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This is just a quick guide to help you to put together a simple, yet cheap communications setup for your off road adventures. This will work for dirt bikes, quads, UTVs etc. There are some compromises, but this setup is useful and cost effective. You can also add to it as you see fit. There will be 2 parts to cover - car to car, and in car communications.
I wanted to get into more group rides and became frustrated that I had to spend over $1000 to get a communication setup for my RZR. I don't do group rides all the time, but when I do, I'd like to be able to talk to others in my group. If not just to BS with friends, It is useful for safety, or to just to be able to transmit my status - Did I make a wrong turn and lose the group? Did I get a flat tire and need some help? Is there a giant rock in the trail others should look out for?
I figured there had to be a cost effective way around this issue. As I said above, there are 2 elements - in car communication, and car to car communication. I will start with car to car communications.
For car to car communications, at minimum you need a radio. Luckily there is a wonderful solution, for $25. A handheld 2 way radio! It comes with a charger and battery, and the battery will easily last all day.
This is pretty much the exact same 2 way radio that you can get from Rugged Radios, it just isn't blue, isn't pre programmed, and is $60 cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H4VT7A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
With this you can punch in any frequency your group or other people are on, and boom, you can talk to them. But this radio is not "programmed". What that means is that there are not frequencies in memory. Your (my) baller friends with high dollar communication setups say "We are on Checkers 1!". You don't know what that even means right now. That is where the programming comes in.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/PDF/Frequencies/Frequency-RH7X.pdf
That is the list of common pre-programmed off road frequencies and their names. You can print that out, and keep it and just punch them is as needed, or you can put them into the memory of your radio with your computer. With the programming cable and a free piece of software called CHIRP, you can "program" any channel you want into the memory of your radio. You can also set all the options in the radio. If you have more than one radio, this makes a lot of sense, because you can simply clone radios and copy one config to as many radios as you have.
If you are scared of computers, you can also do this programming manually with the keypad on the 2 way radio itself, it is just more tedious.
Cable:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HUB0ONK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
CHIRP software
https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download
Ok so now you have a radio, and some frequencies stored in it. You can talk to other people. Expect to get a range of 1-2 miles reliably out of it. You can get up to 3 miles, but that is if it is completely flat.
Your radio is totally useless while driving or riding though. With just a radio, you need to stop to use it, and cant hear it while you are moving. To make this thing more useful you need a headset or helmet kit.
If you are in CA, you will need a helmet kit. These are earphones, and a mic that go in your helmet. To talk to others you will need a PTT (Push to talk) button mounted somewhere.
When you are done, you will have something like below:
This is where you want to spend your money. Higher quality here will mean better clarity for you as a listener, and those listening to you. While there are $20 solutions for this, they are not the best. You may want to spend $80-$100 for something really nice, or somewhere in between. This may be where you want to shop at Rugged, PCI or Avcomm, etc to get a helmet kit. You will need one and also a Baofeng/Kenwood radio adapter. As you can see it all plugs into the side of your radio, that is the adapter. You need to make sure you have the following:
1. Headset and mic
2. PTT button - this can be Velcro or hard mounted somewhere, you will choose what works best.
3. Kenwood/Baofeng radio adapter for whatever plug style your headset is.
Be aware that there are a few different styles of plugs - Offroad/Nexus/Elite/7mm plugs are all the same for these applications, just named different. So just pay attention as you shop for a headset.
Again, you can buy all of this as a kit from Rugged but it will cost over $200 for everything I just over viewed. You will be in for $100 and change doing this yourself.
Headsets -
For those not wearing helmets, you can get a headset. This again can get as expensive as you want to make it.
For the most part, headsets have 2 connector styles - a 5 pin and a Nexus/offroad style connector. Just be aware of the type of plug on the headset you are looking at, as again you will need a Baofeng/Kenwood adapter to plug into your radio, and whatever connector is on your headset.
There are headsets that have integrated PTT buttons. These are typically 5 pin. I recommend this style as it will be cheaper and simpler. The downside is that you have to touch your ear for PTT.
You can see what i'm talking about here. The red button is what you need to push to talk to others.
Headsets are available in over the head or behind the head styles, that is just personal preference. Also many have an audio jack so you can listen to music. Some also have independent volume control. If there is not independent volume control, the volume knob on the radio is your volume control.
To connect your 5 pin headset to your Baofeng radio there are a couple options. For a SXS use this cable. It is 6' long and will allow you to mount your radio anywhere you desire.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_36&products_id=1725
If you want to clip the radio to your harness or seat belt in your SXS, your shirt or are using it on a dirt bike or quad, get the shorter coiled cable.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_74_81&products_id=137
Again, if you go with an offroad/nexus connector on your headset, the adapters are available for those as well.
