Transmission1

A friend wants to do a long charity solo bike ride - I'd be driving a support car, sorting out accomdation etc. I'd like a means of communication where they can instantly contact me if in bother. I want PTT so they don't have to fumble with a mobile phone, especially if the trouble is human-shaped.

I'd be 5-20 miles from them most of the time and doubt hired VHF/UHF radios would do it. I see that there are PTT handies that run off the mobile networks. While still no guarantee of 100% communication, I think these may be a better bet.

Does anyone have experience of them?

Use an App like Zello, so much easyer and cheaper. Headset and Vox.

Ah, thanks - will investigate. Vox is voice activation?

Correct.

Bear in mind that using a PTT app on a GSM device will still get you 6 points and a £200 fine if not hands-free. Also, they are not real time, there is a delay depending on which one you use, and if you're out in the wilds away from a 3g mast (a signal doesn't always mean data) then they ain't gonna work at all.

Admiral wrote: ↑17 Apr 2018, 22:11 Bear in mind that using a PTT app on a GSM device will still get you 6 points and a £200 fine if not hands-free. Also, they are not real time, there is a delay depending on which one you use, and if you're out in the wilds away from a 3g mast (a signal doesn't always mean data) then they ain't gonna work at all.

I use Zello quite often, very handy and even works OK for me on 2G EDGE with only a 1-2 second delay at worst, fine for non time critical comms.

You are unlikely to get anything that would cover up to 20 miles reliably without repeaters. I'd download Zello and have a play with some headsets/earphones on VOX or remote PTT.

Thanks all. Zello sounds like the best bet. Shame that scanning afficionados along the route won't be entertained by stuff like "You said there weren't any f*****g hills on this stretch, you utter d******d!" though.

I've given myself a Fatboy Slim earworm now.

Check it out now, the SIM card handies
Right about now, the SIM card handies

Dowda dowda dowda dow Dow!