AFV intercoms

[johann morris]

Here's a question that I could really do with some with as I know nothing about the subject. Looking forward, I am going to need some intercoms for my project panzer, what is the easiest way of achieving this. I saw this clansman radio on fleabay and although the radio side of it may not be appropriate, the throat mike and head phones would be ideal. So can anyone help.

 

Jon

[sirhc]

You can make a basic intercom using Clansman crew boxes. Look on eBay there are sellers who sell kits, but you only really need an IB3 and a couple of ( CB2s (Crew box 2 set) and 12 way cables etc. You could then use those headsets.

[johann morris]

Great, thanks for the reply, I will check it out.

 

Jon

[johann morris]

Is this set up what I m after  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clansman-MILITARY-Vehicle-IB3-INTERCOM-HARNESS-SYSTEM-Grade-A-NON-ANR/312333635504?hash=item48b8890fb0:g:eoQAAOxyqUpQ8yDL

It seems a lot of boxes for the driver to talk to the commander or am I just being simple. The 2 boxes with the light green buttons I assume are crew boxes?

In the original and I think in British tanks, they had a head set and mike, the Germans had throat mikes with a simple talk button on. You can tell that I don't know the technicalities, the clansman seems far too complex for my needs but maybe that's the only way to do it?

Jon

[sirhc]

If you want to use the headsets and throat mikes you posted in the first photo then these boxes are the easiest and cheapest way to do it. If you can find the cables you can make up the intercom kit yourself quite cheaply. There will be other civilian options but you would end up with modern headsets.

[johann morris]

I think that I will go for it, thanks. It may seem that I am jumping ahead but I need to plan these things in my head up front, so thanks again.

 

Jon

[gordonb]

The headset you first posted is specifically for the 349 radio as shown although any Clansman headset will work with any Clansman radio. I wouldn't recommend them for an intercom as you have to use the PTT (transmit) button to talk. All the other headsets use a  PTT in a small box which has a switch on it for "Live Mic" which allied with the IB3 etc allows you to talk to each other without pressing buttons. Much better for all concerned especially the driver.

[johann morris]

The original picture was really just a starting point as the throat mike attracted me. I was going to get the standard headsets but could a throat mike be rigged to work with these, it's just that the Germans used a throat mike. If not then standard headsets it is. Can the cabling be extended so that I could hide the boxes as they would have been down with the radio operator?

 

Jon

[johann morris]

Which one of these would you recommend

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clansman-MILITARY-Vehicle-IB3-INTERCOM-HARNESS-SYSTEM-Grade-A-NON-ANR/312333635504

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLANSMAN-MILITARY-Vehicle-ANR-INTERCOM-HARNESS-SYSTEM-used-tested-working/152909368028

The one with ANR doesn't have the IB3 box.

 

Jon

[gordonb]

It isn't that difficult to rework headsets if you can solder delicate wiring. The Clansman stuff is tinsel wire and can be a pain to work with.  The connections are widely available via google.

I wouldn't use the pictured 349 headset in a panzer as there is only one earpiece and I suspect you'll need two if only to act as ear defenders!  (I know I do in my Ferret). I'm afraid I don't know how well the throat mic would interface with the ANR system.

Clansman headsets come in three flavours, infantry, B vehicle and A vehicle. The A vehicle ones, the rarest, are probably the best as ear defenders and the infantry ones the least. As one would expect. Be aware there are headsets out there without microphones, I think the come from the Warrior. Very good as ear defenders.

I've no experience with the ANR system so I don't know how effective it is, others will no doubt chime in with their experiences.

[David Herbert]

I strongly favour the Clansman ANR system (Active Noise Reduction). The boxes have gold coloured fronts, though for some reason not the 'Driver's Box' (which is labelled ANR if it is). Tanks are much noisier than say Ferrets and the ANR system really works. I don't believe there is an ANR headset/throat mic combination but there is, as Gordonb said, an ANR headset with no mic which are cheap and easy to find and could be used with a hand held mic, plugged into the other hole of the crew box. That would make the commander a bit less obviously modern than the standard boom mic.

David

[johann morris]

Thanks for your advise folks, it is really appreciated. I have ordered the ANR system and a couple of headsets with mikes attached. All I will need is some extensions for the cabling but that can wait.