To make life easier you may want to mount your radio in your SXS. Most mounts hold the radio by the belt clip, so you can take the radio off the mount easily. There are a number of options for that. There are padded "handheld radio" boxes that mount to a roll cage. Many racing manufactureres like Joes, and All Star make those. Axia Alloys, makes a nice mount that also mounts to a roll bar if you get a roll bar attachment, otherwise the mount itself can bolt to a flat surface. Rugged also has a 2 way handheld mount that mounts to a flat surface. Alternatively, you can typically clip the radio to your harness or seat belt.
That covers cheap car to car communications. For the Desert Bash I had 2 of these setups and my passenger and I were able to communicate, but it was also broadcast to our entire group. So it was effective, but less than ideal.
For in car communications you need an intercom. This is where you will start spending some more money. Generally these intercom setups are $200-600 depending on what features you want and how many seats you want.
With an intercom you don't need PTT to talk to others in the car, you just speak. Rugged, Avcomm, PCI, and others have intercom setups.
The good news is that largely everything you purchased above can be reused. Headsets and helmet kits can be reused, however you may need some longer cables or adapters. With the intercom you can now use your handheld as your car to car radio with the proper adapter cable (if you have a 5 pin to 2 pin Baofeng headset cable I referenced above you already have everything you need). Your headsets now plug into the intercom, and the intercom plugs into the radio. when someone hits a PTT button, they are talking to another car, but you can just talk between yourselves when the intercom is on. Intercoms are either live mic (mic always on) or VOX (mic turns on when you talk). Vox is more expensive, but a bit nicer.
If you wanted to build an complete communications setup for 2 people you could do it for well under $500.
I am actually picking up this 2 person setup tomorrow. It is $425 for 2 headsets, a VOX 4 person intercom and the wiring and cabling needed to make it work. You can simply plug in a handheld to the intercom and have a complete low budget full communication setup for under $500.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Off-Road-Intercom-2-Place-designed-for-rugged-use/132538267682?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649
Same kit but with helmet kits:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Off-Road-I...h=item1edbe4f807:g:9FMAAOSwIxxaqZw5:rk:7:pf:0
They also have 4 person kits for $675.
To get any of these packages outside of EBay, Sampson Racing Communications is the vendor.
SampsonRacing.com is their website.
http://www.sampsonracing.com/
I will have some pictures and reviews when I get it and install it all in a couple weeks. I hope this clarifies some details around this stuff for people. It took me a little reading and research to wade through it all.
I wanted to get into more group rides and became frustrated that I had to spend over $1000 to get a communication setup for my RZR. I don't do group rides all the time, but when I do, I'd like to be able to talk to others in my group. If not just to BS with friends, It is useful for safety, or to just to be able to transmit my status - Did I make a wrong turn and lose the group? Did I get a flat tire and need some help? Is there a giant rock in the trail others should look out for?
I figured there had to be a cost effective way around this issue. As I said above, there are 2 elements - in car communication, and car to car communication. I will start with car to car communications.
For car to car communications, at minimum you need a radio. Luckily there is a wonderful solution, for $25. A handheld 2 way radio! It comes with a charger and battery, and the battery will easily last all day.
This is pretty much the exact same 2 way radio that you can get from Rugged Radios, it just isn't blue, isn't pre programmed, and is $60 cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H4VT7A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
With this you can punch in any frequency your group or other people are on, and boom, you can talk to them. But this radio is not "programmed". What that means is that there are not frequencies in memory. Your (my) baller friends with high dollar communication setups say "We are on Checkers 1!". You don't know what that even means right now. That is where the programming comes in.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/PDF/Frequencies/Frequency-RH7X.pdf
That is the list of common pre-programmed off road frequencies and their names. You can print that out, and keep it and just punch them is as needed, or you can put them into the memory of your radio with your computer. With the programming cable and a free piece of software called CHIRP, you can "program" any channel you want into the memory of your radio. You can also set all the options in the radio. If you have more than one radio, this makes a lot of sense, because you can simply clone radios and copy one config to as many radios as you have.
If you are scared of computers, you can also do this programming manually with the keypad on the 2 way radio itself, it is just more tedious.
Cable:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HUB0ONK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
CHIRP software
https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download
Ok so now you have a radio, and some frequencies stored in it. You can talk to other people. Expect to get a range of 1-2 miles reliably out of it. You can get up to 3 miles, but that is if it is completely flat.
Your radio is totally useless while driving or riding though. With just a radio, you need to stop to use it, and cant hear it while you are moving. To make this thing more useful you need a headset or helmet kit.
If you are in CA, you will need a helmet kit. These are earphones, and a mic that go in your helmet. To talk to others you will need a PTT (Push to talk) button mounted somewhere.
