As pointed out several places on this web site, safe operation is paramount. Distraction, primarily from cellphone use, has surpassed drunk driving as the number one cause of vehicle crashes, and death. Thus, any and everything you can do to lessen distraction, the better. Proper installation is only the beginning. An automatic antenna controller is another distraction reducing device, but until recently there was no convenient way to get rid of the microphone cord. Enter Bluetooth^®.

Bluetooth

Without getting into a lot of technical jargon (you can visit their web site for that), Bluetooth V2.0+EDR, Class II, uses low power, spread spectrum technology with 128 bit data encryption. It has a limited range of about 10 meters (32 feet), and operates between 2.4 and 2.4835 GHz, in the ISM band. It is a two-way technology more or less developed for the cellphone industry, its biggest user. It is also used one-way for wireless remote speakers and headsets in the audio industry, and in some cases for in-house data transfer functions.

Its first (commercial) amateur radio application was with the introduction of the Yaesu FT10R VHF transceiver in 2007. Previous to that, Fokko Vos, PA3VOS et. al., adapted existing Bluetooth cellphone dongles. These weren't always successful for a variety of reasons. That's all changed now that RPF Communications has introduced their TalkSafe^®. It's available from most amateur radio dealers including AES.

The TalkSafe can be interfaced with any modern transceiver microphone jack with appropriate cabling. It comes with a DC power cord with an accessory (cigarette) socket plug, and a speaker cable equipped with 3.5 mm connectors. All of this for about $200. Incidentally, they make a special model just for handhelds.

If you use an Icom IC-7000 (or one of several other models), they have a new product just for you! RPF also sells a microphone splitter device (TMS, right photo) that allows the use of the stock microphone in parallel with the TalkSafe. It even has a PTT port!

It has another unique feature, and that's an RS-232 port. This interface port allows you to duplicate the various button codes on the HM-151 (or HM-98S and HM-133) using a computer. This puts new meaning in the phrase, remote control, and will be a boon for those into digital modes of communication. By the way, the complete list of HM-151 commands can be down loaded from their web site.

RPF is to be commended for going the extra mile with this device. Now all we need is some enterprising person or company to write some software, or build a control device based on the codes. The TMS will be available soon at most US amateur dealers (about $100), but can be ordered directly from RPF. Incidentally, there are specific models available for Yaesu and Kenwood transceivers.

The only thing the TalkSafe doesn't come with? A headset!

Headsets

Choosing a headset shouldn't be a haphazard. While the TalkSafe will work with any cellphone style headset, some designs allow way too much background noise to be heard. So, you want one with a boom microphone which can be located close to your mouth, and preferably a noise canceling type, like the Bluesonic^® HCB-35 on the right. It's from X-Treme Geeks, and sells for $50 plus shipping. The Blue Parrot B250^® shown left is about $100, and is available from a variety of sources. There are a lot of others too, priced from about $40 to as much as $250.

Important attributes to look for ar; talk time, standby time, and what kind of charger it has (mobile or base). Most headset offer about 8 to 10 hours of talk time, and a maximum standby time of 250 hours. Most come with a wall charger, so how often you need to charge them is a consideration. Of course, you can always buy a mobile charger too. I found a mobile charger at Big Lots for just $5!

To a lessor degree (for our use) is the maximum communications distance. The HCB-35 is rated at 10 meters (33 feet), and the B250 is 20 meters (66 feet). Remember, the distance is reliant on how and where you mount the TalkSafe. My personal installation is good for about 15 feet. There are other things to consider, however, before you plop down your hard-earned cash.

Some jurisdictions do not allow drivers to cover both ears while driving, and for very obvious reasons. Of course, if you use the unit at home (hello contest ops), it doesn't matter. Personally, I find the in-ear types to be uncomfortable after a few minutes, so I opted for the style shown. As mentioned above, you should opt for one with a boom microphone similar to the ones shown. The reason will become evident in the next section.

Rumor has it that Heil is working on a Bluetooth equipped version of its Traveler^® headset. With its excellent noise-canceling performance, it should become the standard for others to follow.

One thing to remember, all Bluetooth devices operate the same way. So before you blame your headset (or the TalkSafe) for operational problems, you need to read the following data carefully. Once you know how they operate, it is easy to overcome most of the short-comings. What's more, pay particular attention to properly setting the gain levels of both the TalkSafe and your transceiver.

Setting Up & Operation

Getting the headset to communicate with the TalkSafe is called pairing. This requires following the printed instructions which come with the headset. Believe it or not, they're all the same. The headset power button is pushed for about 5 to 8 seconds which causes the power on LED to alternately flash red and blue. If the TalkSafe is already powered up, and properly cabled, the headset will pair with the TalkSafe automatically. This operation takes about 30 to 60 seconds. Once it is paired, it stays paired, but can be re-paired to a different headset if needed.

Setting the various gains is the real key to success. Get even a little over zealous, and you're going to receive a lot of negative reports!

The fact remains, most amateur operators, mobile and otherwise, use way too much microphone gain. Part of the problem is, most amateurs don't know how to properly use a microphone. When operating mobile, proper use is a critical element if good, clean, and noise free audio is your goal; which it should be. The correct procedure is to close talk the microphone. In other words, it should be right at your lips, touching actually, and with the microphone gain set to provide minimal ALC activity. For example, the microphone gain on my IC-7000 is set at 10%. With the microphone touching my lips, the ALC seldom goes past half scale on peaks

Digressing for a moment. The average power out of a SSB transceiver depends on a lot of factors, including one's own voice characteristics. Turning up the microphone gain, and running compression to compensate, is a sure-fire way to garner lousy audio reports. Remember, an automobile, even a Rolls Royce, is much noisier than your living room!

