Instruction manual

Please check that the VOX control adjuster in the battery compartment is set per the illustration on page 10. This is a low to
medium VOX setting that should suit most people’s needs on most bikes at most typical speeds and a good place to start with
for this test. Set both rider and passenger volume control knobs all the way clockwise which is the minimum volume level and
a good starting point for use without earplugs in this test. Note you will need to increase the volume/s before using the system
out on the bike and in more noise. Do not use earplugs during this test as they will hide and/or disguise much of what we are
trying to listen for. If you intend using in-ear speaker plugs (monitor type earplugs via our optional adaptor extension lead
part 1187) then do so for this test, as monitor earplugs are brutishly honest at letting you hear even the slightest of noises and
so this will help you to fine tune the installation. Note; that you may have to slightly adjust the volume up or down to suit
your speaker plugs.
With the main unit now in your preferred location and ready to power, assemble the headset by plugging in the boom
microphone and then connect this to the headset extension lead and plug this into the rider’s lead of the main control box. If
you have opted for the optional passenger headset then please also plug this in now and get them to assist you with this test.
Before staring the engine make sure that no parts or leads can fall onto a hot exhaust etc. Start the engine in a well
ventilated area and hold the speakers directly over your ears with light pressure and listen for any electrical interference such
as a whining/whistling sound relative to engine RPM which is most likely due alternator or regulator noise, or a continual tick,
tick, tick… relative to engine RPM which is due to HT ignition coils, leads or plugs noise. If you hear any such noises then move
various parts about one at a time while listening with the engine running to find out which part is suffering from noise and
where to move it to so that it becomes clean.
If you are planning on plugging in any other devices such as bike to bike, GPS and/or radar detector etc or one of our special
on-bike music interface leads, now is the best time to connect these up per their instructions and do a pre install test with each
part to make sure the sound is clean and clear with the engine running at various RPM. If you do this one item at a time
and check for any interference you will hear if any noise is introduced and which device/lead is the cause and so can relocate
that part/lead so that the interference goes away. When you are sure that the locations you have chosen for each part and
their leads are clear of electrical interference and risk of heat damage etc you are then ready to continue.
Note the microphones are automatically switched of until you speak, and when you do the side-tone lets you hear your own
voice through your own speakers which helps you to speak at the correct level when out on the bike in noise. When you stop
speaking the VOX will automatically 100% cut the microphone/s and return any music played through Aux 2 back to its
original level.
If while holding the speakers over your ears you speak into the beige side of the microphone and gently move it about with
it just touching your lips you will discover a LOUD SPOT that produces the highest level of sound. Please note how just a few
millimetres (
1
⁄8”) movement can grossly effect the level of your speech and so your ability to operate the VOX. You must ignore
the fact that you can hear yourself through you own speakers and continue to project your voice through the microphone as
if to someone 15 feet (5 metres) away. It can help if you pucker your lips as if kissing the microphone and/or turn the volume
down if it is too loud.
If you do not use the loud spot correctly the level of your voice will be greatly reduced and so you will struggle to operate the
VOX or hear at high speeds, especially when using high attenuation earplugs. It is therefore very important that you and
your passenger learn about and use this loud spot as the system is tuned to it. With a little practice and especially
when you go out on the bike and the helmet noise increases it all becomes much more natural and you will soon be able to
move the microphone away slightly and still reliably operate the VOX, but to start with and to help get you through this initial
learning curve please bear with us as it will help you to understand and use the system as designed, resulting in superior
communications and long term enjoyment.
It is a natural reaction whenever the VOX breaks up the speech to be tempted to turn the VOX controller anti-clockwise so
that it makes it easier to speak to, but you must not do this, instead find and use the microphone loud spot and project your
voice positively through it which will produce far more energy into the system and so make it easier to operate the VOX
reliably, especially when you go out on the bike and the increased helmet noise makes you want to speak louder. If required
try turning the volume control as low as you can and still hear, as with a lower volume setting you will naturally speak louder.
When you are happy that your system is performing cleanly and clearly even with the VOX open and microphones on without
electrical interference you are ready to continue.
Note that you may notice a slight amount of noise coming through the system when the VOX turns the microphones on, but
this is normal so long as it is not the alternator whining or HT ticking noise previously described.
5
FIRST TEST