Ensure that you are talking into the beige side of the microphone and it is positioned in the loud spot.

Ensure speakers are positioned correctly.

Adjust the riders/passengers volume control to increase volume level.

Ensure speakers are positioned correctly.

Adjust volume level on the audio device itself.

Ensure your phone has this facility.

Ensure that you have connected the adaptor block correctly into the phone.

Check that the phone is set to auto-answer whilst in headset mode (handsfree).

Try connecting the adaptor to the phone followed by plugging the lead in.

Ensure your phone has this facility.

Ensure that you have connected the adaptor block correctly into the phone.

Check that the phone is set to auto-answer whilst in headset mode (handsfree).

Try connecting the adaptor to the phone followed by plugging the lead in.

The Vox maybe set too soft for the conditions or helmet type you ride in. Adjust the vox screw in the battery compartment. Turn clockwise to stiffen the Vox.

Ensure speakers are positioned correctly.

Adjust volume level on audio device.

Ensure speakers are positioned correctly.

Adjust volume level on audio device such as phone/GPS itself.

Ensure that you are talking into the beige side of the microphone and it is positioned in the loud spot.

Ensure speakers are positioned correctly.

Adjust the riders/passengers volume control to increase volume level.

Ensure that you take turns to speak and that you leave 2 seconds between transmissions.

Ensure both transceivers are on the same channel and sub-tone.

Check that the connections on the radio are secure.

Adjust volume level on transceiver.

Ensure the microphone is positioned correctly and that you are using the loud spot.

If using a press to talk (PTT) check the switch position.

Ensure that the PTT switch position is central when powering up the system.

If you are bike powering an audio device, check that you are using an isolated lead to interface it to the system.

Unplug all accessories and see if the noise is still audible. If the noise has gone, plug one lead in at a time until the noise returns. You now know which lead is picking up the noise. It will either need re-routing or it is an incorrect lead.

Ensure that you are talking into the beige side of the microphone and it is positioned in the loud spot.

Ensure speakers are positioned correctly.

Adjust the riders/passengers volume control to increase volume level.

Ensure speakers are positioned correctly.

Adjust volume level on audio device such as phone/GPS itself.

Ensure speakers are positioned correctly.

Adjust volume level on audio device.

The background noise sensor may be in the wrong position in the helmet. Position the background noise sensor in between the cheekpad and the inner protective section of the helmet facing forward. It should be around eye level. Refer to our download section if in doubt.

The Vox maybe set too soft for the conditions or helmet type you ride in. Adjust the vox screw (purple screw on main unit) by turning it anti-clockwise a quarter of a turn.

Ensure your phone has this facility.

Ensure that you have connected the adaptor block correctly into the phone.

Check that the phone is set to auto-answer whilst in headset mode (handsfree).

Try connecting the adaptor to the phone followed by plugging the lead in.

Ensure that you take turns to speak and that you leave 2 seconds between transmissions.

Ensure both transceivers are on the same channel and sub-tone.

Check that the connections on the radio are secure.

Adjust volume level on transceiver.

Ensure the microphone is positioned correctly and that you are using the loud spot.

If using a press to talk (PTT) check the switch position.

Ensure that the PTT switch position is central when powering up the system.

If you are bike powering an audio device, check that you are using an isolated lead to interface it to the system.

Unplug all accessories and see if the noise is still audible. If the noise has gone, plug one lead in at a time until the noise returns. You now know which lead is picking up the noise. It will either need re-routing or it is an incorrect lead.

Many systems try to overcome this problem by adding a volume control to the configuration. Sounds good to the uninformed, but a volume control alone will simply result in increased overall volume, which is not good if the system has ambient noise within it. A volume control only has real value if the system technology is advanced enough to eliminate the ambient noise from the system, which no other system except Autocom has accomplished.

When researching a system make sure to measure the system as a whole as a system is not successful unless the entire system works. A system that works for music, or a system whose intercom seems to work fine, but whose performance declines when adding bike-to-bike is not a well-designed system. The basic fact is that you need a complete package of technologies for the system to actually be a "system".

