Let's talk intercoms
 

Ok, guys. Most boats are out of the water for re-fitting. Are you sick of losing your intercom during the race? Would you like to actually HEAR the other guy?

Let's talk intercoms!

Who makes the best ones?

Which ones hold up?

Which ones sound the best?

Who's harnesses fall apart?

Which one would you buy again/ avoid like the plague?

I would highly recomend the Revolution Marine system. We use it and its the best I have used. It has a mic that wraps around the throat, and you put ear lugs in for hearing. There is no wind noise, and it sounds like the person is sitting next to you. Its a great system.

Rob Gaida
Revolution Marine
P-5 25 Throttles

Is there a link?

I have experimented with thoat mikes with great results. They also seem to pick up far less ambient noise.

My biggest gripe so far is with the wiring harnesses of most systems.

Out of the back of the intercom, there often are 20+ wires. If one fails, usually the whole intercom goes down.

Usually, the harness is set up with some kind of Molex type multi prong connectors. I am not enamored with them. Stress & strain results in a marginal and then dead connection.

After experimenting with various connectors, I arrived at an extemely low tech solution:

Metal (aluminum) project box, 5 x 5 inches.

In the side: A couple of 3/4 inch holes for all the cables. Each hole gets fitted with a platic vable grip. It is a plastic feedthrough for the cable bundle. Tightening its nut by hand makes the grommet constrict on the cables, locking then firmly in place.

In the box: As many connector blocks (marine type, stainless) as needed, 3 blocks of 8 connectors usually suffice. All connections are made on these blocks, no plugs or connectors are used.

When finished and checked-out, metal cover goes on top of box. Box is grounded. This setup shields everything from interference.

I never had a problem with thise setup.

Race comunication all the way!!! Plus they are at all APBA pro series races and the service is 2nd to none on site
MD

Revolution Marine. Hands down. You can't beat the throat mikes. Latest and greatest.

J

Heres the intercom

Heres the throat mic, ear buds, and connectors. (All Stainless connectors BTW)

Interface to Vertex radio.

and another

I like the "throat mike" that Revolution offers but hate the ear plug set up. Ear plugs mounted in the helmet are the way to go,-they don't fall out like the ear plugs do when putting on a helmet.
Does Revolution make a "helmet mounted" Ear plug?

You can accessorize either way. However, mixing and matching may not work well as there is a single volume control for the entire system.

Thanks for the pictures! Is there a link for Revolution?

FYI, most race intercoms use intercom boxes made for airplanes. The box in the picture looks pretty much like a familiar Sigtronix model to me.

Although these units are reasonably protected, they usually are not marinized. The toggle switch at the front is a weak spot, it's prone to seizing up in a corrosive marine environment. Hit the switch with a little WD-40, and work the switch to get the WD-40 inside. Then fit a rubber boot over the switch. Rubber boots for the subminiture switches are not easy to find, http://www.mouser.com is a good source.

Also, always try mounting the box so that it's not hit by spray. They are not built for it.

It looks like you've already seen the best setup onthe market. We ran the Revolution Marine system the last half of the season, and I can't begin to tell you the difference it made. We were sold the first time we tested it.
The link is www.revolutionmarine.com
Or you can contact me directly and I'll get you guys set up and give you more details about the many options that are available with this system.
Gordo

Thanks, Gordo!

I'll call you when I'm back in the States, after 11/29!

I run the little black box from Race Communication, Paid $500 5 years ago, had them add a port that hooks to my VHF external speaker port, this year I got new helmets with speakers and Mic installed, $1300 with waterproof connections, works perfect. I did have a squeal sometimes in rough water but was cleared up with a $25 cleaning.

Eddie Simmons
F1-68

I second Mad Dog... Kraig and Ryan at Racing Comm are the BEST... And like he says, they're at every race.

Does anyone have an opinion on Cobra Systems. They want me to be a dealer for them and I am currently checking them out and getting ready to do some testing on them before we decide if we are going to pick up their product line. Any opinions would be appreciated. If we pick up thier product line we will be able to offer unbeleivable prices with the agreement we are working on.

Robert, I tape my ear pieces in and it works really well. Old roundy rounder trick ;)

www.hilsingermotorsports.com

Allan4
P5-48;)