Intercom systems have been used for years in airplanes, where pilots and copilots need to speak over the roar of the engines to safely take off and land. Not long ago they were adopted by race-truck and dune-buggy drivers with roaring engines, but what about putting a set in your Jeep or loud trail rig? What if you could speak normally to everyone in the vehicle at the same time? We installed a set of Rugged Race radios in the Cummins diesel-powered UAJK Jeep we built and found them great for conversing with passengers while bombing across the desert at high speeds. The system can be wired to also work as a hands-free cell-phone system or broadcasting VHF or UHF to other similarly equipped vehicles. The headset and intercom system can be used on CB radio frequencies with a custom adapter. Additional handheld radios can be added to the system in case you want to have an out-of-vehicle spotter who can calmly guide you over an obstacle rather than screaming over engine noise. Of course it's probably a bad idea, and likely illegal, to wear a fully enclosed headset while on the street since you still need to be able to hear emergency vehicles, but once you hit the dirt, the intercom can help you converse with family and friends without all the yelling.
The Rugged Race Products intercom...
The Rugged Race Products intercom system allows up to five people to converse in one vehicle. We installed four headsets with over-and-behind-the-head straps and two-way radio ability. The headsets are noise-cancelling so that wind and engine noise are not an issue. Rugged also offers small in-ear headphones, great for wearing under a winter cap, and single-ear headsets so you can still listen for mechanical issues on your vehicle.
The main intercom control...
The main intercom control box is mounted within the center console where a cell phone, MP3 player, or satellite radio receiver can also be plugged into the system. The arrangement is such that music plays in the background and when someone speaks it reduces music volume and increases voice volume for everyone with a headset. If a driver or co-driver then wishes to broadcast over the radio to other vehicles, there is a pushbutton control to let them speak over the radio waves.
The headsets can be carried...
The headsets can be carried in a protective duffle and are easily removed from the truck when you don't need them. We ran the leads to our Master Craft seatbelts and there is a 3.5mm plug so you are never hunting around for the wires.