Terrytraveller Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 When shopping or walking around towns in France or even this country, I like to know my MH is not being tampered with, even parked on the drive in some of our homes can sometimes be a bit of a worry, for one reason or another. Using an inexpensive walkie talkie, set up in the VOX mode at its most sensitive setting, placing it near the internal sounder in the MH, will automatically activate and transmit to the other walkie talkie the sound of the burglar alarm siren or sounder. To obtain a better range, most of these walkie talkies are supplied with a microphone and earpiece on a longer lead, it should be possible to place the unit in an elevated position in the MH. It is also possible to extend the microphone lead with an extension cable from Maplins or most other electrical stores. I use a variable 12-volt power supply (available in most electrical stores) to power the MH walkie talkie for extended periods of time from the leisure battery. You can now buy these walkie talkies with an enhanced range of up to 8 Km. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Hi Terry, an intersting idea, have you tested the working range of your walkie talkie setup and if so how good is it? I have a pair of walkie talkies but their opoerational range is only about half a mile on open ground. This is drastically reduced if there are any buildings around. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Hi Dave, Yes there are a lot of variables effecting range, we usually put the MH walkie talkie in an overhead locker, also wedged in by the skylight and in the window hidden behind a paper notice informing of dog within the MH, all depending on situation and location. The signal will penetrate without too much trouble GRP bodywork and plastic windows, where aluminium will block the signal almost completely. We have found most times when shopping in supermarkets with the MH in their car park, we do get enough coverage with the 3Km sets. I am presently looking to buy the 8Km sets, which will give a better range. If you are a beach person and some MH and cars are very likely to be raided in the beach car park, mostly these are open places and the range of the 3Km sets may be adequate. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Sir! Not happy with causing consternation and upset in the rarefied area that our heroic and “unique Motorhome alarm specialists” inhabit (please, I can not be held responsible if at this point you injure yourself through laughing). It now seems your attentions have widened, and your inappropriate DIY tinkering has extended into other areas of expertise! Enough to cause the “professionals” sleepless nights I fear! Parking sensors for 20 squids! Pager style alarm (via walkie - talkie) for a pittance! Heosafe style Locks for 13.98! Wherever will your attentions turn next sir! Is no area of expertise sacred to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Steady on Eddie - do I detect encouragement ? >:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Just to add fuel to the fire: you can buy "personal alarms" for about £1-50 which are small enough to fit into the palm of your hand and have a pin on the end of a piece of line. Pull the pin out and the thing screams blue murder. Why not attach one of these to any item you have left outside the van? Or inside, to the doors, such that if any uninvited person opens them the pin pulls out? The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icelander Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Let us know how the 8KM vox walkie talkies project proceeds please Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 It looks like the cheapest place is Curry's at £29.99, others are charging £39.99, although the Curry's spec. is I think incorrect, every other site says they have VOX, but their site says not. Have to go down and eyeball the situation. http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/Phones+&+Faxes/Two-Way+Radios/BINATONE/TERRAIN+550/300718 Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I've just set my 5km range 'Topcom Twin Talker 6800' up in the MH, it's about 200ft from the house. All I need now is a dog to bark to test them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Hi Derek, So you have VOX, now all you need is a dog! I have the Binetone 600 3km range, talked to someone in Dover from Cap Grez Nez (I haven't spelt that correctly have I?) France last year with one of them, that must be 20 odd miles and it was a solid conversation. We also use them regularly when traveling in convoy with my sister in Europe. I notice that the maximum legal output is 500 mW to give an advised range of 5 Km. We mostly park on top of cliffs or sides of mountains, and then go for a walk, with the MH up so high you are assured of a good monitoring range while away from the MH. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icelander Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Yes but just how fast can you run Terry? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 icelander - 2007-02-07 10:01 PM Yes but just how fast can you run Terry? And what do you do when you get there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icelander Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Here is a thought for improvement. I sometimes carry a camera with flash but no film. It started off to try to stop the neighbours dog barking at the gate at night. But then I thought it could be usefull in the camper at night. Yoo at door etc. I expect some bright spark could rig up a camera or at least the flash of a few cameras that go off when the van alarm goes off. Maybe just cheapie cameras not too expensive. Would not want breakins just to get the camera so perhaps just the flashy bits. Going back to the walkie talkie Does it have to be vox? Could the alarm trigger a signal so that the radio transmits only then to one in your pocket. Then how about mobile phones. You could then have usually an unlimited range. Perhaps 5 miles or more. I guess you could always have it in the cab and listen to what is going on and alert the rapid police investigation unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 Hi Rob & Eddie, Probably can't run fast enough and get a heart attack on the way or when I get there!! Dog problem Rob, had the same problem here, so wired up a double sounder to a spare battery and the sounder mounted on the garden fence, where the dog was continually barking. With the bell push inside the house, and whenever the dog barked I replied with 220 dB siren - I won that argument and I don't even speak doggy language. Rob - your stronger signal, its a bit of a fiddle, but you can get a sound activated relay, or even make one yourself, a good source is Maplins, they do all sorts of kits. With the relay output coupled to a CB set PTT switch, and the CB antenna coupled to a 500 watt burner which in turn feeds an antenna on the roof, a cheap CB handheld to carry with you (all 27 Mhz) would give you ample range. In my days as a RAF wireless operator when stationed on Masirah Island in the Gulf, I re-started a Amature Radio Club up callsign was VS9OC and often made contacts (QSO) with others 1000's of miles away with just 18 watts of power - phew.... There are ways to activate your mobile I have read, but haven,t looked into it as yet, if its not covered in my Heath Robinson book, it usually means it cost money, to me its a bit offputting. