MP3s vs PMR Radio

hoplite

A few of the lads I play airsoft with remember their first game in HRTA. It was the old site. They were loaned some walkie talkies and midgame someone managed to broadcast some cool war tunes for all the team to enjoy.

Anybody know how you would plumb a walkie talkie to do this. I suspect maplin might have a few bits and bobs that would help.

And yes its not very tactical but its certainly tacticool

I have a pair of Motorola XTR446 radios.

NakedDex

Well with the XTR you're onto a winner already. They use a 2-pin 2.5mm jack socket for the input (mic) so realistically all you'll need is a 3.5mm mono jack to 2.5mm mono jack cable and you're good to go. It must be mono since the input connection is only two pole. Using a stereo connection will clip off the left channel from the music output.

Normally I'd say avoid Maplin because they'll fleece you, but since all you'll need are the two jack plugs and a bit of cable, you'll get them fairly handy in there. Single core screened audio cable, 3.5mm mono jack, 2.5mm mono jack and a bit of solder and you're good to go.
For a slight pricier alternative, but one that requires no building really, get a 3.5mm mono to 3.5mm mono cable and a 3.5mm mono to 2.5mm mono step-down adaptor. It'll do the same job with no building or fiddling, but it'll mean the smallest cable you'll be able to get is about 26-27 inches long.


Edit: Actually, I should mention, the input on these may be reversed. I can't remember which of the XT series they reversed the poles on, but a quick google check will give you that diagram fairly sharpish. It should still be the 2.5mm, but the core may be the common (negative) rather than the positive. If it is, go for two core rather than single core shielded, it'll make it handier to terminate.

Craigsy

Dex, does this mean if it works you'll have the radio channels flooded with avril lavinge

NakedDex

You clearly haven't seen the speaker system I rigged into one of my chest harnesses. Nothing like leaving your iPod on shuffle walking into a fire fight with "Requiem for a Tower" playing, only to have it finish and move on to "Girlfriend" just as things get iffy.
Great for your morale, and it confuses the living hell out of the enemy. Most of you have figured out how to keep a moving target in your sights, but a dancing one is a different story.

Craigsy

NakedDex wrote: »

You clearly haven't seen the speaker system I rigged into one of my chest harnesses. Nothing like leaving your iPod on shuffle walking into a fire fight with "Requiem for a Tower" playing, only to have it finish and move on to "Girlfriend" just as things get iffy.
Great for your morale, and it confuses the living hell out of the enemy. Most of you have figured out how to keep a moving target in your sights, but a dancing one is a different story.

I'll have to check that out, i remember being slightly confused/worried the first time i played along side you with girlfriend going full blast

Firekitten

If someone flooded our coms with music in game, id slap them silly once i worked out who it was...

Its annoying on skype, its annoying on TS2.... its REALLY annoying in skirmishes....

go play paintsoft.

Lemming

+1

Seriously, playing "cool tunes" means nobody else can actually use comms. Probably when they really need it.

Christ, the amount of times I've played where someone has their mic set to vox by accident is frustrating enough. Music? F.O.A.D. would be my immediate response.

Craigsy

well it was only meant as a joke

Firekitten

That sort of Joke usually results in physical violence... I find that funny too...

Craigsy

Joke as in banter about over boards, not actually do it

ED E

Ehh lemming, most players have 8 primarys and 32 or so sub channels per primary. It would be possible to have for example 1.00 dedicated to music(could set up a "base station" in the SZ with a radio/cd player/pod) and players in game could switch between music and comms. OR, if you have monitor function you can do both.

I'm gonna try this today, with the day thats in it

Firekitten

WHat is the point though? you'll then have people listening to thier music instead of actually being contactable on coms... its a silly pipe dream idea with no place on a coms network... you want music? stick your ipod on

ED E

As above, with monitor, when somebody talks on your main channel the monitor(AKA the music) switches off.

