UHF integrated into intercom

[Spada]

Hideyhodey,

It's come time to renew my comms system as the Starcom unit has been problematic since new, and being 10 years old all of the cables have now perished and are falling apart.

Everything seems to be bluetooth based these days and I would take some convincing to go the Starcom path again, so it looks like I'm leaning towards either Sena or Cardo?

Just curious, has anyone been able to integrate their UHF into a bluetooth comms system? if you have, how did you do it? Or is there another viable hardwired comms system that can integrate UHF successfully?

Cheers, Spada

[Giggles]

Hi

I have a Sena 20S and there is an input for a cable that you can use from an audio output of your UHF system (you need to check that the UHF has an output and if so, its generally labelled 'speaker').  From a practicability standpoint, a handheld device in your top pocket of your jacket with a short cable would do the job.

Bluetooth wise, you can get a plug based bluetooth unit that goes into your UHF unit that you can then pair with I don't know what.   

Cheers

Giggles

[Biggles]

Sena make a bluetooth module that plugs into the UHF and pairs with your Sena system.
Sena Module
It's not cheap, but works.  I have one and have no problem getting it to work with my Uniden 076SX

[BrissyGTR]

The unit from Sena is the SR10. I believe it will connect to other BT headsets also. $339 they are not cheap.

https://www.senaaustralia.com.au/buy/sena-sr10-bluetooth-2-way-radio-adaptor/SR10-10

[Spada]

I've been looking at the Sena adaptor, but it appears to be designed for handheld units that have a hands free connection port (2 pins). My UHF is a hardwired GME with a remote head, so the Sena wont connect to it without modification? It's looking more like I'll either need to ditch the UHF alltogether, or at the least replace it with something different.

[tj189]

My current set up includes the sena SR10 connected to the Uniden850s, which in turn connects to the Cardo headset via bluetooth.
This works well.

[Spada]

Thanks for the input from all on this.

Researching a bit further it looks like the Sena SR10 adapter might be the way to go. I called into Olbis Communications (they are a comms specialist) and old mate there completely baffled me with technical info, but the short version was he also recommended the Sena module. I wasn't keen due to the bulky size of it, but have learnt it has a dedicated input for a wired PTT button and an Aux input for the audio plug. So the unit can live under the seat and be wired to the bikes power, the only mod needed will be to build a cable for the mic function to connect from the UHF to the Sena. Turns out Sena make a bare cord for just that purpose, I'll just need an RJ45 plug fitted to connect to the UHF head unit.

On the comms side, Mrs Spada could do with a new stack hat, so now I'm contemplating a pair of Schuberth C5 helmets with the integrated Schuberth comms (which is the Sena 50S repackaged). That should blend nicely with the Sena SR10 for the UHF side of things. Only technical issue I see with that is that I have earmould speakers that have a std 3.5mm plug and the Schuberth/Sena doesnt have that input. I see that Earmould also sell Sena products, so I'm hoping they might be able to do an adaptor to the Sena speaker connections?

[tj189]

Thanks for the input from all on this.

Researching a bit further it looks like the Sena SR10 adapter might be the way to go. I called into Olbis Communications (they are a comms specialist) and old mate there completely baffled me with technical info, but the short version was he also recommended the Sena module. I wasn't keen due to the bulky size of it, but have learnt it has a dedicated input for a wired PTT button and an Aux input for the audio plug. So the unit can live under the seat and be wired to the bikes power, the only mod needed will be to build a cable for the mic function to connect from the UHF to the Sena. Turns out Sena make a bare cord for just that purpose, I'll just need an RJ45 plug fitted to connect to the UHF head unit.

On the comms side, Mrs Spada could do with a new stack hat, so now I'm contemplating a pair of Schuberth C5 helmets with the integrated Schuberth comms (which is the Sena 50S repackaged). That should blend nicely with the Sena SR10 for the UHF side of things. Only technical issue I see with that is that I have earmould speakers that have a std 3.5mm plug and the Schuberth/Sena doesnt have that input. I see that Earmould also sell Sena products, so I'm hoping they might be able to do an adaptor to the Sena speaker connections?

You may like to look at a bit more research regarding the connection from the SR10 to your UHF head unit.  From memory, when I was setting mine up, several years ago (and a different UHF to the one I am now using), there was an issue with vehicle mounted UHF units connecting with the SR10 compared to the handheld UHF units.  There are some handhelds also that cannot work with the SR10.
I wear ear plugs as well but do not have an issue in hearing the radio via the speakers that are in the helmet, as mentioned I am using the cardo bluetooth, which has great sound. Have used the earmoulds but threw them away.
The way it works for me, is that I connect the phone to the GPS (using bluetooth), then the SR10 to the UHF (hard wire), followed by the ptt button (hardwire) to SR10, next the SR10 to Cardo (using bluetooth).
I can play music from the phone or GPS, receive/make phone calls, listen to the GPS directions and send/receive voice on the UHF.

[Spada]

Thanks TJ, that will help with the sequencing a bit. At this stage I'm not planning to link a GPS, just the phone & UHF. Music will be via the phone once I can figure out the voice control thing.
I pulled the trigger on 2 new helmets last night with the integrated Sena SC2 system, it's a Schuberth proprietary version of the Sena 50R so it's a full mesh system with voice control (and lots of other stuff that just confuses me).  Just got to wait 2 weeks for them to arrive from the Netherlands (the model I wanted hasn't been released in Aus yet). Also ordered the Sena bluetooth module & adaptor cable from Johnny Appleseed.
Now I just need to find someone that can build me the appropriate cables to link to the UHF.