2018 MexTrek #8, Oct 20th - 23rd 2018

[Shadman]

I'm trying to make this trip work schedule wise. Won't know for a few months.

But when I amazon the required radio, I get a Ham radio "walkie talkie" that requires a license to transmit in the US. Is a license required in Mexico? Is it a license that requires skill to get or are we just paying money to use the radio? Did I get the wrong radio in my Amazon search?

You are looking at the right radio. It does require an operator's license in the United States which might cost 5 or $10 and requires short written test. in Mexico my understanding is it is illegal for a Mexican to own and use a similar radio, ( due to gang activity) but in all of our encounters with police, border patrol, and people on the street it has been relayed that it is okay for us to have them because we aren't Mexican citizens. If you have concerns I would recommend installing the radio out of sight and using push to talk.

 

[hurricaneshawn]

First timer IN! Hoping to get confirmation and likely to join half the afterparty!

 

[Shadman]

Shawn, I got your registration. Are you du Metier coaching on Paypal?

 

[Shadman]

Re: 2018 MexTrek #7, Oct 20th - 23rd 2018

If anyone is interested I have four (4) Baofeng UV-B5 radios programmed and available for loan. Both standard/stubby antennas, charging cradles and I even have two battery eliminator packs so you can plug directly into 12V acc/cig plug. No headsets though, I would just clip to my Camelback strap. The model number doesn't exactly match so Peter will need to chime in if compatiable.

_

Anything that runs UHF 400-520 and VHF 136-174 will have exact matches to the Baofeng UV-5R. This is most radios out there. But we mainly stick to the channels broadcast on the FRS spectrum, family radio service (FRS/GMRS) which even the cheap little handhelds broadcast on. These work on UHF 462 thru 467 UHF. The list of channels is:

1 FRS/GMRS 462.5625 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
2 FRS/GMRS 462.5875 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
3 FRS/GMRS 462.6125 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
4 FRS/GMRS 462.6375 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
5 FRS/GMRS 462.6625 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
6 FRS/GMRS 462.6875 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
7 FRS/GMRS 462.7125 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
8 FRS/GMRS 467.5625 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
9 FRS/GMRS 467.5875 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
10 FRS/GMRS 467.6125 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
11 FRS/GMRS 467.6375 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
12 FRS/GMRS 467.6625 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
13 FRS/GMRS 467.6875 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
14 FRS/GMRS 467.7125 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
15 FRS/GMRS 462.5500 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
16 FRS/GMRS 462.5750 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
17 FRS/GMRS 462.6000 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
18 FRS/GMRS 462.6250 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
19 FRS/GMRS 462.6500 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
20 FRS/GMRS 462.6750 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
21 FRS/GMRS 462.7000 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
22 FRS/GMRS 462.7250 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*

We just grab one randomly, not 1 or 2 or 3 due to regular use, and stick to it the whole ride. We announce before the ride starts.

On any programmable radio you just have to type in the frequency on the keypad, aka 4 6 2 6 3 7 (no need to put in the last digit...5...the radio rounds) and you are working on FRS channel 4. Press and hold the lock button so the only button the radio can use is push to talk, and you are ready to ride. Takes all of 10 seconds in practice.

I could yell, VHF...173500 and everyone in a group could switch in a matter of seconds assuming they took 2 minutes to learn the basics of radio operation from a user.

as far as using UHF vs VHF (ultra high versus very high frequency): FROM THE NET:

Iit's a trade off. But the general rule-of-thumb is if you are using the radio primarily outdoors where you will have clear line-of-sight then VHF is a better choice because it's signal will travel farther. BUT, if you will beusing your radio in or around buildings, in urban areas, or heavily wooded areas, then UHF is a better choicebecause it's signal will navigate around structures better, not being blocked as easily as VHF. The trade-off you are making is longer distance (VHF), vs avoiding possible "dead spots" in and around structures (UHF).

 

[hurricaneshawn]

Shawn, I got your registration. Are you du Metier coaching on Paypal?

Shadman, yessir! Thanks!

 

[Shadman]

Adding a few new guys to the list. Up to 39 paid attendees!!!

 

[Shadman]

We are having a little meet and greet at Lima Criolla (family style Peruvian, excellent, N Austin, 35 at 183 i the Linc center) this Tuesday, June 5th, for anyone who is interested in talking Mexico riding. Drinks at 6:30, dinner at 7:30.

 

[SpiritAtBay]

Wish i could make it!