When I installed the TalkSafe, I left the IC-7000's microphone gain at 10%, and adjusted the TalkSafe's internal mic gain for the same level of ALC action, while the headset microphone was right at the corner of my mouth, and less than an inch away. The peak power out is still 100 watts; just where it should be. Any higher microphone gain, and you start getting distortion.

Receive audio level is not too critical, but you still have to be careful with levels. All Bluetooth headsets have volume controls. The standard level is set when you turn the headset on. You have to manually change it up or down as needed. I left mine just where it was. I set the IC-7000's level to about the same setting I was using with my Heil Traveler wired headset, or about 25%. I then adjusted the TalkSafe level for a comfortable listening level. Rather than use the headset's volume control, I adjust the one on the IC-7000. Distortion is low, unless you really crank it up, and by then you won't have an eardrum. Speaking of which, do your best to keep the volume low. It is really easy to crank it up in noisy conditions, but you run the risk of damaging your hearing if you do this for long periods of time.

Once everything is set up, paired, and working correctly, you'll notice an immediate drawback. When you push the talk (answer) button on the headset, it takes just over a second for the radio to transmit. For some folks, this can be disconcerting. Switching back to receive takes about the same time. The solution is to use VOX. If you do, then set the TalkSafe's time out timing to suit your operating style. If you're in a roundtable, and the headset beeps to tell you it is switching to standby, just hit the headset button again (or the Timer button on the TalkSafe), and you reset the timer. Just for the record, I have mine set for one minute. The instructions for doing so are in the owner's manual.

The headset you choose has some effect on the transfer time. Those rated for longer distances tend to be faster switching, but only if you're close to the TalkSafe. In other words, the further you are away, the longer the transfer takes.

Another way to circumvent the Tx/Rx delay is to use PTT. Currently shipping units have provisions for PTT, and here is the web page which explains how to do it. Or, if you have an IC-7000, you could use the aforementioned TMS, and it's PTT hookup. On some radios, the accessory socket also has a PTT input which could be used as an alternative. If you take this route, make sure the PTT switch (button) is located in a convenient spot with the wiring placed neatly out of the way.

Each time you power up the TalkSafe, you should turn on your headset first. Even when you do, it takes about a minute or so, for the TalkSafe to reestablish contact with the headset. If by chance you use a cellphone headset, you might want to turn is off. It should be obvious why.

By the way, the headset signals its various operational steps with beeps. They're affectionately referred to a Bi (high pitch) and Du (low pitch). For example, it goes Du-Bi when it turns on, and Bi-Du when it turns off. It pays to familiarize yourself with the tones, because they'll tell you what's going on. You could look at the indicator LEDs on the TalkSafe, but then your eyes wouldn't be on the road.

Monitor Function

Most modern transceivers have a Monitor function which allows you to hear your voice during transmit. It can be used for a variety of functions, not all of which are exacting. For example, a lot of amateurs use it to adjust their mic and/or compression gain, and transmit DSP settings to avoid excessive transmit IMD. That's all and good, however, most of time the monitor function output is not a demodulated transmit signal. Rather it's pulled off earlier in the audio signal path which makes such use, well... useless.

There is one function it will help with, and that's the tendency to raise your voice in an noisy environment. The telephone company calls this sidetone reinforcement, and indeed it is. You shouldn't need it in a mobile scenario (after all, you're not suppose to cover both ears while driving), but some folks just need the extra reinforcement the monitor function add to the mix.

Another good use for the monitor function is to aid in setting up the TalkSafe, as it allows you to easily compare the standard mic settings, and those of the TalkSafe. Again, it is very important not to overdrive the Bluetooth devices. It's even more important not to overdrive your transceiver either. You might want to read the Audio Transmit article too.

Odds & Ends

The first models of the TalkSafe came with the power cable permanently attached, but later models are plug in. It draws less than 100 mils, so it is safe to power the unit from your radio's accessory socket, but you really should fuse the line close to the radio. A one amp fuse is fine (there's an internal one that protects the TalkSafe). This assures the TalkSafe will be on anytime the radio is on.

My personal TalkSafe is connected to a full-time source. Although the literature would have you believe the standby is less than 7 mils, it is in fact half that (.34 mils). This is so small, the effect on battery charge is nil, even after a few weeks. The good part is, pairing back up to the headset takes about 10 to 12 seconds.

The TalkSafe has a speaker bypass switch, so when necessary you can let others in the vehicle listen in on your conversation. This requires turning up the audio gain, so be careful when switching back to the headset. If you try and compensate for this by resetting the gain controls, you will have distorted receive audio.

I've been using the TalkSafe for about 9 months as I write this, and I've discovered one, very important attribute; it is a wife saver!

It could also be a ticket saver too. The states of California, Oregon, and Washington (et. al.) now have state-wide laws governing cellphone usage in moving vehicles; they have to be operated handsfree, or you'll get fined. While these laws don't apply to amateur radio yet, they could in the future.