If side tones are so necessary, why would any manufacturer make a system that does not include them? Quite simply, it is a very difficult task that requires advanced knowledge of communciations and communications engineering to create a communication solution that will allow you to bring not one microphone signal (your passenger's), but two (yours and your passengers)* to each set of headset speakers efficiently. Remember for most manufacturer's there are only three steps in the communication process: 1) pick up a (voice) signal, 2) amplify that signal, 3) present that signal to the speakers. The problem is obvious for these systems. As they do not elimiinate or reject the ambient noise from entering the system they are amplifying ambient noise into your speakers, which is far worse than the ambient noise itself. Picking up one microphone works with some results for these systems ... picking up two would greatly detiorate their performance. The result is linear and would mean double the noise and HALF the performance they normally would experience (which is far less than Autocom already).

To find out what lead you require, either click on the products section and direct yourself to the appropriate section or click on connectivity on the products page itself.

This give you the flexibility to mount the unit almost anywhere that is convenient for you as long as the location is not directly exposed to the weather (additional leads may be required depending on your choice of mounting location).

Autocom has taken additional steps to protect each unit including coating the circuit boards, utilising tough injection-molded cases that unlike metal casings will not allow moisture to condense, and engineering with tight tolerances to make sure that stop gap assembly techinques (e.g. sealing openings with epoxy/mastic or potting (filling the entire space with mastic)) are not required.

By design a true noise-cancelling microphone will look to reject noise, not pick it up. This is exactly why this type and quality of microphone works so well in the motorcycling environment. Properly positioned the microphone will be located in the LOUD SPOT just in front of the mouth. Not achieving this will result in the feeling that there is not enough intercom volume or that the microphone is cutting out. The reality is that these will only occur if the microphone is not positioned correctly. Once you know how to use the microphone and have set the VOX level you are set for noise-free communications and audio under all conditions and at all times.

Speaker Installation Tip 1: Your speakers need to be aligned directly over your ear canals. This seemingly minor point is important. Remember ear canals, not ears, there is a big difference. (Note the star pattern located under the foam cover by feeling the speaker. This should align with your ear canal.) Verify sound quality by hooking up the speakers to the system before installing them into the helmet and holding them up to your ears. Note the sound quality and volume setting you find comfortable as you hold the speakers in your hands. Installed correctly into your helmet, the speakers will sound exactly the same and require no change in the volume setting of your music source. Follow the installation instructions (also available in the download section of this website) to install the speakers utilising these tips. Speaker Installation Tip 2: Autocom systems have features within the design that require proper installation in order to ensure that you achieve maximum performance from your system. For example, speakers positioned 1/4" out of alignment will result in a 50% loss of volume. This includes not only any positions out of alignment with the ear canal(s) but also away from the ear itself. What we have tried to achieve is to eliminate grey areas only leaving black and white. Therefore, the installation is obviously right or obviously wrong. This way it is very clear whether your speakers are positioned correctly or incorrectly.

Step 2: Set up the first bike and have the first rider on their bike with his system fully set up to talk to the second rider who is using their transceiver as a handheld unit (not on the bike or helmet). This will give both riders the chance to recognise the delay between transmit and receive modes of the transceiver. This delay varies from transceiver to transceiver and is usually shorter with higher quality transceivers.

You generally miss the first word spoken, so a call word is often recommended.

Step 3: Riders should then switch roles in Step 2. Practice makes perfect and it's much easier to practice while close together and not riding and worrying about other things going on.

Step 4: Now you are ready for a test ride with both riders on the road.

Although this short 4 step process may seem elementary, we have found that it will better prepare you for VOX based bike to bike communications and is well worth the effort and time required.

Tip: Consider using the term "over" at the end of each transmission, especially when first getting use to your system, so that you know the system is open to the next communication/person.

Note: An optional Push to talk/Privacy switch is available for those who prefer or require PTT bike to bike communications. This optional accessory, also, allows the rider and passenger to communicate privately without transmitting over the bike to bike transceiver.

The interesting part of noise-reducing earplug usage is that often you can hear your communications and audio better with them than without. Seems backwards but it is true as they reduce the annoying frequencies associated with ambient noise, while voice signals come through clearly.