Lemming

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

As above, with monitor, when somebody talks on your main channel the monitor(AKA the music) switches off.

Ehhh ... Lethal ... what is the point though? WOW ... music! Cool. I can't hear anything. WOW I'm getting hit. But I'm listening to music. But I'm hit. WOW .. this is great


*cough*

And you've just denied a channel. On top of the site admin channel. And the marshals channel. And if there's anyone else nearby who isn't playing airsoft and happens to be trying to use the same channel, you've just denied them a channel too.

Incidentally ... what if there's a lot of comms talk? The music is just going to sound ... SHHHHEEEE-ITE. So again, what's the point? It's a pointless excercise in self-serving "because I can".

Shiva

And if you really, really, really want to be pedantic and anal......you'd be broadcasting copyrighted music without paying royalties.

Good luck fighting off IRMA

Dread-Lock

Why is everyone getting so up tight about this? People have done a lot stupider things at a skirmish then this.
If someone wants to listen to music instead of some guy swearing over comm's then why does it matter to you? I think its a horrible idea, but I don't care if others do it.

NakedDex

I've never done the whole mp3 narrowcast before for the same reasons as mentioned above. Consider how bloody annoyed you'd be if you were trying to call in back up or alert a teammate to a flank but couldn't because someone was playing Ride of the Valkyries "because it's cool". You'd flip out, and rightfully so.
The handful of times I have played music during a skirmish was merely as a novelty and it was promptly switched off when the game started properly. Noone needs to hear it, nor wants to. If anything it's a hindrance to perception too since you'll miss that subtle twig being broke by that guy sneaking behind you due to the subtle but chaotic stylings of Moby's Extreme Ways.

Silence is golden.

Craigsy

NakedDex wrote: »

I've never done the whole mp3 narrowcast before for the same reasons as mentioned above. Consider how bloody annoyed you'd be if you were trying to call in back up or alert a teammate to a flank but couldn't because someone was playing Ride of the Valkyries "because it's cool". You'd flip out, and rightfully so.
The handful of times I have played music during a skirmish was merely as a novelty and it was promptly switched off when the game started properly. Noone needs to hear it, nor wants to. If anything it's a hindrance to perception too since you'll miss that subtle twig being broke by that guy sneaking behind you due to the subtle but chaotic stylings of Moby's Extreme Ways.

Silence is golden.

+1

hoplite

My God what happened to my innocent little thread I left it untended and its sprouted weeds.

If I play music it will be for fun/novelty and probably not very often. Yes the quality will be crap but again fun/novelty etc

Will the novelty wear off yep surely and quickly.

It will only be broadcast to the people I play with in what we might loosely describe as a team on a channel which we decide upon and hopefully not one others will be using.

Most of you that would be annoyed I don't encounter when out skirmishing so no worries there.

Lighten up peoples please. I asked how not if I should nor did I ask for your permission.

Hmmm maybe I could velcro the MP3 player to a box mag

Dr_Pepper

One potential good thing.
The Rock OST would be epic @ sennybridge with pyros.

Innocent thought...

Stercus Accidit

hoplite wrote: »

Hmmm maybe I could velcro the MP3 player to a box mag

Use a stubby killer to keep the weight down too.

NakedDex

I can see it now, Apple's new AEG/iPod hybrid; the iPwn.

Firekitten

dont you mean the i-spray?

the_one

hoplite wrote: »

My God what happened to my innocent little thread I left it untended and its sprouted weeds.Lighten up peoples please. I asked how not if I should nor did I ask for your permission.

i'm with you on this one hoplite. i think a lot on here forget what airsoft is all about..
FUN
and as for asking for permission if the site owner says its ok to hell with the rest.

Firekitten

the site owner is not likely to give permission for you to flood pmr coms channels with music... and if he does, and the site players all disagree... im afraid you DO have to have permission... because its ruining the game for others.

the_one

Firekitten wrote: »

the site owner is not likely to give permission for you to flood pmr coms channels with music... and if he does, and the site players all disagree... im afraid you DO have to have permission... because its ruining the game for others.

i really dont see how its ruining the game for anyone by just using one of the many chanels that are there and can be used by anyone anyway weather there on the site or not.

