Constant hiss - GRE 500

[bubbaearle]

I am hearing a constant low hiss from the speaker. The volume level is constant independent of the volume knob position.

I've never noticed this before - I usually lay the radio on my shoulder at low volume and I just noticed this today......the TV was off and the house was quiet.

My batteries have been running down quickly as well, I think this is the cause.

Any clues as to what the cause may be?

[bsdam]

I've noticed this on my 500 since I got it, my batteries seem to run fine though (usually NiMh's, charged outside the scanner, never charged in it...)

[Mike_G_D]

This is normal on the GRE units unless you are talking about a really loud hiss. As far as I can tell, I think they designed the audio amp to remain on constantly and not mute when no signal is input so you get the constant hiss of the audio amp. Either a quieter audio amp or an efficient muting action (quick responding so as not to miss first syllables, etc.) would mitigate this but in the current design the hiss is normal.

-Mike

[wayne_h]

It's easier to leave the audio amp on rather than design the circuitry to cleanly handle powering it up when needed. I notice this annoying pop with my 396.

Numerous commercial radios have the audio amp pop also. I'll settle for having it on all the time.

[bubbaearle]

I'll take y'alls word for it.

I thought I knew my radio pretty well....ya learn something new every day - if ya don't ya aint paying attention.