fuzzybabybunny Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 I've got the BaoFeng GT-3 but no microphone or headset yet. It seems that a lot of people like to use wireless bluetooth motorcycle comms like the Sena, so I've got some questions. - I travel a lot internationally so a radio like the GT-3 is the most flexible in terms of communicating with people. Chances are, I just use a frequency that the local pilots use. - Sometimes local pilots only use a Sena. In this case, will highly-rated Sena alternatives like this VeeTop be able to communicate with Sena users? https://www.amazon.com/Veetop-Resistant-Bluetooth-Motorcycle-Interphone/dp/B016MAE7GO/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1481702825&sr=8-8&keywords=bluetooth+motorcycle - If I want to use my GT-3 with the Sena, I *have* to also buy the Sena SR10 in addition to something like a 20S, right? - Is there a cheaper alternative to this with the same excellent noise-cancelling microphone of the Sena? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Jackson Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 I am using the sena 20s with the sr10. I am happy with it... but when I first started using the sena I was a tad disappointed with the range (i.e. vertically more than horizontally). The more I've used it the more happier I've become with it. More recently, I added the sr10 (with a Kenwood 2m radio) so I could still communicate when beyond Bluetooth range. I have to say that it works well, but it ain't been cheap! I have no doubt there are much cheaper solutions out there, but whether they can cross communicate, or if they are any good, is well beyond me! At a Wingland flyin I spoke to people using a Bluetooth radio solution (i.e. not permanently an open channel) and it seemed to work well enough - and was significantly cheaper than the sena setup. No idea what make the kit was though. Remember you'll need a radio connection wire to connect your radio to the sr10 . They may, or may not, have such a wire connector for the Baofeng. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 A lot of other intercoms should work well with Senas "Universal Intercom" feature. I have not tried it, but that is what Sena makes ous believe. Give it a go, I've only heard good about VeeTop. And an more affordable alternative is always good. It's also possible to make your own radio connection cable for the SR10, so it should not be a big problem with the Baofeng if you don't find a matching one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzybabybunny Posted December 17, 2016 Author Share Posted December 17, 2016 (edited) Wow, figuring out communications equipment sure is an exercise in frustration. My main requirements are thus: - can use my own earbuds - can have voice communications via Bluetooth - can hook up to a standard UHF / VHF radio - excellent noise cancellation for engine and wind noise - Bluetooth can pair and have voice communications with other brands of intercoms After searching around a lot, it seems that *EVERYTHING* hinges on getting the Sena SR10. It is the link between the radio unit and whatever Bluetooth intercom unit you choose (it pairs with any Bluetooth device supporting HFP (hands-free-profile)).. To me, this is extremely frustrating because I think such a device could be cut out entirely (and made more reliable) if only the Bluetooth intercom unit had an audio jack for both input and output. Many devices only have an AUX port for input audio. The Sena 20S, for example, only does phone calls via Bluetooth. You cannot plug your phone into the 20S' AUX jack, turn off bluetooth, and make calls. The AUX port is only an input for "MP3 devices." Anyway I made a spreadsheet. https://docs.google.com/a/victorlinphoto.com/spreadsheets/d/1JqJ086TvawWA4GAb0e_poPH3DbG1QI-lhDmoh16Ly3Y/edit?usp=sharing The cheap Chinese intercoms suffer from a lack of information. Do they support bluetooth connections across different brands? Do they support linking up with the Sena SR10? Many of them have the microphone and headphone on the same wire, which is ridiculous. Basically, the Chinese brands are a complete crapshoot. Edited December 17, 2016 by fuzzybabybunny 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 Hi I think you are mistaken when you say You cannot plug your phone into the 20S' AUX jack, turn off bluetooth, and make calls. The AUX port is only an input for "MP3 devices." I connected my Galaxy S3 to the Sena with the included lead. Using S Voice I made a call without any problems. I also ran a recording app to prove the mic into the phone is always on and it is. Mynext step is to rig up a ptt button and connect to my Baofeng UV-55. I hope this helps. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allrightscud Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 My set up is home made after seeing the horrendous prices of custom off the shelf set ups. I used a set of pelter optime II ear defenders. These can be used over the head as is or fitted to existing helmet mounted ear defender mounts. It gives me great blue tooth for phone calls and music in flight as well as 2 way radio comunication with the Motorola or a duel band Baofeng. It was so easy to make up, the ear defenders cushions come off allowing you access to dermal a cable size hole to the case of the defenders. Each ear cup has 2 speakers in it 1 for the blue tooth set up and 1 for the radio set up. The radio cable can have the either adaptor fitted for 2 way or duel band depending on who I’m flying with. The push to talk and the blue tooth receiver is mounted on my helmet with Velcro. The holes are sealed with sugru but any glue or sealant would do. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-Interphone-800M-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Bluetooth-Helmet-Intercom-FM-Headset-UK-/252028632201?hash=item3aae13bc89:g:o8IAAOSwal5YM7~a http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322229454702?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252060061018?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131522858193?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Motorola-TLKR-T80-Extreme-10km-with-Charger-Lanyard-/162378286890?hash=item25ce80072a:g:JeQAAOSw44BYkL8q 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolhand Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 On 6-2-2017 at 08:08, allrightscud said: My set up is home made after seeing the horrendous prices of custom off the shelf set ups. I used a set of pelter optime II ear defenders. These can be used over the head as is or fitted to existing helmet mounted ear defender mounts. It gives me great blue tooth for phone calls and music in flight as well as 2 way radio comunication with the Motorola or a duel band Baofeng. It was so easy to make up, the ear defenders cushions come off allowing you access to dermal a cable size hole to the case of the defenders. Each ear cup has 2 speakers in it 1 for the blue tooth set up and 1 for the radio set up. The radio cable can have the either adaptor fitted for 2 way or duel band depending on who I’m flying with. The push to talk and the blue tooth receiver is mounted on my helmet with Velcro. The holes are sealed with sugru but any glue or sealant would do. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-Interphone-800M-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Bluetooth-Helmet-Intercom-FM-Headset-UK-/252028632201?hash=item3aae13bc89:g:o8IAAOSwal5YM7~a http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322229454702?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252060061018?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131522858193?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Motorola-TLKR-T80-Extreme-10km-with-Charger-Lanyard-/162378286890?hash=item25ce80072a:g:JeQAAOSw44BYkL8q You exactly described the same situation I am trying to work out. Do you maybe have any schematics, photos or pinouts? I wanted to use the Sena 20 and than connect my Yaesu radio to the unit (possibly with a dedicated mic. attached to the boom mic. However, I could not figure out how to connect the audio out signal (from the Yaesu) to the Sena unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 On 08/02/2017 at 21:54, coolhand said: What is the model of Yaesu radio you have? Is it a Kenwood plug? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolhand Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Yaesu FT-270 (Yaesu screw-in type plug). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 If nothing else, get this one from Sena and make your own cable. But maybe the cable Sena offer without thread works as well for your Yaesu. Just use tape or tie-wrap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 You can use the cable that Casper has suggested and solder on a 4pole 2.5mm jack for the audio that will plug straight into a 20S aux port. That will provide audio through to the Sena speakers. If you can wait till after the weekend i should be able to tell you if the sena mic can be wire in aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolhand Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Thnx for the advise sofar. I currently have the Yaesu hardwired to my headset (HScom). Can you maybe elaborate what will happen when I route the radio audio via the Sena system and I will simultaneously get a intercom call? Will it mute the 2-way radio signal? For now the radio signal should have the highest priority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatPux Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Just done this set up, similar to some above. Full details with each photo on Flickr https://flic.kr/s/aHskUh2nhe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolhand Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 22 minutes ago, PatPux said: Just done this set up, similar to some above. Full details with each photo on Flickr https://flic.kr/s/aHskUh2nhe Nice howto! Do you also connect a 2-way radio to your setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatPux Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I had a Goldstar set up before, which I found I never used. At the moment I have no 2 way radio set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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