I had problems with my communications system breaking down the other day. I will explain the setup and the conditions under which it struggled. If anyone wants to chime in with potential alternatives or solutions, I would be very grateful for the input.

What we needed:
The system was expected to relay comms between very small number of people in the field, and a base station. The communications package in the field needed to be hands free, was subject to possible submergence in water at times,(only to 2 meters) and needed to be tracked by GPS. The base station needed to maintain communications with the folks in the field while still maintaining an internet connection. The area of operation was within a cell phone network. The area also had variances in elevation features. The signal range needed a minimum of three miles, five plus would have been nice. Security/encryption wasn't a major issue. (callsigns/code words)


What we did:
For the people in the field, we gave them 3g capable smart phones wrapped in two layers of plastic and then taped with packing tape.(waterproofing) The screen was visible., and you could still press buttons/screen. We then took bluetooth headsets, covered any buttons or holes with packing tape, and then dipped them in liquid latex(waterproofing) and let them dry. (the day before) We then attached a thin elastic tether cord between the bluetooth headset and our packs, so they wouldn't get lost if they came loose. We enabled GPS tracking programs on the phones that could be viewed over the internet by the base station. For the base station, we used a 3g capable smart phone and used a "tethering program" in conjunction with a laptop to get internet on said laptop. That same phone was also used to communicate with the people in the field.


What went wrong:
We did several dry runs with the gear, but could never get it to work without any bugs. Foolishly we went ahead with our task anyways. The first thing that went wrong is that a bluetooth headset had been left on, and wasn't powered up when it was needed. The only way it could be recharged is to remove the latex rubber. Once that happened, it was no longer usable in the field. To bypass that problem, we put the phone on speaker, and stuck it in a pouch on the top of the shoulder strap of the pack, as close to the head as we could get it. So it was working, but it could be heard from several feet away. Also, if the call was dropped, it had to be set to speaker again. (I am sure there is a way to auto-answer/speaker but we didn't have time to figure it out) The bluetooth headset that was working would drop signal on occasion, and have to be re-paired with the phone. When we loaded up the base station phone with and internet connection and the regular phone communication, it became less reliable. Either the internet was working and the phone was not, or the phone was working and the internet was not. While mostly water proof, the double bagged and taped phones started leaking a small amount of water after an extended period of time. Also, if you had to operate the phone interface, the light on the screen was much too bright.

In the end we lost GPS tracking(internet) by the base station, and only had hands free coms over a cell phone set to speaker. (annoyingly frustrating, hard to hear) We managed to keep basic communications up, but just barely.


Why we used this system:
Firstly, we examined every method of wireless/radio communications. (frs/gmrs/hf/vhf/ham/cb/sattilite/etc..) For reliability, cell phone networks could not be beat. (except by satellite?) Reliability was paramount to us. If you think of a cell phone as a fancy radio (which it is), then you can think of cell phone towers as repeaters. The amount of cell phone towers is unmatched by any other system of repeaters. As long as you are in a covered area, cell phones are going to be super reliable. (please correct me if I am wrong, input welcome)

Secondly, We didn't want to drop mad loot on a comms package. We decided to use what we had on hand in order to keep costs low.


What I would have liked:
Something waterproof, reliable, good range, and throat mics would have been stellar. If we didn't try to run voice comms through the tethering phone, we would have had reliable internet at the bas station. also, if the phones were GPS tracking only, with no voice comms, they would have been reliable as well. Bluetooth isn't very reliable, it dropped too much. Something with a hard line to the phone would have been better (water proofing concerns though.) I kinda wished we had just used GMRS or other radio. (maybe put up our own repeater?) I think the failure in our system came from our effort to tailor it to something its not meant for.


So does anyone have any solutions? Maybe a package that they have used in the past that could address these problems? If you know of a commercial solution, maybe put links and prices with it? Also, if we could keep the post on topic that would be nice. I am only asking for feedback on the comms problems.

Thanks gals/guys!


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Just use the cellphones without the bluetooth and text each other Only call during emergencies

That takes away from the hands free aspect.

Bump, any radio geeks out there?

I haven't had much luck thinking of better alternatives to what you used, except that in retrospect you want to test something out until you're sure it works.

I took a look at some martime radios, but I don't think they'd meet your needs.

I also looked at the 5 watt maritime handheld radios, specifically the ones that cover gmrs freqs as well. They would have to be paired up with some kind of headset/throat mic and still be waterproof. One thing I am currently looking at is the use of otterbox cases instead of plastic sandwich baggies and packing tape. (lol) They are pretty cheap, and have a decent reputation. still thinking of an easier way to WP the bluetooth headsets (if I decide to still use them) As of right now, liquid latex is still the best thing I can think of.

I grabbed a pair of 5 watt radios that are submersible to JIS7 specifications. I also already had some non-waterproof radios sitting around. I tested the range today, and they performed well beyond my expectations. It is more money than I wanted to spend, but I found them on sale, and actually got a good deal.

These are the right tools for the job.

I just need to find waterproof throat-mics, and a small waterproof boxes for the GPS trackers.

Yay for being poor due to gear expenditures!

Just tested it in the water. It is waterproofed as advertised. I definitely need some kind of mic/earpiece, You can not hear it if it is submerged.

After looking around for a waterproof headset/throat mic/etc... I have not been able to find one that is rated as submersible. At least not for a sane price. ($300 wtf?) There are a couple brands that claim water proof, but when you read up on them, they are not submersible.

On these radios, I can feel the vibrating call function, but can not hear sound if the radio is underwater at all. Even two inches underwater.

If anyone has any thoughts or ideas about where I might find what I am looking for at a sane price, let me know.

What if you wore a helmet with an airtight section in it and then put an ordinary (not submersible) radio in that section? Of course a leak would suck.

The thought did cross my mind. They have those on the market actually. From a RLSH standpoint, some of them look pretty cool too.

I think it would interfere with some other pieces of gear, and I dunno if I could dig being in the water with a helmet on, lol.

Good suggestion though.