When you are done, you will have something like below:
This is where you want to spend your money. Higher quality here will mean better clarity for you as a listener, and those listening to you. While there are $20 solutions for this, they are not the best. You may want to spend $80-$100 for something really nice, or somewhere in between. This may be where you want to shop at Rugged, PCI or Avcomm, etc to get a helmet kit. You will need one and also a Baofeng/Kenwood radio adapter. As you can see it all plugs into the side of your radio, that is the adapter. You need to make sure you have the following:
1. Headset and mic
2. PTT button - this can be Velcro or hard mounted somewhere, you will choose what works best.
3. Kenwood/Baofeng radio adapter for whatever plug style your headset is.
Be aware that there are a few different styles of plugs - Offroad/Nexus/Elite/7mm plugs are all the same for these applications, just named different. So just pay attention as you shop for a headset.
Again, you can buy all of this as a kit from Rugged but it will cost over $200 for everything I just over viewed. You will be in for $100 and change doing this yourself.
Headsets -
For those not wearing helmets, you can get a headset. This again can get as expensive as you want to make it.
For the most part, headsets have 2 connector styles - a 5 pin and a Nexus/offroad style connector. Just be aware of the type of plug on the headset you are looking at, as again you will need a Baofeng/Kenwood adapter to plug into your radio, and whatever connector is on your headset.
There are headsets that have integrated PTT buttons. These are typically 5 pin. I recommend this style as it will be cheaper and simpler. The downside is that you have to touch your ear for PTT.
You can see what i'm talking about here. The red button is what you need to push to talk to others.
Headsets are available in over the head or behind the head styles, that is just personal preference. Also many have an audio jack so you can listen to music. Some also have independent volume control. If there is not independent volume control, the volume knob on the radio is your volume control.
To connect your 5 pin headset to your Baofeng radio there are a couple options. For a SXS use this cable. It is 6' long and will allow you to mount your radio anywhere you desire.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_36&products_id=1725
If you want to clip the radio to your harness or seat belt in your SXS, your shirt or are using it on a dirt bike or quad, get the shorter coiled cable.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_74_81&products_id=137
Again, if you go with an offroad/nexus connector on your headset, the adapters are available for those as well.
To make life easier you may want to mount your radio in your SXS. Most mounts hold the radio by the belt clip, so you can take the radio off the mount easily. There are a number of options for that. There are padded "handheld radio" boxes that mount to a roll cage. Many racing manufactureres like Joes, and All Star make those. Axia Alloys, makes a nice mount that also mounts to a roll bar if you get a roll bar attachment, otherwise the mount itself can bolt to a flat surface. Rugged also has a 2 way handheld mount that mounts to a flat surface. Alternatively, you can typically clip the radio to your harness or seat belt.
That covers cheap car to car communications. For the Desert Bash I had 2 of these setups and my passenger and I were able to communicate, but it was also broadcast to our entire group. So it was effective, but less than ideal.
For in car communications you need an intercom. This is where you will start spending some more money. Generally these intercom setups are $200-600 depending on what features you want and how many seats you want.
With an intercom you don't need PTT to talk to others in the car, you just speak. Rugged, Avcomm, PCI, and others have intercom setups.
The good news is that largely everything you purchased above can be reused. Headsets and helmet kits can be reused, however you may need some longer cables or adapters. With the intercom you can now use your handheld as your car to car radio with the proper adapter cable (if you have a 5 pin to 2 pin Baofeng headset cable I referenced above you already have everything you need). Your headsets now plug into the intercom, and the intercom plugs into the radio. when someone hits a PTT button, they are talking to another car, but you can just talk between yourselves when the intercom is on. Intercoms are either live mic (mic always on) or VOX (mic turns on when you talk). Vox is more expensive, but a bit nicer.
If you wanted to build an complete communications setup for 2 people you could do it for well under $500.
I am actually picking up this 2 person setup tomorrow. It is $425 for 2 headsets, a VOX 4 person intercom and the wiring and cabling needed to make it work. You can simply plug in a handheld to the intercom and have a complete low budget full communication setup for under $500.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Off-Road-Intercom-2-Place-designed-for-rugged-use/132538267682?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649
Same kit but with helmet kits:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Off-Road-I...h=item1edbe4f807:g:9FMAAOSwIxxaqZw5:rk:7:pf:0
They also have 4 person kits for $675.
To get any of these packages outside of EBay, Sampson Racing Communications is the vendor.
SampsonRacing.com is their website.
http://www.sampsonracing.com/
I will have some pictures and reviews when I get it and install it all in a couple weeks. I hope this clarifies some details around this stuff for people. It took me a little reading and research to wade through it all.
Last edited:
20181127_122929
