Communication

[jimmyq]

I am curious what everyone uses to talk at the jobsite or up a tree, I got a good deal on a set of Motorola radios on Ebay recently and I love them. The seller has regular listings and the price seems to be great if you get a little luck on your side.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20383&item=3054130912

 

[Lumberjack]

I have been wondering the same thing. Normally we just yell to one another, but if we need to we use cell phones. Most of the time when I use the cell phone is when I am cutting a tree and it has to be pulled by a truck tractor or whatever. I will be running the saw and I will have another guy talking on the phone to tell the guy in the truck when to pull.

 

[Menchhofer]

I have used the VHF or UHF radios a few times w/ the inline PTT. Seems the inline PTT is a pain. Even purchased headsets to use with the radio, but again did not like the PTT position.

Currently I am looking into a headset that works with Nextel direct connect. I am asking alot of questions first just to be sure if they can be integrated into the working environment successfully.

The small radios sold by Sherrill seem as if they would work out also.. anyone tried them?


I usually yell also, but it seems so unprofessional.

 

[Menchhofer]

I just remembered another problem I had with the radios.

I was always listening to someone else...either the surveryors.."go left one foot Jim. back two feet. hold it there", over and over again.
Or I would listen non stop to the people over at the car auction going through EVERY make and model car they had all day long.

Heck, I also could order through the drive thru's if I wanted to. Never will forget working within range of a fast food restaurant and hearing EVERY drive thru customer all day long

Seemed as if whenever I needed to relay information, someone else on the frequency was talking.

I would presume if someone lived/worked out farther, this would not be a problem. But in suburbia it gets on your nerves

 

[Stumper]

Carl, May I suggest that you read this thread. It will help you evaluate pulling with your truck so that you can do it with minimal risk.http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3686&highlight=truck+pull :angel:

 

[Lumberjack]

I use it when it is neccesary. I have been doing it with my father since I was 5-6. In most situations I consider it perfectly safe, using the methods that I use.

Thanks for the advice though, I have already read that thread a while back.


Carl

 

[NeTree]

I do use radios occasionally, but for the most part I find mutually understood hand signals very effective.

 

[Burnham]

We use radios when we work in the tall ones...the ground support is often out of sight due to dense crown below the climber. When line of sight is clear we usually don't have much trouble, maybe because we have worked together for many years, and the team consists of two climbers at a minimum, so we have a pretty good idea of what's needed above.

 

[Tree Machine]

Safety and communication

I've got something really new. In fact, it's revolutionizing the way I do business, and is the biggest improvement in my day-to-day operations in probably 6 or 7 years.

It is hearing protective radio headset, 2-way communication, combined with AM / FM radio (if you have the radio turned on).

I have a client who's an electronics engineer for RCA. I brought him a basket of ideas, and we weeded out the more complex thoughts and stayed basic to start with.

The first thing we did was look at a yellow pair of radio headsets, and found the position of the controls on it to be clumsy, non-intuitive and ergonomically poor. Instead of wasting time, we sourced a better-designed set and started dissecting.

 

[Jumper]

I always have carried a whistle since I was a Platoon Commander in the Army. Do not use it often, but it is a sure fire attention getter when something important needs to be passed, especially if everyone is wearing muffs.

 

[Tree Machine]

Here's where it started

After dissecting, we installed a commmunication chip, reconfigured a couple things on the circuit board so that FM radio would cut out when push-to-talk was activated, and fabricated and mounted the push-to-talk button in an intuitive and ergonomic place. Lastly, we mounted the transmitter mic internally on front side of the opposite cup.

Then, we had to build a second one because these things work together as a team.

 

[Tree Machine]

and the winner is.....

Oops. Forgot to include the image on that last one. This pic shows the preliminary headsets, the first three which flunked-out, having poor ergonomic design. We wanted natural, sensible hand and finger placement, being able to work all the controls WITH GLOVES ON, while the headset is on the head.

The last of the four shown worked really well and we decided to go ahead with further modifications. This which you are reading in mere seconds went down over the course of months, starting in late 2001.

 

[Tree Machine]

This is what the right side of the unit looks like. On the left cup is the internal transmission mic, which is, for all practical purposes, invisible, and the nickle metal-hydride battery compartment and recharge plug-in.

The bottom-most dial is ON / OFF for the FM, as well as volume. The one just above it turns on both voice attenuation AND communication ability. How far you turn that one up determines how sensitive the voice attenuation will be (I'll be glad to explain this awesome safety feature more in a bit).

The blue neoprene button (if Com is turned on) interrupts your partner's music to allow YOU to go clearly to him / her in a moderate voice, in a volume as though that person were standing in front of you. Communication can proceed whether the music is on, or off.

I have found this to be a powerful means of training and instructing, even when saws and chippers are running, especially from up in the tree. I will ask my helper to turn off his FM while running the chipper, so he's concentrating on the task at hand, and not in any way distracted (except for me offering quick bits of advice at the precise moment its needed).

I, however, turn up the Rock n Roll, stay focussed on safety, and just have the time of my life caring for trees, or taking them down.

 

[Tree Machine]

but wait, there's more

I instruct my newbies not to COM while I'm sawing. They may have a question that, with a bit of thought, they can figure out on their own, and I don't want to be interrupted or distracted unless my saw is off, or if there's some iminent safety concern.

I think on any future guy, I won't even tell him that he can transmit to me. I can't say I've felt the need to have casual tree-to-ground conversation just because I can. I prefer to be the bug in his ear, not the other way around.

It's been great. This is overcoming a MAJOR safety issue in why I have for so many years worked primarily solo. All the communication hurdles have been stomped flat. Compliance to wear the protective ear gear is high, and communication proceeds calmly without the men having to make eye contact, or even stop working.

All this time I thought I was some freakin head case because I have to yell, or whistle, or wave my arms and WAIT, and stop my work..... All that stressful and frustrating and -face-it- dangerous behavior of NOT being able to communicate is gone from my life.

Also, I used to NOT listen to music when I would have the occasional helper, just so communication would stay open. This was always a major Bummer because I really, really enjoy listening to music or National Public Radio while I do my work. Now we can BOTH enjoy the blessing of music, and we're only a fingertip touch away from each other, at any given moment.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Real nice TM.

Isn't it strange how almost anything you buy can be improved on? It's almost like they never try the products out.

My only criticsm of your product is it needs to be attached to a hardhat. Wearing a hardhat has become an industry standard that you almost have to follow, at least in our area, because most tree workers wear them, and those that don't look like hacks. Plus there is the obvious saftey issue.

If your headset works in the field, I'd say you're really on to something good. I've seen similar sets with walkie talkies, but I don't recall if they had a radio. The problem with them was the price, about $350.

Are you thinking about putting these into production, or selling any?

 

[Tree Machine]

Thanks, Dr. Maas

Ahh yes. Mounting to a helmet, at least a regular industry helmet, is a no-brainer. Getting the muffs to fit on a Petzel Ecrin Roc helmet, I have not attempted, though its a natural next step.

As far as production of these things go, I pitched the idea to a rather large safety apparel and gear manufacturer about two years ago. First thing we did was work on the ergonomics. Many moons later, the result was the AM-FM-voice attenuation ear protective radio headset called the 'Alert'. This is only a few dollars more than the canary yellow set, but flies light years ahead in functional design (and looks). These are available right now, but the MusiCom version could still be awhile yet.

You can push an elephant from the backside, but it doesn't always translate into activity up front. -TM-

 

[njarbor]

i use the old can and string technique myself:blob1:

 

[Tree Machine]

I'll bet that's overall, more effective than the yell and wave. Thanks for the keen tip -TM-