Radio communication to helper

[Captinjack]

My tractor is so loud that I cannot effectively communicate to my helper who is hooking up chains to stumps etc. Does anyone know of a radio or headset that we can use that is voice activated. I'd like to buy something that has a headset similar to hearing protection muffs and a boom mike.

The small FRS radios are ok, but the ear buds fall off my head. I'd like to buy something like is used by aircraft crew members in helicopters, but must be radio........no wires.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Check this out. Scroll down to near the middle of the page for a hands-free solution to go with the walkie-talkie.
WALKIE-TALKIE

John

 

[RonR]

How about hand signals made with one hand, which leaves the other for the helper to hold chain?

Left/Right/Forward/Aft can be made with the thumb pointed.

Closed fist means STOP.

Open fingers means __________

Both hand in the air means "I'm clear and it's ready to pull".

After participating first, then observing another sailing couple shouting at each other on loading their boat, we developed simple hand signals.

It makes us look so professional--and you can't shout using hand signals, so everyone within 5 blks doesn't hear you yelling at the signifcant other!

Ron

 

[hudr]

I grew up around a lot of loud heavy equipment. Dad always worked around heavy equipment. First for himself then for 17 years at a local strip mine. We also worked together in the OTR trucking business. We had an elaborate set of hand signals that I just "learned" like I learned English. I don't remember sitting down and learning them. Trouble is, I try these on my wife (who used to think a riding lawnmower was heavy equip) and she just stares blankly at me. Come to think of it, I get the same look as when I say I need to spend $$$ on ________ for the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Hand signals are best I think. Unless the helper is blocked from view. From my experience the person on the ground does the communicating, the operator just has to watch him/her and perform the appropriate action.
Also, I found this

 

[KiotiJohn]

Been out all day and just spent a good bit of time researching these. I find no headsets that have the radio incorporated that would be what you want.

There are numerous headsets, one and two muffs, that all use a cable running to a walkie talkie. Some have two channels so that one may talk and listen at the same time, but none in a headset.

Motorola has one set of two muffs to go with several radio models, but the muffs alone, noise cancelling, are greater than $500.

I am amazed not to find some headsets that have the radios in them, with two muffs for better sound quality.

To find more of what I find, go to www.google.com and enter "headset walkie talkie" and see what comes up.

John

 

[HappyCPE]

Perhaps you could adapt the standard crane hand signals? Far cheaper than radios and you can learn a new skill! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
http://www.signweb.com/installation/cont/cranesignals.htm

 

[LRH]

See www.peltor.com Enough choices to boggle the mind. Some select items sold @ HomeDepot/Lowes under the AOSafety label.

 

[Mattlt]

Back in my snowmobiling days, we used a product called a Communicator that seems to be what you're describing. Everyone sledding in the group could talk/listen to each other.

If I remember right, they were less than $100 each, but you needed two of them.

I wonder what happened to mine???

 

[chucko]

shoot the img did not show...
a megaphone might work