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icelander Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Terry I like it - poor dog a bit of own medicine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 icelander - 2007-02-08 8:33 AM I sometimes carry a camera with flash but no film. It started off to try to stop the neighbours dog barking at the gate at night. But then I thought it could be usefull in the camper at night. Yoo at door etc. Years ago a security shop in London sold a sort of mega-flash - much brighter than your average camera flash. They claimed that if you used it in an intruder's face it would leave him blind for about 15 minutes - plenty of time for you to get away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 icelander - 2007-02-08 8:33 AM I guess you could always have it in the cab and listen to what is going on and alert the rapid police investigation unit. Who would arrive next Thursday week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g4oip Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 pager for alarm costs 99gbp and just ordered from USA walkie-talkies with 30 km range for under 50gbp brand new.Have installed window alarms and pir alarm for about 30 gbp and would hear if they were triggered. For the bonnet I have fitted a bonnet padlock and chain[hidden]and connect to a 10mm home made hookbolt.Can photograph if req'd many thanks from a newby :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share Posted February 19, 2007 Sounds like you are well covered G4OIP .- .-. Regards Terry Ex ...- ... ----. --- -.-. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piote25mx Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 as a radio ham i feel i must say, to increase the range for licence free radio ie:-446 MHz is breaking the law and should not be attempted. the whole idea of it being licence free is because it is low power (500 mil Wat). because i have taken a government test i can use up to 400 wat, now that would be good on 446 mhz but no one else would be able to for 5 miles around me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 piote25mx - 2007-02-20 9:29 AM as a radio ham i feel i must say, to increase the range for licence free radio ie:-446 MHz is breaking the law and should not be attempted. the whole idea of it being licence free is because it is low power (500 mil Wat). because i have taken a government test i can use up to 400 wat, now that would be good on 446 mhz but no one else would be able to for 5 miles around me Surely it would only be illegal if it was done by increasing the power output or using an illegal aerial? Not sure what the specs are of these 8KM range units Terry's been talking about but from my days with CB radio there are two methods of improving the range. The obvious one is to up the power output which is clearly illegal but the other method involves utilising a better antenna as well as placing it as high as reasonably possible. I don't know what the legal limits are on aerials for the 446MHz (I thought it was 466MHz actually but whatever) but there were (and presumably still are) clearly defined specs for CB useage. The big advantage of a better aerial over more power for two way operation is that the aerial works both ways, on transmitted range and received whereas increasing the power output will only improve the transmitted range. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g4oip Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Ok on the legalities of the walkie talkies but you only need to use enough power to do what you need .The point is to get the highest spec. as possible as many do not have vox caperbilities and for those who are concerned about aerials there are no rules for these and can be constructed easily as there are many designs out there.Also the exams for M3 or foundation license can be done over a w/e and are available at most amateur radio clubs which give you 10Watts power on all amateur bands and who knows may give you a new hobby to use with your m/h. I do and many onlookers are interested.The licenses are now free for life and CB is now open service as per Ofcoms latest changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 Hi Dave, Have just bought the so called 'High Power' Binatone Terrain 550' units, their spec is 8 Km range and 500mW o/p (max legal o/p), around twice the o/p of 3 Km range units, and the same o/p as the so called proffessional sets selling for £119 plus. The 550 units are available from Currys 'on line collect from store' for £29, Argos are £49 for same model. These new one have a dual watch function (use one channel for two way comms but listen to another at the same time), vibrating alarm (no rude comments please), VOX, scan, 8 channels plus 38 sub channels etc...... Can be charged together in the supplied pod or individually via a socket on side of handset, Maplins sell a variable PSU which can be used to charge from 12 volts. The only down side I can find is the rechargeable battery pack supplied, is only 600 mA capacity. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Thanks Terry, I'll be interested to see what the real world range proves to be. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icelander Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Went to a out of town currys one walkie talkie in stock 29.99 thought I would buy it in town centre currys but guess what they and argos where out of stock - next time I will buy it when I see it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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