DIGITOR: Bike to Bike Transceiver.
The Digitor is a small single channel crystal controlled two way radio. It is powered by a 9.0 v pp3~216 style battery. It is able to operate in PTT mode or in VOX mode . For motorcycle application, the radio is not set to PTT but to VOX . This is acheived by sliding the small switch on the top of the radio. The headset is of a similar design to the unit used on the Uniden PRS radio, however it has only one plug to attach to the radio. It has the standard PHS Ltd slimline ptt switch assembly which affixes onto the left handlebar and headset boom mic unit worn over the ear.
The radio operates on a frequency of 40.680 MHz under the NZ certification RFS29 , The unit has an internal squelch set to open at around 0.3uV, The standard Digitor transceiver has "busy channel lockout" enabled when in VOX mode, this feature disables the transmitter if the set is receiving a signal. If it is in receive mode, then you cannot talk to your riding buddy while it is picking up interference. If this feature is not disabled by an internal modification , then the ptt will not be able to transmit overtop of received interfering signals. Our units have this modification . The only user controls available to the are the off-on Volume control, the PTT-VOX slide switch and the vox microphone sensitivity control. The Digitor has the added benefit of an external power source connection and is also supplied with a suitable polarity protected voltage dropping power cable with alligator clips. This enables it to be connected directly to the motorcycle 12v (sorry not 6V) battery. when the external DC cord is plugged into the socket at the base of the radio, the internal battery is disconnected .
Use of the radio: Make sure the radio has a fresh 9v alkaline battery installed. Turn the radio on via the volume control and set the vol about 1/4 way round, this is usually ample volume while on the motorcycle !. Slide the mode switch on the top from PTT to VOX and then turn the Mic sensitivity control around to 3/4 full. Place the earphone unit over the ear and adjust it to a comfortable postion such that the boom mic rests on the cheek next to the corner of the mouth. (see the uniden radio write up for this) . Insert the 3,5mm jack plug of the headset boom mic into the mic-ear socket on the top of the radio. The motorcycle headset will NOT work if the slide switch is set to PTT! Attach the slim line PTT pressel to the lefthand handlebar, To operate the radio press the PTT switch with the left thumb then speak clearly in a normal voice , dont shout . Speech that is too loud tends to get distorted by the audio level clipping circuitry in the radio, thus reducing intellegibility of the signal received on another radior set . After talking, there is a transmit "hold" period of about 1 sec or so after releasing the PTT switch. During this "hold" period you will not be able to hear anyone esle as the radio has not dropped back to receive.
Range: The 100 mW Digitor radio does not have the range of the 500mW Uniden, but a much greater range than the 10 mW MAXON HX-49 . Once again, range is very dependant as to where you place the radio .Leather jacket pocket is lousey ~100 yds if your lucky, Best and most consistant range is to have it mounted on your helmet, but the most convenient optimal place is clipped to the faring or upright somewhere on the handebars, you may have to implement some sort of attachment device.use an extra attachment cord in case it come loose unlike the Uniden, I doubt if the Digitor would survive kissing the road at 100 kph ! You can expect to get about 1 Km+ between bikes out in the open country, although when I tried a pair out with a riding buddy, we were able to communicate from the lookout at Blue and green lakes near Rotorua to the Blue lake motorcamp, which is about 1.5 Kms over water and the signal was still loud and clear. That scenario is in optimum conditions and a direct visual path over water. Intervening heavy foliage will knock this range back too.
Digitor Specifications :Receiver is crystal controlled double superhet with a first IF of 10.7 MHz and second IF of 455 Khz, Battery is a 9.0v pp3 (use an alkaline) . Draws 22 mA muted and about 80 mA when transmitting. Mute opens at 0.3 uV and is a readable but a slightly noise signal. The crystal controlled transmitter is NBFM at +/- 5 KHz deviation, RF output power is approximately 100mW (~20 dBm) into a very ineffiecient helically wound antenna. Range is quoted in the "handbook" as typically 0.5 Km but they will easily exceed this in the open (unobstructed path) I would like to try a good antenna on them to see what range improvement is possible...... Watch this space!!!
Supplied : Digitor radio ("busy channel lock" out disabled) , Headset with ptt , external power cable (voltage reducing),
price $150 inc gst (plus postage) I have only 2 left sorry!!
Pinfold Health Services Ltd.,1172 Arawa st,Rotorua 3201,New Zealand. ph +64-7-3488850 fax +64-7-3486555 pinfold@xtra.co.nz