Chatterbox 50 Intercom

See our Chatterbox Radio and Intercom Comparison page.

Chatterbox Frequently Asked Questions & Instructions:

Chatterbox HJC 50 Tandem Pro Intercom
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The HJC 50 intercom uses the Stereo Headsets and Headset Extension Cords. The 50 intercom has an open Mic. With the open mic. you will hear some road and wind noise that the Mic. picks up. If you don't have that much wind because of a large windshield and use quiet pipes, the 50 is a good choice.
If you have loud pipes or a smaller shield or get a lot of wind noise you may want to go with the X2 Radio kit. You can use the radio in regular or intercom mode, it does not matter for the passenger. If the passenger is plugged in, they will hear everything and be able to talk back and forth in either mode. The Radio's uses Noise Reducing headsets and can be used with the included push to talk button. This allows you to turn the vox all the way down and only have the mic open when you push the push to talk button.
You do want to use the wind socks that come with the Mic's, they do make a difference on the Open Face Noise Reducing Mic's. You will eliminate wind noise at higher speeds using the wind socks. You can also insert some foam in front of your Mic's. in your helmet, when using Full Face Helmets. Make to use the tie wrap around your foam wind sock to hold it on.

Can I use the HJC 50 to talk to someone on another bike or snowmobile?

This is an intercom only, you will need a radio kit such as the FRS X2, GMRS X1, or X1Slim if you need communications from vehicle to vehicle along with intercom. The XBi Bluetooth units are another option and have pretty good range now.

Can my passenger hear everything?

Yes, your passenger will hear everything including the audio. You will have to switch to audio to hear your audio input.

What do I need for my Passenger?

You need a Stereo Headset for your passenger, one Stereo Headset Extension Cord comes with the kit. You will also need a Stereo Headset for the driver. You have your choice between Open Face and Full Face Headsets.

What type of headset do I need?

Open face helmets and Half helmets require Open Face headsets. On Full Face helmets if you can place two fingers in front of your mouth while your helmet is on, then you can also use an Open Face headset . A lot of people prefer to use Open Face headsets with Full Face Helmets. Modular Helmets require Open Face headsets. The speakers will velcro to your ear flaps on a half helmet.

What does it take to install the headsets in my helmet?

The open face boom Mic's mount using a clam shell bracket on the side of the helmet. The Intercom will mount on the clam shell bracket also if used on the helmet. The full face Mic's mount using velcro on the inside of your helmet. The speakers velcro inside your helmet. If using a full face headset you will receive a full face mounting bracket. This will mount the same as the open face boom mic. clam shell and will be used for the intercom to mount on if using on your helmet.
Most helmets have cut-outs for speakers, the speakers will fit in there perfectly. If your helmet has a lining and no cut-outs in the lining, you will probably want to carefully cut the lining and glue it to the inside shell of the helmet. Just about all helmets have cut-outs but may be covered up by the lining. Carefully run the headset wires inside your helmet, pushing them between the liner and the helmet with the stick that is provided. This will take a few minutes to do a nice neat job.

What are the two plastic clip looking things that come with the kits?

The clips are mounted on the side of your helmet. They are used for the headset jack (connector) to wrap through when not in use and to keep the end of the headset cable from coming out of the helmet. Also if using the radios off the helmet you might want to put the connector through one of them, acts as a stress reliever. It does seem preferable to use at least one if you have a headset ext. cord hooked up.

Do I have to mount the Intercoms on my helmet?

No, with an extra headset extension cord your headset will be left on your helmet and the extra ext. cord then plugged into your headset and then to your intercom. The extension cord included with the kit will be hooked up to your passengers headset and to the intercom. Your intercom at that point can be put on a belt clip (optional), tank bag, placed somewhere different with industrial velcro or even mounted on your handlebars using a ram mount etc. Click here to see an alternate mounting and to get some ideas.

If you desire to connect a passenger intercom from this mounting position:

Install a Non Coiled Headset Extension Cord (10'Length) from the handlebar location to somewhere in the back where a passenger can plug another Headset Extension cord into it. The Non Coiled Cord that we have available can be used for Standard and Noise Reducing headsets. A Chatterbox black coiled cord can be used for this application also. If using the Chatterbox cord you must have matching cords plugged together, Standard or Noise Reducing.
Tie Wrap the Headset Extension Cord to your frame, under the gas tank, etc. concealing the cord as best as possible. This will make a nice neat job. The Chatterbox coiled cords can be stretched quite a long way. You can even use heat shrink over any part of it if you are concerned about protecting the cable. Try and keep the cord away from your ignition.

