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Useful Gear for Tour Guides and Travellers

"Emergency mics"
Jason Cohen, CTG
3/25/2024 11:00 AM
Hi,

Just in the last 2 weeks I had two occasions where coaches didn't have mics. The other day, the driver literally handed me a megaphone!!

Thankfully, I carry an emergency mic, which really came in handy. On Amazon, if you search "wireless FM microphone headset" you'll see they're about $20. Basically, you tune the coach FM radio to an unused channel, and tune the device to the same channel. The sound quality isn't great, but the device is small and lightweight, and for $20 it really came to my rescue! (Note: I see that with the $30 ones on Amazon you plug a receiver into the 3.5mm jack on a radio, but the $20 one that I got transmits directly to the coach radio without a separate receiver.)

There's a similar device you can use so you can play your music from your phone over the coach FM. On Amazon you'd search something like "wireless fm bluetooth transmitter 3.5 mm". I note that many of these plug in to the vehicle cigarette lighter, but others (about $13) have their own USB charger so the device is really small. Since these have a 3.5 mm jack, you'd also need the 3.5mm to lightning adaptor if you have an iphone. Those cost about $7.
Susan Smith, CTG
3/25/2024 11:26 AM
A megaphone! That is hilarious! Maybe wear cheerleading uniform too?



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone


Hi,

Just in the last 2 weeks I had two occasions where coaches didn't have mics. The other day, the driver literally handed me a megaphone!!

Thankfully, I carry an emergency mic, which really came in handy. On Amazon, if you search "wireless FM microphone headset" you'll see they're about $20. Basically, you tune the coach FM radio to an unused channel, and tune the device to the same channel. The sound quality isn't great, but the device is small and lightweight, and for $20 it really came to my rescue! (Note: I see that with the $30 ones on Amazon you plug a receiver into the 3.5mm jack on a radio, but the $20 one that I got transmits directly to the coach radio without a separate receiver.)

There's a similar device you can use so you can play your music from your phone over the coach FM. On Amazon you'd search something like "wireless fm bluetooth transmitter 3.5 mm". I note that many of these plug in to the vehicle cigarette lighter, but others (about $13) have their own USB charger so the device is really small. Since these have a 3.5 mm jack, you'd also need the 3.5mm to lightning adaptor if you have an iphone. Those cost about $7.
Robert L. Hunt, CTG
3/25/2024 1:02 PM
Absolutely, Positively, Hilarious!!

Megaphones were used in the first days of motorcoach touring.

Over 100 years ago.

What charter coach company was it?’

Sent from my iPhone

Martina Koeckritz, C
3/26/2024 12:05 PM
Thank you so much , Jason , that is super helpful !
Martina Koeckritz

Sent from my iPhone

Sunny LaGardo, CTG
3/26/2024 12:21 PM
Have we found out which companies they were?


Robert L. Hunt, CTG
3/26/2024 12:47 PM
This is vitally important to know.
When charter coaches,
or,
charter coach companies,
have unsatisfactory cleanliness,
Missing equipment,
Including PA systems,
Have poorly operating equipment,
Including PA systems,
or in any way are unsafe,
full disclosure to your colleagues is 
absolutely, 
positively,
necessary.
Remember,
If something is never reported,
It will never be corrected.
That’s just the way it is.


Sent from my iPhone

Susan Smith, CTG
3/26/2024 1:01 PM
Yes!



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone


This is vitally important to know.
When charter coaches,
or,
charter coach companies,
have unsatisfactory cleanliness,
Missing equipment,
Including PA systems,
Have poorly operating equipment,
Including PA systems,
or in any way are unsafe,
full disclosure to your colleagues is 
absolutely, 
positively,
necessary.
Remember,
If something is never reported,
It will never be corrected.
That’s just the way it is.


Sent from my iPhone

David Stein, CTG
3/26/2024 1:27 PM
Toyally agreed!!



Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device


Yes!



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone


This is vitally important to know.
When charter coaches,
or,
charter coach companies,
have unsatisfactory cleanliness,
Missing equipment,
Including PA systems,
Have poorly operating equipment,
Including PA systems,
or in any way are unsafe,
full disclosure to your colleagues is 
absolutely, 
positively,
necessary.
Remember,
If something is never reported,
It will never be corrected.
That’s just the way it is.


Sent from my iPhone

Marvin Chiu
3/26/2024 1:01 PM
Mostly small bus operators but work as an affiliate with the bigger bus operator. One of the most notorious bus operators I saw recently is call "Umbrella", most of the time their bus show up WITH OUT mic, the drivers usually got this I don't give a F attitude, even if you got a emergency FM radio back up mic, most drivers attitude are "it's your mic, you go head and figure out how to operate".

Also Bauer is a horrible horrible bus operator, DO NOT use Bauer if you are leading a tour, Bauer is only somewhat OK for easy point A to point B passengers transfer move

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