Any recommendation/source on a helmet communicator for track days. I'm not an instructor (far far from it) but really like using one, so want to be covered just in case.

I've had instructors with the kind that slips in between ear and helmet (mine is full face), wired not wireless. Easy to get in and out, seem to work really well when they work (apparently they fail often). But I can't find online the one my instructors had.

Would consider wireless but towards cost and keeping it simple, wired seems OK to me.

You know, between the driver and rear passenger (usually his wife)on the big cruiser bikes.
The pro. option is buying a walkie setup from "racing radios" they ARE the standard for NASCAR, ALMS, IRL and GRAND AM!<ul><li><a href="http://www.racingradios.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&amp;ProdID=117">racing radios</a></li></ul>

and recently bought this one through HOD, at the recommendation of a fellow instructor. Though I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet.

I was also looking at a Nady model (PMC-2x), but read that they weren't quite as durable.<ul><li><a href="http://www.hookedondriving.com/shopping/basket.cfm?Product_ID=96">Chatterbox</a></li></ul>

check out "chatterbox" instead.

Billybobster... since you're in the area, you might check out I/O Port racing for this. I've bought stuff from him before and have never had any problems with delivery or exchanges or replacements.<ul><li><a href="http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&amp;Category_Code=CEI">http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&amp;Category_Code=CEI</a</li></ul>

HMS Motorsport sells the Chatterbox. A bunch of us have them and they're pretty reliable. Batteries last long, too.

HMS will give discounts to ACNA members, as well:

http://www.hms-motorsport.com/

CB-50 - Base unit that clips onto helmet
CB50-FFHS - full face integrated headset
CBR-SRHS - student "boom" headset.

I bought the set of three. One of the items also comes with an extension cord, so you can either be the "host" using your base unit and the student headset, you can host by using the extension and plugging another person's integrated system into your base, or you can use the extension to plug your base into another person's base.

If you are a student, the best bet might be to just buy the integrated headset and an extension so that you can plug into instructor headsets.

Thus acting like an ear plug, and reducing ambient noise? In my car, I can't hear anything coming over a chatterbox and was thinking about buying my own communicator for instructors to use with me. I use earplugs when alone both on the street and on track when driving this thing.

Are you using ear plugs on the track?

The integrated headset has speakers at both ears, so that might help, but I have not seen an earbud option. You might be able to hack your own.

I forgot to put them in for one 45 minute session last weekend and I could noticeably hear less for a few hours. I want to be able to hear when I'm an old fart, so plugs are a must with this car.

Even with the stock exhaust, the wind noise really bothers me. Ringing right now.

For when Jess starts yelling about this, that and the other thing, "goddam cars of yours" POP...in go the ear plugs and out I go to the garage ;^)

Just called chatterbox and they referred me to a site that sells an adaptor that breaks out the audio out &amp; microphone

you'd want the NHT-YCB<ul><li><a href="http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=HA">http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=HA</a</li></ul>

so I just went digging thru my IT dept's old cable bin and found me several PS2 extension cables. Save $20 :oP

Tho the PS2 (that's NOT PlayStation 2, for those of you that are young'n's...) cables are thicker and their wgt tend to cause them to disconnect while on track. So now I just use blue painter's tape (SOMEBODY at the track has some) to secure the connections.

I have one of each and they are both good.

Google either Terratrip intercom or Peltor intercom.

Susquehanna carries Terratrip

http://www.rallylights.com/Terratrip/terratrip_intercoms.asp

I don't know who in the US carries Peltor.

Wrap the area where the wire exits the set with electrical tape good and secure. This way when the student insists on yanking the headset out, the wire will stand more of a chance in remaining connected. Lost quite a few headsets before I discovered this trick.

This works well with the Chatterbox headsets. I also recommend getting the full in helmet headset for frequent students at HPDE's as well. Its just easier and if you have an instructor he or she can just plug the cord into the communicator.

I don't know of anyone that has a Nady, most say they aren't great. I never had one personally so cant offer my own opinion there.