We have Ram Handlebar Mount kits available for chatterbox radios and intercoms, click here for description and pictures.

Are the intercoms Water Proof?

The intercoms are water resistant, not waterproof. We do not recommend using the intercoms on your helmet in the rain. We recommend using a headset ext. cord and at least placing your intercom in your pocket when it rains. If you do forget and get your intercoms wet, dry it with a hair dryer.

How long do batteries last?

The HJC 50 intercom batteries will last all day with a full charge. Using a DC Power Filter on your bike will greatly increase the usability of your intercom on trips. You can charge (plug it in) while stopped, or while riding. In most cases you can charge while riding. In some rare cases (with the engine running) the ground loops on certain bikes electrical system may effect the intercom.

How does the Audio work?

The Audio works when selected to Audio on the intercom. If wanting to talk to your passenger, you will only need to push the switch back to intercom. Both passenger and driver will hear the audio. Walkman radios work well along with all newer MP3/CD and mini disc players. Our experience has been that some MP3/CD players will pick up engine noise, depending on where you put them. Changing the location of your MP3 player, in a lot of cases that will take care of that. You might also get engine noise if you plug both your chatterbox and MP3 player into the 12 Volt power on your bike. Unplug one of them, the noise will go away. Also not all MP3 players are susceptible to this.
We do recommend using a Chatterbox Audio Cord. There is a physical difference between the Chatterbox Audio Cord and a regular Audio Cord. The Chatterbox audio cord is a "coiled" type cord, compared to straight audio cords available from electronics stores. These cords work much better because of the 90 degree angle on the plug and also not having a long cord hanging all over. There is also a safety concern with using any type of straight cord which could get caught in your motorcycle or any moving parts, etc.
For best performance, set your Intercom volume at a normal level for talking. Use your variable volume control on the Audio input device to control audio volume.
Right now I use a Zumo 660 GPS for Audio, works perfectly. I have used several MP3 audio devices over the years. Right now just about any MP3 devises including phones will work great. You can put literally thousands of songs on the 15 Gig Drive.
If you only want to listen to Audio and don't really have a need for a Radio System or Intercom then the Stereo Helmet Headset is what you want. This is a Stereo Headset only with speakers and without a Mic. There is a connector on the headset for your audio input.
If you only want to listen to Audio and don't want to use your radio system, then just plug the Headset to Audio Source Adapter Cord into your headset and Audio Source. This coiled Audio Adapter Cord will allow you to listen to all of your music on your Chatterbox Headset without using your Chatterbox Radio System or Intercom. Just plug one end into your Audio Input and the other end into your Chatterbox Headset. Very handy to have when you really don't have the need to use your Chatterbox Radio or Intercom but still want to use your audio.
Other MP3 / Jukebox players are also available that have small hard drives anywhere from 2 to 20 GIG. You will find the best deal on these or something similar through http://shopper.cnet.com/.

Helpful Operating Tips:

If you can not hear yourself when you talk, make sure the mic. is positioned properly, white dot towards your mouth.
If you forget to charge your intercom over night and your battery goes low you can charge using your power filter as you ride. Just leave the intercom on, you can listen to audio for about 20 minutes or so then you should be able to talk using your headsets. This will give the battery enough time to get ahead a little, you will be ok after that as long as you leave the power filter plugged into the intercom.
Make sure you are speaking into the front side of the Mic. (white dot on the arm facing you). If you are speaking into the back of the mic. it will sound like you are far away.

GMRS X1 & FRS X2 Frequently Asked Questions

X1Slim Frequently Asked Questions

If you can think of anything else that might be of interest or helpful let me know. I have spent a lot of time using the radio's and intercom's and have written up answers to the most frequently asked questions that we get.

This page is intended for personal, non commercial use by our customers or anyone needing information on the products that we sell.

No reproduction of this page for commercial use is allowed without written permission.

Rick,

Value-Accessories

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