Psr 800 audio quality

[Williamb]

New to the scanner today. I am actually shocked at the audio quality as compared to a 600. All audio is scratchy and very noisy. Doesn't matter what object. I do a lot of DXing with amateur radio. It sounds like thunder and static crashes.

Wondering what your audio experience has been like? Do you think I have a bad unit? I will be calling tech support tomorrow but trying to get an understanding as a base level for expectations.

Thanks,

Will

[IowaGuy1603]

I have 2 800's.

Audio is fine on both

I have never listened to a 600

[jaspence]

I have a PSR 800, Pro 106, and BCD 396xt. The 800 is the best of the three, especially in my area listening to simulcast.

[mikey60]

Originally Posted by Williamb

New to the scanner today. I am actually shocked at the audio quality as compared to a 600. All audio is scratchy and very noisy. Doesn't matter what object. I do a lot of DXing with amateur radio. It sounds like thunder and static crashes.

Wondering what your audio experience has been like? Do you think I have a bad unit? I will be calling tech support tomorrow but trying to get an understanding as a base level for expectations.

Thanks,

Will

Comparing a base/mobile scanner to a handheld scanner on sound quality is an apples to oranges comparison. Unless you use an external powered speaker they will never have a similar sound quality.

What kind of items are you listening to?
Are there any paging/FM/cellular transmitters near you?
What antenna are you using?
Have you tried a different antenna?

Just a few thought starters.

Mike

[konabrian]

The only scanner I can compare to is my Pro-97. It's nowhere near that type of quality but then again it has a smaller speaker and less output. You can't expect it to be.
I find it fine and loud enough for most situations.

[IowaGuy1603]

As a sound check I would recommend hitting the weather button (bottom right as you look at the scanner)

You might have to scroll through the weather channels to find the one closest to you but there should be one close.

If you can't find a weather channel that you can hear-----you MIGHT have a bad scanner. Or a bad antenna, or just live in a hole


The Weather channels are in the clear on VHF 162.xxx mHz.................no matter where you are they are a good audio/signal strength test for any receiver.

[Williamb]

As far as I can tell the sound quality is driven by the receive signal. The higher number of bars on receive then the audio improves. I now think that it is primarily a receive issue. I connected the 800 to a Diamond discone antenna. That improved the bars but still not reflecting many bars however the audio materially improved. On the other hand the 600 will show 6 bars with its portable antenna on the same object.

Additionally going from fresh batteries to usb power will also increase the number of bars to maybe 1 from 0.

I am listening to conventional channels using a transmit antenna about 3 miles away. Norwalk PD dispatch

My expectations and prior experience are that these signals should max out the number of bars. I also have an old Uniden bearcat handheld that has no problem hearing.

All in all my assesment is that there is something wrong in the receive sensitivity.

I am sure once I get a replacement unit I will be pleased. There is no denying that the scanner has great features along with a couple of real problems.

Thanks,

Will

[Williamb]

Well it's working great now. I reviewed everything and decided to see if I updated the CPU and Firmware if that would have any effect. I did and it did. Receiving very well, and audio sounds great. Actually receiving some weaker signal objects better that the 600 which just scans over them. Overall the difference is amazing.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

Will