Firekitten

Either they are listening to it alone... by which case... use your sodding ipod...

or multiple people are... either way, players arent listening or concentrating and generally ****ing monging around...

Craigsy

Firekitten wrote: »

Either they are listening to it alone... by which case... use your sodding ipod...

or multiple people are... either way, players arent listening or concentrating and generally ****ing monging around...

Although that would make them easier to shoot:pac::pac:

hoplite

Firekitten wrote: »

the site owner is not likely to give permission for you to flood pmr coms channels with music... and if he does, and the site players all disagree... im afraid you DO have to have permission... because its ruining the game for others.

Thanks for your contribution and continued interest in this thread.

Firekitten

your sarcasm is noted and ignored. Thankyou for your lovely thread.

moggser

now now
make awkward sexuall advance's not war

Dread-Lock

I have 304 channels I wouldn't mind losing one. Stop being greedy .
And its a skirmish...loads of people are "monging around" anyway.

hoplite

Firekitten wrote: »

your sarcasm is noted and ignored. Thankyou for your lovely thread.

Even without the rolly eyes :rolleyes: :eek:

Anyhow anytime a mod wants to lock this one up feel free to do so. I was happy after post two. Then everything went orribly wrong

Would have been nice to have kept it constructive.

Lemming

hoplite wrote: »

Would have been nice to have kept it constructive.

There's nothing constructive about it hoplite. Sorry.

As an "in-game" idea, it's appalling, selfish, inconsiderate, dangerous (people not paying attention), and well ... appallingly sh*t.

ED E

My attempts were slightly successfull. The sound is distinguisable and you can clearly tell what song is playing, but its very distorted. I'd guess its the different impedances. I was using a laptop soundcard as the source, I might try a few different sources(RCAs to 3.5 from a soundcard designed to run a PA amp might do the trick).

hoplite

Lemming wrote: »

There's nothing constructive about it hoplite. Sorry.

As an "in-game" idea, it's appalling, selfish, inconsiderate, dangerous (people not paying attention), and well ... appallingly sh*t.

That is of course your opinion which you are entitled to. I disagree with you and thats fair enough.

I don't mong about, I'm not selfish, inconsiderate and I take safety very seriously.

So you are entitled to your opinion but what I do not appreciate is the inferred personal criticism and judgement dotted throughout this thread. Its a thread in the troubleshooting section and as far as I'm concerned its been steered grossly off topic.

Come out and play with myself and a few of my mates and I do not think you would be judging my attitude and conduct so harshly. Or maybe you will.

I now know certain individuals will not be happy if they hear music on a PMR channel. Duly noted and I take it onboard.

The holier than thou judgemental bull***t I can do without however.

Lemming

hoplite wrote: »

That is of course your opinion which you are entitled to. I disagree with you and thats fair enough.

I don't mong about, I'm not selfish, inconsiderate and I take safety very seriously.

So you are entitled to your opinion but what I do not appreciate is the inferred personal criticism and judgement dotted throughout this thread. Its a thread in the troubleshooting section and as far as I'm concerned its been steered grossly off topic.

Come out and play with myself and a few of my mates and I do not think you would be judging my attitude and conduct so harshly. Or maybe you will.

I now know certain individuals will not be happy if they hear music on a PMR channel. Duly noted and I take it onboard.

The holier than thou judgemental bull***t I can do without however.

Hoplite, how you play is one thing. I'm not casting innuendo in that regard, nor have I sought to. But I would consider (and yes it is part opinion, part grounded in reality) that using PMR frequencies at an airsoft skirmish during a game - be it 30 mins or a day/weekend/week long thing to be appaling.