 

Jon

[Liberty]

 

I use the Racal ANR headsets in my Ferret.  The microphone is super directional and does not pick up background noise.  Id the genuine wind shield is fitted, you almost have to have the microphone touching your lips. But when you do, it is very "readable" by the other users.

[johann morris]

Thanks Dean.  What about using throat mikes ?

 

Jon 

[Liberty]

I cant add much to what is listed above..... the Clansman throat mike and single earpiece setup uses the standard 7 pin Clansman plug and would interface with any Clansman intercom system.  The only down side is the PTT is built into the throat mike/headset assembly and would require pushing to talk.  I guess this could be "overcome" with a soldering iron....??  I'd run some tests first before committing to too much money.  

It is worth noting that on the Clansman 349 throat mike, only one of the "blobs" is active.... the other is just to balance the assembly on the neck.

[eddy8men]

type "throat mic" on ebay and you'll get thousands of hits. it might be easier and cheaper to get a motorbike intercom kit and fit it inside whatever headset you want

[johann morris]

Thanks for all the comments, as I have already bought a clansman system I have ordered a throat mike, head set which hopefully I can rearrange to look like a ww2 panzer set.

 

Jon

[Scammell4199]

Found this thread and thought i'd pick it up instead of starting another one, so more relevant info is in one place. 

I've had our Scammell Pioneer on the road a few months now and the noise is fairly overwhelming. The wife is straining her voice to make herself heard telling me whats behind, so i've been told some sort of intercom is in order and after finding this thread thought a Clansman setup would be ideal.

I like the sound of the ANR headphones. Would they work directly with the PRC-349?

I'd like to have a wireless setup so that co-driver can get out to see me back when reversing. What would i have to have additional to IB3 and CB2 setup in the vehicle in order to communicate with a PRC-349 outside? I'm also thinking long term, our next project is an AEC Matador and it would be good to be able to communicate vehicle to vehicle.

Many thanks. Richard

[gordonb]

You cannot legally use 349s in the UK because of their frequency range. For your reversing scenario you are much better off using PMR446 walkie-talkies as they are much easier to use than faffing around with headsets, throat mics etc. Also easier to use vehicle-vehicle as nice short aerials so do not get into your co-drivers eyes. And a wide variety of headsets available if you need them.

[gordonb]

Forgo to add that ANR will not work with 349 anyway. ANR requires 24v from the harness system and the 349 is not 24v.

 

[Scammell4199]

Thats great, thanks very much.

So what would be the minimum requirement using clansman components to effect vehicle to vehicle communication?

[teletech]

Be aware there are ANR and non ANR Clansman components and things like pressels, headsets, crew-boxes, and Interconnect boxes all need to be ANR for your ANR gear to work properly.

You can find some of what you need here:

https://www.livesteammodels.co.uk/dhmg/britint1.html

I'm not positive it will work for activating mics, but one of these might just work for a 2-headset setup.:

I know it does power the ANR of the headsets successfully,  I don't remember if the comms setting sends the rest of the vehicle intercom to the headsets or if it just allows the two crew hooked to this box to chat.

[sirhc]

That box in the last post is part of the crew briefing system used on Spartan and Warrior. The headsets which plug in to it do not have mics, it allows the guys in the back to listen to the intercom and have ANR but they can’t talk back. 
 

Unfortunately there is no way to use the Clansman kit to do what you need. If you want to communicate wirelessly with someone outside the vehicle through the intercom you’ll need a full 351 or 353 radio installation and the licence to operate it.

[Scammell4199]

Thats all great info, thanks chaps.

Think i'll just go for an ANR vehicle intercom, just for in-vehicle communication. 

So, for two people i just need one gold front IB3 and one gold front CB2, thats right isn't it?

Would there be a preference for IB2 as opposed to IB3?

Thanks. Richard

Edited August 8 by Scammell4199

[teletech]

...and a power cable and 12-position interconnect cable.  Those 12-position cables seem to cost at least as much a crew box these days, so consider that if purchasing a package deal vs individual parts.

The IB3 is vastly more common to find and will do everything you need done, the IB2 is bigger and does some stuff you aren't likely to need.  I think it looks "cooler", which in this hobby, isn't nothing!  Good luck finding one for sane money though (and if you do, let me know where you did)!