Comms 2020

T

TeamDiamond

Location
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I realize comms have been discussed many times..I am sure I've read every post. But technology moves at a rapid pace and need an updated recommendation. If you were to invest in a set TODAY knowing what you know...what would you buy and why? I need to decide soon. Leaning towards Protos Integral helmets from Bailey with Sena sets plus one more head set only for the crane. What's best?
 
Personally, I would buy the Sena SMH10 system. I like the system, it works, and it’s proven. It’s also fairly universal, most crane companies use it already so they have their own sets, and are familiar with it as well. The giant button causing bump-outs is a nuisance, but I have made up a guard for the button to fix that. As soon as I finish the patent paperwork it will be on the market.

As for hats, I leave that up the the climber. I know a couple guys who love the Protos, but I do not. The earmuffs don’t work well enough for me, and the hat is too heavy. I prefer a Petzl Álveo Vent with a nice set of 3M earmuffs and a Vizir.
 
oceans said:
SENA also has a new MESH system that allows better reception for all users, and much more distance/lack of line-of-sight issues.
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Has anyone tried the “add-on” mesh on the 30k

was wondering if they do work better with it

and why don’t they just charge more initially and include them especially if that what makes them work the way they advertise them on the box without them? Wtf
 
I've come to the conclusion that there is nothing adequate out there. Problems range across water resistance, extreme cost, too many menu options, pairing complexity, and cross-helmet-brand compatibility. It's not like any of these hurdles is insurmountable, its just that no one has made something adequate for us.
 
VenasNursery said:
Has anyone tried the “add-on” mesh on the 30k

was wondering if they do work better with it

and why don’t they just charge more initially and include them especially if that what makes them work the way they advertise them on the box without them? Wtf
Click to expand...
The add-on is for the 10s to mesh with the 30k, since the 10s aren’t equipped with mesh. The 30k can still Bluetooth with 10 without the add on, however.

I’ve not used it yet, but the 50r looks to be the closest thing to Cardo packtalk, which seems to be a top notch product, except that it slides horizontally onto the base and doesn’t lock the way sena 30k and 50r do, which are both vertical.

50r is dustproof and waterproof, hopefully adding some longevity beyond the 10.
 
Question about SENA 10S
We are all connected, but when I turn off the "main helmet" or the others can't communicate anymore
It is how it suppose to work?
 
Edi said:
Question about SENA 10S
We are all connected, but when I turn off the "main helmet" or the others can't communicate anymore
It is how it suppose to work?
Click to expand...
Yes, as @deevo said. If you know someone will be leaving the jobsite before completion of the job have them paired in as the last headset to avoid a break in communication
 
I got an IG license from the FCC to run UHF DMR radios. It's the instant communication that you need, no range issue ever, and the actual transceiver can be the same size as a cell phone. They also have helmet headsets and wireless headsets that pair with the radio that's with you, but it eliminates the wire. My portable units are waterproof, and I have one for each worker. They can make 1 to 1 calls, or all calls. We send texts with ours as well. They have a job ticket function that's built in but I haven't implemented it yet. I even have ours encrypted so there's no worry about eavesdropping. They have lots and lots of capabilities that are fantastic for all kinds of situations. Like lone worker/man down. If the radio doesn't sense movement within a set time period it starts squawking at you and if you still don't acknowledge it it will call for help. Obviously not something everyone would use but still I neat feature.

Add on: the whole system has cost me less than 1500 bucks. And I've got 6 handheld units, and 3 truck mounted units. One in the truck, one in the crane, and one in the Skid-Steer
 
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Jackel0228 said:
I got an IG license from the FCC to run UHF DMR radios. It's the instant communication that you need, no range issue ever, and the actual transceiver can be the same size as a cell phone. They also have helmet headsets and wireless headsets that pair with the radio that's with you, but it eliminates the wire. My portable units are waterproof, and I have one for each worker. They can make 1 to 1 calls, or all calls. We send texts with ours as well. They have a job ticket function that's built in but I haven't implemented it yet. I even have ours encrypted so there's no worry about eavesdropping. They have lots and lots of capabilities that are fantastic for all kinds of situations. Like lone worker/man down. If the radio doesn't sense movement within a set time period it starts squawking at you and if you still don't acknowledge it it will call for help. Obviously not something everyone would use but still I neat feature.

Add on: the whole system has cost me less than 1500 bucks. And I've got 6 handheld units, and 3 truck mounted units. One in the truck, one in the crane, and one in the Skid-Steer
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That sounds interesting, but is it voice activated like the SENA sets? And can multiple voices speak at the same time, or would they cancel each other out like most radios?
 
No they don't do full duplex communication really well. They CAN be setup that way, but you'd lose you're ability to do any kind of data transfer. Without getting too much into it, DMR uses TDMA technology. 2 timeslots on the same frequency. timeslot one usually carries voice and the other either voice or data.... so yes, to answer your question, they can but its not really the typical setup.

On another note, they CAN be setup with different talk priorities... IE boss is one everyone else is two, so it'll TX interrupt idle chitchat for the boss to talk.

Oh and they don't just walk on each other too much anymore. they just give you a busy tone, so you're not usually allowed to interrupt someone who's talking.
 
Our company recently upgraded from the Sena SMH10 to the Sena 30K with MESH technology. These comms are absolutely fantastic! My favorite feature is when we’re doing crane work. I connect my helmet, the crane operator, and our climber over Bluetooth. My other groundies are connected to each other on the MESH network. When a pick is coming to the ground I can jump into the MESH network with the tap of a button to communicate with my groundies. Once it’s down I can jump off the MESH network so that I don’t have to listen to the chipper and saws as they clean up. It’s absolutely fantastic! I also love that when I’m on the MESH network I can listen to music and still be able to communicate with my crew.

 
HigherGroundArborist said:
Our company recently upgraded from the Sena SMH10 to the Sena 30K with MESH technology. These comms are absolutely fantastic! My favorite feature is when we’re doing crane work. I connect my helmet, the crane operator, and our climber over Bluetooth. My other groundies are connected to each other on the MESH network. When a pick is coming to the ground I can jump into the MESH network with the tap of a button to communicate with my groundies. Once it’s down I can jump off the MESH network so that I don’t have to listen to the chipper and saws as they clean up. It’s absolutely fantastic! I also love that when I’m on the MESH network I can listen to music and still be able to communicate with my crew.

Click to expand...
Derek, how durable? the mesh antenna looks looks to break or tug in the raised position catching on limbs.
 
I have been thinking about going a different direction with communication systems. We are currently using an older Sena set. They work okay, but I would like some features that they don't offer.

I think it would be useful to have a push to talk feature when convenient.

I think it would be nice to be able to cut in if someone is listening to a podcast and tell them something without having to shut off whatever they're listening to.

I think the noise canceling could be better. Although if someone was stump grinding or running the chipper they could just go into push to talk mode if that was an option.

I talked to Sonetics this afternoon, they seem to have some pretty nice features but it is significantly more expensive than a Sena system. They were talking up to $6,000 depending on options.

Is anyone using anything other than Senna? If so, what do you like about it?
 
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