 

[Dao]

Anyone know if 1st gen Sena 20S comms will interface and operate AOK for this shindig?

 

[tricepilot]

Anyone know if 1st gen Sena 20S comms will interface and operate AOK for this shindig?

Interface and operate with.......what? Each other? In Mexican airspace?

 

[roamer]

For anyone considering a Garmin InReach and wondering how you would use it to interact with the outside world, I thought a live example might be helpful. A friend of mine is using the InReach to track his bicycle ride from Dallas to Virginia. If you click on the link below, then click on the link in the header entitled, “Track Me As I Ride”, you will be taken to the Garmin page that shows his progress in real time (10 min update intervals). He is also sending custom messages to his support team at the start and finish of each day.

https://kraxmel.blogspot.com/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dao]

Interface and operate with.......what? Each other? In Mexican airspace?

was wondering whether the sena 20s will interface
w/ the 2 way radios required for this trip, eg,
Baofeng UV5-R radios on Mextrek 2017, 4 watt / 1 watt: UV-5R V2, 8 watt high power: BF-F9 V2, etc...

 

[TossingLead]

The best way to interface a radio with any Sena is to use a Sena SR10

 

[tricepilot]

was wondering whether the sena 20s will interface
w/ the 2 way radios required for this trip, eg,
Baofeng UV5-R radios on Mextrek 2017, 4 watt / 1 watt: UV-5R V2, 8 watt high power: BF-F9 V2, etc...

Jeff is correct. You can use a Sena SR10 Bluetooth Adapter (which I use) but I would strongly recommend you get it in advance and play with it and not try to learn it sitting in a hotel in Mexico.

 

[copb8]

was wondering whether the sena 20s will interface
w/ the 2 way radios required for this trip, eg,
Baofeng UV5-R radios on Mextrek 2017, 4 watt / 1 watt: UV-5R V2, 8 watt high power: BF-F9 V2, etc...

You need to be aware that you'll also need a specific cable that goes between the radio and the SR10. Without it your SR10 is useless. My 2 friends didn't realize this until the day before our last trip and it was too late to source them. It's not expensive but takes a few days to get. Order it with the radio.

And for convenience you may want to add the push-to-talk button. You can use the unit itself to press talk if it's mounted in a convenient location but with the optional cable it puts the button right at your thumb at the grip.

 

[TossingLead]

The SR10 comes with a remote PTT cable.

 

[copb8]

The SR10 comes with a remote PTT cable.

You're right. I stand correct.

 

[JT]

I am so ready for this one. I have 2 tracks ready with some new stuff and want to revisit a few old tracks. Jeff, you in? Have you done the backside of Mt. Potosi yet?

 

[TossingLead]

Plan on it!

 

[centextom]

was wondering whether the sena 20s will interface
w/ the 2 way radios required for this trip, eg,
Baofeng UV5-R radios on Mextrek 2017, 4 watt / 1 watt: UV-5R V2, 8 watt high power: BF-F9 V2, etc...

Following!! LMK if you do this, and how!

 

[subcomm]

I am so ready for this one. I have 2 tracks ready with some new stuff and want to revisit a few old tracks. Jeff, you in? Have you done the backside of Mt. Potosi yet?

I did it last October, it’s a lot of fun!

 

[JT]

was wondering whether the sena 20s will interface
w/ the 2 way radios required for this trip, eg,
Baofeng UV5-R radios on Mextrek 2017, 4 watt / 1 watt: UV-5R V2, 8 watt high power: BF-F9 V2, etc...

Following!! LMK if you do this, and how!

There are a few Bluetooth modules available that claim to be able to interface from the Baofeng radio to any device with Bluetooth input such as the Sena headsets. The only documented device to do this is the Sena SR10. It aint cheap. About $160 plus another $20 for the cable. The good news is it works very well. I have had one now for about 2 years and have had very good service from it. The SR10 comes with a remote PTT switch you can put on the left handlebar and push the button without taking your hand off the grip. The SR10 also has a PTT button on it's body. I clip the SR10 and the radio to my jacket and run a cable for the remote PTT through my sleeve. When on the bike, I plug the cable to the remote PTT. If I want to step off the bike, I just unplug the remote cable and use the PTT on the body of the SR10. This way I can get off the bike and still use the radio.

 

[ConchRepublic]

Does this require a Passport or just the Visa Info listed earlier in the thread?

 

[TossingLead]

Passports now days.

 

[kayakkawakid]

I did it last October, it’s a lot of fun!

Da favorite!