SDS100/SDS200: SDS 100 and external speaker problems

[SlimPikins]

I have seen threads about using an external speaker with the SDS, but nothing I have read has covered my issue.

I have a battery powered ihome bluetooth speaker which has an 3.5mm plug to directly plug a device into the speaker. I have been using that speaker with a stereo cable to listen to my 436 in my truck with no problems whatsoever. When I try to use the same cable and speaker with my SDS 100 the sound is low and very broken up. I asked on Facebook with no success. Tonight I decided to play around with it again and learned a few things. First off, I found out that if I pull the stereo 3.5mm plug part way out of the speaker and barely have it make contact the sound clears up and the volume is high. From there I decided to look around for a mono cable and try that out. With the mono cable it doesn't work on either the 436 or the SDS unless I pull the plug out of the speaker part way and have it barely have it make contact. Are the earphone plugs in the 436 and the SDS wired differently to anyone's knowledge?

 

[letarotor]

I've had this problem with some of the older Uniden and other brand scanners before. And it is impossible to keep the plug positioned just where you need it especially if you are driving on the road or doing anything that involves movement. Fortunately, I haven't had this problem with my SDS100. So I doubt there's any kind of wiring issue on the scanner causing it and it's most likely you are not getting a 100% contact with the cable and the port. I got a 20 watt Bluetooth speaker through Amazon recently but I have not tried using the cheap cable that came with it to plug into my scanner. I've had a much higher quality cable that I use and I have had no problems like this on my SDS100. I haven't tried it on my BCD436HP though. I've got no clue what kind of cable you may be using but you might want to consider buying a higher quality cable if you are not already using one. It sounds to me like you're not getting good contact and when you pull out on the cable just a little bit the contact is made.

I've had this problem with much more than scanners and I've had it on PC sound cards numerous times in past years. It's frustrating I know. But I'd recommend trying another cable or even a connector that is a 3.5 connector with a female end and then the male end if you have one of those around your house. I don't think it's necessarily a problem with the scanner, and I do think that cables often are not machined perfectly and that might be your problem.

I just tried the cable on my 436 that I've had no problems with and it works perfectly for me. I'm not having any issues. Here's the link to the cable I'm using without any problems on either scanner.

Anker 3.5mm Premium Auxiliary... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R124LAK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Brian (COMMSCAN)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[204skin]

maybe needs a cord like this?

If Uniden sells a 20$ 3.5mm cord you'll have your answer

 

[SteveSimpkin]

...
If Uniden sells a 20$ 3.5mm cord you'll have your answer

I don't think they presently do but after reading your post, they may consider it

 

[budevans]

Just a suggestion, do a test. If you have a pair of earbuds or earphones with the standard three segment plug, try them with both the 436 and the SDS100. If both scanners work, then you know it's most likely an issue with the cord you are using or the speakers jack.

You don't need an expensive cord. I've been using one for the last several years, that I bought at the Dollar Store. I use it in my car to connect my scanners to the Aux Jack for the car's stereo system.

 

[KK4JUG]

You don't need an expensive cord. I've been using one for the last several years, that I bought at the Dollar Store. I use it in my car, to connect my scanners to the Aux Jack for the car's stereo system.

I've done exactly the same thing with an HP2, 436 and SDS100 except that I think I got my cord at Walmart. Excellent audio and never a problem.

 

[SlimPikins]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay answering it's been a rough week.
I haven't had a chance to get another cord yet, but I have a bluetooth transmitter that I have always used with my 436's earphone plug that works very well, but it too is also super distorted on the SDS 100. My alternative has been the earbuds from my iPhone that works well on both. I'm puzzled.

 

[KE5MC]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay answering it's been a rough week.
I haven't had a chance to get another cord yet, but I have a bluetooth transmitter that I have always used with my 436's earphone plug that works very well, but it too is also super distorted on the SDS 100. My alternative has been the earbuds from my iPhone that works well on both. I'm puzzled.

I use a simple 1/8" stereo patch cord with my 436 into the car's audio system with no problem. When I switched to the SDS100 only audio from right side. Turns out the cable for the left channel went south. I think it was a coincident it went bad during the change over.

I would say the audio out for both are the same wiring. One thing that's different with the SDS100 is charging and listening at the same time. I recall both radios audio uses a floating outputs. With the 436 radio if on you would be isolated from car's common because you would not be charging the batteries. So if one side of the audio was connected to common it wouldn't care. SDS100 could be different as the power charging side would be connected to the car's common and possibly one side of the audio output thru your external lash up.

Just a theory as I'm not sure how all the pieces of your setup is connected. If I got it right unplugging the USB cord when audio is bad should clear it up.

Let us know how it turns out.

Mike

 

[KK4JUG]

The patch cord works for me, too. I used it with the AUX input on the car radio and the audio was great.

 

[SlimPikins]

I use a simple 1/8" stereo patch cord with my 436 into the car's audio system with no problem. When I switched to the SDS100 only audio from right side. Turns out the cable for the left channel went south. I think it was a coincident it went bad during the change over.

I would say the audio out for both are the same wiring. One thing that's different with the SDS100 is charging and listening at the same time. I recall both radios audio uses a floating outputs. With the 436 radio if on you would be isolated from car's common because you would not be charging the batteries. So if one side of the audio was connected to common it wouldn't care. SDS100 could be different as the power charging side would be connected to the car's common and possibly one side of the audio output thru your external lash up.

Just a theory as I'm not sure how all the pieces of your setup is connected. If I got it right unplugging the USB cord when audio is bad should clear it up.

Let us know how it turns out.

Mike

Thanks for the reply. The problem I am having is happening regardless of the fact either is plugged into power or not. I'm really thinking I have a bad earphone plug on the SDS.