flexxyb

Excellent news Simon, I will be there

Hi Steve/Casper

Great timing as I have also been busy integrating my Bluetooth communications into my Peltor Optime III ear defenders.  This cost about £90 in materials (Not including the helmet).  

Here's a video from start to finish of the project:-

I went for a Excelvan 6 Riders bluetooth device which cost about £30, I have already been using this between myself and another paramotor pilot for about a year now.  It has excellent range of nearly a mile and enables both pilots to have a full duplex conversation.  The only down side is you can only have 2 people talking at once, unlike the Sena which can handle more.  If you fly in close formation up to a mile then its crystal clear with no interference from the paramotor engine.  However as a standalone device it is tricky to operate when you have thick winter gloves on and even without gloves, you really need to be able to see the buttons you are pressing.  So I hacked it apart, took out the electronics and integrated them into my Peltor Optime III ear defenders.

This video documents some of the stages on how I went about integrating the bluetooth into my Peltors. It was a huge challenge, but with lots of patience and careful soldering skills I knew it was possible.  

Here’s some of the items used in this project:-

1200M Bluetooth Interphone BT Motorcycle Helmet Intercom Headset Mic 6 Rider
This is the Bluetooth device that works perfectly well on its own, alternatively this device can be placed on a flight deck and you can’t really go wrong for about £30 on its own or £60 pair!
EBAY:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-1200M-Bluetooth-Interphone-BT-Motorcycle-Helmet-Intercom-Headset-Mic-6-Rider-/201595905471?hash=item2ef00d65bf:g:IpQAAOSwl9BWIa6M

3M Peltor H540P3E Optime III Helmet Mounted Attachment Earmuffs Ear Defenders
These are the ear defenders used to integrate the Excelvan 6 Riders Interphone  bluetooth device
EBAY:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-Peltor-H540P3E-Optime-III-Helmet-Mounted-Attachment-Earmuffs-Ear-Defenders-/181809757971?hash=item2a54b4bf13:g:GBQAAOSw9r1V-87F

12 core cable 7/0.22 Small Power or Data Cable (Overall Diameter 6.10mm)
This was used to connect both sides of the ear defenders to the bluetooth electronics. 
EBAY:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151098156884?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=450197301019&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

2 SLEEVED BLACK PVC GROMMET 7.6mm HOLE MAX CABLE DIA 6.1mm
I used these to retain the 12 core cable in each ear defender.
EBAY:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272236180843?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

3.5mm Mini Jack Chassis Panel Mount Stereo Headphone Input Socket Connector
This was used to extend the existing 3.5mm charging jack to the peltor ear defenders.
EBAY:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322081328156?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Off(On) Momentary Push Button Switch Horn Doorbell Car Dashboard Dash 12V
4x Blue Buttons = For channels B to E
1x Black Button = For volume down
1x Red Button = For volume up
EBAY:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261385367950?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=560284572808&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

12V OFF (ON) Momentary Push Button Horn Switch Car Light Dashboard Boat SPST
1x Black = For off & reset
1x Blue = For the power on & Channel A
1x Green = For the phone/play
EBAY:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361345440863?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=630688152396&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Glassfibre Sheet GRP Epoxy Glass G10 FR4 Fibreglass Sheet 12"x6"
This was cut to size to fit in each ear defender and position the speakers.  I also cut a piece to size to super glue the electronics to it to keep the bluetooth electronics in the required position.  I also used this to glue some terminal tabs for attaching the 12 core cable and small copper wire to each tiny button on the bluetooth electronics.
EBAY:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301153020803?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=600236590644&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

NOTE:-
To do this project you will also need some important tools such as a drill for the button/wire holes, stanley knife, hacksaw and files to shape the fibreglass sheets and most importantly a decent soldering iron!

Andy

Great weekend and lots of great people, I really enjoyed it!

Here's a few of my photos, mostly from Sunday afternoon - https://flic.kr/s/aHskJLjHCJ

Thanks

Hi Nebeno

I'm only a newbie, not even ground handled yet as waiting for weather to improve. So I might not be the best person to give advice...

I think the biggest risk is experiencing a motor failure and only dense jungle to land into!

Hi Wildboy

Im also starting training when the wind calms down! Where are you based?

I'm also interested to know how you identify land owners? Hope we get some good responses?

Hi All

I apologise if this has been covered before...

I'm taking up Paramotoring this year. I currently have life insurance, I took this out nearly 2 yrs ago and I have been told as long as I took the Insurance out before I start flying I'm covered!? However I don't have this in writing, so I'm not confident this is the case and being the main bread winner in the house, with 2 young children I really need to be sure and have piece of mind that I am covered for death or injury!

So I'm looking at additional/alternative cover, I'm interested to know what Insurance policy's are available and any that can be recommended?

Thanks

Andy

Thanks for the boxing clip Outkast! Here's another clip of the paramotorist crash landing into the boxing ring jump to 2:16 you can see his prop still spinning! NUTTER! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vYfZzOYk_c

Also another paramotor crash landing at a different sporting event:-

Hi

I have recently brought a iMac, and iMovie is a great program that comes with the mac. I don't have a HD camera but I have edited some DV video with great results. Its so easy with the Mac and its got a YouTube conversion built into the iMovie Software so you can convert the video and upload straight to YouTube.