USER INSTRUCTIONS
Put the headset on as if it were a ball cap with the wire hoop behind and below your head. See pictures of the kids for a visual.
Pull BOTH sides of the unit rearward so the speaker rests and stays next to the auditory canal for optimal hearing.
Adjust the microphone so it is kissing close to your mouth. The microphone is not positioned ideally when the photo of the kids was taken.
Make sure the actual microphone under the foam wind screen is pointed towards the mouth and not into the wind. Pull the foam cover back one time to visualize which way the microphone faces after which you will be able to tell by feeling it. You may also want to mark it in some way for easy visual reference. The microphone is directional and noise canceling and works considerably better pointed towards the mouth rather than into the wind!
After the ear and microphone positions are optimized, with the unit "OFF", plug in both headsets being mindful not to use the "Audio" port. You may use either headset port but consistency of choice is recommended for user friendliness.
Turn on the unit and adjust each volume while saying test words like the commercial, "Can you hear me now?" or like our 4 year old got us to doing, "Blah, blah, blah", in a normal voice as if speaking to someone in the same room. Strive for low but satisfactory volume settings which will reduce or eliminate wind and traffic noise except during extreme conditions. Some mark the volume dial with a drop of paint for an easy reference to instantly set the volume to the correct level once it has been determined. Others simply learn how far to rotate the dial and one "Blah, blah, blah is sufficient."
The captain usually carries the power unit sideways in his left jersey pocket with the volume control on the side facing up. If the unit is put in straight up and down, the cords will have an unnecessary bend that may stress the internal wires.
Once accustomed to riding with the unit the desired volume level is easily attainable.
The stoker may run the wire under their left shirt sleeve which helps keep it out of the way when climbing out of the saddle.
The captain's wire usually goes down the back either inside or outside of the jersey.
With some helmets it works better to put the headset on prior to the helmet and with others it is best to put it on after.
You may find it beneficial to shape the hoop of the headset to optimize your hearing ability and for comfort. Before bending it, we recommend finding the optimal speaker position for your ear. Visually look at the speaker and then with the aid of a mirror see where it rests in relation to the auditory canal. A second way to determine optimal positioning is to find the position that provides maximum volume by moving the unit around on your ear while the microphone from the other unit is positioned near a constant sound source such as a stereo speaker. Once the loudest position is found, hold it in place and go to a mirror where you can shape the hoop to hold the speaker on that position on your ear.
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Optimizing Your
System & Troubleshooting 
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The Tandem-Com is very easy to use and intuitive thanks to the simplicity of the unit and comfort of the Ultra Headsets.
Is it normal to
experience extra noise, garbled sound and difficulty hearing when going down a hill at 30
mph into a 20 mph headwind with heavy traffic going by?
Any intercom system open to the environment is prone to picking up a combination of ambient sound and wind noise. To minimize the potential and or eliminate it, check the following in this order:
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The microphones are directional. Make sure they face your lips and do not point in any other direction. To determine the directionality, remove the windscreen one time to see exactly where the microphone points. Now that you can see the shape you will be able to tell by feel through the foam. You may also want to mark it in some way for easy visual reference.
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Eliminate unnecessarily high volume settings with optimal headset positioning. Make sure the headset is pulled back on BOTH sides so the speaker is as close as possible to the auditory canal and position each microphone kissing close to the mouth. You may find that putting on the headset after the helmet works better than before. Once headset positioning is optimized, the volume can be on a low setting providing clear clean sound. You may find it beneficial to bend and shape the hoop of the headset to optimize the fit. Before bending it, we recommend finding the optimal speaker position for your ear. Visually look at the speaker and then with the aid of a mirror see where it rests in relation to the auditory canal. The wire loop may be shaped for optimal positioning for you ear. A second way to determine optimal positioning is to find the position that provides maximum volume by moving the unit around on your ear while the microphone from the other unit is positioned near a constant noise source such as a stereo speaker. Once the loudest position is found, hold it in place and go to a mirror where you can shape and bend the hoop to hold it at that level on your ear and also flat against your ear.
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Low battery voltage will cause this problem. Replace the batteries with fresh AAA Alkaline cells or Lithium cells.
We are now getting pops, snaps and crackle
sounds in our system. What causes this?
99% of the time this is resultant of a poor connection from either dirty contacts or a broken headset wire. Clean the plug on each headset with rubbing alcohol and see if this solves the problem. A bit of dielectric bulb grease helps maintain a good connection available from your local auto parts store. The most vulnerable parts of any intercom system are the headset wires as they are handled a great deal over time and receive inadvertent tugs and pulls thus they are a wear and tear item. To help eliminate this problem and to provide a superior product we use a special sheathed cord with reinforced ends. If an internal wire has been broken, the headset needs to be replaced unless you are handy with a soldering iron. We offer replacement headsets on units we have sold at a discount to our customers.
Why has my volume dropped
even though it is turned up all of the way?
If your headset and microphones are properly positioned, suspect low battery voltage. Install fresh AAA Alkaline or Lithium cells and be sure to turn your volume back down!