh motorcycle helmet communication systems. Sena is committed to making the best communication devices for motorcyclists. Sena's Bluetooth intercom and Mesh Intercom technology is available in cycling helmets, ski helmets, marine headsets & multisport...
store-us.sena.com store-us.sena.com
 
Nordlund Xpress said:
You might look at the Sena Marine products - less intrusive than over the head headsets. No push to talk...
store-us.sena.com

Marine Products

Sena is a leader in Bluetooth and Mesh motorcycle helmet communication systems. Sena is committed to making the best communication devices for motorcyclists. Sena's Bluetooth intercom and Mesh Intercom technology is available in cycling helmets, ski helmets, marine headsets & multisport...
store-us.sena.com store-us.sena.com
Click to expand...
Interesting idea but I don't want something we have to wear full time. I'm hoping to find a simple intercom. 3 stations. Fly bridge, salon/galley and staterooms companion way. She hails me, I answer. Easy. Don't want voice activation because the engines running will trigger it on all the time.
 
ICOM offers intercom feature on its VHF like this one - but it and most WiFi systems are not full duplex but simplex push to talk systems.
www.icomamerica.com

IC-M510BB | Products | Icom America.

Icom,America,Land Mobile,Marine,Aviation,Amateur,Network,Systems
www.icomamerica.com www.icomamerica.com
 
www.uline.com

1/2 Mile Bullhorn - 20 Watts H-4743 - Uline

Command attention! Be loud and clear for outdoor events or crowd control. 3 settings: talk, siren, whistle. Adjustable volume control. Tough, lightweight, weatherproof ABS plastic. Pistol grip talk switch, easy-loading battery cartridge. Requires C Batteries , sold separately. ULINE offers over...
www.uline.com www.uline.com
 
I remember reading somewhere that some of the cordless phones have that function even when not connected to a landline. They used a five piece set.
 
I just ordered up a pair of FRS radios, one for the saloon and one for the flybridge. I was trying to summon the admiral to get my hat as the sun was low and rang the ships bell to no effect. She said she thought she heard some ringing but...

It's loud inside with the engines running right under your feet.
 
So far I've had good luck with these Amazon.com

Basically a HAM radio you program to the channels you want to use. We typically use them for lower/upper helm communications or helm to aft cabin for helm to off watch person. I programmed in a few VHF channels in case I every needed one of these in an emergency as a VHF also added weather and walkie talkie channels. We just use a walkie talkie channel and the stubbie antenna for around the boat. Nice to have the VHF capability for an emergency if my regular marine handheld goes missing.
 
Get a set of Eartec Ultras. They are amazing onboard or docking. Engine noise is filtered out. Amazing devices and worth every cent.
 
Boost230 said:
Get a set of Eartec Ultras. They are amazing onboard or docking. Engine noise is filtered out. Amazing devices and worth every cent.
Click to expand...
We have headsets. We need an intercom from flybridge to below. Not something we need to wear full time.
 
RedRascal said:
So far I've had good luck with these Amazon.com

Basically a HAM radio you program to the channels you want to use. We typically use them for lower/upper helm communications or helm to aft cabin for helm to off watch person. I programmed in a few VHF channels in case I every needed one of these in an emergency as a VHF also added weather and walkie talkie channels. We just use a walkie talkie channel and the stubbie antenna for around the boat. Nice to have the VHF capability for an emergency if my regular marine handheld goes missing.
Click to expand...
Interesting idea. Lots of possible uses beyond intercom use.
 
Delta Riverat said:
I just ordered up a pair of FRS radios, one for the saloon and one for the flybridge. I was trying to summon the admiral to get my hat as the sun was low and rang the ships bell to no effect. She said she thought she heard some ringing but...

It's loud inside with the engines running right under your feet.
Click to expand...
Similar functionality to RedRascal's suggestion.
 
I'm not living aboard so this is just an outsider "thinkin' out loud"...
I think I'd probably go with FRS radios or VHF probably better....with a belt clip or neck lanyard. That way, it's always with you as you roam around. If the intercom is in that salon, but you step away to the head or to the lazeratte, then you're suddenly out of touch...but with the radio it'll be handy when she calls.
The benefit of the VHF is taht you can use it for other purposes to...or monitor traffic, etc...
 
Portage_Bay said:
We want an intercom system. She wants to call me when she has a question while driving. I might be two decks down and can't hear her. I don't want to pull wires all over the boat. I'm looking for wireless intercom recommendations. I don't want voice activated, the boat is noisy down below when underway, they'd probably be on all the time.
Click to expand...
just buy a couple $20 walkie talkies, they're small and light
 
I used to head a four-person team which tested US Navy destroyers for classified stuff. We roamed all over the ship with me usually on the bridge running the tests while the rest were below decks in engineering spaces. Sure, we could use the ship's internal phone system to call me on the bridge, but I could not call those below because they roamed about so much, plus going to the phone on the bridge took my attention away from more important duties. We finally settled on Motorola "portable VHF radios" (walkie talkie, if you like). They were big and expensive and powerful enough to get through the ventilation ducting from some very distant parts of the ships. They did not have a bell-ringer function, but we could always hear it when called, even in noisy engineering spaces. If you don't want to cart one about, place an energized one in the two or three places you need before getting underway.
 
Portage_Bay said:
We want an intercom system. She wants to call me when she has a question while driving. I might be two decks down and can't hear her. I don't want to pull wires all over the boat. I'm looking for wireless intercom recommendations. I don't want voice activated, the boat is noisy down below when underway, they'd probably be on all the time.
Click to expand...
If you have an internal WiFi get two apple speakers. Will act as intercom
 
The Motorola FRS radios arrived and they should work well. They have a call alert which sounds a loud chime when triggered that should make it over the engine drone. We also have the head sets and they are amazing but more than needed to just summon or advise.

The headsets are good for docking when you need both hands free.
 
Delta Riverat said:
The Motorola FRS radios arrived and they should work well. They have a call alert which sounds a loud chime when triggered that should make it over the engine drone. We also have the head sets and they are amazing but more than needed to just summon or advise.

The headsets are good for docking when you need both hands free.
Click to expand...
I'll think about the radios. I could probably address her concerns without needing to run to the flybridge.

The head sets are best for docking, getting set to two the dinghy or pull it in. Quiet, civil conversations. Marriage savers as they are called. We're both a little hard of hearing, different frequencies, same problem. The current boat requires one on the fly bridge, one on the swim step for docking etc. We can't hear each other, can't see each other.

Read a piece years ago on hearing loss with age. Men typically loose the high frequencies, women's and children's voices. I simply can't hear her if she's far away or there's lot of background noise. Women typically loose tonal differentiation. A shout to be heard can be interpreted as anger. The combination can take a bad turn that can spoil an otherwise beautiful day.
 
Men typically loose the high frequencies, women's and children's voices. I simply can't hear her if she's far away or there's lot of background noise.
Click to expand...
That is medically called selective hearing, I have been so diagnosed.
 
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