So I just got my motorola radios (it’s from the EM1000 series).
They are really nice and it has both VOX and iVOX features. The only thing
is I don’t think the earpiece/microphone that came with it works with VOX.
It appears to be a PTT only external mic/earpiece. So what I mean is, if I plug it into the radio and speak loudly into the external mic piece, nothing will be picked up or transmitted to the other radio even though iVOX is activated.
iVOX only works without the external earpiece and mic. I’m looking for a plug in external mic that I can use with VOX feature so that it can pick up noise and transmit it handsfree without having to push the PTT button on the external mic/earpiece.
Where can I find one? Am I correct that the PTT external earpiece/mic does not work hands-free but must still push the PTT button for it transmit?
The EM1000 is an older Talkabout and was discontinued some time ago. I don’t recall if there was a version that included a headset. Is this a Motorola headset or another brand?
A VOX compatible earpiece with a PTT inline mic will typically have a switch to choose between PTT and VOX mode. When it is switched to VOX mode it essentially leaves the mic open for VOX operation.
If your headset has a PTT button and doesn’t have a switch to put it in VOX mode it likely doesn’t support hands-free VOX.
Yes, mine came included with 2 earpiece/mics. But they only have a PTT button on them. There’s no option to switch it to VOX. However, the manual does say that this model supports VOX accessory hands-free, but they never clearly stated if the included earpiece/mic was one or not so I wasn’t sure why it didn’t work. It seems rather silly that the included earpiece isn’t a VOX one but simply a PTT one. So they make you have to buy another earpiece that basically does exactly the same thing except not having to press PTT.
So I finally got my VOX accessory earpiece/external mic shipped to me. I was able to test it out using my theory.
IT WORKS.
I put the microphone and clipped it inside my engine bay (off to the side where it won’t come in contact with anything) and slid the wire through the side door panel. Inside my car, I have plugged it into the jack of my radio. When I turn it on, it automatically says “VOX” so it’s already ready to go. The other radio is turned on and i keep it with me. When i turn on the engine or even drive, the vox transmits the noise to my radio. So obviously I keep it turned off when im driving since I don’t need it to transmit anything.
When I park the car, I turn the radios on in VOX mode and it picks up the car alarm noise. Anytime my car now makes an alarm noise, I can be notified ASAP wherever I am (in the house, in the mall, at work etc). It works brilliantly!
This is a simple and relatively cheap DIY car alarm alerter/notifier for those of you who do not have a car alarm that uses smart phone apps to alert you.
The only thing I’d recommend is to buy rechargeable AAs. The stock battery pack that comes in those radios are only about 700mah or 800mah. When fully charged, the units only last about 1 day on standby before the batteries die out. So I’m using 2400mah AA eneloop batteries and on a full charge, it lasts about 3-4 days on 24/7 standby.
So to answer my own question from the very beginning: YES, it does work and it works really well as an alternative to not wanting to buy a whole new car alarm system that can communicate with smartphone apps.
here is the pic:
-leave one radio in the car attach via velcro so doesn’t slip off
-run external mic wire through sidewall of car
-clip the microphone inside the engine bay, i used electrical tape
as well to secure it and made my own boom mic (spongy material)
to help keep out dust or particles from getting inside the mic pinhole.
(it was a bit wet due to the weather today when i opened the hood, but
inside the engine is completely dry).
