Scanner audio through vehicle speakers?

dmg1969 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 5:54 AM

My 2009 Tucson has an auxiliary input jack. I was wondering if it is possible or advisable to hook up the audio audio output from a BC355N to that so it woud play through the speakers.

Dave

jackj · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 6:30 AM

Yes. You would need an audio jumper cable, of course. Look for a stereo or three circuit jumper. You should be able to find one at Wall Mart or most places that sell car radios.

dmg1969 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 6:45 AM

I am dropping by Radidiot Shack this morning anyway. I will look for one there. Thanks!

mass-man · #4 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 8:11 AM

You might look for a cable with at least one right angle plug! That way it does not stick out so far from either the back of the 355N or the aux jack on the dash. Just another thing, in either place, to get hit and or break!!!!

evolocomotive · #5 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 8:33 AM

Ive had my audio run thru my stereo for 5+ yrs and love it!

kennyloatman · #6 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 11:12 AM

Only negative is that it ties up your AM-FM radio ( having to put it on the AUX setting) I like to listen to both, otherwise it's great.

Ensnared · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmg1969

I am dropping by Radidiot Shack this morning anyway. I will look for one there. Thanks!

In my opinion, I get more volume by using a mono cable. Mine comes out the left side where I can hear. If I use stereo, it is not as loud. I even have a high power JBL amp in my car. It really sounds good.

elwood_blues · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 11:48 AM

Way back when, I had a '71 Chevy Nova. Since I had put in a custom stereo and speakers, I had connected my old Regency 10 channel crystal based scanner (stylin' at the time...) into the factory dashboard speaker.

But like Kennyloatman said, if you use the AUX jack, you lose all your other audio. Get a good/cheap Motorola speaker and keep it separate.

W2NJS · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 1:10 PM

The aux input jack in the car is probably stereo. That means that the tip and ring are the left and right channels and the barrel of the plug/jack is the common. If your scanner has a mono output you wire the mono output to the tip and ring, and the common of the scanner output to common of the plug you're going to plug into the aux input. By doing so you should get scanner audio from both sides of your car's system. It's also quite possible that store such as RS will have this type cable available pre-made and all you then have to do is plug it in.

kennyloatman · #10 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 4:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2NJS

The aux input jack in the car is probably stereo. That means that the tip and ring are the left and right channels and the barrel of the plug/jack is the common. If your scanner has a mono output you wire the mono output to the tip and ring, and the common of the scanner output to common of the plug you're going to plug into the aux input. By doing so you should get scanner audio from both sides of your car's system. It's also quite possible that store such as RS will have this type cable available pre-made and all you then have to do is plug it in.

That is how mine works and Radio Shack did have the ready to go cable.

jackj · #11 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 9:04 PM

Can't speak for Uniden but GRE's PSR-800 uses a stereo jack on the scanner. So a standard stereo jumper works great with my 800.

dmg1969 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-13-2013, 6:27 AM

I'm an idiot. I completely forgot to pick one up when I stopped in. I had a million things to do and places to be and just plain forgot. On the plus side, I have one at work that I can try for a day or two to see if I like it. It's probably only mono, but it will give me an idea. I am also considering a separate speaker, so that will help me decide without spending any $.

Dave

dmg1969 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-14-2013, 11:29 AM

I tried it on lunch using a mono audio cable from work and it did work. Still not sure if I could do without the radio. Probably opt for an external speaker instead.

GrumpyGuard · #14 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 7:39 AM

I have my 106 in a homemade cup holder stand with a small 2" radio shack speaker attached to the stand. I did the speaker mod using a jumper wire from the base of the antenna to the speaker jack and this works very well.

AC0RV · #15 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 8:19 AM

I am using a wireless fm transmitter from Walmart to supply the audio the vans radio. Its to be working great.

dfbarnes · #16 (**permalink**) 01-21-2013, 9:30 PM

My suggestion is you go buy a 2009 or newer Dodge Charger Police. There is an input on the police interface for audio that will play the scanner audio over the factory speakers, muting the radio/cd when there's scanner traffic, and playing the radio/cd when there's not.

:-)

GrumpyGuard · #17 (**permalink**) 01-21-2013, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfbarnes

My suggestion is you go buy a 2009 or newer Dodge Charger Police. There is an input on the police interface for audio that will play the scanner audio over the factory speakers, muting the radio/cd when there's scanner traffic, and playing the radio/cd when there's not.

:-)

Best option to date, or see if you can put an interface together.