Ropetek Comms installation

rfwoodvt

rfwoodvt

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Been looking at the ropetek system but haven't been able to hold one in my hands.

How is the microphone boom mounted onto the helmet? Can anyone share some pictures of that and how the wiring is routed?

Even better, can someone share the installation instructions?

Also, does having the wiring and boom change the helmet's rating for work around conductors?

Thanks!
 
Man can I ever but their may be an easier way swing over to AS (hate to do it but for the sake of learning it should be ok). There is a great thread there about coms in the commercial tree care forum that is where I learned how to Install mine and tons of pictures to boot if that does not work let me know I will post all sorts up.

The mic attaches with Velcro that comes in the kit.
 
I was just having this conversation with a friend of mine... the velcro stickies supplied appearently hold up really well... no need to drill your helmet. Some material will need to be removed from the muffs to accommodate the wires for the speakers.

Reed Wortley
CTSP #01739
ISA CA #SO-6953A
 
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rfwoodvt said:
Been looking at the ropetek system but haven't been able to hold one in my hands.

How is the microphone boom mounted onto the helmet? Can anyone share some pictures of that and how the wiring is routed?

Even better, can someone share the installation instructions?

Also, does having the wiring and boom change the helmet's rating for work around conductors?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I thought the idea with the RopeTek systems was to pick out a brand new helmet that you'd like to have, and then buy it from them with the communication system pre-installed, thereby saving yourself all of the heartburn.

Tim
 
TimBr said:
I thought the idea with the RopeTek systems was to pick out a brand new helmet that you'd like to have, and then buy it from them with the communication system pre-installed, thereby saving yourself all of the heartburn.

Tim
Click to expand...

What's the fun in that!

Actually I just bought a new Protos but we do not use the RopeTek system for a number of reasons. First is that we use UHF handhelds and have a dozen or so radios. So, wholesale replacement is not necessary and costly. Second, the idea of RF blazing away from the Bluetooth unit right next to our brain stems is a bit repugnant.

I know there is no hard evidence to conclusively point a finger, but several of my acquaintances over the past 10 years, all heavy cellphone and Bluetooth users, have had fatal brain tumors. Considering there were no familial histories and just 20 years ago brain tumors were as rare as a penguin in Vermont (not to mention so were cellphones and Bluetooth) just leaves me unsold on the product. And, given the litigious nature of our society, I don't want to get hauled into court for a WC claim by one of my people 20 years from now because "we should have known about bluetooth."
 
OK, now I'm confused. If you feel that way about bluetooth technology, why are you asking how to install one?

Our work environment is filled with constant and ever present danger. A large contributor is miscommunication. Hands free and instant communication gives workers a better chance of making it through each work day. This is not superfluous social media. So do you ignore a real and present danger in favour of preventing a possible one?
 
rfwoodvt said:
What's the fun in that!

Actually I just bought a new Protos but we do not use the RopeTek system for a number of reasons. First is that we use UHF handhelds and have a dozen or so radios. So, wholesale replacement is not necessary and costly. Second, the idea of RF blazing away from the Bluetooth unit right next to our brain stems is a bit repugnant.

I know there is no hard evidence to conclusively point a finger, but several of my acquaintances over the past 10 years, all heavy cellphone and Bluetooth users, have had fatal brain tumors. Considering there were no familial histories and just 20 years ago brain tumors were as rare as a penguin in Vermont (not to mention so were cellphones and Bluetooth) just leaves me unsold on the product. And, given the litigious nature of our society, I don't want to get hauled into court for a WC claim by one of my people 20 years from now because "we should have known about bluetooth."
Click to expand...

OK, I found your post interesting. The anecdotal evidence for brain cancer is interesting. I also heard of a guy who was a project manager, and therefore on the mobile phone constantly, who also died of a brain tumor.

I also get that if you just got done buying a brand new helmet without a comm system installed, you might want to retrofit a system into the new helmet.

On the objection to the proximity to the brain stem, the one piece of information that I can add is that in my early readings about bluetooth technology, I thought I read that it is intended as a short-distance replacement for cords going to devices, and that its range was supposed to be up to 33 feet away, if I recall correctly. So it might be possible to install your own comm system into your helmet, but at the same time move the bluetooth transmitter/receiver to a position a bit further away, but still in a place where it could not get separated from you during normal work activities.

What that location might be is something you'd have to think about. It would be interesting if someone like Steve, maybe, who might have a separate unit for the crane operator, could run some tests to see how far away it is possible to place the bluetooth unit from the microphone/ear piece, and still manage to get a good, solid signal.

Those are my thoughts on this issue.

Tim
 
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