Need ideas for listening to 6 scanners in mobile install

[PropHumm]

I have 6 Uniden scanners mounted in the rear of my vehicle and am planning to use PROSCAN to control them via a dash-mounted computer. What would be my best way to listen / hear all 6. I've heard of people using PROSCAN and mounting individual speakers for each scanner without running them thru the computer. I've also heard of people running each scanner thru a sound card in the computer, but I'm not clear on how they are doing their output to speaker(s). Are they running a single speaker or 1 channel, piping all scanners thru 1 output channel? Or are they running multiple channels out? I only have 6 scanners running simultaneously. I know there are stringers out there with 15 to 20 scanners mounted all over the dash and console of their vehicles. I would think using PROSCAN would afford me a better way than just having speakers wired directly to the scanner.

 

[phillydjdan]

What model scanners? Before you go splicing wires into a soundcard you need to know which model behaves which way. What I mean is, the older 996T and XT have a line out jack that you simply connect a mono or stereo cord to. With the newer P2 and HP models you cant do it the same way. You have to install a ground loop isolator in each audio cord. You could achieve the goal of bringing all scanners into 1 speaker if you connect them to a multi channel mixer (think DJ mixer). They sell 4 channel mini mixers that are quite tiny. Run audio from each scanner to each input then run the output to your speaker. But make sure you know whether or not you need the ground loop isolators or not. If you don't use them you will slowly burn out the audio amplifier in each scanner.

 

[PropHumm]

What model scanners?

I have 6 Uniden scanners . . . BCT15X x2, BCD996P2 x2, and SDS200 x2

 

[buddrousa]

As posted to you by me on the PC to run this this is how I run my audio
PC Line In Scanner 1 left Scanner 2 right
USB Line IN Scanner 3 left Scanner 4 right
SDS Networked Scanner 5 SDS Networked Scanner 6
Each scanner has its only Audio Levels 3 Left and 3 Right.

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Desk Mount for Three Base Scanners | Scanner Master

Desk Mount for Three Base Scanners

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Desk Mount for Four Base Scanners | Scanner Master

Desk Mount for Four Base Scanners

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8 Port MCA208M VHF/UHF Receiver Multicoupler - 25 MHz to 1 GHz | Scanner Master

8 Port MCA208M VHF/UHF Receiver Multicoupler - 25 MHz to 1 GHz

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[PropHumm]

Here is the mount I built for all the remote mounted electronics in my vehicle.

 

[JimD56]

I use ProScan for display and control only on PC. My audio comes out of each device separately NOT running into the PC. You can find cheap external speakers on eBay for $12-15 that works just fine for me. YMMV
Jim

 

[buddrousa]

Post 6 will work for you unless you want to record audio.
Nice work was not sure what your plans were. The stridsberg will give you 8 antenna ports from 1 antenna with no loss.

 

[PropHumm]

I'm not too concerned with logging or recording. I just need the ability to identify the scanner that's receiving and replay because of my hearing .... or I should say .... lack of!

 

[Ubbe]

If you use a hardware mixer or a software one in the computer you will most often have a pan control for each input where you can place the sound from each input between stereo speakers, a standard pair of computer speaker that run on 12v and that has a volume control you can use or even move out to use remotly and place at a more convinient place . One input at far left and the next one panned to half way between left and middle and so on. The human ear are good at seperating and recognising signals comming from different directions.

There are $5 external USB souncards but look at ones that have built in ground loop isolators or add a $5 one for each input.

/Ubbe

 

[iMONITOR]

Here is the mount I built for all the remote mounted electronics in my vehicle.

View attachment 95722

What is the power inverter being used for? If possible you'd be better off running everything on 12VDC rather than 120VAC.

 

[JimD56]

Ok so here is a suggestion:
You have the Dash-mounted pc, windows 7 is fine, that has a USB input.
USB Hub from the back of the scanners, with all of them, plugged into it.
Run One USB Cable from the hub to the PC running ProScan.
Look at Dash Mounted screen to see all of your scanners, NOT while driving.

 

[ka3aaa]

If all six of you scanners are talking at the same time how do you expect to comprehend anything they say let alone know who it is talking especially if you have bad hearing as you say. You surely wont be concentrating on your driving like you should be.

 

[JimD56]

Listening to a combination of more than 6 scanners and radios is totally doable, but I do that at HOME. I agree with ka3aaa I can't see doing that on the road. I have multiple scanners/radios in my vehicle but only listen to one source at a time.

 

[WB9YBM]

I have 6 Uniden scanners mounted in the rear of my vehicle and am planning to use PROSCAN to control them via a dash-mounted computer. What would be my best way to listen / hear all 6.

Using a computer--considering what a computer's capable of--sounds a bit like clobbering a mosquito with a howitzer. Some type of audio combiner / equalizer would probably be my first go-to solution.

 

[PropHumm]

What is the power inverter being used for? If possible you'd be better off running everything on 12VDC rather than 120VAC.

The inverter is needed to power the multiple chargers needed for my drones and all of the camera gear I use.

 

[PropHumm]

Ok so here is a suggestion:
You have the Dash-mounted pc, windows 7 is fine, that has a USB input.
USB Hub from the back of the scanners, with all of them, plugged into it.
Run One USB Cable from the hub to the PC running ProScan.
Look at Dash Mounted screen to see all of your scanners, NOT while driving.

That is exactly how I'm setting up the main system. One large USB hub will feed the CPU, which is actually mounted in the rear also. I will only have 1 HDMI and 1 USB cord running to the monitor in the front.

 

[buddrousa]

Touch Screen Monitor?
I use one in the fire truck for work (Dispatch Traffic) can be a challenge with double touches ect.

 

[trentbob]

The first thing I thought of when I saw your original post was... I thought of the movie Jaws when Chief Brody says... "I think we're going to need a bigger boat"...

The more great suggestions I see and your obvious determination that you're going to get this done, I think this is very doable and look forward to the final results which I think will be modified several times before you're done.

 

[trentbob]

Touch Screen Monitor?
I use one in the fire truck for work (Dispatch Traffic) can be a challenge with double touches ect.

Is there no optional protection against double touches? I only ask because in the last few years I'm the king of double touching screens... I'm getting a little shaky, I do understand if you are bouncing around in a truck LOL.

 

[buddrousa]

IPAD dash mounted with bought reporting software.