• Selfish: because you're holding up an entire channel because you want to be a DJ. Also, PMR 446 is .. well to be blunt; "public" and thefore not your sole right to use as a radio channel. Never assume that somebody else either does not want to use your channel at some point, or is not listening.
• Inconsiderate: see selfish. Add "not everyone likes the same music as you" and therefore has to listen to you pumping what they consider to be "sh*te" over the frequency that they are trying to use to contact team-mates or whatever.
• Dangerous: The music provides a distraction. It also means you cannot hear sh*te which includes someone in close proximity to you thus either you or they may fire reflexively at point blank range. It also means you cannot hear things like whistle blasts, "I'm hit", or more importantly "Blind man" or "cease fire" or "emergency".
• Appalling: See all of the above reasons. It also drains other people's batteries, not just yours ...

TBH with all of the above - I couldn't care if you are the most otherwise honourable, upstanding or whatever player in the world. If you start pumping music across PMR you (not you specifically hoplite, I mean in "you" in general) are nothing but a complete muppet.

Firekitten

I cant agree more... Although I think what is more key here, is hoplite has missed the point raised, and focused on how several posters including myself were forced to respond to the kiddie crowd....

Firstly... its pirate radio... secondly, there could well be an emergency. if you're listening to music, you arent focusing, you may well be shooting people who are dead and calling hit, but can you hear them? no... thats likely to wind tempers up... and quite eaisly....

Last game, i was hosed quite bruitally with a whole 100 round midcap by a player who couldnt hear the calls of hit, because he was firing his stubby thriller african rebel style with the motor next to his ear....

having music playing means you will miss the key ****ing signal in airsoft... the vocal 'hit'

whatabout when you are hit and dont feel it? the sound that otherwise would alert you is now blocked out...

overall this is severely close to getting you accused of hosing and cheating...


the game goes down hill from there...

hoplite

Well the airsoft intelligentsia have sat in judgment and spoken. Thats me put in my place.

Firekitten

*bins the map she made Hoplite*

moggser

i think it might be a bad idea as i know if im sitting dug in some where
and here my fave Nelly club floor filla come over the air wave into my
head set i know i wouldnt be able to help me self

id be two steppin all over HRTA :)

jill_valentine

Lemming wrote: »

It's a pointless excercise in self-serving "because I can".

I think airsoft would lose something if "because I can" stopped being a good enough excuse for some really spectacularly stupid ideas...

Spetzcong

jill_valentine wrote: »

I think airsoft would lose something if "because I can" stopped being a good enough excuse for some really spectacularly stupid ideas...

I wholeheartedly agree, now back to trying to figure out how to mount a grenade launcher on a 249, and fit my decks to my tac-vest.

Also @ Moggser, ha ha 2 step, legend.

Toasty113

jill_valentine wrote: »

I think airsoft would lose something if "because I can" stopped being a good enough excuse for some really spectacularly stupid ideas...

*Cue slow-mo dive out of cover*

Dread-Lock

Spetzcong wrote: »

now back to trying to figure out how to mount a grenade launcher on a 249

I've seen it done. You can get a rail system for an M249 here. I kinda want to do it .

Firekitten

Dread-Lock wrote: »

I've seen it done. You can get a rail system for an M249 here. I kinda want to do it .

the mere thought that you have considered this sickens kitty... (Lemming is also threatening to put an m203, peq, torch, and sniper scope on his m60vn in retaliation for this herassy...)

moggser

Im sure he will reply to that when he pick's himself up off the
floor after collapsing from fright

Dread-Lock

Firekitten wrote: »

the mere thought that you have considered this sickens kitty... (Lemming is also threatening to put an m203, peq, torch, and sniper scope on his m60vn in retaliation for this herassy...)

Good, that was the reaction I was going for .

Firekitten

Hes sat right here... and winding up his ban hammer... I hear its out of batteries from excessive use.

Masada

theres nowt wrong with blingin up a 249, heres mine...

jill_valentine

Throw on a sling, and it's a winner!