Racer7x Posted June 7, 2018 Report Share Posted June 7, 2018 (edited) I know digital is now the way to go over the old analog. What is the best bang for the buck system currently available ? Edited June 7, 2018 by Racer7x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee mcoppola Posted June 7, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted June 7, 2018 (edited) Sampson Racing Communications used to be the preferred Chumpcar radio supplier. A couple years back, Racing Radios took over that spot, but Sampson continues to provide discounts to Champcar teams, and has a very good product line. https://www.sampsonracing.com/digital-racing-radios-kits-s/1978.htm Here's a write up I did about our experience buying a radio system. https://forum.champcar.org/topic/17520-racequip-gear/?do=findComment&comment=362994 @Shawn Sampson Edited June 7, 2018 by mcoppola 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Sampson Posted June 7, 2018 Report Share Posted June 7, 2018 Mike, Thanks for the support! Yes we still offer a 15% discount to members. Please feel free to call and ask for Ben. He really knows the digital systems and can help you put together a great system. Cheers, Shawn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shields8 Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 A combintion of the Sampson harnesses and Baofeng Radios are the way to go. The Baofengs are high power and incredibly high quality for a very low price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xph Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 2 hours ago, shields8 said: A combintion of the Sampson harnesses and Baofeng Radios are the way to go. The Baofengs are high power and incredibly high quality for a very low price. Haha he said Baofeng and high quality in the same sentence... We use Baofeng radios, I would say they are decent quality for the price if you are nice to them... they will not survive like a Motorola or even Kenwood commercial piece, but are more than usable if you are the programmer type (IE dont mind programming radios, and understand the license requirements and laws you may or may not be complying with). The biggest problem we have found (I use Baofeng stuff) is the accessories, buttons, antenna extenders, 12v power.. itsnt really all that suited for race cars, and is of that low enough chinese quality that you have to troubleshoot, repair and replace regularly... it does at least make us want something better in the car.... for the hand held pit units, where one fails and you can just put it down and pickup another, its great, as they are cheap enough you can have several. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Infiniti Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 (edited) Last week I rented a car with beofang, everything worked decently at start, but halfway through, the in car 12v battery eliminator would not produce enough amps to transmit, frustrating to hear but not reliably reply, caused at least one fumble shift... Not a big deal to replace but not something the team had spares for. Bottom line If radios are any bit frustrating or confusing to everyone on a team it would be best to start with better equipment from a series suporter (yes, even on a budget) Edited June 12, 2018 by Team Infiniti 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shields8 Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 18 minutes ago, Xph said: Haha he said Baofeng and high quality in the same sentence... We use Baofeng radios, I would say they are decent quality for the price if you are nice to them... they will not survive like a Motorola or even Kenwood commercial piece, but are more than usable if you are the programmer type (IE dont mind programming radios, and understand the license requirements and laws you may or may not be complying with). The biggest problem we have found (I use Baofeng stuff) is the accessories, buttons, antenna extenders, 12v power.. itsnt really all that suited for race cars, and is of that low enough chinese quality that you have to troubleshoot, repair and replace regularly... it does at least make us want something better in the car.... for the hand held pit units, where one fails and you can just put it down and pickup another, its great, as they are cheap enough you can have several. I have a completely different experience with the radios. That being said, as I mentioned, we have the Sampson harness for the car and different brand antenna. We have had the Baofengs for probably 6 years now and they get used for snowmobiling (wet, cold), the racecar (hot, wet) as well as for general use at the lake for between the boat and trailer. I have found them to be far superior, especially given the price, to any of the FRS crap that many people sell. In addition to that, can run higher than a 1W radio which are not available in Canada. YMMV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvumtnbkr Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 I would agree that baofong are better than the frs/ grms radios you can buy. However they fall short of commercial grade radios that are set up well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xph Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 (edited) 12 minutes ago, shields8 said: I have a completely different experience with the radios. That being said, as I mentioned, we have the Sampson harness for the car and different brand antenna. We have had the Baofengs for probably 6 years now and they get used for snowmobiling (wet, cold), the racecar (hot, wet) as well as for general use at the lake for between the boat and trailer. I have found them to be far superior, especially given the price, to any of the FRS crap that many people sell. In addition to that, can run higher than a 1W radio which are not available in Canada. YMMV No question they are as good or better than most consumer stuff, but I guess I wasnt comparing them to blister pack radios. When I called out Motorola or kenwood above, I was talking about their commercial stuff (think law enforcement or public safety gear)... its a whole different level. to me that is what sets the standards for quality radio gear; something you can drive over, drop, hit, start on fire, or otherwise totally ignore and it just works. Edited June 12, 2018 by Xph 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Sampson Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 The quality difference between analog radios (for example Baofeng) and Digital radios is MASSIVE! -With digital you get 100% communications This is our most popular system for the budget racer - We have been using this same system (Crew radios) with a digital mobile (Motorola CM200) for our teams communications over the past 3 years and they work great. https://www.sampsonracing.com/Digital-Starter-5watt-Package-for-2way-complete-p/digital-starter-package.htm We also offer the Baofeng radios as well in a package. They come pre programmed and ready to go. Adding a roof antenna is a big plus for larger road tracks https://www.sampsonracing.com/The-Expert-5watt-Package-for-2way-driver-to-crew-p/the-expert.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyk Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Go with digital Sampson - great support and service. If you ever need to sell you'll get your money back. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer7x Posted June 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 18 hours ago, Shawn Sampson said: The quality difference between analog radios (for example Baofeng) and Digital radios is MASSIVE! -With digital you get 100% communications Thanks for the input Shawn. I'll be getting in touch with you in the next couple of weeks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyBoost91 Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 @Shawn Sampson Considering I'm coming into Chump having run Lemons with a 1 Watt CB radio, I hacked with relays to control transmitting via a steering wheel button and rigged into IMSA headsets (yes, it worked as bad as you would imagine it would, haha!) Will a 5 Watt kit work effectively at most "flat" tracks? I'm a midwestern guy, so no hills like Leguna Seca, etc. (Gingerman, Road America, Mid Ohio, etc. By the time I have the money to race out West, I can just upgrade to a 20 Watt system, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 For what its worth, we got the 5 Watt kit last summer for Thompson in CT and VIR North. Thompson is 1.77 miles (I think) and relatively flat. VIR North is 2.25 miles with some decent elevation changes. We got the quarter wave antenna to go with it and had no issues with coverage. This was our first radio/system, but I feel like its hard to beat for the money. Service from Sampson was great too. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Sampson Posted June 23, 2018 Report Share Posted June 23, 2018 Check out the Enduro expert system. For the money and the quality you are getting our top of the line parts that can be upgraded as you would like. Also you get your 15% Discount. https://www.sampsonracing.com/The-Expert-5watt-Package-for-2way-driver-to-crew-p/the-expert.htm Might want to add a roof mount antenna, easy upgrade. Cheers, Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer7x Posted June 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Thanks shawn...how much extra is the antenna with our champ discount? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEE DEE Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Shawn I have 1 ear bud that went bad. Can you repair or do I need a new set? These buds are custom molded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Sampson Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 3 hours ago, DEE DEE said: Shawn I have 1 ear bud that went bad. Can you repair or do I need a new set? These buds are custom molded Typically we can repair custom or semi custom ear bud kits, call and speak with one of our techs at (805)650-7223 and they can walk you through the repair procedure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Sampson Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 8 hours ago, Racer7x said: Thanks shawn...how much extra is the antenna with our champ discount? $572 then add your 15% discount your at $486.20 Total plus shipping. Great system for the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEE DEE Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 Thank you Shawn I'll call tomorrow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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